Post on 23-Mar-2020
1
MINUTESOFTHETOWNCOUNCILMEETINGOFTHETOWNOFSOUTHINGTON
July14, 2014
TheTownCounciloftheTownofSouthingtonheldregularmeetingonMonday, July14, 2014attheMunicipalCenterAssemblyRoom, 196MainStreet, Southington, CT. MichaelA. Riccio, Chairman, calledtheregularmeetingtoorderat7:00o'clock, p.m.
ThefollowingCouncilpersonswerepresent, viz:
JohnN. Barry* CherylLounsburyChristopherJ. Palmieri TomLombardiStephanieA. Urillo VictoriaTrianoPaulW. Champagne DawnA. Miceli
MichaelA. Riccio, Chair
Ex-officiomemberspresentwereasfollows, viz:
MarkJ. Sciota, DeputyTownManager/TownAttorneyGarryBrumback, TownManager
Aquorumwasdetermined.
Arrivedat7:06pm.
AprayerwasrecitedbyDawnMiceli, Councilwoman.
ThePledgeofAllegiancewasrecitedbyeveryoneinattendance.
Therewereapproximately35otherpersonsinattendance
MICHAELA. RICCIO, Chairman, Presiding:
II. MINUTES
Dr. Urillomadeamotiontoapproveaspresented. Ms. Trianoseconded. MotionpassedonamajorityvoicevotewithMs. MiceliandMr. Palmieriabstaining.
III. COUNCILMANICCOMMUNICATIONS
A. PresentationtoGirlsSoftballTeam – StateChampions
2
Mr. LombardireadaProclamationtotheGirlsSoftballTeam. Everyonecongratulatedthegirlsontheiraccomplishment.
Attachment #1
Applause, applause)
Mr. Barryarrivedatthemeeting.)
B. DesignationofVeteran’sServiceCommittee
Mr. Brumbackadvisedthetowndesignatedacommitteeandliaisonandsupportforcommunityveterans. Volunteerswereeverywhere. WenarroweditdowntoRachelWache, BobKlezun, JohnDeMello, Sr., JoeDellaPorta, E. RichardFortunato, IginoTorroneandIamheretosupportthem. Itissolelyforthepurposeofprovidinginformationandsupporttobothveteransthatarereturningandthenthosethatarehere. WeareaskingthatyoudesignatethiscommitteeastheVeteran’sCommittee.
Itwasaconsensusinwholebythecommissiontosupportthis.
Dr. UrilloreportedthatthisWednesdaynightthePlainvilleSouthingtonRegionalHealthDistrictinvitesthepublictoattendanopenhouseonpublichealthinourcommunity. Itisgoingtobeheld
thrightherettheMunicipalCenter, Wednesday, July16 from5:00pmto7:00pm. Itisaninformationalpresentationonwhatispublichealth. Whatisleadinpublichealthandhowitworksandwhatthepubliccangainfromitandeveryoneisinvited.
Ms. MicelireportedwithregardtotheSouthingtonDriveIn, wehavegarneredsomuchpresencethisyear. Weareveryexcited. WewerefeaturedinYankeeMagazinewhichisveryexcitingforourcommunity. Also, inConnecticutParentMagazine. Ourdriveinisdoingfabulous. Wehad400carstherethisweekendandathousandwalkin. Lotofinterestingscuttlebuttontheinternet. Itisgreatfortheeconomyofourcommunityandforourresidents.
Secondly, theChamberofCommercehelditsannualwalkthruofourdowntownareaacoupleofweeksago. Iwantedtogiveashoutouttoourtownmanagerandourpublicandparksdepartmentmembersbecauseafterthatwalkthrutherehavebeenseveralthingsthathavegoneondowntown. Alotofweedsdowntherehavebeensprayedandtrimmed. Thereweresomeissuesonthesidewalkswithplywoodonthesidewalkthathavebeentakencareof. Alotofgoodstuffhappeningasaresultofthewalkthru.
3
SheaskedthetownmanagerforanupdateofourPhaseIDowntownRehabstartinghopefullythissummerwiththemoneyapprovedinthe
stJuly1 budget.
Mr. Brumbackreportedthecouncilapproved $25,000expresslytostartanEightPhaseProjectofkindofarefurbishingofdowntown. Itis10to12yearsoldandisinneedofsomework. Thatincludesthestreet, furniture, lightpoles, bricks, granitecurbing, etcetera. WehaveaRFPthatwillbeadvertisedtomorrowandweexpectitbackinabouttwoweeks. TheworkshouldbestartingbythefirstweekorsoinAugust. This $25,000isthefirstofwhatweexpecttobeeight. Wewilladvertisethissothatwedoitasarenewableifthequalityoftheproductisgoodandwedoitforthenextfewyearswecanjustrenewtheproposalsowedon’thavetogothroughtheadvertising. Wehadtowaitasthemoneywasn’tavailableuntilJuly
st1. Thisisthefirstiteration. Itisagoodboosttodowntown.
Ms.Micelialsonotedsomechippedpaintonthelamppoles. Someoftheparkbenchesalsohadpaintchippingsandbrokenlegs. Justlittleoddsandends. Itisimportanttothehealthandwellbeingofourdowntownareaforeconomicpurposesandaestheticpurposes.
Also, Iwouldliketomentionourongoingvandalismcampaign. We’vebeenworkingonthisseveralmonths. Wearenowworkingonaposterorflyerthatwillbesentouttobusinesses/residentsandputuparoundtimeremindingpeoplewehaveananonymoustiplinetocall: 860-276-1234.
Ms. TrianosaidshewantedtobethefirstonetocongratulateGenoAuriemmaformakingaverywisechoice. WewelcomehimwithopenarmstoSouthington. Welcome, CoachAuriemma, toSouthington!
Ms. LounsburywantedtosaythanktoourownMaryBakerwhoseprojectthebridgewas. SheworksfortheDOTandthatwasherproject. ItwentflawlesslyandwealwaysknowMaryisexceptional, butsheproveditagainandagainwiththisproject. Congratulations, Mary. WearegladyouliveinSouthington!
Mr. Barryfolloweduponarequestmadelastmeetingconcerningthehospital. AttorneySciotasaidwearecheckingintothatwiththeprobatecourt. TheJudgeisreviewingthatmatter. Hereviewsiteveryyear, theTrust. Obviously, theyarefollowingtheTrustastherehavebeennoviolations. IwillgetacopyoftheTrustouttoyouassoonasIreceiveit.
Discussion.
4
IV. ReportofSpecialCommittees
Mr. Champagnesaidthepublicworkscommitteedidnothaveameeting. ButwedoagainwanttothankourtownandstateofficialsfortheI-84bridgereplacementfromeveryendofit. AwordweuseattheYMCA: Awesomejob! Theydidanawesomejob. Thetrafficwasflowing. Theyusedthetermlikerippingoffaband-aidinsteadofathreeyearproject. That’sexactlywhatitwas. Theweathercooperated. Againagreatjobforeveryoneinvolvedinthatproject.
V. TownManager’sReportandCommunications
A. NutmegNetworkGrant ($24,100)
We’dliketoacceptthegrantfortheNutmegNetworkGrant. ItistheGovernor’sinitiative. Itallowsmunicipalitiestoconnecttothestateinternetnetwork. Ithasbeenofferedinschools, librariesandemergencyservices. It’sexpandednowformunicipalities. Thecosttohookupisabout $24,100andthathappenstobethegrantamountsothereshouldn’tbeanyoutofpocketexpensestothetown. We’regoingtorecommendyouacceptthatgrant.
B. Resolution: DOTMasterAgreementforRightofWayprojects
ThisistheannualresolutionthatDOTasksustosigntopartnerwiththeminworkingonrightsofway. Thisismunicipalmasteragreementforhighwayprojects. Thatisanannualthingwe’reaskingyoutoapprove.
C. Resolution: CalendarhouseDOTSection5310Grant
ThisisagrantforaDial-A-Ridebus. It’sabout $53,000andwesorelyneedthatbus. TheDOTisaskingyoutoresolveandallowmetosignthepaperwork.
D. Resolution: BRRFOCLegalIssue
Wehandlewasteintwoparts: municipalsolidwastewhichisa20yearagreementwithCovantainBristolandthentherecyclingpiecehastraditionallybeendownwithMurphyRoadRecyclingServices. InthispastcontractthatweenteredintowithCovantawasthattheywouldhaveafirstrightofrefusaltodotherecyclingservices. Sothecollectionoffourteentownsthatmakesuptheoperatingcommitteewhenoutforproposalsandwegotonebid --- thatwasMurphyRoad.
5
CovantahadanopportunitytosubmitbasedonthefirstrightofrefusalandtheydidbutitwasdeemednotasadvantageousasMurphyRoad, sowerejectedthat.
NowCovantaisappealing. WhatweareaskinginthisresolutionthatwealongwiththeothertownscollectivelydefendagainstCovanta’sappeal. ThisistobeborneoutofthereservescurrentlyattheBRRFOC, sowearejustparticipatingwiththeothertownstodefendagainstCovanta’sappealoftheirfirstrightofrefusal.
LaterinthemeetingyouwillseewhereweaskyoutoapprovethecontractwithMurphyRoad.
E. PerformanceContractingIncentives
Thisisreallygoodnewswearegoingtoaskyoutoaccept. Weoriginallytalkedabouttheperformancecontractingprocess. Wetoldyoutherewereincentivesattachedtothat, CL&PandYankeeGas. Theincentiveswouldbeusedtodefraysomeofthecostsassociatedwiththeprojectswewereundertaking. Originally, weestimatedweweregoingtogetabout $860,000worthofincentivescombined.
Afterthefinaltallycamein, weendedupgettingapproximately1.337millioninincentives. Halfamillionmorethananticipated.
Goodnewsandweaskyoutoacceptthoseincentives.
Mr. Barrystatedinthelastcouncilhereceivedcommunicationaboutpublicaccessandcommunicationandtheysaidtheyweren’thavingaccesstothruAT&Ttothetownmeetings, etcetera, andIthoughtthatwasallset. Mr. Brumbackthoughtthatwasresolvedacoupleofmonthsago.
TheTownClerknotedapressreleasethatannouncedthatwiththeinstructionsonhowtoaccessthemeetings. AnyonewithquestionscouldcontacttheTownClerk’sOfficeforguidanceandinformation.
VI. TownAttorney’sReport
A. ContactwithMurphyroadRecycling, LLC
AttorneySciotanotedthisisacontractwithMurphyRoadweareaskingyoutoenterinto. It’snotnew. We’vebeenwithMurphyRoadforthelast20-oddyears. Thisparticularoneisforfiveyearswith
6
amutualoptionforanotherfiveyears. Stillnochargetothecarriersasformanyyears, butthereisasmallkickertothemunicipalities, $9. Wesendabout2,000tonsperyearsoifyoudothemathit’salittleshyof $30,000comingbacktothemunicipality. Itisstable, theydoanicejob, we’reusedtogoingthere. We’rejoiningwiththeothertownsandwewillbewithMurphyRoadforanotherfiveyears.
B. MOUbetweenSCCAandtheTownofSouthington
About18monthsagoweenteredintoaMemorandumofUnderstandingwiththeSCCA. Ihadtheopportunitytomeetwiththemlastweek, togoovertheirpresentationtonight. Asyouknow, withtheMOU, theywereobligatedtodoseveralthings. Mr. Florian, whoisgoingtobethebuilder, ishere. IdoknowthatMaryandDaveareheretodothepresentationandMindyishere, also.
ShealsonotedaproposalreceivedfromFlorianPropertiesandthatwasexactlywhatwewanted. Weknowheissomeonewecanrelyuponandhehasdoneseveralprojectslikethisthatarethesamesquarefootage, etcetera, elevatorandrenovationallthroughthedowntownarea. Aperfectpartnership.
Discussion.
Sheexplainedthefiguresasnotedinthedocumentationsubmitted. Attachment #2
Ms. LounsburycongratulatedMaryonagreatjobdone.
Applause, applause)
Youwentaboveandbeyondwiththesupportinthecommunitywhichisoutstanding. Wearelookingforwardtothenextstageandseeingithappen.
Applause)
Thankyou, Mat, forsigningup. We’reproudofyou, too.
Mr. Lombardifeltitwasimportantforthepublictoknowthatthetownattorneyhadreviewedthedocumentationandthenumberswerethere.
Ms. MicelicommentedthatMaryDeCrocewasoneofthebestthingsthathappenedtothiscommunity.
Applause, applause)
7
Intermsofthemuralsandalltheotherfacetsyou’reinvolved. Youarethego-topersonnowtocall. Notjusttheexpressionofart, butyouarenowintotheeconomicdevelopmentofourtown. IwasblessedthedayIeverheardyouspeakattheYMCA. Youareafabulouswomanandagemforthiscommunity!
Applause)
Thankyou.
Shenowwentthroughherpresentationtothecouncilwhichwasprovidedearlier.
Dr. Urilloaskedwithregardtothelettersofintenttoleasespace, thegrantrequiresthatthespacebemaintainedasanartsfacilityfortenyears. And, withregardtotheMOUtothetown, itdoesstatenoexpensetothetown. Doyouhaveacostestimateonhowmuchcostitwillbetokeepthefacilityandopenandwhattheleastpersquarefootagewillbe? Ms. DeCrocesaidtheinformationwouldbesenttoeveryoneonthecouncil. Sheaddedthattheleasingspaceisfiftypercentofwhatcomesinandafterthattheclassesandeventsandthatisnormallyhowacenterisrun. Dr. Urillocommendedherfordoinganexcellentjob. Itisayeoman’sjobtodowithgovernmenttiesandabuildingthatisrelatedtothehistoricdistrict. Ithinkyoudidagreatjob.
TheChairthankedMaryandDavid, intheaudience, too.
AttorneySciotaaddediftherewerenootherquestions, wewillbelookingtomoveforwardwithParagraph6oftheMOUwhichistopreparethelease.
VII. PublicCommunications
PamelaDelahunty, 54DelahuntyDrivereadapreparedstatementwhichisannexedhereto. Attachment #3
ArthurCyr, 103BerlinAvenuespokeaboutdowntownSouthington. HewentonthewalkthruwiththeChamber. Wehaveatrafficproblemandwe’veacknowledgedthatforthepastfive, six, sevenyears. Wespent $25thousandonaNorthMainStreetCorridorStudythatstartedatthelibraryandwenttoOakHillCemetery. To-datenothinghasbeendone.
Discussion.
8
TheYMCAisexpanding. We’vegotarestorationprojectatthebottomofCenterStreetwithGreenwayCommons. ImadethisrequesttothePoliceCommissionersandI’llmakeittoyou, regardingMerrillAvenue. ThatisabigcontributingfactortothetrafficproblemwehavefromtheTownGreentotheFireStation.
Discussion.
MysuggestionisweneedtomakeMerrillAvenueonewayattheend. ExplainedifwedidthesamethingtoMerrillAvenuethatwedidtoCenterStreet (makeitonewayattheveryend) wewouldsolvealotofproblems. ThisisoneoftheeasiestwayswithverylittleexpensetosolvethetrafficproblemsthatclogupNorthMainStreetfromtheTownGreentowellpasttheFireStation. IaskthatstaffdiscussthiswiththeBoardofPoliceCommissionerswhoarenowourlocaltrafficauthority.
Discussion.
Iaskyoutoconsiderit.
Thankyou.
VIII. OldBusiness
A. ActiononNutmegNetworkGrant
Mr. Palmierimadeamotiontoapproveaspresentedthisevening. Ms. Trianoseconded. Motionpassed9to0onarollcallvote.
B. ActiononResolution: DOTMasterAgreementforRightofWayprojects
Ms. Trianomadeamotiontoapprovetheresolutionaddingthewording: annualagreement. Ms. Lounsburyseconded. Motionpassed9to0onarollcallvote.
C. ActiononResolution: CalendarHouseDOTSection5310Grant
Mr. Palmierimadeamotiontoapprove. Mr. Champagneseconded. Ms.LounsburyaskedforanamendmenttothemotiontoincludethatitisfortheDialARideProgramattheCalendarHouseandDr. Urilloaskedforthedollaramounttobeincluded. Mr. PalmieriagreedwiththeamendmentsasdidMr. Champagne. Motionpassed9to0onarollcallvote.
9
D. ActiononResolution: BRRFOCLegalIssue
Dr. Urillomadeamotiontoacceptaspresented. Ms. Lounsburyseconded. Motionpassed9to0onarollcallvote.
E. AcceptPerformanceContractingIncentives
Dr. Urillomadeamotiontoacceptaspresented. Ithinkitisgoodnewsforourtown, sheadded. Mr. Palmieriseconded. Motionpassed9to0onarollcallvote.
F. ActiononMurphyRoadContract
Ms. LounsburymadeamotiontoaccepttheMurphyRoadcontractaspresented. Ms. Trianoseconded. Motionpassed9to0onarollcallvote.
G. AuthorizingthedraftingandexecutionoftheSCCAlease
Ms. MicelimadeamotiontoauthorizethedraftingoftheSCCAleasefor $1ayearwiththetown. Mr. Palmieriseconded.
Ms. TrianocongratulatedMs. Miceliforallherhardworkonthisproject. Itisrightshemadethemotion.
Motionpassed9to0onarollcallvote.
H. TabledAppointments:
1. CommissiononDisAbilities, 1member, fillvacancytoApril2015
Dr. Urillomadeamotiontotablethisappointment. Ms. Trianoseconded. Motionpassedunanimouslyonavoicevote.
2. ZoningBoardofAppeals, 1member, fillvacancytoNovember2015
10
Ms . Lounsbury made a motion to table. Dr. Urillo seconded.
Motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
3. Board of Park Commissioners, 1 member, fill vacancy toOctober 2015
Mr. Palmieri put forth the name of Bryan Meccariello to fill this
appointment. Ms . Miceli seconded. Motion passed unanimously on avoice vote.
IX. New Business
A. Tax Refunds
Ms . Miceli made a motion to approve the tax refunds as listed in
our packages, please. Ms. Lounsbury seconded. Motion passed
unanimously on a voice vote. Attachment # 4
Ms. Triano brought up School Street. There have been a lot of
questions and people contacting the council members and we' ve been
getting letters I would like us to be on the same page that we are
not going to do anything on School Street until we examine this andcome to a conclusion on it.
Consensus among the council)
Mr. Barry encouraged people to talk to some residents on SchoolStreet. There are a lot of concerns and it is kind of unusual where
most people want their roads paved and nice. I think there may be
good for the council to get some ideas of what the people really thinkon that street.
X. Adjournment - Executive Session: Real Estate
Ms. Triano made a motion to go into executive session excluding
the press and the public but including the town manager and the town
attorney and the full council to discuss real estate. Mr. Palmieri
seconded. Motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Whereupon, the meeting was adjourned to executive session at
7: 51 o' clock, p. m. )
ATTEST: RECEIVED & FILEDTOWN OF SOUTHINGTON
Larks ow Clerk JUL 18 2014
By / says,Town Clkrk
11
EXECUTIVESESSION
TheSouthingtonTownCouncilenteredexecutivesessionimmediatelyfollowingtheirmeetingwiththefollowinginattendanceinordertodiscussrealestate.
ThefollowingCouncilpersonswerepresent, viz:
JohnN. Barry CherylLounsburyChristopherJ. Palmieri TomLombardiStephanieA. Urillo VictoriaTrianoPaulW. Champagne DawnMiceli
MichaelA. Riccio, Chair
Ex-officiomemberspresentwereasfollows, viz:
MarkJ. Sciota, DeputyTownManager/TownAttorneyGarryBrumback, TownManager
Nomotionsweremadeorvotestakenduringexecutivesession.
Ms. Lounsburymadeamotiontoadjournfromexecutivesession. Mr. Palmieriseconded. Motionpassedunanimously.
Executivesessionwasadjournedat8:14o’clock, p.m.)
REGULARSESSION
Ms. LounsburymadeamotiontoadjournthemeetingwhichwassecondedbyMs. Triano. Motionpassedunanimously.
Meetingwasadjournedat8:15o’clock, p.m.)
MarkJ. SciotaActingSecretary
Attachment # 1
robart of $ uut1 ingtnu
SOUTji\
niun Ciauutilin9 - 3-i
iAnton Manager
Michael A. Ricci° Chairman GARRY BRUMBACK
Cheryl Lounsbury Vice Chairman NECrl/ 060) 2768200
John N. Barry FAX ( 080) 628-4727
Paul W. Champagne
Tom Lombardi
Dawn
TOWN COUNCILa J. palmbriJ.Christopher
sephanieA OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION
Be it hereby known to all that:
The Southington Town Council hereby offers itssincerest congratulations to:
SKSS Cgirs SoftballTeam
Be it Known to all that the Southington Town Council offers its congratulations to
the Southington High School Girls Softball Team in recognition of winning the CIACClass LL Softball State Championship. This State Championship marks the 16thoverall for the Program.
The team achieved a perfect record of 24-0 and was the CCC Western Division
Champion. The team has continued a tradition of Blue Knights Softball being the topprogram in the State.
Be it Now Proclaimed that Cheryl Lounsbury, Vice Chairman, and Tom Lombardi,Council Member, along with the entire Town Council encourage all residents,businesses, civic organizations, and schools to recognize the 2014 Southington High
School Girls Softball Team for bringing great pride to our community, and we honorthem on this great achievement.
Given the 14th day ofJuly, 2014
TOWN OF SOUTHINGTON, STATE OF CONNECTICI Ti
1 , ill
ji ° Cheryl Lounsbury Tom Lombardi
Vice Chairman Council Member
gag of PragressII75 Main Street P. O. Box 610 Southington, CT 06489
Attachment #2
SCCA' s Capital Campaign to Renovate Gura Building 7/ 7/ 14
Proposal from Florian Properties1, 271, 850— Attachment A
1, 017,480 - 80% of proposal
100,000 —Funds for Sustainability
1, 117,480— Total
List of Committed Funds for Renovation of Gura Building500, 000— State of CT Bond Issue
317,600— DECD Tax Credit Reservation
100,000— Monetary Pledges85,000— Goods and Services Pledges-
50,000— Community Foundation of Greater New Britain58, 000— Cash in restricted and unrestricted accounts20, 000— CT Trust for Historic Preservation
1, 130,600— Total
Other Funding PendingLowe' s Community Partner Grant-$ 100,000
Elks
Letters of Interest to Use and Lease SpaceAttachment I
Estimate Summary Harlan Properties
Area) Sf) 7614
Spec
Section Description
2 SITE CONSTRUCTION
02080 Hazardous Materials Abatement 75,000 j,J, `- -02500 Dewatering 5,000 TT i 1`- 1 M G Q 102225 Excavation& Backfill 5,000
02510 Paved Parking_ - y 2, 500 IHs
02515 Paving& Concrete,- 2,500
02720 Water& Fire Service 10000
02999 Building Selective Demolition 10,000
3 CONCRETE
03000 Foundation Walls& Grade Beams 25,000
03300 Slab-on- Grade 5.000
4 MASONARY
04200 IMasmnart 150,000
S METALS
05120 Structural Steel 25,000
05313 Metal Decking 3,000
05500 Metal Fabrication 40.000
6 WOOD AND PLASTICS
06105 Miscellaneous Carpentry 20,000-
06200 Architectural Trades 15,000
06402 Interior Architectural Woodwork 15,000
7 THERMAL AND MOISTURE PROTECTION
07100 Waterproofing& Caulking 10,000
07200 Building Insulation 35.000
07500 Membrane Roofing 60,000
8 DOORS& WINDOWS
08100 Hollow Metal Frames 8,000
08200 Hollow Metal,Doors 2,000
08205 Wood Doors 14,000
08510 Aluminum& Wood Windows 100.000
08710 finish Hardware 20.000
08800 Glazing 3,850
9 ANISIIES
09250 Gypsum Drywall/ Plaster 60,000
09300 Ceramic Tile 4.000
09500 Acoustical/ Gypsum/ Plaster Ceilings 35.000
09600 Resilient Roaring 35,000
09900 Painting 20.000
10 SPEOAUES
10100 Visual Display Boards 3,000
10150 Toilet Compartments 3,000
10200 Louvers& Vents 1. 000
10400 Identify Devices 7.000
10520 Fire Protection Eccessories 1,000
10650 Operable Partitions 2,000
10800 Toilet Accessories 5,000
12 FURNISHINGS
1284 Entrance Mats 3.000
12500 Window Treatment 2,000
14 CONVEYANCE DEVICES
14210 ( Passenger Elevator 75, 000
1S MECHANICAL
15300
IFUe Protection 50.000
15500 Plumbing 50000
15650 Heating Ventilation.Air Conditioning I0. 000
16 ELECTRICAL 65,000
5.70% General Contractor' OH& P 50,000
8.50% Professional Design Fees 40,000
Total Project Estimate - 1,271,850
Attachment #3
De Paolo Furniture, Inc.
83- 95 Center Street
Southington, CT 06489
Phone: 860- 628- 4717
Fax: 860-628- 7733
depaolofurniture @sbcglobal.net
July 14, 2014
To: Southington Town Council
July 14, 2014Subject: Downtown Vandalism
My name is Pamela J. De Paolo, 54 Delahunty Drive, President De Paolo Furniture 83- 95Center Street. Good evening to the Town Council members .I would like to thank the Southington Police Department, Chief Daly, and the officers anddetectives who have responded very promptly and efficiently to our vandalism damage atour stores on Center Street. The repeated vandalism we have experienced, as have otherproperty owners
in the area, has caused a lot of frustration and the costs continue to mount as we have hadto remove graffiti from our trucks and buildings, and repair and replace broken windowsin our showrooms. We also had windows broken at one of our warehouses on
another street also in Southington. The police have responded quickly and have tried tohelp us detail and document the events so that the individual or individuals responsiblefor causing the damage can be identified and apprehended.The costs to our company have risen above $ 2500.00 since last year' s graffiti wasdiscovered, and additional vandalism has occurred this summer to compound the
problem. I have spoken to Gary Brumback, Mark Sciota, Chris Palmieri, DawnMiceli, Cheryl Lounsbury and Paul Champagne and they have kindly responded withconcern and have offered their help and have listened to ideas and suggestions we haveoffered as solutions to consider.Each one of them responded quickly and courteously toour problem. Also, a thank you to Mike Riccio for initiating the cleanup of the graffition the side of our 39 Center Street building.We had removed all of the other graffiti toour Main Store 83 Center Street property within a few days of the occurrence.Because this problem is continuing, it is our responsibility as downtown property ownersto constantly monitor through surveillance cameras and personal observation, andreliance on some of our neighbors who have kindly come forward to reportattempted break- ins and vandalism as it was happening.Without these eyewitnesses andother coordinated efforts with the police, we will not be able to solve these cases.
I believe the focus must be upon deterrence of these acts of vandalism, initiating propertywatch groups to watch out for potential vandals in our downtown areas, workingclosely with our police dept. to assist them in getting accurate information into theirreports and databases, reporting problemsand taking video surveillance promptly to police so their experts can process it. I alsothink it's time Southington instituted curfews so that young adults are not
out on our streets very late at night getting into trouble. Many communities and citieshave adopted curfews to curtail nighttime violence and property destruction. Why notSouthington? We know that the time line for these crimes is always after 11 pm and
before 3 am.. We need to be pro- active and engage our communityin discussions about how to prevent destructive behavior by stopping it before it happens.What we need to do cooperatively is give adequate support andattention to how to prevent property damage and how to protect what we value dearlyin a better way. How do we look forward to and plan so carefully townwide events andfestivals without also working to protect the buildings and properties within which theytake place? I think we need to pay more attention to this, and react more definitely withrealistic solutions such as curfews, increasing surveillance, and speaking up when weknow who is causing acts of vandalism.I would like to see the Town assist building owners with graffiti removal when possible,and leave it up to us as a responsible building owner to then work on the removal orcleaning process at our own pace. We appreciate the help we received with the recentgraffiti removal initiated by Mike Riccio and thank you. However, mandatory ultimatumsrequiring a property owner to clean graffiti within a short time period is not the answer.Perhaps a fund could be created by the Town to help offset the cost of removal and thebuilding owners should take responsibility to do the best they can and given latitude attheir discretion to handle the problem in the least expensive way possible. We welcomesuggestions by qualified people for any ideas to deterthese crimes and we are sure that the vandalism will subside if the steps we
have suggested are taken actively, and soon.We cannot afford to continue experiencing building damage of this kind and not have itdiminish our ability to maintain a standard of care for our buildings without help fromthose of you in the position to legislate and actively pursue this problem. The goal ofprotecting our employees, customers, residents and commercial districts from this type ofharm will show that our priorities are clear as a community and that we will not toleratedestructive behavior, and when it does occur, the cost will be on the shoulders of those
causing it.
Thank you.
Attachment #4
List of Reauests for Abatement or Refunds of Taxes - Town Council Meetina of July 14. 2014
Taxpayer's Name Reason for Refund Amount of
Financial Ser Veh Trust Assessor C/ C List# 60570, 60577 & 60578 M 2011 760.93
Financial Services Vehicle Trust Assessor C/ C List# 60562 M 2011 96.29
Financial Services Vehicle Trust Assessor C/C List# 60079 S 2011 144.41
Nissan Infinity Assessor C/C List# 140202 S 2012 65.85
Ryder Truck Rental Inc Assessor C/C List# 180267 S 2012 1, 526.72 *
Sullivan, Richard A III & Audra L Duplicate Payment List# 18004 R 2012 4, 143. 72 *
Vault Trust c/o Ally Financial Assessor C/C List# 230252, 230357& 230364 M 2012 890.04
VW credit Leasing Ltd Assessor C/C List# 230853 M 2012 209.52
explanation attached