Referendum Questions & Council Dirty Tricks

[tomterific]

Did you notice what happened in Monday's Council Meeting? They voted to have the town pay for the new sidewalks that will be built on several town streets. We approved that bonding last November at the election. But, the 'explanatory text' that the Council approved and then mailed to all voters said that the affected residents would pay half of the bill. The Council has now, with the approval of the town lawyer, done something different. Well, next time there's a ballot question and our leaders send us an explanatory text, throw it in the garbage. They deceived us last November and they'll do it again. Only 1 of the 9 objected last Monday. Remember that too this election season.

[morganika]

This is not the first time the council and their lawyer have not shown good honest faith! Last time it was the petitions they refused to honor. What's next, they will secretly hand over town property to Perez and we'll read about it in the Hartford Courant. Just asking for a little honesty here.

[oldetowne]

I think it was 2 of the 8 who were there. And the missing one had raised the issue in the first place. Remember the motto: "Vote Democratic and We All Win!"

"Only 1 of the 9 objected last Monday. Remember that too this election season."

[tomterific]

I encourage citizens to examine the Council Minutes for the Sept 20, 04 meeting. A few councillors questioned the 50/50 sidewalk levy being included in the Explanatory Text, but nothing happened. Please take note of the town officials who successfully discouraged the Council from taking the 50% out of the expl. text.

[oldetowne]

For the lazy among us....

Explanatory Texts - November Referendums

Councilor Montinieri moved "TO APPROVE THE THREE EXPLANATORY TEXTS, AS PRESENTED BY THE TOWN MANAGER, FOR THE NOVEMBER REFERENDUMS", seconded by Deputy Mayor Karangekis.

Councilor Adil asked if a video presentation of the Town Hall/Library building is under production. Town Manager Bonnie Therrien said that she is working on this with Town Engineer Mike Turner and Fire Marshal Gary Santoro. She said that the video should be ready within a week. Councilor Adil suggested that the explanatory text for the road and sidewalk improvements be changed in the second paragraph to read that "the Town has the option" to require property owners to pay 50% of the costs. Town Manager Bonnie Therrien said that the Council has the option to do this; but that it was previously decided that the costs would be split 50/50. She said that the Bond Ordinance is written such that the 50% is not mentioned; therefore the Council does not have to make a decision on this now, but can wait until November. Councilor Adil asked if the Council at that time can also decide to install sidewalks on only one side of Two Rod Highway. Town Manager Bonnie Therrien said that that cannot be done as the Bond states that both sides will have sidewalks installed. She said that she will check with Bond Counsel as to whether the Council can vote not to put sidewalks there at all and just allow the Bond Ordinance for that portion to run out.

Councilor Montinieri said that the problem with sidewalks being installed on only one side of Two Rod Highway has to do with bussing issues.

Councilor Hemmann asked how long the current Town sidewalk ordinance addressing installment, replacement and residents' responsibility for payment has been in affect. Town Manager Bonnie Therrien said that she is not sure, but that it has been a long time. Councilor Hemmann said that she is concerned about changing the payment requirements in that this negates the current ordinance and will set a precedent. Chairperson Morin suggested that the sidewalk ordinance could possibly be outdated and may require updating since the last sidewalk issue.

Councilor Fortunato said that when she voted in favor of the project, it was under the assumption that there is currently an ordinance that will be adhered to. She said that the homeowners have to be provided with information regarding their portion of the costs of the sidewalk installation. She said that she does not support a change to the 50/50 cost sharing. Councilor Fortunato stated that she does not want to second guess the professional Town staff members who have recommended the sidewalk installations and renovations.

Councilor Forrest said that the sidewalks will improve the safety of the children in Wethersfield. He said that he recalls being told that the 50/50 cost sharing would be a policy decision made by the Council at a later date and that he is uncomfortable requiring the property owners to pay 50% of the costs. Councilor Forrest said that it is important to change the wording of the text to read "the Town has the option" because this could change the way in which residents vote on the issue. He said that the text as-is does not indicate that the 50/50 cost sharing is a policy decision that could be altered by the Council in the future and that the text should include this.

Councilor Cascio said that the minutes of the August 18, 2004 Council meeting will reflect that he brought to the table the issue of the sidewalk ordinance. He said that he is not comfortable with changing the explanatory text.

Councilor Montinieri said that she spoke with a resident of Two Rod Highway who, in addition to the 50% cost of installing the sidewalk, is concerned about their sprinkler system which will require altering to accommodate the sidewalk. She said that the resident is currently having a new driveway installed which will also be disrupted with the sidewalk installation. Councilor Montinieri said that she appreciates what a hassle this will be for the homeowners, but she believes that it is only fair that the residents pay their share as has been done previously by other residents.

Councilor Forrest commented that his recollection is that the sidewalk ordinance had always been referred to by the Council in terms of sidewalk repair rather than new installation. He asked the Town Manager to offer a recommendation on this issue and how the language could or should be changed from 50%. Councilor Forrest said that now is the appropriate time for the Council to discuss this issue.

Councilor Adil said that the ordinance actually requires that the homeowner bear the entire financial cost of sidewalk repair and 50% of newly installed sidewalks. He said that his suggested amendment to the explanatory text gives the Town the option to change the cost allocation percentage.

Chairperson Morin said that the Council can approve two of the three explanatory texts and table the third for discussion. He said that he does not think it is possible to amend the wording of the road and sidewalk improvement explanatory text because there is currently a Town ordinance stating that the cost is split 50/50. The ordinance would need to be amended first in order to change the explanatory text.

Councilor Adil asked if it is possibly to completely delete the two sentences in the second paragraph of the explanatory text. Town Manager Bonnie Therrien said that this is possible; however this would not allow a true picture of the issue to the residents.

Councilor Fortunato asked if an opinion could be received from the State Election Commission as to how much discussion can be had with the affected homeowners. She said that she recalls that letters to the homeowners allowed for financial arrangements to be made regarding their share of the sidewalk cost.

Councilor Montinieri asked why the phrase "both sides" of Two Rod Highway is not included in the explanatory text. Town Manager Bonnie Therrien said that she will include this in the text. She said that she would also like to include the tax impact for the average value of a house into the explanatory text for both the Town Hall/Library Renovations and the Road and Sidewalk Improvements. The Town Manager said that there will be an attached sheet listing all of the roads slated for improvement.

Councilor Cascio moved "TO ADD THE TAX IMPACT ON BOTH THE TOWN HALL/LIBRARY RENOVATIONS AND ROAD AND SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS EXPLANATORY TEXT AND TO ADD THE PHRASE "BOTH SIDES" TO ITEM NUMBER FOUR OF THE ROAD AND SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS EXPLANATORY TEXT", seconded by Councilor Fortunato. All Councilors present, including the Chairperson, voted AYE. The motion passed 8-0-0.