EAST MOUNTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

MINUTES

February 21, 2018

Attendees: 47

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

Community Relations Officer Tiffany Healey reported:

· No major incidents have occurred in the East Mountain neighborhood.

· There were some bullet casings found near Pearl Lake Rd. but no incidents were reported. The police suspect that someone was shooting off a gun.

· She introduced Sergeant Ryan Bissette.

Sergeant Bissette reported:

· There are currently four community officers.

· There will soon be new graduates from the police academy in the spring and hopefully they can add to the number of community officers.

· He introduced Captain Lauer from the Mayor’s Office of Community and Neighborhood Development.

Captain Lauer reported:

· They will be concentrating on the Blight Taskforce and will be implementing short and long term strategies based on recommendations.

· New software will be implemented in the short term.

· In the long term brownfields will be acquired and put into a land bank which is non- profit. This enables the property to be eligible for grants for environmental clean- up and then sold to a developer for residential development, etc.

State Representative Stephanie Cummings reported:

· The Legislature is currently reviewing highway tolls in which there would be 78 tolls along the Connecticut highways with an increase in fees during high demand hours. They are also reviewing legalizing marijuana and raising the age for juveniles to 21.

· She proposed two bills:

1. Three strikes rule for juvenile felons in which if they are convicted of two felonies,

the third felony would be transferred to adult court.

2. She proposed that some of the money from the Youth Violence Fund be directed to Waterbury. Currently it is only being directed toward Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport.

· She is sponsoring a Situational Awareness and Personal Safety Training seminar which will be held at Crosby High School Media Center on February 27^th at 6:30-7:30 pm.

Secretary Report by Dory St. John:

· There was no meeting in January due to inclement weather. Minutes for the December meeting are posted on the website. A brief summary of that meeting was read.

· Correspondence included Get Well card was sent to Mike Ptak. A Thank You card was received. A Sympathy Card was sent to the Coretto Family.

· Six new families have moved into the East Mountain neighborhood on Split Rock Dr, Peach Orchard Rd, Eastside Blvd, Gatewood Cir, Shadybrook Ln, and Purdy Rd.

Treasurers Report by Colin Coburn:

· Current report was presented at the meeting and will be on file.

· The report will no longer be posted on the website due to scammers calling and emailing him looking for money.

· If anyone would like any further information on the Treasurer’s Report please contact him.

· There was a motion to accept.

City Liaison Officer Mike Ptak mentioned the city website and where to direct emails.

Neighborhood Watch Commander Bob McGovern had nothing to report at this time.

Community Property Project Hon. Tom Brunnock reported:

· There is no news to report at this time regarding the appeal of the development behind BJ’s. There should be more information to report next month.

Old Business:

· We are in need for someone to take over the upkeep of the scrapbook.

New Business:

· 45 new flags and 2 new poles have been purchased and are in storage. They will go up when weather permits.

· Mike Jarjura mentioned the fact that Bob Gaspari is no longer plowing the East Mountain neighborhood. He has retired.

· Nick Coscia encouraged Veteran’s to get a Veteran’s ID card. There are many benefits associated with this card.

· We are in need for Hospitality sign ups. Anyone interested please contact Nancy Ptak.

Motion to adjourn by Hon. Tom Brunnock, 2^nd by Mike Jarjura.

Submitted by:

Dory St. John