1995/05/16APPROVED
Executive Board Meeting
May 16, 1995
Mayor Robert Peters called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.. Present
were Depyty Mayor Arthur Powers, Dr. John McIntosh-Finance Board ·
Chairman, Kelley Beaucar-Herald reporter, Kendra
Meyers-Hartford Courant reporter, approximately twenty residents
and Janice Serafino-
secretary.
Approval of Minutes
Deputy Mayor Powers moved to accept the minutes of May 3, 1995 as
written, seconded by Mayor Peters, passed unanimously.
Deputy Mayor Powers moved to accept the minutes of May 4, 1995 as
written, seconded by Mayor Peters, passed unanimously.
Approval of the minutes of May 2nd to be acted upon when Deputy Mayor
Veronesi arrives.
The Mayor also asked that Audience of citizens taken up when the Deputy
b~yor arrives.
Personnel/PurchasingMatters
Mayor Peters stated that the Personnel Director was attending the
Police Commission meeting at this time and would join the Executive
Board later in the evening.
Acceptance of En~.~o_~ee Termination Form
Deputy M~yor Powers moved to approve the termination form for
jacqueline Hemond, who recently resigned as part-time Reference
Librarian, seconded by Mayor Peters, passed unanimously.
The remainder of items under this section to be taken up when Personnel
Director is present.
Corporation Counsel
Mayor Peters said that Attorney Anderson would not be attending as he
bad another con~ait~nt.
Update on Timberlin Concession Litigation
The Mayor said Attorney A~derson had informed him that the litigation
involving Lisa Genovese, previous concessionaire, for. rent o~d the
Town is moving forward.
In ~he case brought by Jaime Ortiz, nothing new to repor%.
Report on Affordable Housing Appeal
Mayor Peters reported that the State Supreme Court has denied the
Town's appeal of the decision of the Appellate Court regarding the
affordable housing develo~nent proposed by Joseph Wisniowski. In
essence, he said there is nothing more the Town can do to reverse the
decision.
Deputy M~yor Veronesi entered the meeting at 7:05 p.m..
Audience of citizens
Several residents reiterated the concerns expressed at the public
information meeting held on Monday night on the Town's proposal to
purchase property located off of Still Meadow Lane for the potential
future develo~r~nt of soccer fields. Again, the residents of the
Steepleview Drive/Still Meadow Lane neighborhood stated that their
main concerns were of safety in nature due to the increase in the
traffic that would result and also the access to the property. The use
of Bic~ntenniai Park for active recreation and any restrictions that
may be on that property were also discussed. In conclusion, the
Executive Board assured the residents that they will take another look
at alternate sites in Town that might be developed for playing fields,
will keep the concerns expressed in mind when making their decisio~ and
will also ask the Board of Finance to keep this matter tabled to give
the Executive Board time to look at alternatives.
Ail who had ccme in on the property issue left the meeting at 8:10
p.m.. Dr. McIntosh, the two reporters, A1 Gerdis and the
secretary remained.
New Business
Update on Timberlin Concession by Concessionaire
Angelo Chirico, operator of the Fareways Restaurant at
Timberlin, met with the Executive Board to report on the firstmonth
of his operation. F~. Chirico stated that they hadundergone the
usual opening problems with a new crew but felt that things were
improving and last week ran very smoothly. He said they have been open
for weekend dinners for several weeks and will now begin to advertise
as they feel confident they can do a good job. The concessionaire
stated that he has placed con~nt cards on the tables and has received
good cc~ments and suggestions. In conclusion, Mr. Chirico stated
that he is pleased that the restaurant is doing so well. The Board
then reviewed the menu and prices, approving of the items and pricing.
Mr. Chirico left the meeting at 8:30 p.m.. At this time the Board took
a break, resuming the meeting at 8:35 p.m..
Public Health 5~rsing Board of Directors
Jean Conway, Director of Public Health Nursing Services for the Town
and several members of the Board of Directors met with the Executive
Board to discuss the Service's special purpose bank account. Mrs.
Conway explained that this account dates back to the late 1920's
and continues to receive donations and expend funds for the betterment
of the residents of Berlin. It was explained by several Nursing Board
members that they have met with Corporation Counsel and an attorney
that specializes in tax matters regarding renaming this fund and
setting it up under their own tax number.
After a brief discussion Mayor Peters moved to sanction the attempts of
the Board of Directors of the Public Health Nursing Service to move the
funds in this special account, presently in the Town's General Fund,
transferred into a new account under control of the Nursing Service
Board, seconded by Deputy Mayor Veronesi, passed unanimously.
Mrs. Conway and the Nursing Board me~bers left the meeting at 9:00
p.m., with James D'Errico, Director of Personnel/Purchasing, entering.
Personnel/PurchasinqMatters Continued
Sage Park Lighting Pr~_ject
Mr. D'Errico reported that the project was proceeding, quotes had been
obtaining on purchasing material directly from the lighting supplier,
which will result in an approximate savings of $14,500 for the Town.
He said all materials will carry a 5 year warranty. Mr. D'Errico also
explained that the Town has received marked drawings showing where the
light posts are to be placed. He said the test borings are to be done
thisweek and the project is scheduled to begin the first or second
week of July.
Retirees' Pension and Insurance 5~tter (Tabled)
Mayor Peters moved to remove this item from the Table, seconded by
Deputy Mayor Powers, passed unanimously.
Mayor Peters moved to have the Personnel Director make the insurance
options presented to the Executive Board for review available to all
retirees, letting them decide if they wish to select a less costly
medical insurance coverage, seconded byDeputyMayor Veronesi, passed
unanimously. He said that althcugh the Town does not have funds to
increase pensions this ~uld be away for retirees to lessen their
expense for medical insurance.
Executive Session Items: ¥~yor Peters moved to enter Executive Session
at 9:05 p.m. to discuss the following items, seconded by Deputy Mayor
Veronesi, passed unanimously: Recreational Services Department Sur~ae~
Program Change, Animal Control Personnel Matter, Appointment of Heavy
Equipment Operator-Highway Department. The Personnel Director was asked
to remain.
Upon exiting Executive Session at 9:40 p.m. the Herald reporter and the
secretary rejoined the meeting and the following actions were taken:
1. Recreational Services Department Summer Program Change: Mayor
Peters ~oved to appoint Cindy Argazzi as Sunm~r Program Coordinator
for the Recreational Services Department, seconded by Deputy Mayor
Veronesi, passed unanimously.
2. Animal Control Personnel Matter: No action taken.
3. Mayor Peters moved to appoint Roger Kasey as a heavy equipment
operator for the Highway Department, effective May 22, 1995, seconded
by Deputy Mayor Powers, passed unanimously.
Mayor Peters moved to freeze the test scores of the other tw~
candidates, Steven Karp and Michael Perzanowski, for one year,
seconded by Deputy Mayor Powers, passed unanimously.
New Business Continued
Park and Recreation Cc~mission Items
The following action taken on reccxm~ndations of the Park and
Recreation ommission:
Mayor Peters moved to increase the field usage fee for the Y.M.C.A. to
hold its 1995 Camp Thunder Moon Season at Griswold Elementary School
be increased frc~ $350.00 to $450.00 rather than the Cc~nisslon's
recc~nendation of $550.00, seconded by Deputy Mayor Powers, passed
unanimously.
Mayor Peters then moved to approve all of the following as recommended,
seconded by Deputy Mayor Powers, passed unanimously:
1. To allow the Little League, Babe Ruth, Men's Softball, Berlin Swim
Team Booster Club to sell food in Town parks beginning July lst;
2. To waive the rental fee of $75.00 for the use of the picnic
pavilion at Timberlin Park on June 1st by Boy Scout Troop 24;
3. To waive the rental fee of $75.00 for use of the picnic pavilion at
Sage Park on Mmy 29th by the Crossroads Church of God;
4. To allow the Berlin Babe Ruth League to hold the District 7
Tournament at Percival Field July 8-15 1995;
5. To waive the rental fee for the New Britain Power Squadron to use
the Cc~xmanity Center to conduct a sun, her public Safe Basic Boating
Course for eight weeks, two hours per week;
6. To approve changing the daily admission policy and fees for
non-resident usage of Town pools, requiring non-residents use of
the pools only as registered guests of an adult resident and increasing
the fees for non-residents from $1.00 to $1.50 for children and from
$2.50 to $3.00 for adults.
Unfinished Business
Berlin Land Trust: Land Use Proposal
Proposed Expansion to Timberlin Concession
Proposed Purchase of Property for 9 Hold Addition To Timberlin G.C.
Discussion of K~ights of Columbus Property
All to remain on the Table.
Discussion on Proposed MidConn Land Purchase
Deputy Mayor Powers motioned to ask that the Finance Board give a
c~tment that they would support expending up to $250,000 for either
land purchase or field development, with expenditure of these funds to
be approved by the Executive Board, Finance Board and Town ~eting,
seconded by Mayor Peters for discussion purposes. In the discussion
the Mayor said he was not too sure what a cc~tment w~uld mean, as
they gave verbal support to the MidConn land purchase and have Tabled
any action. Deputy Mayor Powers said such a c~tment of funds would
show support to the Little League and soccer programs and in the event
the Town does not purchase the MidConn property the funds would be
available for other projects. The motion passed unanimously.
Board and Cc~ission Matters
No action taken.
Financial Matters
~udget Transfers and/or Appropriations
!. Mayor Peters moved to increase the amount of funds approved for
appropriation of account 101-2859-101-128 (St. Paul School-Health Aide)
frc~ $1639.00 (approved 5/2/95) to $2278.00, need funding for 25 hours
rather than 18, seconded byDeputyMayor Powers, passed unanimously.
2. ~myor Peters moved to approve the appropriation of an additional
$2500 to account 101-2107-111-218 (Employee Benefits-Tools/Eye Glasses)
to fulfill obligation under ~ite Collar Union Contract, seconded by
Deputy Mayor Veronesi, passed unanimously.
3. Mayor Peters moved to approve the transfer of $65,000 from account
101-3164-141-170 (Interest-Schools) to account 101-3064-141-170
(principal-Schools) due to the fact that the interest was less than
budgeted for this fiscal year, seconded byDeputyMayor Powers, passed
unanimously.
4. Mayor Peters moved to approve the additional receipt of $22,893 to
estimated amount of the Board of Education's Final Excess Cost Grant,
seconded by Deputy Mayor Veronesi, passed unanimously.
5. Y~yor Peters moved to approve the transfer of $176.00 frc~ account
101-2861-101-107 (School Nurses) to account 101-2861-101-117 (School
Crossing Guards) to fund this account for 183 days rather than budgeted
181 days in this fiscal year, seconded by Deputy Mayor Powers, passed
unanimously.
6. Mayor Peters moved to approve additional allocations to the
following accounts to fund them for 182 days rather than the 181 days
budged for in the 1995/96 budget, seconded by Deputy Mayor Powers,
passed unanimously:
Account Description ~mount
1-61-117 School Crossing Guards $110.00
1-1-133 Workman's Compensation $ 6.00
1-61-153 Social Security $ 9.00
7. Mayor Peters moved to approve the allocation of an additional $2500
to account 101-2106-121-232 (Corporation Counsel-High Court
Settlements) to fund this account for the remainder of this fiscal
year, seconded by DeputyMayor Powers, passed unanimously.
8. Mayor Peters moved to approve the allocation of an additional $2000
to account t101-2104-121-201 (Tax Collector-Supplies/Printing)
to cover increased cost of tax bills/envelopes, seconded by Deputy
Mayor Powers, passed unanimously.
9. ¥~yor Peters moved to approve the transfer of $1500 from account
101-2861-121-107 (School Nurses) to account 101-2861-101-128 (School
Health Roc~Aide) to fund this account for the remainder of this fiscal
year, seconded byDeputy Mayor Veronesi, passed unanimously.
10. Mayor Peters moved to deny a request to transfer $800 frc~account
101-2753-101-116 (Nurses-Hospice) to account 101-2753-121-213 (Nurses-
Mileage) and advise the department to use fleet cars for the remainder
of this fiscal year, seconded by Deputy Mayor Veronesi, passed
unanimously.
tl. Mayor Peters moved to approve a request to transfer $50,000 frcm
Water Control ~tained Earnings account to Water Control New
Construction Account to provide funding to conduct a study to reduce
I/I through cost effective measures, seconded by Deputy Mayor Powers,
passed unanimously.
Tax Refunds
None.
Additions to Agenda
1. Mayor Peters moved to add a letter frcm the Conservation Cc~mission
to the agenda, seconded byVeronesi, passed unanimously.
In the letter the Cc~mission stated that they w~uld like the support of
the Executive Board in establishing an expendable fu~tobe called the
Jack Ritter Memorial Conservation Fund, in memory of Jack Ritter a
former member of the Conmlissionwho died last year. The fund woutdbe
used to provide money for the improvement of stream banks in Town by
enhancing buffer zones. Mayor Peters moved to support the Conservation
Cu,,~ission's establishment of the Jack Ritter Memorial Conservation
Fund, seconded by Deputy Mayor Powers, passed unanimously.
2. Mayor Peters moved to add a letter frum CCRPA to the agenda,
seconded by Deputy Mayor Powers, passed unanimously.
The Mayor explained that the Towns has the opportunity, through the
Central Connecticut ~gional Planning Agency, to have all Town and
State roads in Berlin mapped, to receive a new cc~puter with modem,
"The Road Manager Software" and data collection for all federal-aid
roads. The cost to the Town will be $14,563.20 with the balance paid
with state and federal funds. The Mayor said all that is needed at
this time was the consensus of the Board. As all were in agreement, a
letter will be sent to CCP]~A.
Mayor Peters moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m., seconded by
Deputy Mayor Veronesi, passed unanLmously.
~_ .~s~t~lly Sutxaitt~ .
~ice Serafino, Executive/~cretary