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Full disclosure, we have new iPads, and so we are having some technical difficulties, so I apologize for that. But we will call the Tuesday, September 8th, town council meeting to order, and we will begin with Pledge of Allegiance.

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I

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would like to lead you into

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the Republic.

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Roll call, Mr. Davidoff.

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Good evening, Madam Mayor.

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Good evening.

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Mayor Cantor.

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Here.

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Councillor Harris.

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Here.

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Councillor Lazarus.

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Present.

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Councillor Lyon.

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Here.

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Councillor McGinnis.

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Here.

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Deputy Mayor Poin.

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Here.

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Councillor Walters.

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Here.

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Councillor Wang.

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Here.

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Councillor Wintergrad.

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Here.

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All present.

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Thank you, Mr. Davidoff.

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And I'm going to go to the podium and read a couple of proclamations.

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It's a full house and I'm going to save that proclamation for a second because I think

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you'll all appreciate the first one.

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As we think about, we look at the blue skies and we think about 25 years ago and how our

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country has changed and all that has happened since then.

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So whereas September 11th, 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of a day that forever changed

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our nation.

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A day of unimaginable loss, extraordinary courage, and enduring remembrance.

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And whereas on September 11th, 2001, nearly 3,000 innocent people lost their lives in the

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terrorist attacks on our nation, including the brave first responders who ran toward danger

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while others were running away.

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Whereas the town of West Hartford remembers, with profound sadness, Joseph Lennahan, a 1978

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graduate of Hall High School who was working on the 89th floor of the South Tower of the World

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Trade Center when it struck. Joseph was one of our own, a member of our community whose life

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and promise were taken far too soon. And whereas we remember Joseph, not simply as a name,

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among the thousands lost but as a son, brother, friend, classmate, colleague, and member of the West

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Harvard community, his memory remains a part of the story of our town and a reminder that the events

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of that day touched communities everywhere and whereas September 11th also calls on us to recognize

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the courage and dedication of the men and women of the West hired fire department and the West

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Hartford Police Department who answer the call to serve every day and willingly place themselves

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in harm's way to protect our residents and one another and whereas 25 years later we continue to

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remember the lives lost honor the families forever changed and express our deepest gratitude

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to the first responders, public safety professionals, volunteers and countless Americans who responded with courage and compassion in the face of tragedy.

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And whereas remembrance is an act of love and service is an act of courage, on this anniversary we recommit ourselves to never forgetting those we lost and to honoring their memory through the way we care for and protect one another.

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Now, therefore, great proclaim that on behalf of the town council and the residents of West

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Hartford, I, Mayor Sherry G. Cantor, do hereby recognize September 11, 2026 as the 25th

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anniversary of September 11, 2001, honors the memory of Joseph Lennahand and all of those

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who lost their lives and express our profound gratitude to the brave men and women of the

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West Hartford Fire and the police departments who put themselves in harm's way each day to

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protect and serve our community. Let us pause as a community to remember to honor and to give

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thanks and that we carry forward the enduring lesson of September 11, 2001 that in our darkest

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moments courage shines brightest when we stand together. We'll just take a moment of silence. Thank

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you.

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Thank you. And I think that the transition to the cert recognition is also says so much about

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you all and the volunteers and their willingness and interest and commitment and serving our community,

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and we're so grateful for all that you do. So this is official proclamation. I don't know if

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there's so many in particular who wants to receive it. Bob? Oh, oh, jeep, please. Okay.

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Whereas the

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National Community Emergency Response Team Cert program was established in 1986 to educate and train

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community members in disaster preparedness, basic disaster response skills, and ways to

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safely assist their communities before, during and after emergencies.

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And whereas 2026, March the 40th anniversary of the National Cert Program celebrating

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four decades of empowering volunteers to strengthen community preparedness and resilience

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across the United States.

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Whereas the West Hartford Community Emergency Response Team was established in 2021 under

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Under the leadership of the West Hartford Office of Emergency Management, directed by Chief

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Greg Priest, Director of Emergency Management in 2026, marks the fifth anniversary of

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the re-established West Hartford Cert Program.

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And whereas since 2021, West Hartford has trained 387 residents in emergency preparedness and

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disaster response, and Cert volunteers can contribute more than 14,000 hours of dedicated service

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to the town of West Hartford, whereas West Hartford cert volunteers have played an important role

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in supporting the town's COVID-19 response, assisting at emergency scenes, supporting emergency

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shelter operations, helping at the local food pantry, providing public education and assisting

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with community events and public safety initiatives. And whereas National Cert Week provides an opportunity

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to recognize the dedication and accomplishments of West Hartford cert volunteers promote training

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and encourage all residents to become better prepared for emergencies.

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Now, therefore, it be proclaimed that on behalf of the Town Council and the residents

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of West Harford, I, Mayor Sherry G. Cantor, in appreciation for everything cert does here

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by proclaim September 20 through 2026 as National Community Emergency Response Team week

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in West Harford, and encourage all residents to recognize the outstanding service of our

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certain volunteers participate in emergency preparedness activities and learn how they can

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contribute to building a safer, stronger, and more resilient community.

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And, Chief Priest, would you like to say a few words?

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I would love to, Mayor.

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Thank you so very much.

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I appreciate it.

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So, let me tell you about what the best part of my job is and the worst part of my job.

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This, all in the same moment because I am up here accepting an award for all of these

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fantastic people out here in the 360 or so that are not here present. So what Bob said to me is

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is, hey chief, you got to go up and accept a proclamation. So Bob, Mike and Bob, if you could have

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you join me up here just for these very few remarks because I

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will employ my best back draft speech,

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which is Hugo Wigo. So in all seriousness, I just have just a very few quick things to say. And the

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The first is Mike, who's going out the door, right?

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So I want to look at the council and the mayor and say thank you very much.

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I know you run a lot of proclamations and there are a lot of wonderful things about this

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community that you put down in a piece of paper to acknowledge.

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But this is one of the best decisions this council has made and the mayor has made because

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you have some fantastic people in your community who are doing a ton of work, but let me tell

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you what they're giving you.

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They're giving you their time and that is the most valuable commodity that a human being

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has.

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So, thank you very much for recognizing them.

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So as I shift my body language back, and I look back to this incredible team of leaders

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right here.

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What I will tell you is, they make my job easy.

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I really don't even point them in a direction, and I think all I do is say, yes, except for

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the COTS Bob, but I usually fold, but you know, this team was really the brainchild of Bob

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and then the Bob and the Mike join this.

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And then what you what you have here is I think one of the most resilient communities based on the fact that each one of you and all of the other 387 people had volunteered your time to come learn how to be more personally prepared, which then leads to a better prepared community.

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Following that up what I love about the cert program is this there is a place for everybody look around seriously look around in the room.

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people from different backgrounds, different ages, different abilities, right?

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And that is what is most fantastic about the cert team.

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There's a place for you here as we all work towards making a better.

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And say for community. So at the risk of going long, my last part that I will say is, is we are recruiting additional cert members. So if you're watching the rest of this, I even remembered that all by myself. You don't even have to tell me. Bob usually is like, all right, chief, you got to say this. But the reality is is, thank you guys very, very much. Turn to your neighbors, turn to your friends, turn to the people in the town and see if you can get some more folks to come out and be prepared. And thank you very much for what you do at every one of our events, every meeting that you go to. It means a lot to me personally and professionally.

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thank you so very much and a less one round of applause for the team of leaders here. Thank you.

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We should probably have a picture of that one, right? All right. Here we go. All right, Ronnie, we're going to.

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It's all right, perhaps Town Clerk and the Councilor Lazarus will come out too because you guys

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don't have your green shirts on. I know it's like a St. Patrick's Day parade over here, but we need you

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to kind of move over into the green because they have had the training for cert as well, so thank you.

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We are in a green shirt.

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Okay,

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no

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They said, don't take it personally, you can all leave.

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I wouldn't.

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Oh,

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thank you.

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Thank you so much.

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And before we...

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Hi, back.

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Good night.

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Oh, wow.

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Big Dallas.

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Before we get into the actual meat of the rest of the meeting, I just wanted to acknowledge

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the devastating floods in Nepal and the impact that it's had on members of our own community.

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Many West Harvard residents have family and friends and loved ones in Nepal and I know

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this tragedy has caused tremendous pain, worry, uncertainty, and our thoughts are with everyone

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who has been affected, especially those who are grieving or awaiting news about loved ones.

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When a candle is lit in the Nepheles culture, it serves two purposes to illuminate the path

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for those who have died and during Diwali to help those far from home find their way back.

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As Miyajeworski wrote in Weha, tonight we need both Rupesh,

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said, Chief Advisor to the Nepalese Association of Connecticut during the Kindle Light

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Vigil that was held on Sunday evening, right outside town hall.

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And I just want to think I could not attend, I actually was out of town, but I want to

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thank Tiffany, Ben, Jason and John, I think that's all the council that members that were

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there.

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Oh, Barry, I'm sorry, Barry, for being there and I appreciate their presence and their support.

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support. But this is just the beginning of our support. West Harvard will continue to

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stand with our Nepalese neighbors, their families here and abroad, and all of those

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affected by this disaster. We'll be here for you for those difficult days ahead. West

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Harvard is a community that comes together in difficult moments, and we will continue

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to offer compassion, support, and solidarity. And there is a donation page on the Nepalese

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associations page. If you need it, we can get it to you. It's a QR code. And I didn't, I tried,

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it didn't work the first time I did it and the second time I did it, it did work. So it is up and

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running. All right. With that, we will go to public forum. Mr. Dodge, could you just check?

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I'm going to read the, well, first the law, the rule of speaking at the meeting is that it has

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related to something on the agenda. And there are several people that signed up. I don't

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know if people thought it was a sign-up sheet because that's off in the case. But if not

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and you are speaking to something on the agenda, just please let me know your name address

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and what you are speaking to. First is Richard McSorley. Okay. And I'm Michelle McSorley.

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Oh, I'm sorry. I've got you. Okay. So just tell us what you're speaking to and your name

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and address further and you go up to please go to the mic so WAC TV can pick it up and it's

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on voice activating. I would like to open up first with a thank you to all first responders

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for running in when others must run out and good evening Mayor Cantor, members of the council

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and town manager led with. My name is Richard McSorley and I live around the block from Webster Hill

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We have a special elementary.

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Every morning and afternoon.

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Hundreds of elementary students

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walked and bike.

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The websray elementary right now

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they have to navigate streets

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where traffic safety rules are

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routinely ignored.

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Drivers regularly pull into the

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bike lane.

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I just do want to ask which item

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on the agenda are you referring

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to do.

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had I did not know it had to be on the agenda okay transparency yeah so we

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because we usually have a lot of business to do we we take written comment we

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do that once a month and the other we do just take comment on so I will make

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an exception but that you know that it is a little hard for us because we do

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again have a lot of business to do and oftentimes the time time constraints so

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So we will all receive your comment.

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We cannot have a conversation.

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We will receive it in three minutes as max and whatever you can always send us your comments.

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Okay.

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Thank you.

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Drivers regularly pull into the bike lane directly beneath no stopping or standing signs

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and now the new no drop off signs.

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They let the children out into live traffic.

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Through traffic gets forced over the W.O. lines into oncoming cars.

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other drivers make three point blind turns in the middle of the street while families are trying to cross.

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We have already sent reminder emails as a school and as the PTO.

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We have tried periodic police patrols.

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Earlier last week a cruiser was parked on Webster Hill Boulevard.

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Yet drivers still lined up and parked in the bike lane directly across from it.

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As Representative Kate for our pointed out after seeing the photos,

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having an officer present without enforcing the rules tells drivers that the behavior is acceptable.

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Town leadership has pointed to long-term planning the safe streets for all grant

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and that work is worthwhile. But planning a study does not produce, does not protect a seven-year-old

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walking to school tomorrow. Under vision zero our streets should be designed so drivers simply

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cannot make these dangerous maneuvers. Our crossing guard has already proven what works. She puts out

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on both sides of the crosswalk and cars

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respect the boundary.

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We need the town to apply that exact same common sense to the rest of the street.

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Please set out heavy cones or install folding delineators along the bike lane.

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Also,

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install us a standard 25 mile an hour school is on sign.

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We put physical boundaries in the roadway drivers follow them.

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That takes the daily burden off our police department and gives our neighborhood kids

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the protection you need right now. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. McSorley. Okay, the next person

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to sign up is Frank. Beginno?

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No, it's not.

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Because we made one exception, I guess I'll have to make

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two, but I really, three minutes and no, I can't, I can't. I really, yeah.

224
00:24:18,430 --> 00:24:19,650
Can you just submit

225
00:24:19,650 --> 00:24:22,190
We're not giving us because

226
00:24:24,400 --> 00:24:31,060
we're not we can't respond anyway so we would hear you and so it's something that's very important.

227
00:24:31,160 --> 00:24:37,780
We know and we have received a lot of emails and it would be unfair actually for you to speak to it and other people can't because that's right.

228
00:24:38,480 --> 00:24:42,860
We are going to talk about it. We're waiting on some guidance from the state so.

229
00:24:44,460 --> 00:24:46,080
Month, two months, three months.

230
00:24:47,640 --> 00:24:49,880
I hope it in the month but I don't know.

231
00:24:50,660 --> 00:24:52,320
Okay, it's a serious issue.

232
00:24:52,520 --> 00:24:52,720
I know.

233
00:24:53,020 --> 00:24:53,400
Thank you.

234
00:24:53,700 --> 00:24:54,280
All right.

235
00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:55,600
Okay.

236
00:24:56,020 --> 00:25:01,140
So we will now go to, is there anybody else in the audience that would like to speak to

237
00:25:01,140 --> 00:25:02,280
something that's on the agenda?

238
00:25:03,720 --> 00:25:04,080
Okay.

239
00:25:05,160 --> 00:25:07,600
Seeing none, we will go to no consent.

240
00:25:07,800 --> 00:25:09,140
We will go to five.

241
00:25:09,980 --> 00:25:10,480
Ms. Pullin.

242
00:25:14,230 --> 00:25:14,810
Thank you.

243
00:25:16,050 --> 00:25:16,590
Let's see.

244
00:25:20,800 --> 00:25:21,560
Approval of minutes.

245
00:25:21,720 --> 00:25:21,960
That's all.

246
00:25:24,500 --> 00:25:24,900
Okay.

247
00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:25,880
Thank you Madam Mayor.

248
00:25:26,060 --> 00:25:27,600
I move to approve the town council meeting.

249
00:25:27,600 --> 00:25:30,080
Meeting minutes from August 12th, 2026.

250
00:25:31,520 --> 00:25:32,040
Second.

251
00:25:32,540 --> 00:25:34,400
Motion's been made in second and all those in favor.

252
00:25:35,080 --> 00:25:35,220
Aye.

253
00:25:35,480 --> 00:25:35,700
Aye.

254
00:25:36,360 --> 00:25:36,640
Any post?

255
00:25:37,500 --> 00:25:38,200
Motion carries.

256
00:25:38,940 --> 00:25:41,120
We will go to number seven, Ms. Bourne.

257
00:25:41,380 --> 00:25:44,220
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

258
00:25:44,420 --> 00:25:48,340
I move to adopt a resolution authorizing the town manager to participate in the state of

259
00:25:48,340 --> 00:25:54,140
Connecticut, legislatively directed grant fund program, to support the construction of

260
00:25:54,140 --> 00:25:56,720
the Trout Brook Trail East Coast Greenway connector.

261
00:26:00,190 --> 00:26:00,590
Second.

262
00:26:00,590 --> 00:26:02,710
motion has been made a second in Mr. Smith.

263
00:26:03,510 --> 00:26:04,230
Thank you Madam Mayor.

264
00:26:05,030 --> 00:26:07,290
Thank you to all the Councillors.

265
00:26:07,310 --> 00:26:11,050
It's a really exciting resolution that I'd like to discuss

266
00:26:11,050 --> 00:26:12,170
with all of you this evening.

267
00:26:12,270 --> 00:26:16,310
We also discuss this at our last finance and administration

268
00:26:16,310 --> 00:26:17,230
committee meeting.

269
00:26:17,830 --> 00:26:21,150
And it was an idea that was born by the mayor.

270
00:26:21,850 --> 00:26:26,750
And it goes back a few years ago and she had approached us

271
00:26:26,750 --> 00:26:47,390
and our team and really had that vision of somehow connecting our trout brook trail to the East Coast Greenway and East Coast Greenway is a trail that runs 3,000 miles from Florida and eventually it will go to Maine and traveling through, of course, all of those states in between.

272
00:26:47,650 --> 00:26:54,830
It will come through Connecticut and it will go, it does get nearest in Bloomfield and Harford.

273
00:26:54,830 --> 00:27:03,990
but does not come through West Hartford so we worked with our team of

274
00:27:03,990 --> 00:27:09,070
engineers began having conversations with the city of Hartford to see if

275
00:27:09,070 --> 00:27:13,210
there was a way for us to make this connection and through that spirit of

276
00:27:13,210 --> 00:27:19,570
cooperation with the city and our team we had identified have identified a

277
00:27:19,570 --> 00:27:24,730
pathway to get a connect direct connection between the Trialbrook trail in the

278
00:27:24,730 --> 00:27:31,430
East Coast Greenway, and that will include bike lanes going up the Psyllum Avenue heading

279
00:27:31,430 --> 00:27:36,610
into Elizabeth Park, and there will be a bike lane that goes through Elizabeth Park,

280
00:27:37,090 --> 00:27:45,450
crosses over Prospect Avenue onto the other half of Psyllum Park, and then down Psyllum Avenue,

281
00:27:45,770 --> 00:27:54,710
and then down Sycamore across to Albany Avenue. So very excited about those improvements

282
00:27:54,730 --> 00:28:00,790
that will be forthcoming this year we did we worked with our mayor worked with

283
00:28:00,790 --> 00:28:09,230
Senators Slap and we were able to secure $400,000 in grant funding to help us

284
00:28:09,230 --> 00:28:14,630
completely fund the construction of this connector between Fraudbrook Trail

285
00:28:14,630 --> 00:28:22,890
and the eventual East Coast Grant East Coast Greenway so it will include signage

286
00:28:22,890 --> 00:28:29,930
pavement markings, safety improvements for cyclists and pedestrians, and certainly

287
00:28:29,930 --> 00:28:35,570
is an example of what can happen when we look beyond just our municipal boundaries and

288
00:28:35,570 --> 00:28:42,090
explore different ways that we can work with our colleagues across the border to make something

289
00:28:42,090 --> 00:28:49,050
like this happen. So again, thank you, Mayor, and thank you to Senator Slap for securing this

290
00:28:49,050 --> 00:28:54,510
funding through the state. So, through you, Madam Mayor, happy to answer any questions

291
00:28:54,510 --> 00:28:55,630
that the council may have.

292
00:28:56,290 --> 00:28:59,650
Thank you very much, Mr. Leibhurt, because we discussed this in finance, I'm going to

293
00:28:59,650 --> 00:29:05,210
kick it off to Deputy Mayor. Thank you very much, and I think

294
00:29:05,210 --> 00:29:10,890
Sam and your explain this very well. We're excited to provide another opportunity for people

295
00:29:10,890 --> 00:29:18,530
to ride their bikes, walk through or just participate in recreation in our town and connect

296
00:29:18,530 --> 00:29:25,930
to a longer trail. So thank you to those who were involved in helping to secure these funds and looking forward to seeing it happen.

297
00:29:26,670 --> 00:29:28,370
Thank you. Any other comments?

298
00:29:29,990 --> 00:29:30,710
Okay, Mr. Lance.

299
00:29:31,750 --> 00:29:38,090
Thank you, Madam Mayor. First of all, thank you for your leadership on this, including chocolate trail all of it.

300
00:29:38,930 --> 00:29:41,850
You've been a visionary. You've really led the way on these things.

301
00:29:41,850 --> 00:29:45,370
It's selfishly, we had friends in town over the weekend.

302
00:29:45,490 --> 00:29:49,270
I was traveling about a got back Sunday so I was able to spend Sunday evening and Monday

303
00:29:49,270 --> 00:29:49,650
with them.

304
00:29:49,650 --> 00:29:54,050
We were driving by traffic trail and in this area as well and I was able to brag to them

305
00:29:54,050 --> 00:29:57,370
about what we're doing in terms of connecting to this and I think it's just wonderful.

306
00:29:57,370 --> 00:29:59,850
And just yet another reason why West

307
00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:29,840
Third is incredibly welcoming and a great walkable community. So thank you on that. I'll be supporting it. Thank you. Anybody else? Okay. I just want to echo my thanks to Senator Slatt for being such a good partner in supporting projects like this. And we're really appreciative. And of course to the town manager and town staff for their creativity and their commitment to making it happen. So thank you. All right. All those in favor?

308
00:30:35,880 --> 00:30:40,200
Thank you, Madam Mayor. I move to adopt a resolution authorizing the town manager to

309
00:30:40,200 --> 00:30:44,480
participate in the state of Connecticut Legislatively Directed Grant Fund program to support

310
00:30:44,480 --> 00:30:50,520
the Miracle League field pedestrian bridge replacement project. Second, motions been made

311
00:30:50,520 --> 00:30:55,440
and second, I'm Mr. Ledwood. Thank you, Madam Mayor. And you all may recall that we discussed

312
00:30:55,440 --> 00:30:59,560
us this particular grant at our last council meeting in August.

313
00:31:00,980 --> 00:31:07,480
And we received a grant and again through Senator Slap to fund the replacement of the

314
00:31:07,480 --> 00:31:13,300
Miracle League Bridge, which is that connection between the new parking lot that will be built in the fields.

315
00:31:14,200 --> 00:31:19,560
And at our last council meeting, we had a resolution accepting these funds.

316
00:31:19,560 --> 00:31:25,300
And then in the interim, we participated in a call with the state where we learned we also

317
00:31:25,300 --> 00:31:31,420
needed a resolution technically applying for that grant through the state so this resolution

318
00:31:31,420 --> 00:31:38,800
takes care of that particular administrative process so you're not all imagining things

319
00:31:38,800 --> 00:31:45,740
we all did discuss at the last meeting but this takes care of a requirement that the

320
00:31:45,740 --> 00:31:50,640
state has asked of us so happy to answer any questions that the council may have.

321
00:31:50,640 --> 00:31:57,380
Thank you, Mr. Leadworth as the town manager said we have already discussed it, but if anybody has any comments

322
00:31:59,690 --> 00:32:03,870
What do you say oh

323
00:32:03,870 --> 00:32:05,370
Mr. Land oh, I'm sorry

324
00:32:06,830 --> 00:32:17,130
All right, I seen none okay all those in favor. Hi. Hi any opposed motion carries let us see Ms. Paul

325
00:32:18,050 --> 00:32:22,470
Thank you Madam Mayor. I moved to adopt a resolution appropriating a donation and

326
00:32:22,470 --> 00:32:25,250
and unexpended funds to support programs and activities

327
00:32:25,250 --> 00:32:27,310
for America's 250 commemoration.

328
00:32:28,250 --> 00:32:30,810
Second motion has been made and seconded, Mr. Litt.

329
00:32:31,530 --> 00:32:34,490
Thank you, so this resolution will do two things.

330
00:32:34,490 --> 00:32:40,290
It will allow us to roll over $974.81 of unexpended funds

331
00:32:40,290 --> 00:32:42,090
from our America 250 account.

332
00:32:43,010 --> 00:32:45,210
And this resolution will also appropriate

333
00:32:45,210 --> 00:32:50,050
an additional $750 donated from the Connecticut Humanities

334
00:32:50,050 --> 00:32:58,770
these council to put towards our culminating America 250 event, which will be held later this fall.

335
00:32:58,890 --> 00:33:02,010
It'll be our third annual West Hartford Community Block Party.

336
00:33:02,390 --> 00:33:06,810
And I think in our Finance and Administration Committee meeting, I said it would be held

337
00:33:06,810 --> 00:33:07,430
at town hall.

338
00:33:07,590 --> 00:33:11,570
It's actually going to be held at Blueback Square on November 1st.

339
00:33:11,570 --> 00:33:22,810
So this $974 combined with the $750 will allow us to add some music entertainment to that

340
00:33:22,810 --> 00:33:27,950
block party for this culminating America 250 event.

341
00:33:29,530 --> 00:33:31,650
I'm happy to answer any questions at the council head, Madam Mayor.

342
00:33:32,110 --> 00:33:32,890
Thank you, Mr. Leadwith.

343
00:33:33,090 --> 00:33:40,510
Are there any comments or questions we did talk about this and Ms. Harris.

344
00:33:40,510 --> 00:33:40,570
Yes.

345
00:33:40,970 --> 00:33:41,150
Yes.

346
00:33:41,550 --> 00:33:42,250
Dr. Harris.

347
00:33:43,230 --> 00:33:43,890
Thank you.

348
00:33:44,090 --> 00:33:45,030
Through you, Madam Mayor.

349
00:33:45,610 --> 00:33:51,290
And we, this may have been discussed, but was, is this the entire cost to the town for

350
00:33:51,290 --> 00:33:51,850
this event?

351
00:33:52,070 --> 00:33:53,850
Or is this just a piece of the cost?

352
00:33:54,370 --> 00:33:57,290
This will be through you, Madam Mayor, to Councillor Harris' question.

353
00:33:57,470 --> 00:34:04,250
So this will, this is all we have remaining in the account and we'll go towards the music

354
00:34:04,250 --> 00:34:05,790
for this particular event.

355
00:34:05,990 --> 00:34:10,330
So a lot of the black party, if you've attended, I think you were, I remember seeing

356
00:34:10,330 --> 00:34:16,210
new there last year, if I don't, if I remember correctly. So it's a lot of volunteers and folks setting

357
00:34:16,210 --> 00:34:22,850
up different booths and opportunities for our residents to see all the various clubs and organizations

358
00:34:22,850 --> 00:34:30,590
and commissions that are out there and part of this event. So we do have a series of genre of music

359
00:34:30,590 --> 00:34:36,770
that we would like to have included in this event and this money will go towards funding those

360
00:34:36,770 --> 00:34:37,350
performances.

361
00:34:39,470 --> 00:34:42,550
Okay, thank you. Thank you, Dr. Harris. Are there any other

362
00:34:42,550 --> 00:34:48,250
comments or questions? Okay, seeing none. All those in favor? Hi. Hi. Any opposed?

363
00:34:49,050 --> 00:34:54,590
Motion carries, letter D, Ms. Pullen. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I move to adopt a

364
00:34:54,590 --> 00:34:58,530
resolution appropriating unexpended donation funds from the Arthur R. Carling

365
00:34:58,530 --> 00:35:05,550
Revocable Trust. Second, motions were made in second and Mr. Lemme. Thank you. So

366
00:35:05,550 --> 00:35:10,790
So this trust, we were the beneficiary of a $500,000

367
00:35:10,790 --> 00:35:15,870
request from the Arthur R. Carling revocable trust.

368
00:35:16,370 --> 00:35:21,070
And we appropriated those funds that $500,000 this past April.

369
00:35:21,850 --> 00:35:28,030
And those were used to purchase vehicles within our fire department in

370
00:35:28,030 --> 00:35:29,250
Mr. Carling's name.

371
00:35:29,670 --> 00:35:35,250
So we have $61,538 left of that $500,000

372
00:35:35,250 --> 00:35:43,290
which we were enrolled into this fiscal year to finalize the outfitting of the three light duty

373
00:35:43,290 --> 00:35:51,610
vehicles that were purchased through with this bequest. So just by a way of summary, as you may

374
00:35:51,610 --> 00:35:58,870
recall, Mr. Carling lived in West Hart for most of his life and passed away back in 2003. He was a

375
00:35:58,870 --> 00:36:05,550
the veteran of war war two and was a past president of the rotary. So we are incredibly

376
00:36:05,550 --> 00:36:12,990
again grateful to Mr. Carling and his family for making this request to the town of West

377
00:36:12,990 --> 00:36:15,170
Hartford and to our fire department specifically.

378
00:36:16,050 --> 00:36:24,310
Thank you very much. Mr. Ledwith and we had been graced with Mr. Carling's generosity before.

379
00:36:24,310 --> 00:36:30,530
and I do remember like the whole thank you note there is not I don't think he has

380
00:36:30,530 --> 00:36:38,770
living relatives or there was no thank you Madam Mary yes he has living relatives

381
00:36:38,770 --> 00:36:43,210
live in Florida so we weren't able to get them to come up for part of a

382
00:36:43,210 --> 00:36:49,630
ceremony thank you all right this was discussed I think in human and leisure

383
00:37:05,470 --> 00:37:17,010
Thank you Madam Mayor I move to adopt a resolution appropriating funds on the West Hartford library fund to purchase computers furniture equipment and professional services second motions remain a second.

384
00:37:17,010 --> 00:37:46,250
Thank you so the West Hartford Library Fund is a special revenue fund used to account for grants and annually the available fund balance in the West Hartford Library Fund is appropriated at the recommendation of the Library Administration and in accordance with the purpose of the fund so this year we had a total of $30,125.63 in the fund and we would be using those funds to purchase computers.

385
00:37:46,250 --> 00:37:54,170
computers, library furniture, and equipment, as well as miscellaneous administrative expenses,

386
00:37:54,730 --> 00:37:58,790
and then other professional services to fund those speakers and

387
00:37:59,570 --> 00:38:05,130
authors who will come as a matter of fact, we have one coming up, that this will help pay towards as well.

388
00:38:06,890 --> 00:38:08,470
Thank you, Mr. Leadwitz.

389
00:38:08,630 --> 00:38:10,250
Yes, we have quite the author coming up.

390
00:38:10,890 --> 00:38:12,870
Mr. Year, yeah, amazing.

391
00:38:12,870 --> 00:38:17,150
All right, any other comments or questions on this?

392
00:38:17,310 --> 00:38:18,650
We did discuss this in committee.

393
00:38:19,390 --> 00:38:20,330
All right, all those in favor?

394
00:38:21,090 --> 00:38:23,990
Sorry, sorry, sorry, Mr. Dr. Wayne, go ahead.

395
00:38:24,330 --> 00:38:25,710
Thank you, through you, Mayor Canter.

396
00:38:26,710 --> 00:38:28,830
Apologies if this was covered in FNA,

397
00:38:29,110 --> 00:38:31,670
but what's Miss Linius administrative expenses?

398
00:38:32,270 --> 00:38:33,070
Like can you give an example?

399
00:38:33,510 --> 00:38:39,150
So those will be used for consultants if I remember correctly.

400
00:38:39,950 --> 00:38:49,890
I can find out the exact, I don't remember off the top of my head and I didn't write it down, but I can get that response to you tomorrow, Councillor Wei.

401
00:38:56,530 --> 00:39:04,090
Okay. Well, I think we're voting on the information we have here, so all those in favor?

402
00:39:04,710 --> 00:39:04,870
Hi.

403
00:39:05,890 --> 00:39:06,370
Any opposed?

404
00:39:07,430 --> 00:39:07,990
Motion carries.

405
00:39:08,230 --> 00:39:08,950
Thank you very much.

406
00:39:08,990 --> 00:39:09,950
Letter F, Ms. Polin.

407
00:39:10,570 --> 00:39:11,210
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

408
00:39:11,210 --> 00:39:19,470
I move to adopt a resolution appropriating unexpended grant funds in the 2026, 2027 general fund budget for various town departments.

409
00:39:19,910 --> 00:39:21,790
Second, motion is being made.

410
00:39:21,910 --> 00:39:22,730
The second name Mr. Lightway.

411
00:39:23,230 --> 00:39:24,610
Thank you Madam Mayor.

412
00:39:24,750 --> 00:39:32,610
So this resolution allows us to roll over unexpended funds for nine grant awards that were received last fiscal year and

413
00:39:32,610 --> 00:39:36,490
roll them over into this fiscal year to be expended in the coming months.

414
00:39:36,490 --> 00:39:46,830
We have an Amplify grant, a bulletproof vest grant, a DUI enforcement grant, a grant

415
00:39:46,830 --> 00:39:53,410
from the John G. Martin Foundation, a State of Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability

416
00:39:53,410 --> 00:40:02,270
Services grant, a youth recovery grant, a Borrowett CT program grant, and a public library

417
00:40:02,270 --> 00:40:08,270
incentive grant program. So if these grants, you know, when we bring these grants forward

418
00:40:08,270 --> 00:40:14,470
to the council, we receive them. They don't line up perfectly with the like July 1st

419
00:40:14,470 --> 00:40:21,390
to June 30th fiscal year. So we will receive these at any various time during the fiscal

420
00:40:21,390 --> 00:40:25,110
year. And if we're not able to expand all of those funds, we will come to the council

421
00:40:25,110 --> 00:40:31,630
and ask to roll over the unused portion of that grant into the following fiscal year to

422
00:40:31,630 --> 00:40:33,690
to use them up over the next few months.

423
00:40:34,510 --> 00:40:38,290
So this combines all nine of those grants

424
00:40:38,290 --> 00:40:42,550
into one resolution and through you, Madam Mayor,

425
00:40:42,630 --> 00:40:44,850
happy to answer any questions at the council head.

426
00:40:45,510 --> 00:40:46,610
Thank you, Mr. Leadwith.

427
00:40:46,890 --> 00:40:48,370
Are there any comments or questions?

428
00:40:51,060 --> 00:40:53,040
Okay, seeing none, all those in favor?

429
00:40:53,600 --> 00:40:53,900
Hi.

430
00:40:54,900 --> 00:40:55,480
Any opposed?

431
00:40:56,420 --> 00:40:58,340
Motion carries, letter, G Ms. Bowen.

432
00:40:59,220 --> 00:41:00,060
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

433
00:41:00,280 --> 00:41:03,040
I move to adopt a resolution approving a collective bargaining

434
00:41:03,040 --> 00:41:10,760
meeting agreement with CSCA, SCIU local 2001 clerical unit for the period July 1, 2025 through

435
00:41:10,760 --> 00:41:13,680
June 30, 2029. Second.

436
00:41:13,920 --> 00:41:15,640
Motion is made in second, Mr. Leib.

437
00:41:16,200 --> 00:41:23,100
Thank you and before you this evening is a tentative agreement between SCIU local 2001

438
00:41:23,760 --> 00:41:31,520
which represents our clerical bargaining unit and this is a small but very powerful group

439
00:41:31,520 --> 00:41:36,500
of employees that serve our organization.

440
00:41:36,840 --> 00:41:42,800
So we have 39 clerical employees who are part of this bargaining unit.

441
00:41:43,400 --> 00:41:48,040
And as I said in the Finance and Administration Committee meeting last week,

442
00:41:48,280 --> 00:41:55,200
they really are the backbone of our daily operation supporting every department within the town.

443
00:41:55,320 --> 00:41:59,620
So public works, police, fire, library, community center, senior centers,

444
00:41:59,620 --> 00:42:10,980
right here in town hall, so just a very, very important group of employees who provide

445
00:42:10,980 --> 00:42:16,080
valuable services to all of us and including our community.

446
00:42:16,420 --> 00:42:22,340
So the negotiations for this agreement took place over the course of pretty much the last

447
00:42:22,340 --> 00:42:27,040
year, a little bit longer than that, and they were led by our Director of Human Resources,

448
00:42:27,040 --> 00:42:32,440
versus Josephine Agnello-Beeley, as well as our outside counsel Ken Weinstock.

449
00:42:34,060 --> 00:42:40,640
And the agreement you're voting on this evening addresses wages, health insurance, retirement

450
00:42:40,640 --> 00:42:44,340
and several other terms and conditions of employment.

451
00:42:44,780 --> 00:42:52,080
So the agreement does provide a 3% general wage increase in each of the four years of the

452
00:42:52,080 --> 00:43:03,640
agreement and it goes retroactive to July 1st of 25 followed by increases in July of 26, 27, and the last year of the contract would be July of 28.

453
00:43:04,380 --> 00:43:17,920
The total wage impact through fiscal year 29 is $351,000 plus approximately $27,000 in associated social security and Medicare costs.

454
00:43:18,900 --> 00:43:23,760
and the retroactive portion of this wage increases $83,000.

455
00:43:24,300 --> 00:43:31,400
So negotiations did take place back in 25, led by, as I said, Josephine and Ken.

456
00:43:32,280 --> 00:43:37,860
But we hit a little bit of a roadblock when it came to pension benefits.

457
00:43:38,100 --> 00:43:47,720
And I know the council is aware of changes that we made to our pension plan for tier three employees a number of years ago.

458
00:43:47,720 --> 00:43:52,120
and a lot of our unions, when we sit down and negotiate,

459
00:43:52,120 --> 00:43:54,560
we'll try to claw back on some of those changes

460
00:43:54,560 --> 00:43:56,720
and those aren't anything that we'd be able to do.

461
00:43:57,020 --> 00:43:59,740
So that became a little bit of a roadblock

462
00:44:00,520 --> 00:44:01,380
during the negotiations,

463
00:44:01,380 --> 00:44:06,700
which is why it kind of went on as long as it did.

464
00:44:07,580 --> 00:44:10,720
The contract also increases employee contributions

465
00:44:10,720 --> 00:44:11,940
towards health insurance.

466
00:44:13,240 --> 00:44:16,020
Employees will ultimately contribute 20%

467
00:44:16,020 --> 00:44:22,280
of the fully insured rate, subject to salary-based caps that increase over the term of the agreement.

468
00:44:22,520 --> 00:44:31,340
So that salary caps will increase from 5.75% of an employee's wages to 6.75%, and that's

469
00:44:31,340 --> 00:44:39,160
for employees hired prior to July 1st of 23, and that it will increase to 7.25% for employees

470
00:44:39,160 --> 00:44:46,980
He's hired after July 1st of 23 and represents a meaningful increase in the employee's share

471
00:44:46,980 --> 00:44:53,080
of the health insurance costs to help address our ongoing health care expenses.

472
00:44:54,360 --> 00:44:59,360
The agreement also maintains a previously negotiated arrangement for one employee participating

473
00:44:59,360 --> 00:44:59,900
and that

474
00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:29,980
Towns deferred, a defined contribution plan rather than our defined benefit plan, our defined benefit pension plan. So there is a pension plan out there called MERS, municipal employee retirement system, and a lot of cities and towns all participate in MERS. And this particular employee, we hired after they retired from MERS. And under the MERS plan, you're not able to participate in another defined benefit pension plan.

475
00:45:29,980 --> 00:45:37,720
So we, with the cooperation of the Union carved them out and put them into a street to find contribution plan.

476
00:45:39,700 --> 00:45:43,340
There are a few other targeted operational provisions as well.

477
00:45:43,800 --> 00:45:51,740
Staff assistant in the police records division who has assigned payroll responsibilities will receive a $25 per day stipend.

478
00:45:52,680 --> 00:45:59,580
During this 12 week assignment and this agreement also clarifies the town's responsibility

479
00:45:59,580 --> 00:46:05,260
for a job-related educational and training programs designed to improve employees' opportunities

480
00:46:05,260 --> 00:46:13,040
for promotion, with courses graded on a pass-fail basis reimbursed at 75%.

481
00:46:14,100 --> 00:46:22,140
The agreement reflects what we feel is a fair balance of between providing a competitive

482
00:46:22,140 --> 00:46:29,420
wage that allows us to recruit and retain staff while also maintaining a benefit

483
00:46:29,420 --> 00:46:39,580
package that recognizes our increasing costs on the health insurance side, so we do appreciate

484
00:46:39,580 --> 00:46:45,460
the cooperation of this particular group and really, as I said earlier, really appreciate

485
00:46:46,220 --> 00:46:50,720
what they do day in and day out to support all of our various departments around the town,

486
00:46:50,720 --> 00:46:58,120
as well as our residents who come into these various departments to seek services.

487
00:46:58,120 --> 00:47:07,140
So with that as a summary mayor, I will pause there and turn it back to you and the council for any questions that you may have.

488
00:47:08,100 --> 00:47:16,240
Thank you, Mr. Leadwith. We did go over this with pretty thoroughly in finance and administration. I don't know.

489
00:47:16,520 --> 00:47:21,960
I must point, if you want to start, I will ask any report on the committee meeting.

490
00:47:23,600 --> 00:47:28,220
Thank you very much and thank you, Mr. Leadwith, for explaining all of that.

491
00:47:28,820 --> 00:47:34,140
We did have a robust conversation about this and really do want to send a note of gratitude

492
00:47:34,140 --> 00:47:41,880
to everybody who stayed at the table and worked diligently to achieve this agreement, which

493
00:47:41,880 --> 00:47:49,340
has a lot of creative aspects to it, to try to accommodate different pieces for, as you

494
00:47:49,340 --> 00:47:49,660
mentioned.

495
00:47:49,660 --> 00:47:54,480
And we have certain employees who need a special accommodation here.

496
00:47:55,060 --> 00:48:00,680
I believe, if I remember correctly, that there are about 37, 39.

497
00:48:00,880 --> 00:48:02,040
39, thank you.

498
00:48:02,660 --> 00:48:05,220
Employees in this particular bargaining unit.

499
00:48:05,680 --> 00:48:09,700
And we appreciate all of them and are, again,

500
00:48:10,020 --> 00:48:14,020
grateful for their commitment to the residents of our town

501
00:48:14,020 --> 00:48:18,100
and for providing a professional and welcoming atmosphere

502
00:48:18,100 --> 00:48:22,840
You're here at Town Hall and thanks to those who helped negotiate this agreement.

503
00:48:24,140 --> 00:48:25,220
Thank you Ms. Bowen.

504
00:48:25,600 --> 00:48:27,440
Any other comments or questions?

505
00:48:28,340 --> 00:48:29,380
Well, they don't worry about it.

506
00:48:29,460 --> 00:48:29,740
It's all right.

507
00:48:30,840 --> 00:48:31,400
Dr. Harris.

508
00:48:32,400 --> 00:48:33,120
Thank you.

509
00:48:33,320 --> 00:48:34,480
Through you, Madam Mayor.

510
00:48:34,780 --> 00:48:34,880
Sorry.

511
00:48:35,120 --> 00:48:37,880
I was not in the F&A meeting.

512
00:48:38,260 --> 00:48:39,000
I'm just curious.

513
00:48:39,660 --> 00:48:41,500
You said several numbers there.

514
00:48:41,500 --> 00:48:50,260
What is the actual impact in terms of total dollars over the three-year period if you would know?

515
00:48:51,700 --> 00:48:55,320
Through you, Madam Mayor, to Councillor Harris's question.

516
00:48:55,520 --> 00:49:04,560
So the 3% general wage increase results in a total wage impact of $351,000 over the course

517
00:49:04,560 --> 00:49:12,920
of those four years, $27,000 in associated social security costs and Medicare costs.

518
00:49:13,500 --> 00:49:21,220
And the first year of the retroactive wage increased back to July 1st to $25,000 is $83,000.

519
00:49:22,460 --> 00:49:27,660
And was there any additional health care costs that we would be paying?

520
00:49:30,560 --> 00:49:50,940
So the way that the plan is set up, there's a fully-insured cost at the State Partnership Plan builds the town for health insurance and the employees will end up paying more for that health insurance, and so essentially it closes a gap between how much the town is funding for health insurance.

521
00:49:50,940 --> 00:50:01,780
So it moves from 20% of the fully-insured rate, but there's a cap on that 20% in terms of what their wages are.

522
00:50:01,940 --> 00:50:17,080
So it's a little bit of a complicated formula for finance to have to figure out for every individual, but that cap will increase from 5.75% up to 6.75% for employees higher prior to July 1st of 23.

523
00:50:17,080 --> 00:50:24,480
And then that number goes to seven and a quarter percent for employees that are hired after July 1st of 23.

524
00:50:24,680 --> 00:50:32,420
So it's essentially an eight to ten percent increase in the employees health insurance contributions over that time.

525
00:50:32,420 --> 00:50:34,120
Yeah, I know you said all those numbers.

526
00:50:34,320 --> 00:50:40,320
I just didn't quite understand what they were working across one other question.

527
00:50:41,760 --> 00:51:01,120
So I also had a question regarding who's doing these negotiations because we've had a few of these come through already and I just was wondering because I come from the Board of Ed where the Board of Ed members are part of the negotiating team or at least they're in those deliberations.

528
00:51:01,120 --> 00:51:08,420
and I was just wondering if that was ever a consideration that, you know, a town councilor

529
00:51:08,420 --> 00:51:12,760
or maybe more than one town councilor ever is part of these negotiations.

530
00:51:13,680 --> 00:51:19,000
Through you, Madam Mayor, and that's certainly a prerogative that the council could consider,

531
00:51:19,000 --> 00:51:24,660
so in the case that you're referring to. So the Board of Education, just so all of the town

532
00:51:24,660 --> 00:51:31,540
Council's nose, so the Board of Ed has 12 bargaining units and the teachers represent

533
00:51:31,540 --> 00:51:38,160
the, obviously, the largest bargaining unit on both the town and the school district

534
00:51:38,160 --> 00:51:44,680
and represent the largest dollar amount as part of that as well, so the Board does sit

535
00:51:44,680 --> 00:51:51,360
in on those negotiations for the teachers union but not for the other, well, for the administrators

536
00:51:51,360 --> 00:52:00,760
So those two units, so certainly happy to entertain that on the town side.

537
00:52:00,860 --> 00:52:03,120
I mean, our unions are much smaller.

538
00:52:04,400 --> 00:52:07,240
You know, this one's 39 employees.

539
00:52:08,080 --> 00:52:14,360
And under the teachers contract and the administrators contract,

540
00:52:15,180 --> 00:52:20,620
those are both covered under by state statute by the teacher tenure.

541
00:52:20,620 --> 00:52:23,740
or I'm forgetting that it's been a few years since I did it.

542
00:52:23,940 --> 00:52:26,500
So I'm forgetting the term that applies here,

543
00:52:26,500 --> 00:52:32,260
but those negotiations have to essentially have a very fixed time frame

544
00:52:32,260 --> 00:52:34,200
from which those negotiations take place.

545
00:52:34,380 --> 00:52:38,900
So you have to have that contract negotiated, mediated,

546
00:52:39,060 --> 00:52:42,360
and arbitrated by a specific date in November.

547
00:52:42,580 --> 00:52:46,820
So it starts in September and it's done by the middle of November.

548
00:52:46,820 --> 00:52:52,380
our contract negotiations like this one went back well over a year so it would

549
00:52:52,380 --> 00:52:58,140
take a lot of time for the counselors to to sit in on on something like that so

550
00:52:58,140 --> 00:53:02,260
but you know certainly happy to have that conversation further with with any

551
00:53:02,260 --> 00:53:07,880
of you so but again that teacher and administrator timeline is very condensed

552
00:53:07,880 --> 00:53:13,840
and you do it over the course of three meetings no thank you I appreciate

553
00:53:13,840 --> 00:53:20,180
at that. I do think, though, that as somebody who sat in those meetings, I do think you

554
00:53:20,180 --> 00:53:26,520
come away with a much deeper understanding of how the negotiations work, and I do think

555
00:53:26,520 --> 00:53:32,420
there's benefit to that, but to understand there is a much tighter timeline on it. Thank

556
00:53:32,420 --> 00:53:36,280
you. Thank you, Dr. Harris. Any other comments?

557
00:53:36,980 --> 00:53:45,740
questions. All right, all those in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. So that

558
00:53:45,740 --> 00:53:52,140
was G. The discussion was for G and each, right? No. That was just for G. Yep. Sorry. I did

559
00:53:52,140 --> 00:53:58,200
this figure. We do this one separately. Okay. Ms. Fullen. That's fine. All right. Are we going

560
00:53:58,200 --> 00:54:03,340
to do a roll call vote on the contract? Oh, I'm sorry. Yes. We will. Yep. We will go back

561
00:54:03,340 --> 00:54:05,840
I can do roll call. Yes. Thank you. It's on my notes.

562
00:54:05,940 --> 00:54:08,660
I'm sorry. Mr. David. Mayor Cantor.

563
00:54:08,680 --> 00:54:08,840
Yes.

564
00:54:09,960 --> 00:54:11,640
Councillor Harris. Yes.

565
00:54:12,480 --> 00:54:13,720
Councillor Lazarus. Yes.

566
00:54:14,060 --> 00:54:15,200
Councillor Lyons. Yes.

567
00:54:15,620 --> 00:54:17,020
Councillor McGuinness. Yes.

568
00:54:17,480 --> 00:54:18,760
Councillor Poorn. Yes.

569
00:54:19,180 --> 00:54:20,380
Councillor Walters. Yes.

570
00:54:20,860 --> 00:54:21,880
Councillor Wang. Yes.

571
00:54:22,380 --> 00:54:23,480
Councillor Wintergrim. Yes.

572
00:54:24,100 --> 00:54:26,620
9-0. Thank you, Mr. David off.

573
00:54:26,800 --> 00:54:28,640
Okay. Letter H. Ms. Poorn.

574
00:54:29,160 --> 00:54:30,000
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

575
00:54:30,000 --> 00:54:35,120
I move to adopt a resolution approving a collective bargaining agreement with CSEA,

576
00:54:35,360 --> 00:54:43,380
SCIU, local 2001, professional and management unit for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029.

577
00:54:45,200 --> 00:54:47,060
Second, thank you, motion's been made.

578
00:54:47,180 --> 00:54:48,120
Second, Mr. Libbich.

579
00:54:48,660 --> 00:54:56,180
Thank you, so a lot of the details that we just discussed in the clerical unit apply to this agreement as well.

580
00:54:56,180 --> 00:55:05,120
So our professional management bargaining unit represents 88 employees, so a little bit larger than our clerical unit, but

581
00:55:05,120 --> 00:55:13,500
again, a very important group of employees within our organization and it includes most of our community development team.

582
00:55:13,660 --> 00:55:21,980
So that's engineering, our building department, our planning and zoning, as well as employees from our employee relations,

583
00:55:21,980 --> 00:55:24,140
sorry, public relations, employee relations,

584
00:55:24,680 --> 00:55:29,480
economic development, IT, assessor's office,

585
00:55:29,900 --> 00:55:33,500
tax office, finance office, social services

586
00:55:33,500 --> 00:55:38,220
and leisure services, so they cover a wide spectrum

587
00:55:38,220 --> 00:55:41,220
of departments within the town.

588
00:55:41,580 --> 00:55:44,300
And there are a group, many of you have met

589
00:55:44,300 --> 00:55:46,500
and worked with and some of our committee work

590
00:55:46,500 --> 00:55:48,640
and had a chance to meet them.

591
00:55:48,640 --> 00:55:55,660
And it's a group that I work very closely with as well and rely on every single day.

592
00:55:55,900 --> 00:56:02,100
So they have a tremendous responsibility for managing some of the most important functions

593
00:56:02,100 --> 00:56:10,360
of municipal government, and their expertise is critical to our ability to provide outstanding

594
00:56:10,360 --> 00:56:12,700
services to our residents every single day.

595
00:56:13,400 --> 00:56:18,840
This agreement, again, as well addresses wages, health insurance contributions, as well

596
00:56:18,840 --> 00:56:24,620
as other conditions of employment, and this negotiation process took place over the

597
00:56:24,620 --> 00:56:30,080
same amount of time period that our clerical one did as well, and it was, again, tied to

598
00:56:30,080 --> 00:56:37,340
that pension issue of which we were not able to make any changes for tier 3 employees.

599
00:56:37,340 --> 00:56:46,240
And the negotiations were led by Josephine Agnello-Vili and our outside council Ken Weinstock.

600
00:56:47,200 --> 00:56:53,500
So similarly to the clerical unit does call for a 3% general wage increase in each of

601
00:56:53,500 --> 00:56:59,500
the four years and does have a retroactive increase back to July 1st of 2025.

602
00:56:59,500 --> 00:57:08,380
The total wage impact for this group is about $1.18 million over the course of those four years

603
00:57:08,380 --> 00:57:13,920
and Social Security and Medicare costs as well.

604
00:57:14,220 --> 00:57:20,040
And then the first that retroactive wage settlement for that first year is $290,000.

605
00:57:20,040 --> 00:57:29,280
So the same employee contributions to health insurance that we just discussed are enforced with this particularly unit as well.

606
00:57:29,960 --> 00:57:36,780
So we will increase, they pay 20% of that fully insured rate with a cap on their wages.

607
00:57:37,640 --> 00:57:45,160
But we will increase that cap from 5.75% to 6.75% for employees higher prior to February 24.

608
00:57:45,160 --> 00:57:52,240
And that capital rise to 7.25% for employees that were hired after February of 2024.

609
00:57:52,580 --> 00:58:00,560
And again, represents about an 8 to 10% increase in health insurance employee contributions into the health insurance,

610
00:58:00,560 --> 00:58:05,020
which helps offset the town's increase in those areas.

611
00:58:06,300 --> 00:58:10,240
There are several other targeted provisions to this agreement.

612
00:58:10,240 --> 00:58:25,520
We were struggling with hiring our full time librarians for Sunday hours so we do provide a hundred dollar differential for our library librarians who will work on Sunday.

613
00:58:26,800 --> 00:58:31,580
And then we have our building department, our IT department.

614
00:58:31,580 --> 00:58:57,660
And we have several different departments where we will have to call in employees like if we had a, you know, fire in the middle of the night, our building department would be called into, to go to that emergency, and we will provide a two hour comp time provision for those employees who are called out to work outside of the normal work day so that would include nights and weekends.

615
00:58:58,980 --> 00:59:05,320
and then our employees in this unit also earn cop time.

616
00:59:05,660 --> 00:59:07,680
So when they attend a meeting at night,

617
00:59:08,380 --> 00:59:09,960
like our planning and zoning staff,

618
00:59:10,180 --> 00:59:18,080
they do a compensatory time, compensatory time.

619
00:59:18,760 --> 00:59:21,340
And we will allow them to cash out

620
00:59:21,900 --> 00:59:24,380
five of those days each year.

621
00:59:24,380 --> 00:59:34,880
We, in the clerical unit, I described a scenario where we had hired someone who was participating in the MERS plan, retiring from another time.

622
00:59:34,960 --> 00:59:49,420
We also have someone in the professional management unit who retired from MERS and we hired so they cannot participate in our defined benefit plan and we carved them out and put them into a straight defined contribution plan.

623
00:59:49,420 --> 00:59:59,980
So that summarizes the negotiations for this particular bargain unit and I will pause there and through the amount of mayor happy to answer any questions.

624
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:29,920
Questions at the council head. Thank you, Mr. Lightwith, and the number of employees for this group. All right. I'm just following you on. Yes, thank you very much, Madam Mayor. And again, we did have a robust conversation about this at the conclusion of our Finance and Administration Committee meeting on Friday. Appreciate everybody's hard work in achieving this agreement as well. I think when you listen to the town manager talk about some of these compensatory

625
01:00:29,920 --> 01:00:37,760
time situations, it makes you realize that running the town is not a nine to five kind

626
01:00:37,760 --> 01:00:44,600
of a job Monday through Friday. I know many of us are frequent visitors to the library,

627
01:00:45,660 --> 01:00:51,240
nights, weekends, and particularly during the Sunday hours. So it does take a little extra

628
01:00:51,240 --> 01:00:59,760
to be open on Sundays. I think we're open about 10 or 11 Sundays a year now. And then similarly

629
01:00:59,760 --> 01:01:06,200
If you think about emergencies that might arise, either at town hall with IT work or any

630
01:01:06,200 --> 01:01:12,960
of our other buildings, it does take some time outside of the normal Monday through Friday

631
01:01:12,960 --> 01:01:16,200
9-5 and this agreement reflects that.

632
01:01:16,640 --> 01:01:21,760
I also just wanted to note, and this of course goes for the agreement that we just approved

633
01:01:21,760 --> 01:01:27,200
under item G as well, that when we adopted our budget this year, we did leave room in the

634
01:01:27,200 --> 01:01:31,400
a budget to cover these retroactive payments

635
01:01:31,400 --> 01:01:35,440
that we're going to be profaring to the employees

636
01:01:35,440 --> 01:01:36,960
who are covered under these agreements.

637
01:01:37,460 --> 01:01:41,140
So any concerns about the retroactive piece,

638
01:01:41,380 --> 01:01:44,600
that is there's room for that in our current town budget.

639
01:01:45,300 --> 01:01:47,200
So again, thank you to those who participated

640
01:01:47,200 --> 01:01:50,540
in the negotiation and I urge your support.

641
01:01:51,200 --> 01:01:52,060
Thank you, Ms. Bowling.

642
01:01:52,300 --> 01:01:54,120
Any other comments or questions?

643
01:01:54,120 --> 01:01:55,040
Okay,

644
01:01:58,060 --> 01:02:05,220
I just want to reiterate my thank you to, you know, both Josephine and Ken for their

645
01:02:05,220 --> 01:02:14,520
help on this, it's challenging and our pension has been a long, long time issue for the

646
01:02:14,520 --> 01:02:23,080
town and it really is important that we stick to our plan and not increase our liability.

647
01:02:23,080 --> 01:02:51,960
So I appreciate all of our everybody involved in negotiating getting to this point is important and just not only is the retroactive included in the budget but we also budget forward for the budget year of what the salaries were going to be so the impact we will not have a financial impact in the current year obviously going forward there will be again any other questions comments.

648
01:02:51,960 --> 01:02:56,300
All right, and we'll go through the roll call, Mr. David off.

649
01:02:56,560 --> 01:02:57,400
Mayor Canter.

650
01:02:57,460 --> 01:02:57,600
Yes.

651
01:02:58,580 --> 01:02:59,420
Councillor Harris.

652
01:02:59,860 --> 01:03:00,140
Yes.

653
01:03:00,460 --> 01:03:01,260
Councillor Lazarus.

654
01:03:01,420 --> 01:03:01,560
Yes.

655
01:03:02,020 --> 01:03:02,720
Councillor Lyon.

656
01:03:02,860 --> 01:03:03,020
Yes.

657
01:03:03,340 --> 01:03:04,040
Councillor McGinnis.

658
01:03:04,320 --> 01:03:04,520
Yes.

659
01:03:05,100 --> 01:03:05,880
Deputy Mayor Pohen.

660
01:03:06,140 --> 01:03:06,300
Yes.

661
01:03:06,920 --> 01:03:07,640
Councillor Walters.

662
01:03:08,000 --> 01:03:08,180
Yes.

663
01:03:08,540 --> 01:03:09,040
Councillor Wang.

664
01:03:09,540 --> 01:03:09,780
Yes.

665
01:03:10,100 --> 01:03:10,720
Councillor Winograd.

666
01:03:10,960 --> 01:03:11,100
Yes.

667
01:03:11,400 --> 01:03:12,020
Passes 90.

668
01:03:12,740 --> 01:03:13,920
Thank you, Mr. David off.

669
01:03:14,260 --> 01:03:14,680
All right.

670
01:03:15,300 --> 01:03:18,060
Now we are at reports from town manager, Mr. Good.

671
01:03:18,460 --> 01:03:18,860
Thank you.

672
01:03:18,860 --> 01:03:24,020
I'll begin the town manager's report with summary of upcoming council business

673
01:03:24,020 --> 01:03:31,100
We will have a public works facilities and sustainability committee meeting on Thursday, September 10th at 8 a.m

674
01:03:31,780 --> 01:03:38,800
And then our next council meeting takes place on Tuesday, September 22nd here in the council chambers at 7.30

675
01:03:38,800 --> 01:03:46,360
And have some several updates that I'd like to share with you. I know the no-webster statue

676
01:03:46,360 --> 01:03:49,340
I think spent some time on social media last week.

677
01:03:50,860 --> 01:03:57,300
But on Thursday, September 3, the NOAA Webster Statue was cleaned as part of ongoing maintenance

678
01:03:57,300 --> 01:03:58,540
work at Webster Walk.

679
01:03:59,160 --> 01:04:03,700
Specialized cleaning solution was applied to the statue causing it to turn reddish brown

680
01:04:03,700 --> 01:04:06,140
and alarming some of our residents.

681
01:04:06,880 --> 01:04:12,060
The discoloration was a reaction that occurs as the treatment kills and removes bacteria,

682
01:04:12,060 --> 01:04:17,000
a fungus and other biological growth that has accumulated on the surface.

683
01:04:17,960 --> 01:04:24,180
So the statue was rinsed and restored Friday morning, and now is looking better than ever.

684
01:04:25,520 --> 01:04:31,200
And Noah will also get his pointer finger re-installed, which I know has been on everyone's

685
01:04:31,200 --> 01:04:32,280
mind for many years now.

686
01:04:34,720 --> 01:04:39,480
The town has been awarded the Government Finance Officer Association's Distinguished Budget

687
01:04:39,480 --> 01:04:43,400
at presentation award for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026.

688
01:04:43,780 --> 01:04:45,980
This achievement reflects teamwork.

689
01:04:46,600 --> 01:04:49,240
Careful attention to detail in the dedication and

690
01:04:49,240 --> 01:04:52,880
numerous hours spent compiling and proofreading the budget document.

691
01:04:53,320 --> 01:05:00,440
Special thanks and recognition go to Patty Lewis, Lisa Newton, Erica Sledge, Jackie McLaughlin, Amy Sikola,

692
01:05:01,080 --> 01:05:07,480
Evan Siamento, Kerry Huffer, and the financial services staff who made this award possible.

693
01:05:09,480 --> 01:05:14,940
The residents are invited to a public information meeting on Thursday, September 10th at Elmore Community Center

694
01:05:14,940 --> 01:05:17,760
to learn about the Cain and Kennedy Brook flood study.

695
01:05:18,320 --> 01:05:26,080
This meeting will be held from 4.30 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a presentation from 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.

696
01:05:26,860 --> 01:05:31,600
Residents are encouraged to learn more about the study and submit comments or questions to Cain,

697
01:05:31,780 --> 01:05:37,180
Kennedy, at West Arford, C.T. Gov, by September 24th, 2026.

698
01:05:38,480 --> 01:05:43,660
Residents are invited to attend one of the AARP community workshop sessions to hear

699
01:05:43,660 --> 01:05:49,020
about the wage, well, age, well survey results and participate in breakout sessions to

700
01:05:49,020 --> 01:05:54,340
share feedback on what they need to thrive in West Hartford at any age.

701
01:05:54,460 --> 01:05:59,220
The workshops will be held on Tuesday, September 22nd at the Bishop's Corner Senior Center

702
01:05:59,220 --> 01:06:05,840
from 5.30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 8th at the Elmwood Community Center Auditorium

703
01:06:05,840 --> 01:06:14,140
from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and then again on Wednesday, November 4th at Town Hall from 5.30 to 7.30 p.m.

704
01:06:14,680 --> 01:06:20,180
Registration is encouraged, so please call Bishop's Corner Senior Center, Elmwood Senior Center,

705
01:06:20,900 --> 01:06:28,820
or email WHSC at westharfordct.gov, and of course Watkins are also welcome.

706
01:06:30,220 --> 01:06:34,560
And folks can visit our website to learn more about the West Harford Age Friendly Community

707
01:06:34,560 --> 01:06:35,160
initiative.

708
01:06:38,060 --> 01:06:43,040
September as we heard earlier is national preparedness month so one of the best ways to

709
01:06:43,040 --> 01:06:47,700
prepare is to get trained, learn valuable skills and join the West Hartford community emergency

710
01:06:47,700 --> 01:06:53,860
response team. The program is open to anyone 18 or older who lives or attend school in West Hartford.

711
01:06:54,400 --> 01:07:02,640
The next West Hartford Cert training class begins October 3rd, 2026. Since 2021 close to 400 residents

712
01:07:02,640 --> 01:07:07,800
that completed the training and donated over 12,000 hours of volunteer time to help

713
01:07:07,800 --> 01:07:10,200
that special events in town-wide emergencies.

714
01:07:12,950 --> 01:07:18,310
The Westart for Fire Department invites you to a special milestone presentation on Wednesday

715
01:07:18,310 --> 01:07:23,510
tomorrow morning, September 9th, at 10.30 a.m. in the town hall auditorium as they mark the

716
01:07:23,510 --> 01:07:27,870
10th anniversary of the paramedic program that began in 2016.

717
01:07:30,260 --> 01:07:34,340
The Board of Assessment Appeals will hold sessions for motor vehicle assessments on

718
01:07:34,340 --> 01:07:37,200
on the October 1st, 2025 grand list,

719
01:07:37,360 --> 01:07:40,060
meaning we'll be held in room 142 at Town Hall

720
01:07:40,060 --> 01:07:42,820
on Thursday, September 17th,

721
01:07:43,060 --> 01:07:45,380
from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

722
01:07:45,780 --> 01:07:49,240
and Saturday, September 19th, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

723
01:07:49,960 --> 01:07:52,380
The September appeals are heard on a first come,

724
01:07:52,560 --> 01:07:55,380
first served basis, the registered vehicle owner,

725
01:07:55,800 --> 01:07:59,380
owner or appointed agent must bring a completed application form

726
01:07:59,380 --> 01:08:00,920
to the selected appeals date,

727
01:08:00,920 --> 01:08:10,140
along with any information showing the assessor did not base the assessment on the vehicle's original MSRP.

728
01:08:10,940 --> 01:08:20,760
Please contact the assessor's office by calling 860-561-741-4 for questions regarding the Board of Assessment Appeals process.

729
01:08:20,760 --> 01:08:26,080
We now have three new food waste drop-off bins.

730
01:08:26,320 --> 01:08:30,740
We have one at Wulket Park at the Chatfield Drive Entrance,

731
01:08:31,300 --> 01:08:36,080
Beechelin Park at 847 South Quaker and Sterling Field

732
01:08:36,080 --> 01:08:39,020
at 836 Flat Push Avenue.

733
01:08:39,720 --> 01:08:42,600
Over 93 tons of food scraps have been diverted

734
01:08:42,600 --> 01:08:44,540
from the trash in just the past year,

735
01:08:44,900 --> 01:08:48,160
thanks to the more than 1,640 residents

736
01:08:48,160 --> 01:08:50,140
who have downloaded the Metro Key app

737
01:08:50,140 --> 01:08:52,020
to drop off their scraps.

738
01:08:52,680 --> 01:08:55,480
For a complete list of all 11 drop off locations,

739
01:08:55,660 --> 01:08:59,860
a more information, please go to our public works website.

740
01:09:01,560 --> 01:09:04,580
Applications are being accepted until September 15th,

741
01:09:04,660 --> 01:09:06,920
for the first emergency energy assistance cycle.

742
01:09:07,460 --> 01:09:11,200
Applications are available on the Generation Power CD website,

743
01:09:11,900 --> 01:09:14,600
formerly known as Operation Fuel,

744
01:09:15,120 --> 01:09:19,100
or by calling 860-243-2345.

745
01:09:19,100 --> 01:09:31,620
The next application cycles are December 1 through 15th, December 1 through 15th, 2026, and March 1 through 15th and 2027.

746
01:09:32,800 --> 01:09:41,360
West Harp Ferd Social Services is accepting applications for Connecticut's renters rebate program for eligible residents.

747
01:09:41,360 --> 01:09:46,240
the state of Connecticut renter's rebate program offers rebates up to $900 for

748
01:09:46,240 --> 01:09:54,280
Mary couples or $700 for an individual and please the deadline is to apply September 30th,

749
01:09:54,280 --> 01:09:59,080
so please contact our social services department for more information.

750
01:10:00,220 --> 01:10:06,820
And the Connecticut Department of Transportation is hosting a series of open-style public information

751
01:10:06,820 --> 01:10:13,460
meetings across the state for the Connecticut State Rail Plan. These meetings provide an opportunity

752
01:10:13,460 --> 01:10:18,660
to learn about the plan, speak directly with project team members and share feedback on the future

753
01:10:18,660 --> 01:10:23,820
of passenger and freight trail transportation in Connecticut. The Hartford meeting will be held

754
01:10:23,820 --> 01:10:32,760
on Tuesday, September 22, from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. at the Hartford Union Station at one union place

755
01:10:32,760 --> 01:10:38,180
and downtown Hartford. The updated Connecticut State Rail Plan is expected to be completed

756
01:10:38,180 --> 01:10:46,280
in the winter of 2027 and as we all know we hope to one day have a rail station right here

757
01:10:46,280 --> 01:10:51,300
in West Hartford so come on out and voice your support for such an endeavor here in town.

758
01:10:51,760 --> 01:10:57,260
So that concludes the town manager's report this evening, Madam Mayor. This is also will be

759
01:10:57,260 --> 01:11:03,280
available online for folks to download more information, but happy to answer any questions

760
01:11:03,280 --> 01:11:07,940
that you may have. Thank you, Mr. Ledwith. Are there any questions for the town manager?

761
01:11:09,580 --> 01:11:16,960
Mr. Dr. Wang. Thank you, through you, Mayor Canter, to town manager. Ledwith, just in

762
01:11:16,960 --> 01:11:26,360
terms of road paving, do we have any, is there, is the repaving and redesign of the other part

763
01:11:26,360 --> 01:11:29,460
of Park Road as well as Cedric Road still on track for this year.

764
01:11:30,380 --> 01:11:31,620
Through you, Madam Mayor.

765
01:11:32,600 --> 01:11:38,260
So we are on track to start the projects for both streets this season and complete

766
01:11:38,260 --> 01:11:39,200
them next season.

767
01:11:40,020 --> 01:11:44,320
So they won't be like Cedric, for example, won't be completely done this year.

768
01:11:44,500 --> 01:11:51,980
But we will start it and finish it up in the spring of 2007, I can't believe I'm saying

769
01:11:51,980 --> 01:11:52,220
that.

770
01:11:52,840 --> 01:11:53,240
Okay.

771
01:11:53,520 --> 01:11:53,640
Okay.

772
01:11:53,840 --> 01:11:54,400
You're welcome.

773
01:11:55,420 --> 01:11:55,820
Okay.

774
01:11:55,940 --> 01:11:56,180
Thank you.

775
01:11:56,260 --> 01:11:57,640
Any other questions for the time manager?

776
01:11:59,540 --> 01:11:59,940
Okay.

777
01:12:00,140 --> 01:12:02,740
Seeing none, go to reports from Corporation Council.

778
01:12:02,900 --> 01:12:03,320
Mr. Dodge.

779
01:12:04,300 --> 01:12:05,260
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

780
01:12:05,500 --> 01:12:08,680
I have no formal report, and we do not require an executive session.

781
01:12:09,280 --> 01:12:10,020
Thank you, Mr. Dodge.

782
01:12:10,100 --> 01:12:12,320
Are there any questions for Corporation Council?

783
01:12:13,500 --> 01:12:13,720
Okay.

784
01:12:14,780 --> 01:12:18,560
Seeing none, go to announcements, and I will try to do these quickly.

785
01:12:18,560 --> 01:12:24,820
Today, Hall Highs launched at Food Hall High Students, three environmentally-minded student

786
01:12:24,820 --> 01:12:28,940
researchers from Hall are conducting a survey to better understand residents awareness,

787
01:12:29,280 --> 01:12:34,120
ability, motivation, and barriers related to participation in the Food Scraps collection

788
01:12:34,120 --> 01:12:34,540
program.

789
01:12:35,000 --> 01:12:39,320
Over the next several months, they have learned about food waste, local sustainability efforts,

790
01:12:39,480 --> 01:12:42,980
and how neighbors across West Harvard think about diverting food scraps.

791
01:12:42,980 --> 01:12:48,340
Perhaps the survey will run from September 10th through September 30th, and all West

792
01:12:48,340 --> 01:12:51,660
Hartford residents are asked to take a few minutes to complete the survey.

793
01:12:52,180 --> 01:12:56,400
Your participation directly supports these students work and empowers them to develop

794
01:12:56,400 --> 01:13:00,960
thoughtful community-centered recommendations, and there's a link on our website.

795
01:13:02,460 --> 01:13:10,240
On these reports, special thanks to Eagle Scout, Erin Shamstein, as an alum of KP Jazz Band

796
01:13:10,240 --> 01:13:13,940
and a life scout at troop 163 and a current sophomore.

797
01:13:14,280 --> 01:13:18,740
And Jazz ensemble member at Hall High, Erin wanted to connect his passion for

798
01:13:18,740 --> 01:13:21,840
music with his gratitude for the West Harvard Public School Band Directors.

799
01:13:22,180 --> 01:13:27,900
And his Eagle Scout project is a team of volunteers building professional grade

800
01:13:27,900 --> 01:13:30,400
podiums for the band directors at King Philip, Bristol, and

801
01:13:30,400 --> 01:13:31,700
middle, Cedric middle schools.

802
01:13:32,180 --> 01:13:34,860
These conducting platforms elevate the band director and

803
01:13:34,860 --> 01:13:38,180
provide an effective way to lead students during concerts.

804
01:13:38,480 --> 01:13:39,020
That's really cool.

805
01:13:39,020 --> 01:13:40,060
Thank you, Erin.

806
01:13:40,820 --> 01:13:47,160
Real Albeer Festival will take this is the 11th annual, will take place on Saturday, September

807
01:13:47,160 --> 01:13:56,040
12th on at NOAA Webster House to 27 South Main Street, 1 to 4 p.m. local brewers were challenged

808
01:13:56,040 --> 01:14:01,640
to develop a special cast creation incorporating at least one ingredient found in NOAA Webster's

809
01:14:01,640 --> 01:14:08,100
18th Century Garden or Pantry and there's a link to get tickets protecting youth in a digital

810
01:14:08,100 --> 01:14:09,380
the world will take place.

811
01:14:09,520 --> 01:14:14,320
This discussion, important discussion will take place on September 15th, 630 to 8 p.m.

812
01:14:14,540 --> 01:14:21,040
at Town Hall, room 400, Marla Daken, LCSW Founder, and Clinical Director of Farmington

813
01:14:21,040 --> 01:14:26,440
Valley Counseling Center, and Mary McFee, Founder, and CEO of Grounded Logic and Executive Director

814
01:14:26,440 --> 01:14:29,180
of Grounded Minds, and there is a registration link.

815
01:14:30,220 --> 01:14:36,320
40th annual West Hartford Chamber Golf Tournament will take place on September 15th.

816
01:14:36,320 --> 01:14:39,760
This is the 40th Annual Golf Tournament at Wampanoag.

817
01:14:40,300 --> 01:14:43,460
Sign up for full day of golf, food, connections,

818
01:14:44,180 --> 01:14:48,280
and enjoy 18 holes of breakfast buffet on course games, cocktail,

819
01:14:48,560 --> 01:14:51,580
and it's a really great event and there is a link

820
01:14:51,580 --> 01:14:55,580
to the register. West Harvard Women's Corral

821
01:14:56,920 --> 01:14:59,980
invites prospective singers to attend its first

822
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:06,540
Members to rehearsals, September 15th and 22nd at 7 p.m. at Temple Sinai, New West 41 West

823
01:15:06,540 --> 01:15:12,760
Hartford Road in Newington. This offers a non- auditioned opportunity to learn and perform

824
01:15:12,760 --> 01:15:18,480
choral music and invites new singers to experience rehearsing with its four-part vocal group, no

825
01:15:18,480 --> 01:15:23,680
obligation to join, just come and sing. Greater Hartford Civility Summit will take place

826
01:15:23,680 --> 01:15:42,840
This right here, September 16th, civility matters, how we listen, lead, disagree and engage with one another, shapes the communities we build, join elected officials, municipal leaders, educator, nonprofit partners, and community leaders for a morning of meaningful conversation and practical tools to strengthen our civic culture.

827
01:15:43,540 --> 01:15:48,040
It will be 8.30 to 12.30 at Town Hall, and a light breakfast will be served.

828
01:15:48,200 --> 01:15:50,700
And I want to thank Adrian Billingsmith for her work on this.

829
01:15:50,820 --> 01:15:56,840
This came out of a Crog idea with the mayor of Weathersfield, myself, and Matt Hart.

830
01:15:57,580 --> 01:15:59,160
And it should be very interesting.

831
01:16:00,280 --> 01:16:08,940
Chamber Cabaret Saturday September 19th will take place in the Town Hall auditorium at 3 p.m.

832
01:16:08,940 --> 01:16:13,800
and this is West Harford Symphony Orchestra and Autumn Harvest Dinner, Blueback Squares

833
01:16:13,800 --> 01:16:18,540
Farmer Market and Delamar West Harford are hosting this dinner, October 25th from

834
01:16:18,540 --> 01:16:22,480
five to nine. This is the Farm to Table event thoughtfully curated for a

835
01:16:22,480 --> 01:16:28,740
course dinner by executive chef Michael Guia showcasing the freshest season line

836
01:16:28,740 --> 01:16:34,280
gradients and there is a link portion of the proceeds from every ticket will

837
01:16:34,280 --> 01:16:38,040
benefit the Blueback Square Farmer's Market and support its mission of

838
01:16:38,040 --> 01:16:47,040
Connecting local farmers, artisans, and residents, and we're grateful for all that they do and bring to this community any other announcements.

839
01:16:48,720 --> 01:16:52,080
Okay, I'll go to Mr. Walters, and I'll go to Ms. Lazarus, Ms. Walters.

840
01:16:52,760 --> 01:16:53,240
Thank you.

841
01:16:53,360 --> 01:16:54,860
I left you out of the other.

842
01:16:56,320 --> 01:17:01,520
Thank you, and through you Madam Mayor, and hopefully I'm not stealing council Lazarus thunder.

843
01:17:01,520 --> 01:17:04,720
will be open so we'll be able to

844
01:17:04,720 --> 01:17:08,340
access it and go in and have some fun.

845
01:17:10,460 --> 01:17:17,340
It's going to take place from 10 to 4 on Saturday October

846
01:17:17,340 --> 01:17:21,720
3. They are going to have like an antique trolley going

847
01:17:21,720 --> 01:17:25,240
back and forth giving rides. All kinds of activities.

848
01:17:25,840 --> 01:17:30,380
The street will be open so we'll be able to access it and go

849
01:17:30,380 --> 01:17:32,620
and have some fun and experience part growth.

850
01:17:33,140 --> 01:17:33,660
Thank you.

851
01:17:34,100 --> 01:17:34,680
That's great.

852
01:17:34,900 --> 01:17:35,220
Thank you.

853
01:17:35,280 --> 01:17:36,880
And we do have a meeting between then,

854
01:17:37,040 --> 01:17:39,060
so September 2nd, I'm sure it would have been on there.

855
01:17:39,520 --> 01:17:39,920
But go ahead.

856
01:17:40,120 --> 01:17:40,980
Go ahead, Ms. Lasker.

857
01:17:41,440 --> 01:17:42,060
Thank you.

858
01:17:42,240 --> 01:17:42,920
Through you, Madam Mayor.

859
01:17:43,100 --> 01:17:45,860
I just want to share with the public that,

860
01:17:46,420 --> 01:17:48,220
on September 21st,

861
01:17:48,440 --> 01:17:51,340
I will be moderating a community conversation

862
01:17:51,340 --> 01:17:53,140
that's sponsored by Wasco,

863
01:17:53,300 --> 01:17:54,600
West Hartford, African-Americans,

864
01:17:55,060 --> 01:17:56,880
social and cultural organization.

865
01:17:57,400 --> 01:17:59,080
The title of the conversation

866
01:17:59,080 --> 01:18:03,400
is beyond the ballot community conversation on civic engagement.

867
01:18:03,960 --> 01:18:09,000
So for folks who are interested in getting more involved in the community,

868
01:18:09,220 --> 01:18:15,140
this will be a great conversation, especially if you might be averse to politics or political conversations.

869
01:18:15,900 --> 01:18:23,760
The panelists include the honorable Secretary Thomas, Secretary of the State, Stephanie Thomas,

870
01:18:23,760 --> 01:18:27,320
Matt Conway, Executive Director at the Rise Up Group,

871
01:18:27,800 --> 01:18:32,900
Adrian Billing-Smith, who is the Employee and Development Community Engagement Manager for the town.

872
01:18:33,560 --> 01:18:38,060
Louis Rodriguez Porter, Director of Volunteer Services at Connecticut Food Share,

873
01:18:38,600 --> 01:18:43,500
and Elizabeth Marathono, President of Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans.

874
01:18:43,960 --> 01:18:50,300
It promises to be a great conversation on how to get more engaged outside of politics.

875
01:18:50,780 --> 01:18:51,020
Thank you.

876
01:18:51,200 --> 01:18:52,420
Thank you, Mr. Lazarus.

877
01:18:52,420 --> 01:18:53,740
are there, Mr. Lawrence?

878
01:18:55,040 --> 01:18:55,980
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

879
01:18:56,120 --> 01:18:58,260
I have something to mention, but I'm going to ask through you

880
01:18:58,260 --> 01:19:02,440
to Councillor Lazarus if there is a flyer for that event.

881
01:19:02,560 --> 01:19:03,300
Could you please share?

882
01:19:04,100 --> 01:19:04,400
We'll do.

883
01:19:04,600 --> 01:19:04,620
Thank you.

884
01:19:04,620 --> 01:19:05,100
I'll be grateful.

885
01:19:05,300 --> 01:19:05,980
Thank you very much.

886
01:19:07,480 --> 01:19:11,640
I always like to mention a town that cares for those with food

887
01:19:11,640 --> 01:19:13,540
and securities in need for food.

888
01:19:13,880 --> 01:19:16,620
We have a wonderful collection location right downstairs on the first floor.

889
01:19:16,800 --> 01:19:17,620
It's coming in the main entrance.

890
01:19:18,360 --> 01:19:19,780
Please think about our kids.

891
01:19:19,780 --> 01:19:24,200
think about the families that are in need and please consider bringing some

892
01:19:24,200 --> 01:19:28,820
non-perishable food donations. In any time they welcome any time during

893
01:19:28,820 --> 01:19:32,020
town hours and it is always greatly appreciated. Thank you. Thank you Madam

894
01:19:32,020 --> 01:19:43,760
Mayor. Thank you Mr. Lions. Any other? I'm doing Jewish holiday so I got that. All right.

895
01:19:44,820 --> 01:19:49,280
So I just one of the holiest days of the Jewish year are September 12th and

896
01:19:49,280 --> 01:19:56,220
13th and September 21st, so unfortunately we will not be able to attend WASCO, but I wish

897
01:19:56,220 --> 01:20:02,760
it's new year and then the day of atonement, so I do wish our Jewish family, our Jewish community

898
01:20:02,760 --> 01:20:11,300
members happy holiday, happy new year and a meaningful fast and safe fast. Are there any other questions?

899
01:20:12,640 --> 01:20:16,900
All right. With that without objection, I make a motion to adjourn. Is there any objection?

900
01:20:17,680 --> 01:20:18,960
We are now adjourned. Thank you.