EAST MOUNTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

MINUTES

MAY 16, 2018

 

Attendees:  32

Meeting was called to order at 7:10pm which began with the Pledge of Allegiance and followed by a Moment of Silence for our departed neighbors.

 

Community Relations Officer Tiffany Healey reported:

·         Our current Chief of Police will be leaving to accept a position of Chief of Police in West Hartford.  Deputy Chief Spagnola will take over that position.

·         There have been 20 new graduates from the Police Academy.  There are now 17 sergeants  and

       6-9 deputies. 

·         A gas station in the area was recently robbed and the perpetrator was apprehended.

·         The Traffic Unit is back as of January, 2018 five days per week and one day on the weekend.  They are now taking motor vehicle complaints.  For any motor vehicle or ATV complaints in this area contact Tiffany Healey.

·         Earth Day clean-up on May 19th will be postponed due to inclement weather.

 

Guest Speaker Renee Gentile, Attorney and Nurse spoke about three very important issues facing seniors:

·         Advanced Directives which includes living wills and the importance of appointing a Health Care Agent.

·         Power of Attorney which addresses financial issues.

·         Wills which should be witnessed by two people.

·         She also specializes in Medicaid - protecting assets of the community spouse and Probate matters throughout the State of Connecticut.

 

State Representative Stephanie Cummings reported:

·         The Legislative Session is over and a budget has been approved which includes:

·         Car taxes will remain at 45 mils.

·         There will be full funding for the Medicare Savings Program.

·         There will be an increase of $3 million for (ECF) Education Fund.

·         There will be funding for the Husky Program.

·         There will be funding for Veteran’s benefits.

·         There will be funding for women’s mammograms.

·         There will be an additional $12.00 per year added to homeowner’s policies to help fund the crumbling foundations that some people are experiencing.

·         Legalizing marijuana was not approved.

·         The National Popular Vote was approved for the State of Connecticut.  270 votes will be needed for this to be approved nationally.

·         Financial aid for undocumented students was approved.

·         Family Medical Leave was not approved.

·         Minimum Wage bill was not approved.

·         Tolls on Connecticut highways were not approved.

·         Approval of a Bridgeport Casino did not go through.

·         They are trying to expand (MFP) Money Follows the Person.

·         Waterbury will receive $300,000 for the Youth Violence Initiative.

·          Manufacturing Tax Credits to encourage companies to hire more apprentices were approved.

 

·         On Thursday, May 31st she and Rep. D’Amelio will conduct a seminar at the Waterbury Senior Center which will explain the State Budget in greater detail.  This is free to the public.

·         Saturday, June 2nd is Connecticut Trails Day.  From 9:30am to 11:30am, she and Rep. Rosa Rebimbas will be leading a leisurely 5 mile hike on the Larkin Bridle Trail starting in Naugatuck.  Participants will meet at the eastern terminus of the trail at the parking area of Whittemore Glen State Park along Route 63.

 

Alderman George Noujaim reported:

·         The city is still working on the budget for this year.

·         On May 15th they will meet with the water and sewer departments, the library, and the Board of Education.

·         There will not be an increase to the mil rate in Waterbury.

·         Meet Your Alderman event will take place on Tuesday, June 5th at Cavallo’s on East Main St. from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.  C.J. May will also be there to talk about recycling.

·         On Sunday, June 3rd he and Alderman Roger Sherman with the East End Community Club will sponsor a Hamilton Park Clean Up from 9:00am to 1:00pm.  Volunteers are needed and will meet at the Hamilton Park Stone House.  There will be food and beverages provided.  To sign up E-Mail: AldermanNoujaim@waterburyct.org.

 

Secretary’s Report by Dory St. John: 

·         The minutes for the April meeting are posted on the EMNA website.  A brief summary of the April meeting was read.

·         Minutes from today’s meeting will be posted on the EMNA website.

·         Correspondence included:  a sympathy card and gift basket was sent to the Perigard Family and a Thank You Card was received.

·         Four new families moved into the East Mountain neighborhood on Glenrock Rd., Pineridge Rd., and two on Harwood Rd.

 

Treasurer’s Report by Colin Coburn:

·         Current report for April was presented at the meeting and will be on file.  If anyone would like any further information regarding the Treasurer’s Report please contact him.

·         Motion carried to accept the Treasurer’s Report.

 

City Liaison Officer Mike Ptak reported:

·         Street cleaning is now in progress and the East Mountain area will soon be on the schedule.

·         Water mains are currently being flushed.

·         Earth Day clean-up will be postponed due to inclement weather.

 

Neighborhood Watch Commander Bob McGovern had nothing to report.

 

Community Property Project Hon. Tom Brunnock reported:

·         The proposed East Mountain development is basically a quarry operation in spite of what we are being told.  This will include 5 years of blasting and 860,000 cubic yards of material will be removed.  Blasting and debris removal will take place 6 days per week, Mon. through Sat.

 

·         We will continue to fight this and it will take a long time before anything is resolved.  He will have more information at our next meeting.

 

Old Business:

·         We are still in need of someone to take over the organizing the scrapbook for Jan Perigard.  Please contact her if you are interested in volunteering for this.

·         Flags will soon be erected in the East Mountain neighborhood and volunteers are needed.  This has been delayed due to inclement weather.

 

New Business: 

·         Earth Day clean-up has been postponed due to inclement weather.

·         Our June meeting on June 20th will also include a Pot Luck Supper.  Please bring your favorite dish and refreshment of your choice.

·         Election of President and Secretary took place:  Mike Stere will serve as president for the next two years and Dory St. John will serve as secretary.  Motion carried.

·         A meeting of the Annual Newsletter will take place the Wednesday after the July 4th holiday which would be July 11th at Mike Stere’s residence.

·         Elizabeth Wolfgang was the recipient of the Harry Northrop Scholarship.  You will meet her at our June meeting.

·         $500. will be donated to Our Lady of Lebanon Church for a banner.  Motion to accept this donation by Tim Connolly, 2nd by Dave Muccino.  Motion carried.

 

Motion to adjourn by Tim Connolly, 2nd by Dave Muccino.  Motion carried.  Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.

 

Submitted by Dory St. John