EAST MOUNTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

MINUTES

April 18, 2018

Attendees: 38

Meeting was called to order at 7:06 pm which began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Greg St. John and followed by a Moment of Silence for our departed neighbors.

Community Relations Officer Tiffany Healey was absent and there was no report.

State Representative George Noujaim reported:

· Automobile taxes will be raised from 37 mils to 45 mils

· State aid to Waterbury has decreased 30%

· Howland Hughes will be renovated and 400 employees from Post University will be occupying the building 24/7 beginning in September or October. They will be parking provided for their vehicles in the Field St. garage.

· Pot holes are now being repaired. If anyone sees a pot hole in need of repair take a photo and send it to him.

· In regard to vehicles with NY plates, it takes 6-8 weeks to spot all of the cars in Waterbury. Cars are then booted. If anyone has any information regarding vehicles with out of state plates send it to the City’s website.

· On May 5^th Habitat for Humanity is looking for two more participants from 8:00am to 3:00pm. Contact him if interested. Volunteers will meet behind Ami’s Bagels.

· Meet Your Alderman event will take place the first week of every month usually on a Tuesday or Thursday. The next session will be May 3^rd from 6:00-7:30pm at the Brooklyn Baking Co. They are informal sessions and coffee and donuts will be served.

Secretary Report by Dory St. John:

· The March meeting was cancelled due to inclement weather. The minutes for the February meeting are posted on the EMNA website. A brief summary of the February meeting was read.

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

· Correspondence included: A get Well card was sent to the Coretto Family and also to the Dinkle Family. No other correspondence was reported.

· Two new families have moved into the East Mountain neighborhood on Farrell Rd. and Hamilton Ave.

Treasurers Report by Colin Coburn:

· Current report for February and March 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 to accept the Treasurer’s Report by Evelyn Carrah, 2^nd by Mike Ptak. Motion carries.

City Liaison Officer Mike Ptak reported:

· Earth Day clean-up will be held on May 12^th and rain date will be May 19^th. It will run from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Anyone interested should meet in the Our Lady of Lebanon Church parking lot. Gloves and bags will be provided.

· Street sweeping has begun. East Mountain neighborhood has not been posted yet.

Neighborhood Watch Commander Bob McGovern reported:

· An attempted house break-in was reported on Westport Dr. Three officers responded.

Community Property Project Hon. Tom Brunnock was absent and there was no report.

Old Business:

· We are still in need of someone to take over organizing the scrapbook for Jan Perigard.

New Business:

· Earth Day cleanup will be on May 12^th. See Mike Ptak’s report for information.

· New flags will be erected the weekend of May 19^th. Volunteers are needed.

· The June Meeting will be a Pot Luck Supper. Everyone is welcome to bring a dish.

· There was a nomination for President which would run from July 2018 through June 2020. Larry Davino nominated Mike Stere for President, 2^nd Colin Coburn.

· There was a nomination for Secretary which would run from July 2018 through June 2020. Donna Burnes nominated Dory St. John for Secretary, 2^nd Greg St. John.

· There will be voting on these offices at the May meeting.

· Motion to accept these nominations by Mike Stere, 2^nd Larry Davino.

Janice Hollywood, President of Friends of the Silas Bronson Library reported:

· Due to budget cuts, funds for the Silas Bronson Library have been decreased. There will be only 5 pages and 2 librarians due to these cuts. There are many programs offered at the library but only two librarians to run them. She passed out pamphlets and asked everyone to voice their concerns to their representatives on the Board of Alderman and also to the Mayor. The next Board of Alderman meeting will be held on May 7^th and May 21^st at 7:00 pm in aldermanic Chambers at City Hall.

State Representative Stephanie Cummings reported:

· The current Legislative Session will end on May 9^th. There is no budget yet.

· Bills put forth are a Sexual Harassment Bill by Senator Looney. For small businesses of 50 or more they must train all supervisors. For small businesses of 3 or more they must train all employees including contractors. It will cost approximately $130 million to train all employees in the state.

· Another bill put forth is a Family Leave Bill will affect any businesses of 2 or more employees. It will cost approximately $20 million to put in place and another $18 million to implement it.

· Any business of 50 or more employees will get a tax credit.

· Tuition assistance for non-documented students was passed on April 18^th and will go to the house.

· Stephanie’s Bill for repeat juvenile offenders was not passed.

· There has been an increase in funding for youth gangs’ prevention for Waterbury.

· Habitat for Humanity also met on April 21^st on Cranmore Ave. behind Ami’s Bagels.

· There will be a free shredding event at FD Community Federal Credit Union on 281 Meriden Rd. on Sat., May 12^th from 8:30am to 12:00pm.

· On May 31^st she and Rep. Tony D’Amelio will hold and information session at the Waterbury Senior Center from 12:30-1:30pm.

· On June 2^nd a 5-mile hike for Trails Day will be held. Contact her for further information.

· The legalization of marijuana is still on the table.

· Tolls on our highways may go through which would include 78 tolls across the state. It will take 2-3 years to implement this.

Motion to adjourn by Tim Conway, 2^nd by Larry Davino. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:25pm.

Submitted by Dory St. John