AGENDA REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT
REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Town Council Chambers

45 South Main Street

TUESDAY

FEBRUARY 28, 2012

6:30 P.M.

AGENDA

Moment of Silence

1. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

2. Correspondence

3. Consent Agenda

3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds totaling $4,018.39 (#507-523) Acct. #001-1000-010-1170 – Tax Office

3b. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $10,000 to Maintenance-Miscellaneous Distribution Expense Acct # 598 from Operations-Overhead Line Expense Acct# 583 – Electric Division

3c. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $8,000 to Other Expense – Community Welfare Acct. #426 from Other Interest Expense -Customer Deposits Acct #431 – Electric Division

3d. Acceptance and Appropriation of $4,123 Federal/State Highway Safety Grant to Revenue – Highway Safety Acct # 1002001-45208 and to Expenditure – Police Overtime Acct #10020050-51400 – Police Chief

3e. Consider and Approve Revised Job Description for the position of Chief Electrician for Electric Division – Personnel

3f. Consider and Approve Revised Job Description for the position of Maintenance Electrician for Electric Division – Personnel

3g. Consider and Approve Job Description for the new position of Computer Technician I – Board of Education

3h. Consider and Approve Naming the Wallace Dam Fishway in honor of the late Dr. Harry O. Haakonsen – Chairman Robert F. Parisi

3i. Consider and Approve a Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to sign the First Supplemental to the Agreement between the State of Connecticut and the Town of Wallingford for the Construction, Inspection and Maintenance of Resurfacing Treatment on North Plains Industrial Road Utilizing Federal Funds under the Urban Component of the Surface Transportation System – Town Engineer

3j. Consider and Approve the Re-Appointment of Ellen Deutsch to Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission as a Regular Member for a Five Year Term Expiring March 1, 2017 – Chairman Robert F. Parisi

3k. Consider and Approve the Re-Appointment of Barbara Sibley to the Historic Properties Commission as a Regular Member for a Five Year Term Expiring March 27, 2017 – Chairman Robert F. Parisi

3l. Consider and Approve the Appointment of Members to the Flood and Erosion Control Board according to Chapter 8, Article VI, Section 8-15 of the Code of the Town of Wallingford as follows:

Councilor Robert F. Parisi, Chairman
Councilor Vincent Cervoni, Vice-Chairman
Councilor Craig Fishbein
Councilor Tom Laffin
Councilor Rosemary Rascati
Councilor John Sullivan
Councilor Jason Zandri
Councilor Nick Economopoulos, Alternate
Councilor John LeTourneau, Alternate

3m. Consider and Approve corrected Minutes of Regular Town Council Meeting of January 24, 2012

3n. Consider and Approve Minutes of Regular Town Council Meeting of February 14, 2012

4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda

5. PUBLIC QUESTION & ANSWER PERIOD

6. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $35,000 to Purchase Professional Services-Tree Contract Acct # 10030000-56756 from Materials & Supplies Acct # 10030000-56140

7. Conduct a Public Hearing at 7:00 p.m. to Amend Chapter 43, Purchasing, §43-2.B, §43-11.A, §43.12.A and §43-12B

8. Conduct a Continuation of a Public Hearing at 7:15 p.m. to Repeal or Amend Ordinance No. 345 “Article V, Insurance Commission”

9. Discussion and possible action regarding request for sale of town property for an extension of Brockett Road – Corporation Counsel

10. Discussion and possible action on re-formatting our local tax bill(s) to reflect, by major department, anticipated application of those tax dollars – Councilor Craig Fishbein

11. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200(6)(D) of the Connecticut General Statutes With respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property – Mayor

12. Executive Session pursuant to §1-225(f) and §1-200(6)(B) of the Connecticut General Statutes to discuss the following cases: Town of Wallingford v. Magliulo; and Cytec Industries, Inc. v. Town of Wallingford - Corporation Counsel

13. Possible Action on Town of Wallingford v. Magliulo – Corporation Counsel

14. Possible Action on Cytec Industries, Inc. v. Town of Wallingford – Corporation Counsel

Information regarding the Incentive Housing Zone

From the Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of January 30, 2012

I will be reviewing these minutes from the meeting as well as planning to speak with some of the business owners downtown regarding the Incentive Housing Zone for their input.

At the same time, I welcome anyone that wants to offer their input to me directly – I can be best reached via email – Jason@Zandri.net

14. Incentive Housing Zone (Att. 14A & 14B)
Ms. Bush reviewed the discussion topics (Att. 14B) item by item.

1. Height of Buildings – Ms. Bush stated that the proposed IHZ would allow 4-story buildings to be financially advantageous for developers to build. She stated that if the buildings were limited to 3-stories the plan would still work.

2. Parking Garage – Ms. Bush stated that a parking garage is a better use of the land rather than parking lots. The guidelines within the IHZ would not allow for a New Haven style concrete block parking garage.

3. Commuter Rail Parking – Ms. Bush stated that DOT is looking at the site next to Judd Square and also at the North Cherry Street lot along with a location across the street from that. At the North Cherry Street location there would be a split platform.

4. Required Parking – Ms. Bush provided and reviewed a chart showing proposed IHZ parking, present zoning parking standards and a parking credit schedule chart.

5. Protection of Historic Buildings – Ms. Bush believes that there is only one building in the IHZ that would be considered historical. If that is a concern she suggested that one building footprint be taken out of the IHZ.

6. Width of Sidewalks – Ms. Bush doesn’t believe there is an issue with the existing sidewalk widths. If there is no sidewalk in front of a proposed IHZ the regulations require that the developer put them in as long as it does not make the project financially infeasible.

7. Special Permit vs. Site Plan – Ms. Bush doesn’t know what standards would be used in a Special Permit approval as opposed to Site Plan. She explained that if this approval is made a Special Permit the Town is out of the IHZ program. Connecticut State Law requires site plan only. If it is not part of the IHZ there cannot be design standards. CT State Law does not permit architectural standards under site plan review. If this is not done as part of the IHZ the town loses control over what the buildings look like.

8. State Control over Local Zoning – Ms. Bush pointed out that if the State gives the Town money for a project the Town has to build it to State standards. When the Federal Government gives the Town money for the Linear Trail it has to be done the way the Federal Government wants it done. For this project all the state would care about would be keeping the minimum density under the IHZ and that 20% of the units be affordable. The State does not care what the Town architectural standards or parking standards are. Ms. Bush stated that there are strings attached whenever you are dealing with the State or Federal government.

9. Children in the IHZ – Ms. Bush provided and reviewed a chart she put together with information she got from the Wallingford Transportation Department showing “School Age Children in Selected Multi-family Developments”.

10. Required Infrastructure Improvements – Ms. Bush stated that the regulations say that the sidewalks and streetscapes have to be done as part of development.

11. Traffic – Ms. Bush provided a study showing existing traffic in the IHZ along with calculations on how much traffic would be added in the a.m. and peak hours. These increases would take place very gradually over a fifteen or twenty year period. Every time something is approved the traffic incrementally increases in this area.

12. Density - Ms. Bush provided a density study for the DA developments in town. In the IHZ there would be 20 – 25 units per acre.

13. Taxes – Ms. Bush provided and reviewed “Property Tax Examples”.

14. IHZ Examples using Existing Wallingford Buildings – Ms. Bush provided and reviewed some existing “Mixed Use Examples”.

Chairman Seichter discussed each item with the Commission.

Ms. Baxter and Mr. Matarazzo would be more comfortable with the buildings being 3-story rather than 4-story. All of the other members would find 4-story buildings acceptable.

Chairman Seichter agreed with Ms. Bush that the regulations provide design standards that would not allow a parking garage that the Town would not be happy with. Mr. Birney feels that having a parking garage built with design standards makes sense. No other Members commented.

The issue of Commuter Rail parking still has to be decided by the State.

Ms. Bush reviewed the parking credit system for the Commission.

Regarding the Hall Elton building, Mr. Birney feels that cutting that footprint out of the IHZ would make sense. Ms. Baxter agreed with Mr. Birney and also suggested that Ms. Bush check to be sure that there are no other buildings in the area that would be considered historical. Ms. Bush will look into it. Mr. Fitzsimmons doesn’t want to see the building torn down but he wouldn’t want the Town to limit  itself and completely cut out that footprint in case a developer wants to come in an possibly link a few sites and do some improvements to that building.

The Commission had no comments on the sidewalk widths.

Mr. Fitzsimmons would be concerned that if this were to be done as a site plan there would be no requirement for public input. He feels that with a special permit the Commission has a little more flexibility. Ms. Bush stated that the Town would be loosing architectural control if it were to go with a special permit. She discussed the “Village District” concept with the Commission but she doesn’t feel that downtown Wallingford would be considered a “village’. Mr. Fitzsimmons stated that to have architectural control he would support a site plan over a special permit. Ms. Bush stated that if this were to be a special permit the architectural standards and infrastructure improvements could not be included. Chairman Seichter agreed with Mr. Fitzsimmons to support a site plan over a special permit. Mr. Birney feels that the Commission would have to have some real facts and talking points to present to the Town Council regarding this issue. Ms. Bush stated that a special permit is defined as a use that is permitted in a particular zone but may not be appropriate on every single parcel of land. Mr. Birney feels that if it were likened to a special permit process people would feel more comfortable with the discretion that the Commission would still have.

Ms. Bush stated that state law only requires a minimum density of 20. The plan is to have 26 to give developers incentive. If there is a concern with density the town can go down to 20. Mr. Birney is in favor of keeping the density at 26. The Commission agreed to keep the density at 26.

Ms. Bush explained that if the project goes under the IHZ the development is required to have 20% of the units as affordable to people making 80% or less of the median family income.

The Commission reviewed the proposed regulations.

Mr. Fitzsimmons discussed the section on professional consulting review fees. He would like to see this section cleaned up so it is very clear that any fees would be discussed and agreed upon in advance of the application. It should be made clear that if they do not pay it would be grounds for denial. Ms. Bush agreed to look at that section and try to modify the proposed regulations to make that issue clearer.

Ms. Bush agreed to make the suggested changes to the proposed regulations. She suggested that a public hearing could be scheduled for the end of February. The Commission scheduled a meeting for February 27th and will cancel there regular meeting on the 15th.

Mr. Birney made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fitzsimmons and passed unanimously by a voice vote. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:13 p.m.

This week in Wallingford

As published in the Record Journal, Monday February 13, 2012

WALLINGFORD — The Town Council will meet Tuesday night with a light agenda, including discussion and possible action on rules and procedures for its 2012-14 term.

Tuesday : Town Council, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall, Auditorium, 45 S. Main St.

Wednesday : School Roof Building Committee, 6:30 p.m., Sheehan High School, Board of Education Conference Room, 142 Hope Hill Road.

Thursday : Board for Youth, noon, Parks and Recreation Building, Youth and Social Services, Exit 3 Conference Room, 6 Fairfield Blvd.;

Pension Commission, 3 p.m., Town Hall, Room 315, 45 S. Main St.

Friday : Committee on Aging, noon, Wallingford Senior Center, 238 Washington St.

(There were no meetings scheduled for Monday the 13th)

AGENDA - REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING–WALLINGFORD

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT

REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Town Council Chambers

TUESDAY

February 14, 2012

6:30 P.M

AGENDA

Opening Prayer – Reverend Dean Warburton, First Congregational Church of Wallingford

1. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

2. Correspondence

3. Consent Agenda

3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds totaling $24,461.27 (#452 - #506)Acct. # 001-1000-010-1170 - Tax Collector

3b. Consider and Approve an Appropriation in the Amount of $5,000 to Fuel Crisis Program Acct # 10040150-58220 from General Contingency Acct # 10019000-58820 - Mayor

3c. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $700 to Gas & Diesel Acct # 10020100-53100 from Operating Expenses Acct # 10020100-58735 - Animal Control

3d. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $1,200 to 2-22 Ton Air Jacks Acct # 10030000-57000 from Maintenance of Vehicles Acct # 10030000-54320 - Public Works

3e. Consider and Approve a Budget Amendment in the Amount of $37,500 to Outside Services Employed Acct # 43100923 and to Appropriation from Cash – Water Division

3f. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $15,000 to Maintenance of Collection & Impounding Reservoirs Acct # 43100612 from Power Purchased for Pumping Acct # 43100612 – Water Division

3g. Set a Public Hearing for February 28, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. to Amend Chapter 43, Purchasing, the Code of the Town of Wallingford, §43-2.B., §43-11.S, §43-12.A and §43-12B

3h. Acceptance and Appropriation of $700,000 Small Cities Grant 2011 to Revenue-State Grant Acct # 2484002-45100 and to Expenditures: Construction $633,00 Acct # 24880050-54550, $2,000 Program Acct # 24880050-58830 and $65,000 Administration Acct # 24880050-58590 – Program Planning

3i. Consider and Approve Resolution authorizing the Town to enter into and deliver to the State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, including the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security any and all documents which it deems to be necessary or appropriate and authorize the Mayor to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the Town of Wallingford and to do and perform all acts and things which he deems to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of such documents - Mayor

3j. Consider and Approve the Appointment of Robert P. Blanchard to the Pension Commission to fill a vacancy which will expire December 31, 2012 - Mayor

3k. Consider and Approve the Appointment Gary Draghi to the Pension Commission to fill a vacancy which will expire December 31, 2017 - Mayor

3l. Consider and Approve the Appointment of Stacy Voss to the Planning and Zoning Commission as an Alternate for a Term Expiring January 8, 2015 – Chairman Robert F. Parisi

3m. Consider and Approve an extension of a 10-year License Agreement between the Town of Wallingford and Fred M. Valenti regarding encroachment of his building located at 800 South Colony Road on to Town property – Corporation Counsel

3n. Consider and Approve bid waiver request for Hurst Hydraulic Rescue Tool Fittings in the Amount of $4,455 – Fire Chief

3o. Approve Minutes of Town Council meeting of January 24, 2012

4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda

5. PUBLIC QUESTION & ANSWER PERIOD

6. Consider and Approve an Appropriation in the Amount of $15,000 to Maintenance of Signals Acct # 10030050-54305 from General Contingency Acct # 10019000-58820 - Engineering

7. Discussion and Possibly Action on approving the Town Council’s Rules of Procedure for the 2012-2014 Term

8. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200 (6)(D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property – Mayor

Councilors seek help with fireworks fundraising

NOTE: The Wallingford Fireworks Fund will meet at Gaetano's Tavern on Main (40 N Main St  Wallingford) on Wednesday February 8th at 7:30PM in the dinning area.

The meeting will be to recruit volunteers to work as part of the fundraising committee for the 2012 fundraising season which will kick off on March 1st.

For more information contact Jason Zandri at 860 614 6069 or via Jason@Zandri.net. You can also contact Craig Fishbein at his law offices - (203) 265-2895

As published in the Record Journal on Tuesday January 31, 2012

By Russell Blair
Record-Journal staff
rblair@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2225

WALLINGFORD — If Jason Zandri has learned one thing in his past two efforts to raise money for the town’s Fourth of July fireworks celebration, it’s that you can never start too early.

Zandri, a Democratic town councilor, has headed the effort to pay for the fireworks since the town dropped the festivities from its budget in 2010. He’s already started a blog to promote this year’s fundraising efforts, and will be holding a meeting soon, looking for people to join a fundraising board to oversee the operations.

“We’re looking this year to get a formal fundraising committee established,”Zandri said. For the past two years, Zandri, his father, Geno, and Republican Town Councilor Craig Fishbein have collected most of the donations. But Jason Zandri said it can’t continue with just the three of them.

“It can’t just be the Jason, Craig and Geno show,” he said. “We lucked out doing it twice like that.”

The first year the money was raised, Jason Zandri worked from his Wallingford home and his flexible schedule allowed him time for fundraising outside Stop & Shop and Dunkin’ Donuts. But last year, Zandri took a job in New York City and had to restrict his efforts to the weekends.

“For 16 weeks that’s all I did on the weekends,” Jason Zandri said.

With his new responsibilities as a councilor, putting in the same effort this year will be “impossible.”

“I’m just too involved,” Jason Zandri said. “I have to tend to my council duties, and the majority of the fundraising comes during budget season.”

Fishbein agreed, noting that he too became busy in 2011 and didn’t help out as much as he did the year before. “We need all the help we can get,” Fishbein said.

Jason Zandri said he hopes more of the people who come out to the show will help pay the costs associated with it. Many of the donations in the past two years have come from large businesses and not individuals.

Fishbein said he was disappointed that two fundraisers scheduled last year — a matinee movie and a concert at Zandri’s Stillwood Inn — drew small numbers of people.

“It was very discouraging,” Fishbein said.

Fundraising efforts at the show last year also didn’t garner as much money as was expected, Fishbein said.

Jason Zandri will once again ask the mayor if the town can pay a portion of the costs, such as the police and public works overtime, but he said he wasn’t optimistic the town would put money toward the project. The fund has about$1,000 left over from last year to put toward the 2012 show.

Last year the $24,150 for the show was raised with little time to spare. Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. said the check was delivered to the town at 2:30 p.m. on May 27, 2011, only hours before his 5 p.m. deadline.

A $2,500 donation from New Life Church helped the charity reach its goal in 2011. Similarly, a $5,000 gift from Choate Rosemary Hall in 2010 pushed the fund past its $30,000 goal.

For more information on fireworks fundraising, visit http://wallingfordfireworks.blogspot.com.

Wallingford Requests for Tax Hearing

Anyone who wishes to discuss their property taxes (not Autos) may have a hearing in March by the Board of Assessment Appeals.

To have a hearing, you must go to the Assessors Office in the Town Hall (203-294-2001) and fill out a "request" form no later that February 17th.

Motor Vehicles will be September 8th at the Town Hall starting at 9:00 am.

The Week Ahead in Wallingford

As published in the Record Journal, Monday February 6, 2012

WALLINGFORD — The Public Utilities Commission will meet Tuesday to discuss modifications to the electric rate discount for Center Street merchants.

Today : Economic Development Commission, 6:30 p.m., Room 315, Town Hall, 45 S. Main St.

Tuesday : Public Utilities Commission, 6:30 p.m., Electric Division, 100 John St.;

Personnel and Pension Appeals Board, 6:30 p.m., Room 315, Town Hall, 45 S. Main St.

Wednesday : Parks and Recreation Commission, 8 a.m., David J.
Doherty Municipal Building, 6 Fairfield Blvd.;

Wallingford Housing Authority, 5:30 p.m., Community Room, South Side Terrace

Thursday : Conservation Commission, 7 p.m., Basement Conference Room, Town Hall, 45 S. Main St.

Friday : No meetings scheduled.