The East Mountain Neighborhood Association

January 18, 2006

Meeting Minutes

 

 

 

Attendees:128-- Nazih Noujaim, Irene Conway, Tom Conwaym. Stephen Conway, Glenda Bradshaw, Peter Amedeo, Carol Amedeo, George Dinkle, Maureen Mead, Chris Collwell, Mary Repko, Adeline Simoes, Carl Viarengo, Robert Gasparri, Tom Corcoran, Ray Grenier, Carole Wood, Wayne Reimer, Judy Calabrese, Tim Cavanaugh, Janet Shaw, Steve Shaw, Mary Vendetti, Laurine Ghent, Constance Shea, Margaret Shea, Sandy Mencio, Joe Moriarty, Mary Moriarty, Veronica Ayotte, Marguerite Smith, Tom Cullen, Marge Farren, Tom Connolly, Ned Mencio, Pam Mencio, Barbara Stere, Mike Stere, Dan Lambarello, Vivian Lambarello, F. Michael Carroll, Lou Stefanelli, Julie Stefanalli, Violet Codianni, Brian Carroll, Evelyn Carrah, Bob Trotter, Alice Rebhorn, Donna Burnes, Samuel Paulone, Art Somma, Eugene Lisowsky, Paula Lisowsky, Dick White, K. A. Klem, Robert Kogelis, Sue Kogelis, Charles Vaughn, Rosemary ‘carlson, Selim Noujaim, Erin Norton, Patrick Norton, Charles Eldredge, Sandra Eldredge, Frank Mc Carthy, William Burnes, George Farrey, Jan Perigard, Bob Perigard, Jim McKenna, Roberta McKenna, Michael Jarjura, Larry Davino, Richard Hamel, Claire Hamel, David Aldarondo, John Melville, Debi Schatzle-Baker, Claudette LaFlamme, Cathy Fillipone, Tony Loechner, Diane Barth, Nancy Santarpia, Dollyanne Martin, Maria Lopes, Bill Paternoster, Cathy Brunnock, Tom Brunnock, Barbara Masone, Bill Masone, Harold Andrew, Peter Meskunas, Joan Meskunas, Fran DePaula, Frank DePaola, Peg Crocco, Richard Crocco, Tom Hunihan, Carole Hunihan, Howard Palmer, Cheryl Palmer, Carrie Ferucci, Joanne Byrne, Mat Horzepa, Marge Horzepa, Edward Peznowski, Sal Carnemola, Cindy Hespelt, Bobbi Cremins, Dom Buonomo, Joe DaSilva, Yvette Sepulveda, Robert Lyons, David Semeraro, Joe Calabro, Carollynne Penta, Robert McGovern, Anthony Damelio.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:07 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance

 

 

President Michael Ptak thanked all attendees and shared his hope that the numbers would be a monthly event.  He stated that membership dues is $10, should any new attendees wish to become members. 

 

Treasurer Jean Guisto  presented the treasurer’s report, stating that the December, 2005 income was $910.  $75 was taken in this week by that sale of entertainment books.  The current balance is $2,381.94 with $500 already reserved for the yearly scholarship. 

 

The secretary’s report of December was offered for review and was amended by Mike Ptak that the proposed condo project on Rte 69/Hamilton Ave. as was noted in the minutes was to be on 7 acres, which was incorrect, but is 13.35 acres.  ( The minutes are documented as heard in discussion by members in attendance and documented as such and so are subject to correction as necessary). Some inference at the December meeting to a suggestion of low- income housing was apparently made and so documented in the minutes, which was also amended by Mike.

 

Mike announced the sudden and sad passing of Mr. Ken Copes, a member, a young man, who was an EMAA coach and a neighbor.  There will be a Ziti Dinner fund- raiser and raffle for the benefit of Mr. Copes’ family on Sunday, Januarym2006 at the Waterbury Elks’ Club on West Main St from 12 noon till 4 PM.  Tickets are $10.00 and will be sold here, this evening.

 

Turner Langdon has suggested that we show appreciation for the excellent care the Gasparri workers take in plowing and cleaning our streets of snow.  The plan is to purchase a $10 gift card for each of the workers from Dunkin Donuts.  Thank you to the Gasparri’s from the EMNA.

 

Tom Conway announced that David Aldorando is actively trying to get $750,000 additional moneys to renovate the park.  There is a sub-committee of members to work on the park project fund raising .

 

Tom Brunnock announced that the hearing on the proposed condo project is continued to Feb. 9th.  He spoke about the two plans, copies of which are available for review this evening.  He mentioned that there would be 2 outlets onto Rte. 69.  The suggestion was made to obtain professional assistance to oppose the project.  Both Tom and Mike Ptak have spoken to some attorneys and have decided that it is necessary to determine what the cost of hiring professionals would be and they’ve been informed that it is necessary to hire someone who deals specifically with these matters.

 

Maureen Mead listed several of the problems, which would be imposed upon us, were this to project come to fruition:  traffic, police protection, and, most importantly lowering of property values.  Others brought up problems with the water tower and endangerment to plants or species.

 

Ned Mencio spoke of the recent walkabout with the wetlands commissioners, during which it was noted that the stream, which runs through the property and under Rte. 69 is already polluted with trash.  He also reminded that this is the only neighborhood remaining in the city with single- family only homes, without condos.  Rep. Noujaim stated that even widening the road ( Rte. 69) would be of no assistance.  Other problems were cited in reference to other of the same type of projects, which were abandoned when only half built and left with open foundations or sold for cheap prices to those who didn’t care who rented and to absentee landlords.  The Villa Sol Dor project was mentioned as to once having been the ideal place to live and which is now ridden with problems.

 

Tom Brunnock stated that the Commission on Inlands and Wetlands will have an independent assessment done.  It was also stated that a developer has attorneys, an architect, a soil scientist and that the primary goal is to make money.

 

Larry Davino recalled attending a meeting on the Waterbury Conservation and Development Plan, the object of which will be to provide open space and that the project goes against that plan. 

Another problem would be that catch basins must be cleaned yearly and the city cannot do it.  Dry wells must be maintained often.  One of the attendees stated that the Wallace Middle School is already overcrowded and cannot accommodate any more students.  Still another states traffic, even now, between 7AM and 9AM is “suicidal”.  It was noted that the DOT will do a traffic study. 

 

Mayor Jarjura addressed the group, stating that he met with the developer recently.  He states that he informed the developer that he made a grave mistake by not addressing the proposal with the neighborhood.   The mayor also said that we have many allies in the city in the various departments; he also said that this project must be reviewed by Inlands& Wetlands, city planners, variances, environmental review and the state traffic commissioners. He predicted that something will be built there and he stated hopes it will be of a high end nature. 

He discussed the Pond Place project, which remains on track, to build an active adult community on 300-400 acres on Scott Rd.  It was once planned as a commerce park.

It is a Prospect issue—Prospect buys its water and the sewers belong to Waterbury. 

Other problems cited with this proposed project are sewer line problems since “no one can build unless permission from the sewer dept. approves”; the gas main size, which prompted the mayor to offer to bring the sewer expert to the next meeting.

 

Mr. Noujaim states that proposals can be changed; he urged  everyone to go to every meeting.  He said the developer doesn’t care about Waterbury and that if the condos don’t sell they will become low-cost housing.

 

Tony Damelio said we need to keep our neighborhoods intact.  A development must enhance the neighborhood and the pressure should be kept on

. 

Bob Lyons raised the issue of dirt-bike traffic in the area.  Ned Mencio noted that the area was disturbed and that soil was brought out of the area to another area out of the city. It is apparent that a sophisticated ATV operation has been created in the area, which has resulted in an incessant noise-pollution situation to the point that the neighbors find constant annoyance.

Officer Joe Padua responded that the police are aware, but need a monitor to assess the noise.  Bob Lyons asked if the owner is in violation with use of dirt-bikes.  Mike responded that this issue can be brought up at the next meeting.

 

Mike asked for a show of hands to the suggestion that members and neighbors pledge money to obtain legal counsel. The suggestion is to pledge $100 or whatever one can afford.  Bob Gasparri pledge and donated $500.  There was a large affirmative response to that suggestion and many pledges of money. 

 

Old Business:

Joe Padua reported that there is a white male going through the neighborhoods posing as a roofer and drawing up contracts and taking half the money for himself.

 

The street dept. has rerouted the water that had been running through a conduit on the golf course from a spring deep within the golf course.  The water had been pouring out onto East Mountain Rd and across the road and forming thick ice and creating large potholes as well as a danged to all who traverse the area. 

The park project remains on hold. 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40PM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia Mencio