REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING
TOWN OF GREENWICH
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
DECEMBER 2004 MEETING
DEPARTMENT: Board of Education 0412ED01
REFERRED TO: Education & Finance Committees
VOTES: Board of Education 8-0-0
Board of Estimate and Taxation 11-0-0
RESOLVED, that the Town of Greenwich accept a grant for $46,603 for the English as a Second Language Program.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
The Connecticut State Department of Education manages the Immigrant Children and Youth Grant (ICYG) from the US Department of Education. The purpose of this grant is to assist eligible local educational agencies that experience unexpectedly large increases in their student population due to immigration to: 1) provide high-quality instruction to immigrant children and youth; and 2) help such children with their transition into American society and to meet the same challenging state academic content and student academic achievement standards as all children are expected to meet. This program operates as an entitlement grant. The Greenwich Public Schools’ award is $46,603.
The Greenwich Public Schools plans to use these grant monies to strengthen staff development for ESL teachers, purchase instructional supplies and textbooks to support the Greenwich Public Schools’ curriculum, and expand communication to parents.
Attachments
None
DEPARTMENT: First Selectman’s Office
REFERRED TO: Town Services Committee
VOTES: Board of Selectmen November 18, 2004 (3 – 0)
RESOLVED, that the Town of Greenwich accept a grant from the Area Nine Cable Council in the amount of $4,525 and that such grant be added to account 134-53070, Information Technology Data/Word processing supplies, upon allotment by the Board of Estimate and Taxation.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Area Nine Cable Council (ANCC) of Fairfield County, of which the town of Greenwich is a member, distributes grants to towns in Fairfield County to purchase equipment for government-access cable television operations. The Town has received these grants in the past and anticipates receiving them in the future. The funding from this grant will allow the town through its coordinator, Paul Curtis to enhance the town’s cablevision production capability. It will be used for small equipment and supplies for use in town productions.
DEPARTMENT: Selectmen
CONTACT: James A. Lash 622-7710
Denise Savageau 622-6461
REFERRED TO: Land Use, Legislative & Rules Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the First Selectman be and is hereby authorized for and on behalf of the Town, to accept the conveyance of a parcel of land from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation, containing 1.30 acres and located on the easterly side of Spring House Road.
Explanatory Comments
The Commissioner of Transportation shall convey to the Town of Greenwich a parcel of land located on the easterly side of Spring House Road at a cost equal to the administrative costs of making such conveyance.
The parcel of land will be used for open space purposes only.
ATTACHMENTS- separate enclosure
Copy of Quit Claim Deed from the State of Connecticut.
Map of the Area
DEPARTMENT: Selectmen
CONTACT: James A. Lash 622-7710
Denise Savageau 622-6461
REFERRED TO: Land Use, Legislative & Rules Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the First Selectman be and is hereby authorized for and on behalf of the Town, to accept the conveyance of a parcel of land from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation, containing 2.40 acres and situated on the northwesterly side of CT Route 15- Merritt Parkway.
Explanatory Comments
The Commissioner of Transportation shall convey to the Town of Greenwich a parcel of land situated on the northwesterly side of Route 15-Merritt Parkway, at a cost equal to the administrative costs of making such conveyance.
ATTACHMENTS separate enclosure
Copy of Quit Clam Deed from the State of Connecticut.
Map of the Area
DEPARTMENT: Public Works 0512PW01
CONTACT: Alan Monelli, Supt. Bldg. Const. & Maint. (203) 622-7743
REFERRED TO: Finance, Public Works Committees
VOTES: BET Approved 12-0-0
RESOLVED, that the sum of $150,000 be and the same is hereby appropriated to be added to Public Works’ account number R317-59600-24099, know as “Public Works: Old Greenwich Railroad Station Rehabilitation.”
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
This request is for an additional appropriation of $150,000, to supplement funds already budgeted in FY 04-05 in the amount of $500,000, to rehabilitate the Old Greenwich and Riverside Railroad Stations. These funds come from the State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (DOT) Leased Railroad Fund, administered by the town per terms of a lease. The state monies are generated from parking fees at the railroad stations.
Several developments have occurred to materially change the project’s scope. First, the Old Greenwich Railroad Station (OGRR) part of the project was bid and prices for the rehabilitation work came in higher than anticipated. after discussions with DOT, it was decided to postpone work on the Riverside Railroad Station for one year, as there would not be enough monies to do both projects. As a substitute, a project to re-roof the Cos Cob Railroad Station was requested by DOT to use the balance of the $500,000 appropriation. A bid of $42,000 has been received to re-roof the Cos Cob Station. That work, along with the OGRR work, will be done under a contract with THP of Trumbull Connecticut for $418,695.
During construction at the OGRR, the contractor uncovered several serious defects in the structure. These defects were not apparent by visual inspection during the project planning stages and were only uncovered when interior demolition occurred.
The OGRR is a post and beam structure utilizing heavy wooden timbers for a perimeter sill. Over time, as the railroad installed the commuter access platform, the grade around the building was raised without taking into account the position of the sill. The sills, which are now below grade, are badly decayed. Many of the vertical exterior wall members are barely attaching. On the east elevation, the sill is completely deteriorated and this has allowed the exterior wall to sag.
Additional problems at the OGRR concern the roof. The station, which is listed on the Federal Register of Historic Buildings, has a long history of additions and modifications including an alteration that changed the shape of the roof. This work impacted the building supporting structure by removing lateral bracing and altering the roof trusses from their original design. The conditions described above must be corrected before the project can continue.
The cost estimate to address the structural defects is $184,559, as submitted by THP. This creates a budget shortfall of $103,254. The $150,000 requested will pay for the changed conditions, and reestablish a project contingency fund of $46,746. Below is a summary of these costs:
DPW has been in regular contact with DOT officials during this process and has verbal approvals for all the aforementioned changes. However, our lease does require written approval to expend monies on capital items from the Leased Railroad Fund. On November 16, 2004, DPW received written approval from DOT to spend the additional $150,000 as previously described.
Attachments
None
DEPARTMENT: Fire 0412FD01
REFERRED TO: Finance, Public Works Committees
VOTES: BET vote vote (11/0/0)
RESOLVED, that the sum of $49,000, be and the same is hereby appropriated to be added to Account Numbers identified below:
Z345-59560-23013 Cos Cob Fire Station Renovation 49,000
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
This request is made in order to provide funds to finish the interior renovation project at Cos Cob fire station. Cost overruns were incurred by Public Works in the amount of $26,500 due to design changes made to address Union dormitory concerns. The Fire Department has need for $22,500 to redesign the vehicle exhaust system to accommodate the placement of fire vehicles within the building.
Attachments
None
DEPARTMENT: Selectmen
CONTACT: James Lash, First Selectman 622-7710
REFERRED TO: Appointments, Land Use Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed a member of the Historic District Commission for a term expiring 3/31/09.
JOAN L. FAUST
Explanatory Comments
Joan L. Faust. Renomination as a regular member of the Historic District Commission for a term expiring 3/31/09.
Garaduate of Michigan State. Retired from New York Times as Garden Editor.
Member, League of Women Voters, Connections, Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation and National Trust for Historic Preservation.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
DEPARTMENT: Selectmen
CONTACT: James Lash, First Selectman 622-7710
REFERRED TO: Appointments, Land Use Committee
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed a member of the Historic District Commission for a term expiring 3/31/06.
BETTE KRAUS
Explanatory Comments
New nomination as an alternate member of the Historic District Commission for a term expiring 3/31/06.
Graduate of University of Chicago – M.B.A. – Finance & Statistics, A.B., Economics.
Former Managing Director – Merrill Lynch- Risk Management
CFA Charter Holder, Member, AIMR & SSIA (pending).
ATTACHMENTS
None.
DEPARTMENT: Selectmen
CONTACT: James Lash, First Selectman 622-7710
REFERRED TO: Appointments, Land Use Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed a member of the Historic District Commission for a term expiring 3/31/06.
FIFI (PHYLLIS) SHERIDAN
Explanatory Comments
Fifi (Phyllis) Sheridan. 30 Maher Avenue, Greenwich. New nomination as a regular member of the Historic District Commission for a term expiring 3/31/06.
BA Degree – St. Louis University – Major in Political Science.
Board member – Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, Green Fingers Garden Club, Breast Cancer Alliance, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra of San Francisco, Junior Leagues of New Orleans and Greenwich and Washington DC Preservation League.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
DEPARTMENT: Selectmen
CONTACT: James Lash, First Selectman 622-7710
Christopher Holbrook 869-7623
REFERRED TO: Land Use Committee
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
To consider and act upon the following resolution requested by the Board of Selectmen:
RESOLVED, that the Representative Town Meeting appoint the Historic District Commission as the Historic Properties Study Committee for the purpose of investigating a proposed Historic property owned by Mr. & Mrs. Frank Snyder, and located at 640 Round Hill Road, in accordance with Section 7-147q (a) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Explanatory Comments
Prior to the designation of an historic property or properties, the legislative body shall appoint or authorize the chief elected official to appoint an historic properties study committee for the purpose of making an investigation of one or more proposed historic properties.
An already existing Historic District Commission may be appointed to make this investigation. Each Committee established under the provisions of this section shall consist of five regular and three alternate members who shall be electors of the municipality holding no salaried municipal office.
The historic properties study committee shall investigate and submit a report which shall included the following: An analysis of the historic significance and architectural merit of the buildings, structures, objects or sites proposed as historic properties, a map showing the exact boundaries of the area to be designated as the historic property, a proposed ordinance designed to designate and provide for the protection of an historic property; and such other matters as the committee may deem necessary.
The Historic District Commission of the Town of Greenwich has agreed to serve as the study committee.
DEPARTMENT: Conservation 200412CC01
REFERRED TO: Finance, Land Use Committees
VOTES: BET 12-0-0
RESOLVED, that the sum of $47,000.00 be and the same is hereby appropriated to be added to the Account Number identified below:
#A172-51440 – Consulting - $47,000.00
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
The Conservation Commission recently completed its deer management study that includes recommendations to reduce the deer herd size on Town property. Following on this report and working with the First Selectman, it was determined that the safest and most efficient way to immediately cull the herd is through sharp shooting, with long term maintenance to be accomplished by limited hunting. The Conservation consulting budget will need to be increased by $47,000 to a total for this year of $62,000 to hire a wildlife control specialist who will design and implement the cull. In addition, the wildlife consultant will conduct a birth control study following the herd reduction to determine if this is a feasible alternative to hunting. This study is an additional $8,000 and will be paid for out of
the existing consulting budget. These cost figures were derived from a proposal requested by the Town of Tony DiNicola, PhD, of White Buffalo, Inc., non-profit wildlife management organization.
Attachments
Separate enclosure
Q&A prepared for BET Budget Committee dated 11-9-04
Conservation Commission’s Report on Managing Greenwich’s Deer Population October 7, 2004
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation 0412PR01
CONTACT: Joseph A. Siciliano (203) 622-6472
REFERRED TO: Board of Parks and Recreation
VOTES: Approved
To consider and act upon the following resolution requested by the Director of Parks and Recreation and approved by the Board of Parks and Recreation:
RESOLVED, that the Town of Greenwich accept a gift in the amount of $22,500 as reimbursement for the Independence Day Fireworks Celebrations.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Explanation by the Director of Parks and Recreation:
We respectfully request the acceptance of a gift in the amount of $22,500 from Greenwich Capital Markets to the Department of Parks and Recreation for reimbursement for the 2004 Independence Day Fireworks displays held at Greenwich High School and Binney Park. This donation has again allowed the Department of Parks and Recreation and Old Greenwich/Riverside Community Center to offer one of the most popular events of the year.
Upon acceptance of the gift, we will credit line item A812-53200, Parks and Recreation Administration, Recreation Athletic and Playground Supplies, to offset money paid to Atlas Pyrovision Productions, Inc. for their services for the Independence Day Celebrations.
ATTACHMENTS
None
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation 0412PR02
CONTACT: Joseph A. Siciliano (203) 622-6472
REFERRED TO: Board of Parks and Recreation
VOTES: Approved
To consider and act upon the following resolution requested by the Director of Parks and Recreation and approved the Board of Parks and Recreation:
RESOLVED, that the Town of Greenwich accept a gift of a Stair-Trac valued at $5,000 from Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Matthews, 2 Ridgeview Avenue, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Explanation by the Director of Parks and Recreation:
We respectfully request the acceptance of a gift of a Stair-Trac valued at $5,000 from Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Matthews. The Stair-Trac is a portable wheelchair lift, which provides freedom of mobility both indoors and out for those who have difficulty with stairs. It allows even the smallest attendant to transport a person up and down virtually any stairway. The Stair-Trac attaches to most standard wheelchairs with push handles. Its rechargeable battery powers it to carry over 250 lbs. up approximately 30 floors. Due to its portability it can be used at any location. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews are presenting this gift in honor of their father.
ATTACHMENTS
None
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation 0412PR03
CONTACT: Joseph A. Siciliano (203) 622-6472
REFERRED TO: Board of Parks and Recreation - Approved
Board of Selectman - Approved – 3-0
VOTES: Approved
To consider and act upon the following resolution requested by the Director of Parks and Recreation and approved the Board of Parks and Recreation:
RESOLVED, that the Town of Greenwich accept a gift of a picnic pavilion valued at $100,000 from the Greenwich Rotary and the Byram/Cos Cob Rotary Clubs.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Explanation by the Director of Parks and Recreation:
We respectfully request the acceptance of a gift of a picnic pavilion valued at $100,000 from the Greenwich Rotary and the Byram/Cos Cob Rotary Clubs. The Rotary Centennial Pavilion will replace the current pavilion located in Byram Park on the corner of Byram Shore Road and Ritch Avenue. The recommendation to replace the current pavilion was part of the Master Plan recommendations approved by the Board of Parks and Recreation in 2002.
Rotary is a global network of community volunteers. Rotary members are business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and help build goodwill and peace in their community and around the world. Founded in Chicago in 1905, Rotary has grown to some 31,000 Rotary clubs in more than 165 countries. Rotarians carry out service projects in their local communities and abroad to address such critical issues as poverty, health, hunger, illiteracy, and the environment.
The first Rotary club was established in Greenwich in 1921. At one point there were four Rotary Clubs in town but today Greenwich is served by two clubs, the Greenwich Rotary Club and the Byram/Cos Cob Rotary Club.
From these very early years, the primary purpose for Rotary’s existence was to support community programs. Rotary projects in Greenwich have addressed important needs such as youth development, eldercare, college scholarships, health care, literacy, care for the disabled, environmental protection, vocational training, and a park course in Bruce Park, among many more.
Rotary will be celebrating 100 years of service in the year 2005. Rotary International has asked each one of its clubs to identify a need in their community and complete a project addressing it in honor of Rotary’s centennial celebration. The Greenwich Rotary and the Byram/Cos Cob Rotary Clubs propose to donate a new picnic pavilion on the hilltop in Byram Park.
ATTACHMENTS
Separate enclosure
Photo and plan.
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation 0412PR04
CONTACT: Joseph A. Siciliano (203) 622-6472
REFERRED TO: Board of Parks and Recreation
VOTES: Approved
To consider and act upon the following resolution requested by the Director of Parks and Recreation and approved the Board of Parks and Recreation:
RESOLVED, that the Town of Greenwich accept a gift of kitchen improvements valued at $5,000 from the Friends of the Bible Street Preschool for the Cos Cob Community Center.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Explanation by the Director of Parks and Recreation:
We respectfully request the acceptance of a gift valued at $5,000 from the Friends of the Bible Street Preschool for kitchen improvements at the Cos Cob Community Center. The kitchen cabinets and two sinks are original to the building dating to the late 1940s/early 1950s. This gift will upgrade the kitchen area for the Bible Street Preschool, as well as for weekend rentals. The Bible Street Preschool is a State of Connecticut licensed program and has been located at the Cos Cob Community Center for the past 30 plus years.
ATTACHMENTS
None
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation 0412PR05
CONTACT: Joseph A. Siciliano (203) 622-6472
REFERRED TO: Board of Parks and Recreation
VOTES: Approved
To consider and act upon the following resolution requested by the Director of Parks and Recreation and approved the Board of Parks and Recreation:
RESOLVED, that the Town of Greenwich accept a gift of ornamental trees and shrub plantings for the purpose of screening a parking garage adjacent to Upper Havemeyer recreation playing field valued at $25,000.00 from Sam Bridge Nursery.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Explanation by the Director of Parks and Recreation:
We respectfully request the acceptance of a gift valued at $25,000.00 from Sam Bridge Nursery and other interested parties for a planting designed to act as a natural screen for a parking garage. The garage is located in the rear of 40 West Elm Street condominiums and abuts the Greenwich Common near Upper Havemeyer playing field. This planting of evergreen and deciduous ornamental trees and shrubs was designed and will be planted by Sam Bridge Nursery. This design meets the approval of the Tree Warden and Superintendent of Parks and has been presented to and approved by the Board of Parks and Recreation. This planting will ultimately soften the façade of the parking garage while creating a green boundary on the northern edge of the Common.
ATTACHMENTS
None
DEPARTMENT: RTM Legislative & Rules Committe
REFERRED TO: Legislative & Rules Committee
VOTES: N/A
RESOLVED, that the rules of the RTM, Section III. Organization and Procedures, Subsection I., Procedures at Meetings, be amended to add a new Paragraph 5 as follows:
There shall be a Consent Calendar on which shall be entered such resolutions as the Moderator, or in his absence the Moderator ProTempore, upon the suggestions of the Committee Chairpersons and District Chairpersons shall designate, which shall be proposed to the RTM by the Moderator in the form of a Motion to Move to the Consent Calendar. All resolutions designated for action on the Consent Calendar shall be passed on motion without discussion unless, at any time prior to the motion for passage, a duly seconded motion of an RTM Member requests removal of a resolution from the Consent Calendar. In that event, the movant shall have three (3)
resolution from the Consent Calendar. In that event, the movant shall have three (3) minutes to address the RTM to show cause why there should be a removal, which time may be extended, in the Moderator’s discretion. The Moderator shall then call for a standing vote, and if at least twenty (20) Members vote in favor of removal, then such resolution shall be so removed and placed on the regular call.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
The resolution which was adopted in December 2003 contain a one year sunset provision. This resolution eliminates the sunset provision.
DEPARTMENT: Department name First Selectman’s Office 11-19-04
REFERRED TO: Health & Human Services, Public Works, Town Services
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0
RESOLVED, the Representative Town Meeting adopts the Town of Greenwich Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan as part of a regional Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan as recommended by the Board of Selectmen and in accordance with the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires all local governments to have an approved Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan in place in order to be eligible to receive Hazard Mitigation Grant Program project funding. The Greenwich plan will become part of the South Western Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA) regional Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan. The purpose of the plan is to promote mitigation strategies that reduce the loss of life and human suffering, economic disruption and disaster assistance costs resulting from natural disasters. Natural disasters often cause repeated damage and require reconstruction that is often more expensive as the years go by. Hazard mitigation breaks this expensive cycle of recurrent damage and increasing reconstruction costs by taking a long-term view of
rebuilding and recovery following natural disasters.
Mitigation is distinct from other phases of emergency management – such as preparedness, response and recovery – because it reduces or eliminates long term risk to human life and property resulting from hazards. These long-term strategies include planning, policy-making, programs, projects and other activities. The Plan takes into consideration the following natural disasters:
Floods
Coastal storms and nor’easters
Hurricanes
Blizzards/severe winter storms/ice storms
Drought
Sea Level rise
Earthquakes
Dam failure
Each of these risks are evaluated for likelihood of occurrence and potential for loss of life and property.
ATTACHMENTS
Separate enclosure
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