1981/10/05MINUTES
EXECUTIVE BOARD
October 5, 1981
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Orlando P. Ragazzi at 7:30 p.m.
Deputy Mayors William F. McKeon and Robert A. Argazzi were present.
Also present were: James D'Errico, Personnel Director; Richard Russell,
Superintendent of Public Buildings; Joseph Murphy, Chairman of the
Commission for the Aging; Florence Barrell, Senior Director.
On motion by Mr. McKeon, seconded by Mr. Argazzi, it was voted to approve
the Minutes of September 21, 1981 as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Ragazzi presented the October 5, 1981 letter from Mr. Murphy
advising that the Commission for the Aging is reco~m~ending that
Mr. Morgan Van Corder be hired as the primary driver for the senior
citizen mini-bus at the rate of $4.50 per hour for an estimated twenty-
one hours per week. It was also the recommendation of the Commission
that the advertising for the position of primary driver be waived. It
is the Commission's intention to have back-up drivers available on an
"on call" basis. Mr. Murphy stated it is the Commission for the Aging's
feeling that this is in the best interest of the town and will provide
for a smoother transition period. He also noted that the Town has not
accepted the vehicle yet. Mrs. Barrell stated it will hopefully be
accepted this week, as she has been advised that the part that was
ordered is in. Mr. Argazzi asked about insurance, does Mr. Van Gorder
have to carry his own insurance. Mrs. Barrell stated it is her under-
standing that the Board of Education contracts out for drivers under
the Town insurance. Mr. Mildrum has been notified. On motion by
Mr. McKeon, seconded by Mr. Argazzi, it was voted to approve the hiring
of Mr. Morgan Van Gorder on a contract basis at the rate of $4.50 per
hour, and to authorize the Mayor to sign the contract as drawn up by
Corporation Counsel. MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Murphy reported that the Commission has developed guidelines on the
use of the mini-bus, and will forward copies to the Executive Board for
their information.
Mayor Ragazzi presented the October 2, 1981 letter from Mr. McNair
regarding the purchase of competetive swimming racing lanes and a
storage reel and cover for the lanes. Mr. McNair reported that he
received quotations from three of the seven companies requests were
forwarded to, and that the low quotation was received from Recreonic
Corp. in the amount of $1,415. Other companies quoting were: Ocean
Pool Supply in the amount of $1,431 and Scott SWimming Pools in the
amount of $2,150. Mr. Argazzi asked if this item was included in the
list of equipment requested in the Percival Pool Renovation project.
Mayor Ragazzi replied yes. On motion by Mr. Argazzi, seconded by
Mr. McKeon, it was voted to accept the recommendation of Mr. McNair
and to authorize the purchase of the competetive swimming lanes,
storage reel and cover for the lanes from Recreonic Corp. in the amount
of $1,431.00. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Ragazzi presented the September 28, 1981 letter from Dr. Chotkowski,
Health Director, in which he advises that he found that of 200 seniors
contacted who received flu shots last year, the incidence of influenza
Executive Board Minutes
October 5, 1981
-2-
was twice that of 200 that did not receive the shots. It is Dr. Chotkowski's
recommendation that flu shots not be given this year. It was the general
consensus of the Executive Board to accept the recommendation of Dr.
Chotkowski not to administer the flu shots to the senior citizens this
year.
Mayor Ragazzi presented the Budget Request of Mr. Russell in the amount
of $875.00 to a new account to hire the services of H.B. Fishman & Co.,
construction consultants, to determine the cause of blistering of Unit E,
Berlin High School roof, and to see if it was applied as per specifications.
Mr. Russell reported this section of roof is over the Industrial Arts
Shops and is part of the High School addition which is approximately
seven years old. He reported this past summer the roof started blistering
and he contacted the bonding people. They reported there was $3,700:'
left on the bond on the roof. Mr. Russell reported when Mr. Fishman
was working on the new roof he requested Mr. Fishman to look at the
Unit E section. Mr. Fishman feels the roof has failed. Mr. Russell
reported he then contacted Koppers, who was the original roofing supply
company and holds the bond on the roof, and they are taking test cuts
of the roof at the present time. He stated he would like an independent
consultant to take test cuts to be analyzed to see if the roof was
installed to specifications. Mayor Ragazzi reported that he discussed
the matter with Mr. Gandolfo, Chairman of the Public Building Commission,
and his feelings were that any expense should be born by the contract
managers. Mayor Ragazzi reported that he also discussed the matter with
Atty. Jackaway, who has instituted a claim against Fusco-Amatruda Co.,
contract manager, and Reliable Roofing & Sheet Metal Co., for damages.
Atty. Jackaway feels the cost will run in excess of $120,000, and he
feels the independent testing is an integral part of the suit. Any cost
incurred by the Town will be recovered if the suit is won.
Mayor Ragazzi asked how Mr. Russell determined the cost of the study,
and why H.B. Fishman was chosen to do the work. Mr. Russell stated
that H.B. Fishman was hired to oversee the construction of the newest
portion of the roof at the High School. He stated he has been working
very closely with Mr. Fishman on the project. He also asked Mr. Hirsch,
Architect, his recor~endation, and it is his opinion that Mr. Fishman
is an expert in the field. Mayor Ragazzi asked if the figure of $875
was obtained from H.B. Fishman. Mr. Russell replied yes. It is not
to exceed $875.00. Mr. Argazzi asked who the architect was on that
portion of the roof. Mr. Russell replied Mr. Hirsch.
Mr. Russell stated that the test cuts that were taken, in his opinion,
looked as if the roof was not applied according to specifications.
Mr. Argazzi asked if the architect inspects the project when it is
under construction. Mr. Russell replied that was the job of Fusco-
Amatruda Company. Mr. Russell stated he feels it is very important
we get an independent testing done and not rely on the study done by
Koppers.
On motion by Mr. McKeon, seconded by Mr. Argazzi, it was voted to approve
the Budget Request of Mr. Russell in the amount of $875.00 for the
purpose of hiring H.B. Fishman & Co., Construction Consulants, to
determine the cause of blistering of Unit E, Berlin High School roof,
and to determine if it was applied as per specifications. MOTION CARRIED.
Executive Board Minutes
October 5, 1981
-3-
Mr. Russell stated when the Executive Board discussed the additional
$1,450 required for the repair of the stairs at the South Kensington
Fire Department, they did not approve the over expenditure (over the
$2,000 limit for not going out to bid). Mr. Russell presented the
invoice from Genovese & Didonno, Inc. in the amount of $3,450 for the
work completed at the South Kensington Fire House. He reported their
work is entirely complete. The amount of $3,500 has been budgeted.
Mayor Ragazzi concurred that the Executive Board did not approve the
amount over the $2,000. On motion by Mr. McKeon, seconded by Mr. Argazzi,
it was voted to approve the additional $1,450 for the repair of the
stairs at the South Kensington Fire House. MOTION CARRIED.
On motion by Mr. McKeon, seconded by Mr. Argazzi, it was voted to reappoint
the following individuals to the Jury Committee for a period of one year:
Dorothy Fagan, 17 Hotchkiss St., Kensington
Dorothy Warren, 369 Main St', East Berlin
Clarissa Dacey, 34 Magnolia Lane, East Berlin
MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Ragazzi presented the September 15, 1981 letter from Mr. Alfred
Bengston, in which ~e is resigning from the Conservation Commission
and the Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission effective
November 1, 1981. In his letter Mr. Bengston stated: "I have enjoyed
the privilege of serving as a member of these two Commissions during the
years since their inception, and would like to take this opportunity
to thank you personally and all of the members of your staff for the
and taht they have always extended to me during my
cooperation
courtesy
years of service on both of these Commissions." Mayor Ragazzi stated
that Mr. Bengston will be sorely missed. "It has been a privilege
to have worked with him. I am sure all of us who have come in contact
with Mr. Bengston will know the type of gentlemen he is and the type
of work he undertook. He has served the town very, very well." On motion
by Mr. McKeon, seconded by Mr. Argazzi, it was voted to accept the
resignation of Mr. Bengston from the Conservation and the Inland Wetlands
and Water Courses Commissions effective November 1, 1981 with deep
regret. MOTION CARRIED.
On motion by Mr. Argazzi, seconded by Mr. McKeon, it was voted to move
into EXECUTIVE SESSION at 7:50 p.m. for the purpose of discussing personnel
matters. MOTION CARRIED.
On motion by Mr. Argazzi, seconded by Mr. McKeon, it was voted to move
out of EXECUTIVE SESSION at 8:15 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
THERE WAS NO ACTION TAKEN DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION.
There being no further business to come before the Executive Board, the
meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary