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REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING
TOWN OF GREENWICH
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS FOR
JUNE 2011 MEETING
ITEM NO:
1 (postponed from March meeting)
DEPARTMENT: Board of Selectmen
REFERRED TO: Appointments and Land Use Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be re-appointed a regular member of the Planning and Zoning Commission for a term expiring 3/31/14.
PAUL S. MARCHESE
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Paul Marchese, of 15 Greenbriar Lane, Greenwich, CT 06831 has been re-nominated a regular member of the Planning and Zoning Commission for a term expiring 3/31/2014
Mr. Marchese is an architect that caters to high-end private clients. He is self employed.
Holding Masters of Science degrees from both Syracuse University and the New School for Social Research, Mr. Marchese has also donated his skills to the Greenwich Boy Scouts. He is a current regular member of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation Department 1106PR01
REFERRED TO: Finance, Parks & Recreation & Public Works Committees
VOTES: BET, 10-1-0
RESOLVED, that the sum of $155,750 be appropriated from the Capital Non Recurring Fund to account #Z-834-59700 project # 11170 Cos Cob Retaining Wall.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
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Original Appropriation
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$ 600,000
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Lowest Bidder
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$ 718,750
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Estimate for construction, inspection,
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Spending (engineering and permits)
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$ 27,000
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and post construction fees
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$ 10,000
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Total Additional Spending
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$ 728,750
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Remaining Balance
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$ 573,000
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Less Remaining Balance
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$ 573,000
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Amount Requested
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$ 155,750
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Original cost estimates were determined based on the then current linear foot pricing for steel sheet bulkhead and normal installation, using conventional tie-back procedures and full time access to the project area.
Engineering studies indicate that the fill behind the current wall is very poor for standard tie back construction techniques, requiring a change to “Earth Anchors” and necessitates the use of extra Tie-rods in both the North and South corners of the project.
The permit from the DEP et al, states that the barge used for this project would not be allowed to rest on the bottom at anytime. This means that not only would the contractor have limited access due to the tide, but must move and reposition the equipment with every tide.
Earth Anchors, tie-rods, rising steel, fuel and other construction related expenses, and permitting requirements drove the bid price from the lowest bidder to $ 718,750.
We therefore request an interim appropriation request in the amount of $ 155,750 reflecting the difference between the current available balance, plus the estimated cost for construction inspection and post construction fees and the lowest bid.
DEPARTMENT: Police Department 0611 PD03
CONTACT: David C. Ridberg 622-8010
REFERRED TO: Town Services Committee
VOTES: Board of Estimate and Taxation - First Selectman Peter J. Tesei
RESOLVED, that the Greenwich Police Department accept a monetary gift in the amount of $6,000 for the purpose of funding the current 2011 Spring Citizens Police Academy. This amount will be appropriated to Account F217-5110 for instructor compensation.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
The Greenwich Police Department requests permission to accept a monetary gift in the amount of $6,000 to assist with the funding of the current 2011 Spring Citizens Police Academy. The Greenwich Silver Shield Association has generously donated $3,000 and the remaining $3,000 is kindly being donated by a Greenwich resident through the Silver Shield Association. We anticipate an approximate amount of $11,500 necessary to compensate the instructors. The Department will absorb the remaining expenditures.
DEPARTMENT: Board of Education 1105ED01
REFERRED TO: Education, Finance & Public Works Committees
VOTES: BET – Budget Committee 5/10/11 (4-0-0)
Board of Estimate and Taxation 5/12/11 (11-0-0)
RESOLVED, that the sum of $87,289 be and the same is hereby appropriated from “CAPITAL & NON-RECURRING FUND” to account B68059830, Project 11148 for costs associated with the North Mianus School paving project.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
DEPARTMENT: Board of Selectman
REFERRED TO: Appointments & Town Services Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectman 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed as a regular member of the Alarm Appeals Board for a term expiring 3/31/12.
JOHN A. SLUSARZ
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
John Slusarz, of 183 Davis Avenue, Greenwich CT 06830 has been nominated as a regular member of the Alarm Appeals Board for a term expiring 3/31/2012.
Mr. Slusarz has been a Volunteer Fireman with the Amogerone Volunteer Fire Company since 1955, and has worked for Tower Air with extensive knowledge in the tracking of Air Craft.
Mr. Slusarz previously worked with the Nathaniel Witherell as a driver, helping to transport residents to medical appointments and on daily errands.
DEPARTMENT: Office of the First Selectman
REFERRED TO: Appointments and 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 regular member of the Historic District Commission for a term expiring 3/31/12.
STEPHEN L. BISHOP
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Stephen Bishop, of 265 Taconic Road, Greenwich, 06831 has been nominated as a regular member of the Historic District Commission for a term expiring 3/31/12.
Mr. Bishop has been a partner at the Law Offices of Mead, Bromley & Bishop for over 30 years. Previously, he has been the President of the Stamford Historical Society. Additionally, he was also responsible for studying and researching period architecture to execute the complete renovation of a 1732 home in the Stanwich Historical district, as well as renovating a turn of the century American Foursquare style home in Old Greenwich.
Stephen graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1972 with a B.A in Psychology. He received his Juris Doctorate from the Drake University School of Law in 1977. He currently serves as an alternate on the Historic District Commission. He is also a consulting attorney for the Long Ridge Union Cemetery in Stamford, CT.
DEPARTMENT: Office of the First Selectman
REFERRED TO: Appointments and Land Use Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed an alternate member of the Historic District Commission for a term expiring 3/31/16.
DARIUS TORABY
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Darius Toraby, of 31 Strickland Rd., Cos Cob, 06807, has been nominated as an alternate member of the Historic District Commission for a term expiring 3/31/16.
Mr. Toraby is a registered architect within the states of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. He holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Yale University, as well as a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering (with distinction), and is Certified in Land & Geodesic Surveying (with honors), both from the American University of Beirut. He has well over 40 years of experience in the field, involving planning, design, code compliance and review, scheduling and cost controls, supervision and inspection of construction, and bidding, among many other areas of expertise.
Mr. Toraby is the President of Darius Toraby Architects, P.C., and specializes in projects such as, not not limited to: landmark restoration and waterproofing; commercial and office building projects; and urban design and public works projects.
DEPARTMENT: Board of Selectman
REFERRED TO: Appointments & Parks & Recreation Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectman 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed as a regular member of the Board of Parks and Recreation for a term expiring 3/31/14.
FRANK R. CANTELMO
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Frank Cantelmo, of 1 Keofferam Road, Greenwich CT 06830 has been nominated as a regular member of the Board of Parks and Recreation for a term expiring 3/31/2014.
Mr. Cantelmo is currently a tenured Associate Professor at St. John’s University, where he teaches a variety of resource management and sustainable development courses, such as Aquatic Ecology, Introduction to Ecological Principles, and Sustainability and Socioeconomic Issues, among many others. For over 32 years Mr. Cantelmo has been a faculty member of the Environmental Studies Program and the Department of Biological Sciences at St. John’s.
Frank holds a Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography at the City College of the City University of New York. He is currently a member of the Shellfish Commission and Bruce Museum Science Committee. In the past, he has been a member of the SoundWaters Board of Directors.
DEPARTMENT: First Selectman May 25, 2011
REFERRED TO: Finance, Town Services & Labor Contracts Committees
VOTES: Board or commission name vote (y/n/a)
RESOLVED, that the Representative Town Meeting, in exercising its authority pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes, Section 7-474(b) hereby approves the funds necessary to implement the terms of the collective bargaining agreement negotiated between the Town of Greenwich and Silver Shield Association for the period 2010 – 2014, and approves any terms of such agreement which may be in conflict Town Charter, special act, ordinance, rule or regulation adopted by the municipal employer or its agents of the Town.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS BY THE FIRST SELECTMAN
The Town and the Silver Shield Association have reached an agreement on a successor collective bargaining agreement to the agreement that expired on June 30, 2010. The successor collective bargaining agreement is for a four-year term retroactive to July 1, 2010 expiring on June 30, 2014. The Silver Shield Association represents 150 employees in the ranks of police officer, Sergeant and Lieutenant. There is no allocation required to implement the terms of the agreement. The RTM is required to approve the retirement portions of the agreement which are in conflict with Town Charter.
The agreement provides for no general wage increase in the first year of the agreement covering the current fiscal year (FY 11). The agreement provides for a 2.5% general wage increase each July 1 in the three remaining years of the agreement. The agreement continues the Town medical insurance strategy by eliminating the higher cost Anthem PPO and POS medical plans providing employees with a high deductible health insurance option which now includes a new feature of Rx co-pays of $10/$25/$40. Employees will continue to have the option of two more moderately priced medical plans as alternatives to the high deductible plan. The agreement also provides for increases in employee medical premium contributions.
Of significant note is that effective July 1, 2011 newly hired police officers will participate in a Tier II retirement benefit plan. The actuaries have calculated the normal cost of the Tier II plan at 8.9% of payroll as compared to the normal cost of the present plan at 13.7% of payroll. The features of the Tier II plan are as follows:
- 2% rate of benefit as compared to the current 2.5% rate of benefit.
- Elimination of the “cliff benefit” which provides for a 75% retirement at 26 years 8 months of service.
- Minimum eligibility for retirement 25 years of service and age 50 as compared to the current 20 years and no minimum age requirement.
- The final average salary on which the retirement benefit is based cannot exceed 112% of base pay.
- Elimination of the practice of paying the retiree the final year’s entire annual vacation allotment.
In compliance with Connecticut General Statutes, Section 7-474 the qualified cost estimate from the Retirement System’s actuary is attached.
A summary of all negotiated changes is included with the materials submitted to RTM.
I believe that the agreement is in the best interest to both the Town, its taxpayers and to the covered employees.
Attachments
Cost Analysis – Summary and Detail (separate packet)
Black lined version of the collective bargaining agreement. (on file in Town Clerk’s Office)
DEPARTMENT: Board of Education
REFERRED TO: Education, Finance, Legislative & Rules and Labor Contracts Committees
VOTES: Board of Education May 12th, 2011 (8-0) Vote
RESOLVED, that the Representative Town Meeting of the Town of Greenwich hereby
approves such provisions of the tentative collective bargaining agreement between the Board of Education and the Public Service Employees Local, 136, of Laborers International Union of North America AFL-CIO for the period covering July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2013, if any, which may be in conflict with any charter provisions, special act, ordinance, rule, or regulation of the Town of Greenwich within the meaning of Connecticut General Statutes, Section 7-474.
Sense of the Meeting Resolution
WHEREAS Connecticut statutes confer upon the Board of Education the exclusive authority to approve a collective bargaining agreement with Public Service Employees
Local, 136, of Laborers International Union of North America AFL-CIO (“LIUNA BOE”), and
WHEREAS in order to provide the RTM the opportunity to both comment upon the tentative agreement for the period covering July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2013, and to
express its approval or disapproval prior to the Board’s acting on the agreement, the Board proposes the following RTM sense of the meeting resolution:
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that it is the sense of the Representative Town Meeting of the Town of Greenwich that it supports the Board’s tentative collective
bargaining agreement with LIUNA BOE.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
The Board of Education (BOE) Negotiations Committee has reached a tentative agreement with the LIUNA BOE union (Local 136 of the AFL-CIO, which represents the professional
assistants and security personnel) and is beginning the contract approval process.
The second Sense of the Meeting Resolution provides an opportunity for RTM involvement even though the Connecticut MERA (Municipal Employees Relations Act) act gives the
BOE the authority to approve the agreement. This BOE feels strongly that, as part of the Town’s political and financial checks and balances system, it is necessary and proper that
the RTM have the opportunity to provide input on the contract before it is approved by the BOE. At its regularly scheduled meeting on May 12th the BOE voted (8 -0) on a Sense of
the Meeting Resolution in support of the proposed contract. Pending additional input from the RTM, approval of an RTM Sense of the Meeting Resolution, and RTM approval of a
second resolution addressing certain contract provisions, the Board of Education would then consider final approval of the contract at its regular June 16th meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
DEPARTMENT: Office of the First Selectman
REFERRED TO: Finance & Health & Human Services Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, pursuant to State Public Act No. 95-268, an Act concern Neighborhood Assistance, the programs and complete applications filed in the Town Clerk’s office are hereby approved for the purpose of encouraging business contributions to non-profit organizations and government agencies providing important services in Greenwich.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
The Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act provides tax credits for businesses who contribute to community programs that have received both municipal and state approval. The programs include providing neighborhood assistance, job training or education, community service, crime prevention, energy conservation, or construction and rehabilitation of dwelling units for families of low and moderate income in the State.
Municipalities interested in submitting programs for inclusion in the 2011 Program must hold public hearings on their proposals, and the legislative body of each municipality must also vote to approve the programs. When the tax exempt organization receives both municipal and state approval for its proposed programs, it is then up to that organization to secure funding for the approved program(s) from businesses, which will receive a tax credit from the State of Connecticut.
This program is a way to give corporations and businesses an incentive to give money to not-for-profit and tax exempt organizations that provide valuable services to the community.
DEPARTMENT: Office of the First Selectman
REFERRED TO: Legislative & Rules and Land Use Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, “That the Historic District Commission be named the official Study Committee to perform an investigation regarding French Farm to determine its appropriateness for designation as a “Local Historic Property”.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
On May 19, 2011 the Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to request that the Town of Greenwich Representative Town Meeting, as the Town’s legislative body, designate the Historic District Commission (HDC) as the study committee in the matter of French Farm.
At the May 11, 2011 HDC meeting Phillip Doherty - executor on behalf of David Wierdsma for French Farm located at 516 Lake Avenue - submitted a request to have French Farm receive the historic designation, “Local Historic Property.” The members of the HDC voted unanimously to move forward on this application.
Designation as a “Local Historic Property” is a lengthy and detailed process governed by State law. The process is detailed in GSC Chapter 97a
Sec. 7-147q and~Sec. 7-147r. These passages are attached to this memorandum for your convenience.
The first step in this process – after being approached by a property owner – is the designation of a “Study Committee” the legislative body of the local municipality. GSC Chapter 97a Sec. 7-147q paragraph (a) states that:
“The legislative body shall appoint or authorize the chief elected official of the municipality to appoint an historic properties study committee for the purpose of making an investigation of one or more proposed historic properties.”
The Study Committee will: analyze the historical significance and architectural merit of the buildings, structures and surroundings proposed as Local Historic Properties; complete a description of the area, including the number of buildings and their ages; create a map showing the boundaries of the proposed Local Historic Property; provided contextual photographs of the proposed Local Historic Property; and if facts merit, eventually propose an ordinance for the creation of a Local Historic Property
Assuming the HDC is selected as the Study Committee the Study Report will be available for public review and copies will be sent to the Historic Preservation & Museum Division of the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism (CCT). Please consult the attached information for further steps.
An abstract of the complete Local Historic Property designation process is as follows:
1. An historic properties study committee is established.
2. The study committee produces a study report on the property, which must include:
- An analysis of the historic significance and architectural merit of the property;
- A map showing the exact boundaries of the area to be designated.
- Current photographs of the property
- A proposed ordinance designed to designate and provide for the protection of an historic property or properties. If there is already an ordinance in place, it can be amended to add the property; and
- The name of the current owner(s) of record
- Any other matters as the committee may deem necessary or advisable.
3. The study committee sends copies of the report to:
- Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism (we need 22 copies)
- Your Planning Commission and Zoning Commission
Each must make comments within 65 days of receiving the report.
4. The study committee holds a public hearing on the designation of the proposed historic property. The public hearing cannot be held less than 65 days after the report is submitted to the CCT and P&Z, unless comments are received from both parties. If no comments are received within 65 days, the committee can assume the silent party approves.
5. After the hearing the committee submits a report with any changes introduced at the public hearing to the legislative body of the municipality and the town clerk.
6. The owner(s) of record of the property may object to the proposed designation. If there is no written objection received pursuant to Section 7-147q (g), within thirty days following the public hearing, the legislative body can do one of the following:
- Accept the report and enact an ordinance to designate the historic property and provide for its regulation.
- Reject the report of the committee, stating its reasons for such rejection; or
- Return the report to the historic properties study committee, with such amendments and revisions as it may deem advisable, for consideration by the committee.
DEPARTMENT: First Selectman May 25, 2011
REFERRED TO: Finance, Town Services & Labor Contracts Committees
VOTES: Board or commission name vote (y/n/a)
RESOLVED, that the Representative Town Meeting, in exercising its authority pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes, Section 7-474(b) hereby approves the funds necessary to implement the terms of the collective bargaining agreement negotiated between the Town of Greenwich and Greenwich Municipal Employees Association for the period 2010 – 2013, and approves any terms of such agreement which may be in conflict Town Charter, special act, ordinance, rule or regulation adopted by the municipal employer or its agents of the Town.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS BY THE FIRST SELECTMAN
The Town and the Greenwich Municipal Employees Association (GMEA) have reached an agreement on a successor collective bargaining agreement to the agreement that expired on June 30, 2010. The successor collective bargaining agreement is for a three-year term retroactive to July 1, 2010 expiring on June 30, 2013. The Greenwich Municipal Employees Association represents 304 full-time and 126 part-time employees. The adopted FY 2010/11 and FY 2011/12 budgets have been sufficiently funded to implement the terms of this agreement pending approval of the RTM.
This is the successor agreement to the collective bargaining agreement covering FY 2009/10 in which GMEA agreed to a 0% GWI. The GWI’s negotiated in this agreement are 1.9% effective July 1, 2010, 2.3% effective July 1, 2011 and 2.3% effective July 1, 2012.
The agreement continues the Town medical insurance cost containment strategy by providing employees with a high deductible health insurance option which now includes a new feature of Rx co-pays of $10/$25/$40. Employees will continue to have the option of two more moderately priced medical plans as alternatives to the high deductible plan. The agreement also provides for increases in employee medical premium contributions.
The agreement also eliminates the retiree health insurance dollar credits for new hires replacing it with the Town’s Retiree Health Savings Account and the elimination of the continuation of life insurance into the first two years of retirement. Both of these changes will reduce the Town’s OPEB costs.
The agreement also provides for mandated direct deposit of all employee payroll checks and corrects several concerns with layoff procedures that were experienced during the February 2009 layoffs.
A summary of all negotiated changes is included with the materials submitted to RTM.
I believe that the agreement is in the best interest to both the Town, its taxpayers and to the covered employees.
Attachments
Comptroller Letter (separate packet)
Black lined version of the collective bargaining agreement. (on file in Town Clerk’s Office)
DEPARTMENT: First Selectman May 25, 2011
REFERRED TO: Finance, Town Services & Labor Contracts Committees
VOTES: Board or commission name vote (y/n/a)
RESOLVED, that the Representative Town Meeting, in exercising its authority pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes, Section 7-474(b) hereby approves the funds necessary to implement the terms of the collective bargaining agreement negotiated between the Town of Greenwich and LIUNA Local 136 for the period 2010 – 2013, and approves any terms of such agreement which may be in conflict Town Charter, special act, ordinance, rule or regulation adopted by the municipal employer or its agents of the Town.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS BY THE FIRST SELECTMAN
The Town and LIUNA Local 136 have reached an agreement on a successor collective bargaining agreement to the agreement that expired on June 30, 2010. The successor collective bargaining agreement is for a three-year term retroactive to July 1, 2010 expiring on June 30, 2013. LIUNA Local 136 represents 188 full-time and 35 part-time employees. The adopted FY 2010/11 and FY 2011/12 budgets have been sufficiently funded to implement the terms of this agreement pending approval of the RTM.
This is the successor agreement to the collective bargaining agreement covering FY 2009/10 in which GMEA agreed to a 0% GWI. The GWI’s negotiated in this agreement are 2.0% effective July 1, 2010, 2.25% effective July 1, 2011 and 2.25 % effective July 1, 2012.
The agreement continues the Town medical insurance cost containment strategy by providing employees with a high deductible health insurance option which now includes a new feature of Rx co-pays of $10/$25/$40. Employees will continue to have the option of two more moderately priced medical plans as alternatives to the high deductible plan. The agreement also provides for increases in employee medical premium contributions.
The agreement also provides for mandated direct deposit of all employee payroll checks and corrects several concerns with layoff procedures that were experienced during the February 2009 layoffs.
A summary of all negotiated changes is included with the materials submitted to RTM.
I believe that the agreement is in the best interest to both the Town, its taxpayers and to the covered employees.
Attachments
Comptroller Letter (separate packet)
Black lined version of the collective bargaining agreement (on file in Town Clerk’s Office)
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