East Mountain Neighborhood Association
Our Lady of Lebanon Church
8 East Mountain Road
Waterbury, CT 06706
March 17, 2009
Total Attendees 37
The pledge was started by our president Patrick Norton
The Secretary’s Report was given by Nancy Ptak. Our new neighbors include the following : Robert Sampson at 1289 Hamilton Avenue, Todd Gambino 149 Peach Orchard Road,and Pedro Suarez 151 Eastside Blvd. Sympathy cards were sent to: The family of Anthony Horzepa 43 Oak Ridge Road and Gloria Francis 87 Butternut Ridge Road (for the death of her mother). A thank you card was received for our recent donation to GWIM for $ 250.00 from Barbara Ann Dublin the Executive Director from GWIM.
The Treasurer’s Report was given by Jean Guisto . We had a beginning balance of $ 8,628.25 we received membership money, funds for the Casino Trip and brick money for an ending balance of $ 9,488.25 less approx $ 1,400.00 for brick expenses and $ 750.00 for Scholarship expense leaving a cash on hand balance of approx $ 7,400.00.
An update from the park reopening committee was given by Michael Ptak . The EMAA will be providing food for the event. They will be cooking hot-dogs, hamburgers, chips, and a drink for a small fee. They will have all of their teams represented from all sports. In the past they have had a dunk tank, a bouncing house, balloon toss, and 3 legged race. Rich Godsil will be speaking to his coaches to finalize the details. The date is June 27th with a rain date of June 28th from 11am to 3pm. Entertainment may be from Rich Grishka’s band who play Eagles music.
Joe Padua gave a police update. There will be an open house at the St. Lucy’s Gym from the police department on March 26th from 5:30 to 8:30. There was a white male about 5’6” with a license plate number 351WCE that was suspicious. He also alerted us of speed traps returning.
Nezi gave an update on the Casino trip March 28th. Since we filled the smaller bus, we ordered the bigger bus. We have a few more seats available. Jean informed us to make sure those who still have not paid in full to contact her to settle up. We will leave from St Anthony’s church upper lot because Our Lady of Lebanon Church has a wedding on that day. The bus leaves at 11:00 am to return at 8:00 pm.
Michael gave an update about the funding for the park and the excess funds that need to be spent. The original proposal was for $ 12,500 for the club house at the golf course, $2,500 for the EMAA and $7,000.00 to be retained for the park reopening expenses. Michael was asked to find out more information about what is left to pay for out of the $109,000.00 to complete the park renovations. He was told that there will be 22 benches placed around the park. Some are going to be placed along the walking path, some around the flagpole and some around the gazebo. He and Bob Perigard went to Bunker Hill Park to measure the platform of the gazebo to see if picnic tables bolted in the ground can be put in our park. Our gazebo measures wider than Bunker Hill’s so there is room for 3 tables at a cost of about $3,530.00 per table. He also asked about something for the younger children. Those things you sit on that have a spring on the bottom. Some have shapes like horses, ducks etc. There is an expense for the back fence $36,00.00,two electrical outlets for some future concerts at the park at a cost of $ 14,000.00,another $5,600.00 for water spigots,$6,000.00 for installation of 900 bricks (empty ones to be engraved later). At this time these costs are still estimates as they are going out to bid through city contractors not Morias Construction Co. Cost of bench installation, garbage cans, flag pole, concrete pads for the bleachers and removal of existing asphalt pads are built into the existing contract and are not broken out by line item at this time.
We also have $22,300.00 approx being held by Waterbury Development Corporation who tells us we need to spend this money by June 30, 2009 or the governor will take back the funds. Nezi made a motion we give $17,000.00 to the clubhouse for rugs and furniture and $5,000.00 to the East Mountain Athletic Association. The motion was seconded and Patrick opened it up to the floor for discussion. Michael suggested we retain some of the funds for the park reopening expenses for the police fife and drum and music as well as other expenses. It was suggested at last month meeting to split the money evenly $7,000.00 for the clubhouse, $7,000.00 for the East Mountain Athletic Association and $7,000.00 for the park reopening expenses. Turner Langdon made a comment that the City gave a lot of money to Western Hills Golf Course. They have a restaurant and even though they bring in less money they get more money from the City to upkeep the course. East Mountain makes more money for the city but the city neglects East Mountain Golf Course. Terri is very good to us with providing a place for our tree lighting every year. Turner also mentioned that there is a very active first tee program for kids at the golf course. Kids also go up for lunch at the snack bar that Terri runs. Turner feels we should give to the golf course for those reasons. Patrick Norton strongly agrees with Turner Langdon. Jean strongly disagrees because the initial money was brought into the park for the kids. The money if any leftover should go to the kids. After all isn’t the park for the kids? Jean’s main point of disagreement was that 50% of the WDC funds were going to the clubhouse and she felt that was too high. Rich Godsil stated that the budget for baseball and soccer is about $6,000.00 to $8,000.00 for the year. Ned asked if there is money left over from the $ 109,000.00 will the city be able to kick in any money to the golf course? Evelyn asked the question if $109,000.00 is enough for what we need for the park. Michael answered that according to the city we have enough for what we had on our wish list. Erin suggested the Athletic Association should receive more funds. Nezi rescinded his motion and Ned rescinded his second. Erin then made a motion we give $5,000.00 to the clubhouse, $10,000.00 to the Neighborhood Association and $7,300.00 to the Athletic Association. Tim seconded the motion. We will need a letter from the executive board to the WDC to express our concerns relative to the allocation of the money and if it is allowed. The vote was taken and the current motion carries.
The recognition dinner was discussed. Since we are having the park reopening it was suggested that the recognition awards and scholarship be presented at the reopening ceremony. Those that were awarded last year will help decide the recipients for this year. The June meeting will be our regular meeting.
Under old business since Bob Perigard was not available, Michael discussed what is needed for the flag replacement costs. We need 25 flags at $ 13.00 and 2 complete sets at $ 40.00. Mike made a motion we spend $500.00 to replace flags. Nezi seconded the motion. We voted and the motion carries.
Our flowers need to be ordered from Michael’s greenhouse. Michael made a motion we spend $500.00 for flowers, dirt and wood replacement around the flag on the dam. Nezi seconded the motion. We voted and the motion carried. Jan made a motion we spend $50.00 for gas for Bill Burnes for doing East Mountain duties and Turner seconded the motion. We voted and the motion carries.
Under New Business, Nancy discussed participating in the Duck race at the Naugatuck River again. We sell ducks for $5.00 and make half as a fundraiser. Be on the lookout for the Large Yellow Duck at future meetings. Mike made a motion we participate this year. The motion was seconded. We voted and the motion carries.
Michael made a suggestion we make a donation to the campership fund. The Republican-American sponsors an inner city child to go to camp for the summer. Mike made a motion we donate $ 100.00 and Tim seconded the motion. We voted and the motion carries.
Erin thanked whoever cleared the debris left along the street in her neighborhood. There is a street sign down on the corner of Woodedge and Route 69. Joe Padua will look into it.
Jean made a motion to adjourn and June seconded the motion.