The East Mountain Neighborhood Association

Wednesday, October 17^th

Meeting Minutes

Attendees 33:

The meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM by President Mike Ptak, who led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mike introduced the guest speaker for the evening, Waterbury Police Chief, Neill O’Leary. Chief O’Leary presented a very detailed view of the current issues challenging the city and the police force in these times. He emphasized that the city has done well in decreasing violent crime because of good police work and good luck and cited the decrease in both violent and overall crime over the past 4 years. Ethnic groups moving into the area have produced challenges and quality of life issues, such as litter and blight. The chief mentioned that the first litter summit was held in April and that progress has been made in effective management of resources. The blight team is now under the police dept. and is headed by Sgt. Lauer.

There have been changes to the staff of the police dept. due to attrition, i.e.110 have retired, based on contract changes, and 110 replacements hired along with 70 civilians. The academies are now in Waterbury and are accredited and cadets are made available to the public to address. The cadets mature very quickly because of call volume.

Chief O’Leary is particularly excited with the growth of the Police Athletic League or Police Activity League ( PAL ). The police have purchased St. Lucy’s School and are renovating it, as well as the recreation center, which is now renovated and open. Bingo is offered and is very popular.

PAL kids work after school to pick up litter, various classes are conducted, a newly donated bus has been provided, and membership has grown to 2000. Education is also available to adults. The league is attracting non-athletes as well as athletes.

The Chief alerted the group to a soon to be large police initiative investigation.

A question/answer session was opened:

Larry Davino asked how PAL is funded

The chief explained several methods of funding, through payroll deduction, from police as well as civilians; teachers and administrators gave money each week, capital campaigning was effective, as well as contributions from businesses inclusive of Clydel Mfg. Blasius Chevrolet, the Crystal Room, Webster Bank and the Waterbury Republican paper. Some of the funding will be used to replace windows and to purchase insurance for the children.

Ned Mencio asked how the members are transported. Each group has a parent representative who coordinates rides.

Nazih Noujaim asked if the program extends to adults. Parents are instructed about the appropriate actions during games. There is a code of conduct for all coaches. There is instructional group for non-athletes.

Nancy Ptak inquired whether English lessons are taught and comments from Evelyn Carrah and Nazih Noujaim agreed that English speaking should be encouraged.

Chief O’Leary mentioned next that from April until present 4000 more traffic tickets have been issued. He reported that there have been fewer motor vehicle accidents.

Haley Copes addressed the problem that a neighbor of hers threatened her brother, who was playing ball in the street and when the police were called they responded at midnight, but that nothing had happened to resolve the issue. She also stated that the same neighbor had killed her cat 2 years ago. The chief asked her to give him her information and he would address the issue.

Community Officer, Joe Padua reports that someone has been stealing newspaper money that George Dinkle places in his mailbox. He also reports break-ins at the mall, and vandalism in the west end of the city. Sgt. Lauer, who is Joe’s supervisor introduced himself as charge of litter and blight communication.

Thus ended Chief O’Leary’s appearance. All are invited to grand opening of the new PAL, which has been renovated by volunteers and inmates from Cheshire Corrections.

Note the website for the police dept. is www.WaterburyPolice.org.

The regular meeting agenda followed.

The Secretary’s report: a brief recap was given and a hard copy of the minutes presented.

The Treasurer’s report: The current balance is $5,544.77 with $500 set aside for the scholarship. $1,386 was taken at the pancake breakfast, $179.66 was spent. Hard copy available upon request.

Park Renovations: The bonding money ($750,00) was rejected by the governor. Anew bid has been put out, of $400,000 + which is over the $316,000 promised. A list of remaining and on-going problems with the park was submitted to Joe Geary and Jim Nemec.

Condo Development; is not set yet. Kathy McNamara , the Bunker Hill Neighborhood President is present this evening and she thanked us for the excellent job and hard work we did in fighting the development and going to the hearings. Mike also stated his appreciation that we did continue to speak after the hearing was closed.

By laws typographical error: was the error that stated that the exception to the by-law of the change of officers every 2 years cited that an exception would be made in 2007 and the secretary would remain. The bylaw should have stated that the treasurer would remain. The correction was made and Nazih made the motion to accept, Evelyn seconded the motion.

The nominating committee: The committee consists of Tim Connelly, Tony Loechner, Larry Davino, Bob Perigard and Ned Mencio. A recent meeting was held , several members asked about their interest in serving as president or secretary.

Members in good standing may serve and may vote. ( See bylaws Article 3, Section 3 ).

Past members should be allowed to remain on the executive board.

Flags: Sunday, November 11 is Veteran’s Day. Flags will be taken down during that week. Volunteers are needed to help with removal. Mike mentioned that in Ken Burns’ “The War” film recently seen on CPTV, one of the last scenes in the film shows the flower flag as was originally planted during the war years.

Christmas tree lighting: Is being planned for the Sunday after Thanksgiving, December 2. Baked goods will be needed. Attendees are asked to bring an unwrapped gift.

Nancy Ptak: suggested 2 fund raiser possibilities—selling mugs having on them pictures of EMNA events. She also suggested poinsettia sales. Ned countered by saying that there are 900 families or about 1800 people in East Mountain; he cited a quote of Tim Connelly’s that 20% of the people do 80% of the work and that 20% of the people give 80% of the money, which is what is happening here. Nazih Noujaim concurred.

Kathy McNamara mentioned that Bunker Hill had a tag sale because of the offer of one man who offered his garage as a storage place with the stipulation that he be the one to choose what would be acceptable to sell. She said it was very successful.

Mike announced that a mailing must be done to include a membership form ( only 45 member have paid dues as of today) In 2007 there were 147 paid members. The mailing must be done before December. Ned motioned that the mailer should be accepted; Tim seconded the motion.

Food bank donations: Bunker Hill, Bucks Hill, East Mountain and ? Main St. Assns. Are considering holiday food bank donations for Thanksgiving. More to follow.

Meeting date change: November meeting is scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving.

It was decided to not change the date.

Flyers are available tonight with information on different types of “dog stations” for the park to be purchased with some of the $25,000. Ned made the motion to accept the less expensive type and the motion was seconded by Nancy.

Mike expressed the desire to purchase a new sign for the park in lieu of the current one.

The EMNA was hoping to obtain some locker space in which to store our refreshment supplies. That may no be possible due to the pending plan for a day-care center in the church.

Nazih asked about the ability to pay Bob Perigard and Ned Mencio the funds that they loaned. Jean stated that we remain $2000 “in the hole”

The move to adjourn was made by Jean Guisto, The motion was seconded by Pam Mencio.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45PM

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia Mencio, Secretary