I item #3 I- Public Comment None

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Town of Seymour - Board of Selectmen MINUTES

Regular Meeting

Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 7:00pm

Zoom Teleconference - Call #646-558-8656 - ID# 845 5933 1615

COPY REC.EIVED/ DATE: I Z..l

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TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE

Members Present: Trisha Danka, Robert Findley, Annmarie Drugonis, Al Bruno, Chris Bowen, Patrick Lombardi, Robert VanEgghen

Members Absent: None

Others Present: Richard Buturla, Rory Burke, Monica Dimon

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item #11- Call Meeting to order

Deputy First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis called the meeting to order at 7:06pm.

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item #21- Pledge of Allegiance

Everyone saluted the Flag and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

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item #3

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Public Comment

None

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item #41-Approve Minutes from December 1, 2020 Regular Meeting Motion to approve Minutes from December 1, 2020 Regular Meeting Motion: Trisha Danka

Vote: 7-Yes

Trisha Danka - Yes Al Bruno -Yes

Second: Robert Findley

0-No 0 -Abstain

Robert Findley - Yes Annmarie Drugonis - Yes .

Robert VanEgghen -Yes Chris Bowen -Yes

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item #S 1- First Selectwoman's Report

Patrick Lombardi - Yes.

• Will be meeting with each Department Head to go over the preliminary budgets. The drafts are due by Friday the 181_h.

• This Saturday I had the opportunity along with Selectman Bowen and a couple other residents to go to the Tingue Dam to see the issues that we are having with the Fish Bypass and Fish Ladder. It was very informative. If you haven't seen Kevin Zack's presentation, it is now on the First Selectman's Webpage. It's quite interesting to see the disrepair that Dam is in and the damages and how the fish ladder itself was not designed properly and is not working. The State spent all this money for the Fish Bypass that we have right in downtown Seymour, and we can't even use it because the ladder can't be used. We will be working with the Valley COG, there will be more visits and hope to get our State Reps involved also to get us some help from the State and Federal Government.

• Saturday I will be taking part in the "Wreaths Across America" @St. Michaels Cemetery in Derby starting @ 11:45am. I will be reading the names as Mayor Dziekan will be laying the wreaths on the veterans' graves.

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• We had our first Menorah lighting in Seymour. This was a really big thing to me. It made the few families that we have in Town so happy; made them feel so a part of it. It was interesting and educational. Selectmen Bowen and VanEgghen were there as well to celebrate that.

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item #6

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Discussion & Take Possible Action Regarding Economic Development Director In your packets, Chris Pelosi had gone through the Job Description from the EDC and red lined it.

• Trisha Danka asked when we planned on doing something like this? Annmarie Drugonis said she didn't think that we had a date in mind. The plan was that the money is in the budget. We said that at the beginning of the year when Sheila O'Malley would come in {yes, we wanted to talk to her), the EDC Director needed to know what their responsibilities were. EDC put together a list of tasks. Chris Pelosi took that and put together a formal Job Description together for whenever we interviewed people for the job. We are the hiring Board not the EDC.

• Trisha Danka said that she doesn't think that we should look at this at the moment. We have enough financial concerns {for this budget season). When we are ready to hire for that position, we can revisit. Bob Findley said that this was strictly to be prepared for the role, not to make a decision to hire. Trisha Danka said she is not sure when we will be ready. She said she is fine with the document as it stands now.

• Annmarie Drugonis said that she agrees with not hiring now. But we should have some sort of document to step off with when ready. Maybe see where we are in June and look it over again. • Bob Findley said we will be prepared when ready to pull the trigger. Chris did a really good job with

capturing what our thoughts were ahd making a true workable document that we'll be able to hire someone from.

• Rob VanEgghen said he is fine with the document. Understand Trisha's concern about not doing anything right now. How does everyone feel about the potential of Chris putting it out as a job posting for next June, maybe Chris putting out some feelers to see if there is any interest?

• Annmarie said someone interested in the job in January may not be interested in it by July.

• Bob Findley said that we will make the decision to hire a. few months ahead of the actual posting of the job. He thinks that we should wait until we are ready to hire. We get together and come up with a plan and make sure we have a budget for it. Anyone who is looking for a job probably is looking within the next 3-6 months.

• Rob VanEgghen said that sometimes negotiations can drag out.

• Chris Bowen said that he does like the changes made by Chris Pelosi. He really clarified things. With respect to Rob VanEggghen's comments, I believe that we should not put out a date of six months from now. It would reduce our flexibility. This Board meets every other week, so we could easily put something on the Agenda when ready. We need to address the budgetary issue; this is for a full-time position. We have only $35,000 in the budget - not sufficient for this Job Description. So much can change in six months that it is not worthwhile to do at this time.

• Al Bruno said that he agrees with the general comments: we should table it, have it ready to go but we don't know when we'll have this job available. We shouldn't put out feelers yet. Let's defer to Chris Pelosi when he thinks we should do it. Let's hire the person that's best for Seymour.

• Pat Lombardi agrees that we should wait. What's the rush? We just don't know what's going to happen. Is Chris going to put together a formal document based on what's been presented? Annmarie said that he would -this is just a draft. After we approve this, Chris will draw up a formal Job

Description Format.

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• Bob Findley wanted to confirm that we will have a final ready before Chris sends it out. Annmarie said yes.

Motion to have Chris Pelosi put this draft into the format of a Job Description Motion: Robert Findley Second: Robert VanEgghen

0-No 0-Abstain

Vote: 7-Yes Trisha Danka - Yes

Al Bruno - Yes

Robert Findley-Yes Annmarie Drugonis -Yes Patrick Lombardi - Yes Robert VanEgghen - Yes Chris Bowen - Yes

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item #7

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Discussion & Take Possible Action Regarding Non-Union Pay Plan Just need final approval to make this a living, breathing document.

Motion to move forward regarding the Non-Union Pay Plan

Motion: Pat Lombardi Second: Robert Findley

0-No 0-Abstain

Vote: 7-Yes Tris.ha Danka -Yes

Al Bruno-Yes

Robert Findley-Yes Robert VanEgghen-Yes

Annmarie Drugonis - Yes Chris Bowen - Yes

Patrick Lombardi - Yes

Item #8 1::-_ft.p~o!ntm~nts

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Name

Park$ commission

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Gary Popl•lasz Reappolntment

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Motion to approve the above Appointment as presented

Motion: Al Bruno Second: Robert Findley Vote: 7-Yes

Trisha Danka -Yes

Al Bruno -Yes

0-No 0-Abstain

Robert Findley- Yes Annmarie Drugonis - Yes

Robert VanEgghen - Yes Chris Bowen - Yes

Tenn Expiration i Date

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Name Boord Type [ Tenn ., Expiration

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EtM<"!; Al Bruno Appointment 4 year>

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12/16/24 I

Motion: Pat Lombardi Second: Robert Findley Vote: 6-Yes

Trisha Danka - Yes Al Bruno-Abstain

0-No 1-Abstain

Robert Findley - Yes Annmarie Drugonis - Yes Robert VanEgghen - Yes Chris Bowen - Yes

BOARD of SELECTMEN REGULAR MEETING - December 16th, 2020

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Board of Ethics r.om Lapaglia Appoiotment

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4 years

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12/16/24

Motion: Chris Bowen Second: Robert VanEgghen Vote: 7-Yes

Trisha Danka - Yes

Al Bruno - Yes

Name

0-No 0-Abstain

Robert Findley -Yes

Robert VanEgghen - Yes

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Type

· 1 EXpiratlon

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Motion: Robert VanEgghen Second: Chris Bowen Vote: 7 -Yes

Trisha Danka -Yes

Al Bruno - Yes

0-No 0-Abstain

Robert Findley-Yes Annmarie Drugonis -Yes

-~--Name 8o;;;trd Type

Board of Ethics Kathie vtark Appointment

Motion: Robert Findley Second: Trisha Danka

Vote: 7-Yes Trisha Oanka -Yes

Al Bruno -Yes

0-No 0-Abstain

Robert Findley-Yes Annmarie Drugonis - Yes

Expiration

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Term Oiite _I 12(16{24 ~l 4 years: I

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Date

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Ethics Bob Findley Appointment I 4 yecJ<s 12/ll/24

Motion: Pat Lombardi Second: Chris Bowen Vote: 6-Yes

Trisha Danka -Yes Al Bruno-Yes 0-No 1-Abstain Robert Findley-Abstain Robert VanEgghen-Yes

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·---~---Name. Seard

flr-e Commissioners 1 Peter Sampiere

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Reappointment

Motion: Al Bruno Second: Robert Findley

BOARD of SELECTMEN REGULAR MEETING - December 16'h, 2020

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_Expiration Term Date

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3 years l2/20/20U

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Vote: 7 -Yes Trisha Danka - Yes

Al Bruno -Yes

Name

EDC

a-No a-Abstain

Robert Findley -Yes Annmarie Drugonis - Yes Robert VanEgghen-Yes Chris Bowen-Yes

Boord Type

Roxanna Findley (regular member} Appointment

Motion: Al Bruno Second: Trisha Danka Vote: 7-Yes

Trisha Danka - Yes

Al Bruno - Yes

a-No a-Abstain

Robert Findley- Yes Annmarie Drugonis - Yes Robert VanEgghen-Yes Chris Bowen-Yes

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1tem #9

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Tax Refunds & Abatements

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Patrick Lombardi - Yes

Term

3 ye-ars

Expiration

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12/2/22

Motion to approve the Tax Refunds & Abatements Report dated 12/11/2a as presented by Tax Collector Dana Flach

Motion: Trisha Danka Vote: 7-Yes

Trisha Oanka -Yes

Al Bruno - Yes

J 1tem #10 J-Transfers None

Second: Al Bruno

a-No a-Abstain

Robert Findley-Yes Annmarie Drugonis-Yes Robert VanEgghen-Yes Chris Bowen-Yes

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item #11

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Correspondence

• Received letter of resignation from Kwame Dunbar from the Board of Finance. • Check Registers

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item

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Public Comment None

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item #13

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Selectmen's Public Comment

• Pat Lombardi - We are in for a pretty good snowstorm. I had the opportunity to meet with Tony DePrimo (Director of Public Works) and got a tour of the facility this Monday morning. Preparations were taking place for the snowstorm. Discussed this at our meeting on Monday night. They are ready to roll; the worst problems are the rate of snow falling and the winds. People need to be patient- may BOARD of SELECTMEN REGULAR MEETING - December 16th, 2a2a Page 5

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take a little longer to get some of the roads open. I wish each of you and your families a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, stay well, stay safe, wear a mask, stay healthy.

• Trisha Danka-1 really love the Christmas season. Don't know if anyone has had a chance to go out and see any of the entries in the Holiday Lights Contest, but even people who weren't entered had

spectacular displays. Please enjoy, take your time, we have had over 61 entries. People have done a great job. People are outside and it has brought a lot of joy to people during this Christmas season. Also, I was tried to attend the Menorah lighting, but no one was there when I went; I am very excited to see us celebrating diversity. So Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy Kwanza. Enjoy the Holiday season with your family whether in person or online. And wish you a Better, Happy 2021!

• Chris Bowen - I was honored to be a part of the Menorah lighting at Broad Street Park. It was wonderful to see the small but intimate gathering. Thank you to Jodi Gerstenhaber for getting that going. I want to wish everyone a Happy Holidays! Be safe. Take precautions against COVID. The virus does not know it's a holiday. Have a wonderful season. Take account of all the things going on now that are good. Take account of all the Blessings we have. See you in 2021!

• Rob VanEqqhen - Echoing the hope that 2021 will be a better year! For the remainder of the year, please be safe; thank you to this Board for making it a pleasant year despite the circumstances out there. With the weather, please be safe. Thanks to everyone for participating in the Holiday Lights Celebration and thanks to Alex and Trisha for putting that together. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!

• Bob Findlev-1 was very happy to see the Menorah lighting and the Town lights. You could see that many more people have lights up- not just the people entered. Please be careful in the snowstorm; help your neighbors; be careful shoveling. Happy Holidays!

• Al Bruno - I just wanted to make sure I give a shoutout to Tim Connors and the Public Works

Department. I've been running up at the high school track and I noticed that the garbage cans were full and knocked over. Garbage was strewn around and needed to be picked up for the season. I texted Tim and Tony and they took care of it! They will try to get heavier cans up there. They did a great job! Thank you to Pat for your Public Work Board leadership. Thank you to Alex and his committee for the Holiday Lights Celebration idea. This Town really values our kids; we have lots of activities and parades. It's kind of like the Festival of Lights in East Haven. It's wonderful to have all those lights in this

darkness. My wife was in Sweden· her Junior year and the have darkness 19 or 20 hours of the day, so they made their own light. This is kind of what we are doing - making our own light! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone.

• Annmarie Druqonis-Thank you so much to Alex and the Parade Committee for organizing this. We have 71 people now registered! I've been to about 20 of them. This is great - I felt like the

Cheermeister driving around. Seeing so much cheer in the community- I hope that this carries on and becomes a tradition for us along with the Parade. It's great to see the community come together! Thanks to Alex and Trisha for a wonderful job!

• Richard Butur/a - Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah ! Enjoy the Holiday Season, be well, stay safe, enjoy the Blessings of the vaccines that have been developed so that we can put this virus behind us and have a much better year. God Bless, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year.

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item #14

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Adjournment

Motion to adjourn at 7:43pm

Motion: Trisha Danka Second: Chris Bowen

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Vote: 7-Yes

Trisha Danka - Yes Al Bruno-Yes Submitted by:

~Dl/ll1..!nv

Monica Dimon

Recording Secretary

0-No 0-Abstain

Robert Findley- Yes Annmarie Drugonis - Yes Robert VanEgghen - Yes Chris Bowen - Yes

Reviewed by:

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First Selectwoman

BOARD of SELECTMEN REGULAR MEETING - December 16th, 2020

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