Mayor Marc J. Garofalo called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. All rose and pledged allegiance to the flag.

Present: Alderwoman Sheila Parizo, Alderwoman Linda Fusco, Alderman Bruce Sill, Alderman John Orazietti, Alderman Joseph Bassi, Alderman Ronald Sill, Alderman Robert Gabianelli, Alderman Michael Flora, Sr.

Absent: Alderman Samuel Rizzitelli, Jr.

Also Present: David L. Kopjanski, Building Official

Gary M. Parker, Director Public Works, Chief – Derby Fire Department

Philip Hawks, Fire Marshal

Chief Andrew L. Cota, Jr., Derby Police Department

Richard Lutz, Mayoral Assistant

Warren Holcomb, Esq. (arrived 7:44 p.m.)

Mayor Garofalo said there are two deletions and three additions to the agenda:

A MOTION was made by Mr. Bassi with a second by Mrs. Parizo to adopt the agenda as amended. Motion carried.

Allan Esposito, Signs Unlimited, Francis Street, Derby, CT – I see that you’re voting tonight on allocating the money for the survey of the street. I think it’s a great idea. I think it’s overdue and I’m really happy that you guys are going forward on this. It shows that you’re really interested and concerned about what’s going on in the City. So I just hope you vote for it. Thanks very much.

Mayor Garofalo – Hearing no further questions…

A MOTION was made by Mrs. Parizo with a second by Mr. Bassi to approve the minutes of the August 12, 2004 meeting.

There were no questions asked. Report placed on file.

Mr. Gabianelli noted that some of the houses on the report were inspected a long time ago. He asked Mr. Hawks if there is a time frame as to when the work has to be completed? Mr. Hawks said it is at his discretion in regard to how much work was required and how much work is completed. The property owners that don’t proceed with rectifying the violations are usually turned over to the State Attorney’s Office or Corporation Counsel. Mr. Gabianelli questioned the violations at 9 Gilbert Street – this inspection was done on 9/01. It says they are working on violations. Mr. Hawks said the only work left to be completed on that house is the rear stairs. The house was currently sold and the new owner is addressing the issue of the new stairs. Report placed on file.

Mr. Parker noted that he is short on administrative staff. He will file a report next month.

There were no questions asked. Report placed on file.

Mr. Kopjanski informed the board that the report was on his desk. He said there are no changes from the previous month. There were no questions asked.

Mayor Garofalo said as everyone is aware we are halfway through the due diligence period with respect to the Ceruzzi Project on the Southside of Main Street. As things develop by the first meeting in October we should have answers to the next steps in moving forward.

There was no report filed.

There was no report filed. Mayor Garofalo informed the board members that he spoke to the commission members about a Derby Day report. We should have that for the next meeting.

There was no report filed. Mayor Garofalo asked Ms. Finn to have it forwarded for the next meeting.

Mrs. Parizo asked if the garage was moving forward with the repairs that are needed at the garage? Mayor Garofalo said the repairs would be part of the energy repairs that the City would be doing. Mr. Flora questioned why there was no report on the expenses for the month? Ms. Finn said expenses are now handled through purchase orders with the City Clerk’s Office. Mayor Garofalo asked Ms. Finn to have the City Clerk prepare a report on expenses for future meetings. Report placed on file.

Mr. Bassi asked why there was no payment from Studio 275 for July? Ms. Finn explained that Studio 275 paid $100.00 in June, which took care of June and July interest only payments for the first year of the loan. She noted that Studio 275 has begun to pay the principal and interest on their loan as of August 2004.

Mayor Garofalo said he received a letter from Quartermaster Bernard Williamson requesting permission to place a Flag Collection Box at City Hall. The box would be used to collect old, torn and worn American Flags for proper disposal in accordance with the National Flag Code.

A MOTION was made by Mr. B. Sill with a second by Mrs. Fusco to authorize the Veterans’ Coalition to place a flag collection box in the lobby of City Hall. Motion carried.

ADOPT REVISIONS TO PUBLIC WORKS ORDINANCE (This item marked off agenda)

Mrs. Fusco reported from the Neighborhood Committee. She said that Mr. Lucarelli and residents on Francis Street attended the Neighborhood Committee meeting to voice their concerns regarding parking violations and blight. Her committee spoke with several individuals who informed them that this has been a long-standing problem. The road is very old and it has never been surveyed. It is difficult for the police to investigate the violations due to the fact that no one really knows what is private property and what is public property. The Neighborhood Committee asked the City Engineer, Milone & MacBroom, to give an estimate for the cost to prepare a survey of the street. Milone & MacBroom came back with an estimate of $2,350.00 to prepare the survey and the Neighborhood Committee voted to bring this item to the full Board of Aldermen for approval.

A MOTION was made by Mrs. Fusco with a second by Mr. Bassi to authorize Milone & MacBroom to prepare a survey of the street borders on Francis Street for a cost of $2,350.00.

Mr. Orazietti commended the Neighborhood Committee for taking a stand on this problem. He noted that it was a long time coming. He then asked Mayor Garofalo the timeframe to accomplish this work? Mayor Garofalo said as soon as it is authorize they could begin. Mr. Bassi said it would be a couple of weeks after approval.

Mrs. Parizo reported from the Administration Committee. She informed the board that the City has authorized the UI Company to place switching stations on City property. The UI Company will be constructing a room at the new City Hall next to the switching station and the City needs to have architectural plans prepared for this work.

A MOTION was made by Mrs. Parizo with a second by Mrs. Fusco to approve the architectural plans for the additional work at 1 Elizabeth Street prepared by Benassi Architects in the amount of $3,200.00 to be paid out of the contingency line item for the new City Hall. Motion carried.

Mrs. Parizo reported from the Administration Committee. She noted that in addition to the architectural plans for the new room at the new City Hall there needs to be mechanical and electrical design plans prepared.

A MOTION was made by Mrs. Parizo with a second by Mr. Bassi to approve the mechanical and electrical design plans for the additional work at 1 Elizabeth Street prepared by Sgorbati & Associates in the amount of $3,400.00 to be paid out of the contingency line item for the new City Hall. Motion carried.

Mayor Garofalo said Ed Strang Day began approximately ten years ago. This celebration kicks off the scouting year. He noted that the actor Brian Dennehy, a Derby native, has attended in the past, as he was a former member of Troop 3. The Mayor also noted that the Scouts have appropriate insurance.

A MOTION was made by Mr. B. Sill with a second by Mr. R. Sill to authorize the use of the Derby Green on Saturday, September 18, 2004 by Troop 3 Boy Scouts of America for Ed Strang Day. Motion carried.

Mayor Garofalo said he received a letter from Abigail Harris requesting use of the Derby Green for her wedding on May 21, 2005. Ms. Harris has also requested that Mayor Garofalo perform the ceremony. Mayor Garofalo said he would need to check his schedule.

A MOTION was made by Mrs. Fusco with a second by Mr. Bassi to authorize the use of the Derby Green on Saturday May 21, 2005 by Abigail Harris for her wedding. Motion carried.

Mayor Garofalo said the documentation for this loan has been forwarded from Mr. Dunne’s office. He noted that the request of the loan is for $45,000 at 3% interest. This item was placed on the agenda per a recommendation from the Administration Committee. Mrs. Parizo, Chair of the Administration Committee, said this was put on at the urgency of Mr. Bassi.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Bassi with a second by Mrs. Parizo to approve the Revolving Loan Application of United Cigar, LLC for 41 Elizabeth Street for $45,000.00 at 3% interest. Motion carried.

A MOTION was made by Mrs. Parizo with a second by Mrs. Fusco to go into Executive Session inviting Mr. Kopjanski, Mr. Lutz and Corporation Counsel to discuss the Blight Lien at 153 Main Street. Motion carried.

A MOTION was made by Mrs. Fusco with a second by Mr. Bassi to reduce the Blight Lien on 153 Main Street to $3,000.00 contingent upon the clean up of the premises, subject to the approval of the Building Official, by September 30, 2004. Motion carried.

A MOTION was made by Mrs. Parizo with a second by Mrs. Fusco to go into Executive Session at 7:44 p.m. subject to adjournment inviting Mr. Kopjanski, Mr. Lutz and Corporation Counsel to discuss the blight at 7 Cottage Street. Motion carried.

A MOTION was made by Mrs. Parizo with a second by Mrs. Fusco to go into Executive Session at 7:44 p.m. subject to adjournment inviting Mr. Kopjanski, Mr. Lutz and Corporation Counsel to discuss the matter of Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company v. City of Derby. Motion carried.

A MOTION was made by Mrs. Parizo with a second by Mrs. Fusco to go into Executive Session at 7:44 p.m. subject to adjournment inviting Mr. Kopjanski, Mr. Lutz, Corporation Counsel and Mr. Monroe Kohn of Hubbell Bros. to discuss strategy and negotiations regarding the Southside of Main Street Revitalization Project. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia Finn

Temporary Recording Secretary

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