The East Mountain
Neighborhood Association
February 16 , 2005,
Wednesday
Meeting Minutes
Attendees 38: Cathy
Filippone, Tony Loechner, Laurine Ghent, Connie Shea Copes, Bob Perigard, Larry
Davino Cecile Davino, Ned Mencio, Pam Mencio, Bob McGovern, Marjorie Horzepa,
Evelyn Carrah, Julie Stefanelli, Harold Andrew, Dollyanne Martin, Lynn Signori,
Peter Amedeo, Carol Amedeo, Barbara Stere, Mike Stere, Chris Murphy, Bob
Trotter, Alice Rebhorn, Donna Burnes, William Burnes, Mark Tierney, Carole
Hunihan, Thomas Hunihan, Joanne Byrne, Dennis Sullivan, Chris Harmon, Nazih
Noujaim, Mike Ptak, Nancy Ptak, Maureen Meade, Mike Guisto ,Jean Guisto, Turner
Langdon.
Capt. Mike Farrell of Engine
5 and a member of the EMNA, introduced
a new item of very special interest to everyone, called the “File for
Life”. It is a bright orange plastic,
magnetized folder, approximately 5’’x 4”.
Inside the folder there is a card which bears the logo of the AMR Ambulance Service and provides space
for a person’s vital information, emergency contracts, medical data, allergies
and insurance. The card should be kept
on the refrigerator door, just as “ the Vial for Life”, which was kept inside the refrigerator for the same
purpose back in the 1970’s. The folders
have been donated by the AMR and Mike Farrell has brought 50 cards with him
this evening for those who desire them.
East Mountain is the first community to request the cards, which has
prompted others to ask for them. Engine
5 staff will have supplies and will help anyone with any questions. Mike recommended one for each family member. These folders can be a time and life saver
in the event of medical emergencies.
Maureen Meade cited an incident
where her friend’s mother was helped by having such an item.
Mike Farrell also said that the East End Senior Center
will help anyone needing a daily check of their wel-being. More information will be available at the
next meeting.
Engine 5 officers have
reported many water leaks around town.
Mike Farrell requests that people know where their main shut-offs are
and have information available to access them.
Jean Guisto recommended making sure the valves in the home work, Mike
Guisto stated that the Water Dept. will locate the street valves.
Bob McGovern asked for more
information on having a home safety inspection, which was discussed at the
January meeting.
Community Officer Joe Padua
reports that ATV’s have been caught in Hamilton Park ( from Wolcott St and Ma.) . Joe also stated that a burglary secure check
can be done.
Radar checks have been made
on East Mountain Rd. for 2 hrs. a day for 2 weeks.
Ned Mencio questioned whether paint ballers are
permitted in the area—Joe responded that they are not. They have been spotted in the park and golf
course area very recently. Mark Tierney
noted that he observed 6 cars with paint ball equipment in the area yesterday
and more on weekends.
The East Mountain Athletic
Association Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 5th from 7 to 12PM. Tickets are $35 each and include dinner, drinks and raffle. EMNA will be honored this year.
Tickets are now on sale for
the March 31st Ziti Dinner.
The dinner will be here in the church hall from 5:30 to 8PM. Tickets are $10 for those 12 years old and
up, $5 for children 5to 12 years old, and all those under 5 will be admitted
free.
The Easter Egg Hunt will take
place March 20th (Palm Sunday) from 11 AM to 1PM at the Wendell
Cross School, either in the gym or in the schoolyard, depending on
weather. The school children will be
notified during school. Candy donations will be needed.
The Park Renovation Committee
members attended a meeting last week. During
the meeting a list of renovations was given the members and they were asked
on a scale of 1 to 5 , which items they felt most important to keep.
This request was based on the $600,000 allotted by the state for the
project ( the original provision was for $750.000 with $150,00 provided for
lighting which was later deemed not needed, and so was revoked by the state
instead of being dedicated for another park need.
The renovations are reportedly carrying a price tag of over $1,000,000,
but the committee has been unable to secure an item by item cost.
The planners plan to remove tennis courts and the spray pool, the reasons
as so stated by the planners are that the city will have to pay for the spray
pool water and there is no present method of shutoff for the water that would
be durable ( in their possession.) They
also state that many of the people in the area have pools, no consideration
being given to those in the city who do not have pools, but still have the
right to use the park. The planners
also state that the tennis courts are unnecessary and that if “we” want to
play tennis we can go to another park to do so.
Much discussion was centered around this subject. Mike Ptak reminded all that we’ve been trying
for more than 2 years for this project to begin. It was also noted that in more than 30 years,
not one improvement has ever been made to the East Mountain Park.
District Senator, Chris
Murphy, who agreed to attend this meeting recommends that everyone write to the
senators and representatives in the state to request additional funds. He states that money is sometimes more
readily obtainable from the state if the project is already planned and if the
request for additional money is not too great an amount. Waterbury is the only
city that is not bonded and doesn’t receive any money from funds that come from
pools. Chris advised that letters
should be written by the people to the OPM so that they are aware of the need
when approached.
It is notable that we have
been given no money for the project by the city. School projects can receive
30% from the city for their
projects. Waterbury ( per Lynn
Signori) does not qualify for the Urban Parks Program. Many more questions were raised by
attendees, including the proposed walking path and whether it should be inside
the park or outside; also discussed was fencing, restroom area, and most
recently the “wetland” question, which has never been a past issue. Members were offered the opportunity to
attend meetings on wetlands and the next park board meeting on March 3rd.
A new membership form is
being sent out to the entire community, which includes a “sign-up” form for the
Ziti Dinner.
A bus trip to the Mohican Sun
is being considered and there will be interest sheet sent around at the next
meeting. The trip would be open to
anyone interested.
The following submission is
the listing of importance on a 1 to 5
rating of park accessories-- #1 being most important, etc. (This is an addendum of the park renovation
issues as noted above:
1. Ball fields, irrigation, walking path, playscape, ADA
parking, fencing on road
2. Basketball
court
3. Plantings
4. Bathroom,
memorial, gazebo, overlook
5. Spray area,
Tennis court