East Mountain Neighborhood Association

Wednesday, June 16, 2004

7:PM

Attendees 44: Constance Copes, Laurine Ghent, Claudette LaFlamme, Harold Andrew, Nancy Santarpia, Diane Barth, Evelyn Carrah, Jan and Bob Perigard, Jean Guisto, Cathy Fillipone, Tony Loechner, Tom Cullen, 4 Engine 5 staff, Richard Harrison, Barbara and Mike Stere, Larry and Cecile Davino, Terry Harrison, Bob Trotter, Maureen Mead, Peter and Carol Amedeo, 4 members of the Grande family, Ned Mencio, Pam Mencio, Beverly Guevin, Bob McGovern, Michael Ptak,Joe Padua, William Burnes, Donna Burnes, George Dinkle, Colin and Lita Colburn, Turner Langdon, Nancy Ptak.

The meeting began at 7:15 PM with the Pledge of Allegience, led by Mike Ptak

Mike thanked all in attendance.

Turner provided a brief financial report, specifics available upon request to Turner.

Prior to beginning the evening’s special program, Mike announced that one of the East Mountain residents, Leah Kotler, is seeking a cat sitter for summer weekends. Her phone number will be made available to any neighbor willing to help.

The highlight of the June meeting is the 2^nd annual presentation of a $500 scholarship to a graduating high school student who will be attending college in the fall. Mike asked Claudette LaFlamme, one of the scholarship committee members, to present the recipient of the award. Claudette introduced Allison Grande, a new graduate of Westover School, who will be attending Sarah Lawrence College in the fall. Allison will be studying Journalism. She is a high honors student, involved in many activities, clubs, music, drama and she works at the Village at East Farms. She is a resident of Harwood Road and is accompanied by her parents and her brother, Stephen. Beverly Guevin is our guest presenter. Beverly is the daughter of Harry Northrup, who was very active in East Mountain Neighborhood activities for many years and is responsible, in large part, for the East Mountain Park and Athletic Association. Beverly the award and graciously presented the scholarship check to Allison.

Allison spoke about her very busy life, so far, and her plans for the future. Mike congratulated Allison and her family on behalf of all.

Park Renovation Update: The word on the funds is that a contract has been signed and the funds are in the hands of the city. Request for proposal should be in progress. We should be updated when we can request the renovations that we hope for. The biggest expense will be the irrigation system. There will most likely be no actual restrooms built, but port-o-lets will be placed. The Park Department needs to meet with the EMNA and the EMAA prior to any actual movement.

Flags: The flags are all up. Bands were installed on the metal poles in order to place flags on them, so, now, even those streets have flags. The announcement was made that there is at least one flag on every pole in the neighborhood. Bunker Hill Neighborhood is planning to place flags on poles in their neighborhood.

Flowers: The flower flag is complete and growing well. The volunteer waterers and weeders are doing their job, however, more volunteers are needed.

Joe Padua, the police officer, who is now watching over the neighborhood reports that those who were dumping in the Capt. Neville Drive area have been apprehended. Be it known that there is a monetary fine and hrs. of community service waiting for anyone who is caught dumping. Joe announced that radar traps will be forthcoming.

Engine 5 firefighters continue their struggle over contractual differences with the oversight board. They have decided to challenge state representative Jeff Berger for his position, since he supported the installation of the oversight board. Battalion chief David Martin will run against Jeff Berger, ( a former policeman) in the Overlook, East End area.

Bob McGovern stated that his neighbor donated $20 last year and has no flag on his pole. Mike Ptak responded that that neighbor may purchase a flag.

East Mountain embroidered shirts can be purchased through Jean Guisto, but more orders are needed in order to process a purchase for a group.

The committee for the prevention of the sale of our golf course is not currently active, according to Larry Davino. Larry reports no new information. Bob Trotter has a neighbor who believes that the golf course was endowed to the city in 1939 for recreation use only. Ned Mencio responded that he searched city records and that there is no mention of the land being “given”. It is believed that the Baker family donated the parking lot. Research revealed that the donated land did not include the golf course.

Father David is requesting our need for use of the church for next season, since he’s working on a new calendar.

Tony Loechner verifies 200 paid members of this association (out of 1000 residents).

Mike has sent a letter to the state DOT to ask permission to place an East Mountain sign in the small, grassy area near the Valero convenience store and gas station at the bottom of Hamilton Avenue. He mentioned that the inmates at the Cheshire DOC would make such sign.

The meeting was concluded with the second annual pot luck supper and congratulations cake in honor of our new scholarship winner, Allison Grande.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia Mencio, Secretary