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Board
of Selectmen
FINANCIAL MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday April 2, 2008
Present: Susan
Bransfield-First Selectwoman, Carl Chudzik, John Anderson, Kathy
Richards, Sharon Gibala, Mark Finkelstein, Brian Flood
1. First Selectwoman
Bransfield called the Financial Meeting to order at 7:42 P.M.
2. Pledge Of
Allegiance
3. Approve Minutes:
There was a
motion by John Anderson, seconded by Sharon Gibala to approve the
minutes of the Financial Meeting on March 5, 2008.
AYES: Carl Chudzik,
John Anderson, Susan Bransfield, Kathy Richards, Sharon Gibala,
Brian Flood
NAYS: none
ABSTAIN: Mark Finkelstein
Motion carried.
There was a
motion by John Anderson, seconded by Mark Finkelstein, to accept
the minutes of the March 19, 2008 Regular Meeting and Budget Workshop.
Vote unanimous, motion carried.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Kathy Richards to accept
the minutes of the March 18, 2008 Budget Workshop. Vote unanimous,
motion carried.
4. Accept Agenda
Mrs. Bransfield
asked that the agenda be amended to include:
# 7: Resolution: Application for FEMA Grant Assistance to Firefighters
(AFG) Program Portland Volunteer Fire Department
#8: Fair Housing Policy Statement
All other agenda
items will be numbers accordingly. There was a motion by Sharon
Gibala, seconded by Brian Flood to accept the agenda as amended.
Vote unanimous, motion carried.
5. Communications
/ Correspondence: none
6. Public Comment
7. Resolution:
Application for FEMA Grant Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) Program
Portland Volunteer Fire Department
Mrs. Bransfield
read the resolution into the record.
RESOLUTION
Application for a FEMA Grant Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) Program
Portland Volunteer Fire Department
WHEREAS, there
is an opportunity for the Town to apply for another Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)
Program; and
WHEREAS, Fire
Department planners have identified the need to replace/purchase
Firefighting Equipment, specifically 70 sets of bunker pants, turnout
coats and boots, and training each costing $2,358 for a total of
$165,050; and
WHEREAS, there
is a local match of 5% which in Portland's case would be $8,253;
now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that
the Board of Selectmen hereby authorize Susan S. Bransfield, the
First Selectwoman of the Town of Portland, to file a grant application
to FEMA for a AFG Program Grant on behalf of the Portland Volunteer
Fire Department in an amount of $165,050, ninety-five percent (95%)
of which or $156,798 would come from federal funds while the remaining
five percent (5%) of $8,253 would be a required local match.
Chief Shea explained
to the BOS that this grant is an annual FEMA grant. The match percentage
has been reduced to a 5% match. The Fire Department was denied this
grant last year and is reapplying.
Mark Finkelstein
asked if these grant monies would replace any of the costs for gear
replacement in the budget request. Chief Shea answered that in fact,
the gear replacement costs in the capital budget requests would
be eliminated in year 2 & 3. The Fire Department is currently
non-compliant in that it does not have FPA Standardized equipment.
This can result in injuries to firefighters.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by John Anderson, to adopt
this resolution. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
8. Fair Housing
Policy Statement
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Sharon Gibala, to adopt
of this resolution and waive the reading of it. Vote unanimous motion
carried.
Town of Portland
FAIR HOUSING POLICY STATEMENT
It is both the
policy and strong commitment of the Town of Portland to promote
Fair Housing opportunities in all its programs and housing development
activities and to take affirmative action through education and
implementation of ensure equal housing opportunities for all persons
and families.
The Town of
Portland will take affirmative action to ensure that all tenants,
applicants, residents are treated fairly without regard to their
race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, martial status,
national origin, ancestry, learning disability, mental or physical
disability, including but not limited to blindness, age individuals
with children, or lawful source of income.
The Town of
Portland will continue to make a good faith effort to comply with
all Federal and State laws and policies which speak to fair housing
practices.
It is the policy
of the Town of Portland that all Housing related personnel be trained
and educated in the principles of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
so that Equal Housing Opportunity maybe available to all qualified
applicants.
This Fair Housing
Policy Statement reaffirms our personal commitment to the principles
of fair housing and equal opportunity housing practices.
The Fair Housing
Officer, First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield, or their designated
representative is responsible for the enforcement and implementation
of the Fair Housing Regulations/Plan and the enforcement of this
policy. The Fair Housing Officer may be reached at 860.342.6715.
Complaint(s)
pertaining to discrimination in any program funded by this Town
of Portland may be filed with the Fair Housing Officer. The Town's
Grievance Procedure will be utilized in this case(s).
Complaints also
may be filed with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunity,
21 Grand Street Hartford, Connecticut 06106.
Dated this 2nd
day of April in the year 2008
Town of Portland,
Connecticut
County of Middlesex Susan S. Bransfield
First Selectwoman
9. Agreement between TOP and City of Middletown for Mutual Stand-by
Animal Control Aid
Mrs. Bransfield
read this resolution into the record.
RESOLUTION
Agreement between the Town of Portland and the City of Middletown
for Mutual Stand-by Animal Control Aid
WHEREAS, the
Town and City desire to achieve improved coverage by better utilizing
existing personnel, rather than incurring the expense of retaining
additional personnel; and
WHEREAS, Connecticut
General Statutes 7-148(c)(1)(A) authorizes municipalities to enter
into contracts, and Section 7-148(c)(7)(D) authorizes municipalities
to regulate and prohibit the roaming at large of dogs and other
animals in the streets and public places of a municipality, and
regulate other matters with respect to the safety of dogs and other
animals; and
WHEREAS, that
the Town is in favor of the participating in the mutual aid agreement
for a period of two years; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that
the First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield, be and hereby is authorized
to act on behalf of the Town of Portland to sign and execute said
mutual aid agreement.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Brian Flood to adopt this
resolution. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
10. Resolution:
2008 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program, Section 7-Cooperative
Forestry Act
Mrs. Bransfield
read this resolution into the record.
RESOLUTION
2008 VOLUNTEER FIRE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM
SECTION 7 - COOPERATIVE FORESTRY ACT
RESOLVED, that
the Board of Selectmen hereby authorize Fire Chief Robert Shea or
Deputy Fire Chief James Lynch to enter into an agreement with the
State of Connecticut, Division of Forestry, for the purpose of executing
the 2008 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program and to provide
such additional information needed to execute such an agreement.
Fire Chief Shea
explained this grant to the BOS. This is the fourth year that the
Fire Department has applied for this grant. It has been awarded
for the three consecutive years. There is no cost to the town. The
Fire Department receives a refund of 50% of what is budgeted.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by John Anderson to adopt this
resolution. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
11. Resolution:
2008 FM Global Fire Prevention Grant Program
Mrs. Bransfield
read this resolution into the record.
RESOLUTION
2008 FM GLOBAL FIRE PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM
RESOLVED, that
the Board of Selectmen hereby authorize Fire Chief Robert Shea or
Deputy Fire Chief James Lynch to enter into an agreement with the
State of Connecticut, Division of Forestry, for the purpose of executing
the 2008 FM Global Fire Prevention Grant Program and to provide
such additional information needed to execute such an agreement.
This is a grant
offered to help fund educational tools at no cost to the town. The
Fire Department is looking to enhance the current program of fire
prevention in the schools and for the Senior Center.
There was a
motion by Kathy Richards, seconded by Sharon Gibala, to adopt this
resolution.
Vote unanimous, motion carried.
12. Resolution:
Authorizing Participation in the Middlesex United Way Grant Application
Mrs. Bransfield
read this resolution into the record.
RESOLUTION
Authorizing Participation in the Middlesex United Way Grant Application
RESOLVED, that
the First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield, be and hereby is authorized
to act on behalf of the Town of Portland to sign and file a grant
application with the Middlesex United Way, for participation in
the Project Titled: "Healthy Communities, Healthy Youth Community
Impact" grant to Portland Youth Services; up to $13,500 during
fiscal year July 2008 to June 2009 to continue the development and
implementation of Asset Development programming, dependent on and
appropriate to the identified needs of the community.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Kathy Richards to adopt
this resolution. Vote unanimous, motion carried
13. Resolution:
Police and Youth Program Grant from State OPM JJAC for FY 2008-2009
Mark Finkelstein
read this resolution into the record.
RESOLUTION
Police and Youth Program Grant from State OPM Juvenile Justice Advisory
Committee for FY 2008-2009
RESOLVED, that
the First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield, be and hereby is authorized
to act on behalf of the Town of Portland to sign and file a grant
application with the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management
Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, for participation in the Project
Titled: "Police and Youth Program" grant to Portland Youth
Services; up to $10,000 during fiscal year July 2008 to June 2009
to enhance or increase opportunities for youth and police to work
together to benefit their community.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Sharon Gibala, to adopt
this resolution. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
14. Review Monthly
Budget Reports
Rob Buden, Finance
Director, reviewed the monthly budget reports for the BOS. As of
February 29, 2008, revenues and expenditures are as expected for
this time in the budget year. Revenues that are not coming in are
ones related to the economy i.e. Building permits. Mr. Buden does
not anticipate the need for any additional appropriations. The tax
collectors office will be implementing a lock box as of July 1,
2008. In addition, the use of online payments and credit cards is
being explored as a way to make tax payments more user-friendly.
Sharon Gibala
asked if the budget reports can be provided earlier in the month.
The BOS will consider moving the financial meeting to another day
rather than the first Wednesday of each month.
15. Refunds
of Excess Payments:
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Kathy Richards, to refund
Justin Cartelli the amount of $32.82. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Sharon Gibala, to refund
Rosanne Darna the amount of $20.27. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Sharon Gibala, to refund
Pamela J. Bayha the amount of $45.34. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Sharon Gibala, to refund
Thomas W. Hepton or Barbara A. Hepton the amount of $21.94. Vote
unanimous, motion carried.
There was a
motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Sharon Gibala, to refund
Ford Motor Credit the amounts of $124.78; $184.06; $369.28; $101.57;
$43.94; $106.62; $322.02; $147.32. Vote unanimous, motion carried.
16. Appointments
to Boards and Commissions (Re-appointments, vacancies, etc.)
There was a
motion by Kathy Richards, seconded by Brian Flood, to appoint Michael
Woronoff as an alternate to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Vote unanimous, motion carried.
17. Public Comment
Mr. Bill Willinsky,
Veterans Affairs Committee, publicly thanked the Public Works and
Grounds crews, Don Powers (Highway Supervisor), Rick Kelsey (Director
of Public Works), Carl Johnson (Grounds Crew Leader) and resident
Jim Landry for the installation of the brick walkway which encircles
the flag pole and Veterans Memorial at the Town Hall. He informed
the BOS that in May, members of the Garden Club, with the assistance
of Carl Johnson, will plant flowers to enhance this site. In addition,
there is a Care Package Drive underway at this time. There are boxes
at all the schools and some local businesses for donations to be
made. Care packages will be assembled from the donations and mailed
to residents presently serving in the armed forces.
18. Board of
Selectmen General Informal Discussion
19. Follow Up
Items:
- P&ZC
request for Selectmen to rescind the Town exemption per C.G.S.
Sec. 8-2 (June)
- Update Ordinances
20. Adjourn
Meeting
There being
no further discussion, there was a motion by Sharon Gibala, seconded
by Mark Finkelstein, to adjourn the meeting. Vote unanimous, motion
carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Laura Siena,
Board Clerk
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