City of Meriden, CT - June 2, 2003 Minutes

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

The Meriden City Council’s regular meeting of June 2, 2003 was convened at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Mark Benigni. Mayor Benigni led the Council in the salute to the flag and Matthew Dominello offered the invocation. The Clerk called the roll. Present: Robert Clermont, Matthew Dominello, Joseph Feest, Joseph Galotti, Keith Gordon, Brian Kogut, Patricia Lynes, George McGoldrick, Walter Shamock, Anthony Tomassetti and Stephen Zerio.

ABSENT: Michael Rohde was excused.

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Roger L. Kemp, City Manager.

Stephen Zerio, made a motion, seconded by Patricia Lynes, to bring forth a Consent Calendar and to approve the minutes of May 19, 2003 and to adopt the Consent Calendar as previously prepared. Motion carried unanimously.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 4. Presented by Brian F. Kogut.

Whereas, the City of Meriden has entered into an agreement with the following four (4) Unions; Public Works 740, MME 595, Nurses Unit 8, Supervisors Local 3430 regarding furlough days to restore laid off workers and those whose hours were reduced; and

Whereas, these agreements and the same furlough days for Management non-union will save the City $134,900, of which $101,900 is General Fund savings; and

Whereas, the cost of restoring the layoffs if $147,000 and the difference ($147,000 - $101,900 = $45,100) will come from the Health Benefits Account; and

Whereas, funds must be restored to the following Departments in those amounts indicated:

Development and Enforcement - $42,515

Social Security - $10,816 ; and

Whereas, the savings identified above will be transferred to these departments to avoid scheduled employee layoffs; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the City Manager is hereby authorized to transfer those savings identified above to those departments in the amounts indicated; and

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Be It Further Resolved, that this action be taken prior to July 1, 2003 to avoid employee layoffs; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the implementation of this resolution is contingent upon all Four Unions ratifying the concession agreement.

Referred to Finance.

Item 5. Presented by Anthony D. Tomassetti, Walter Shamock and Robert Clermont.

Whereas, the voters of the City of Meriden should have a role in deciding whether or not funding for costly public improvements should be approved; and

Whereas, that goal can best be accomplished by requiring that funding for projects which will cost $1,000,000 or more be approved by public referendum; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, pursuant to the provisions of Section 7-188 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, action to amend and revise the Charter of the City of Meriden be initiated in the manner and from hereinafter set forth; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the City Council shall appoint a Charter Revision Commission, by resolution adopted within thirty (30) days after adoption of this resolution, said Commission consisting of not less than five (5) nor more than fifteen (15) electors, no more than one-third of whom may hold any other public office, and not more than a bare majority of whom shall be members of the same political party; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the Charter Revision Commission to be appointed will be charged with drafting a revision of the existing Charter, to include the deletion of, amendment of, or revision of the existing sections thereof, or the addition of new sections thereto relating to the following matters: (1)consideration of amending Section C3-1 of the Charter to provide that the City Council may not approve the appropriation of funds in excess of $1,000,000 for any municipal improvement unless said improvement has been approved at public referendum; it being understood that dividing a project into phases, sections, or parts, payable over any period of time for which the aggregate cost would total more than one million dollars would violate such limitations and to provide that such referendum shall be held within thirty days of the date on which the City Council approves the holding of such referendum, and that the vote required for approval at such public referendum shall be a majority of those voting; (2)consideration of amending Section C3-3 of the Charter to provide that the City Council may not approve any public improvement requiring an appropriation in excess of $1,000,000 until the appropriation for said improvement has been approved at public referendum in accordance with the

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

procedure set forth in the Charter; (3)consideration of amending Section C4-2 of the Charter to provide that the Mayor may not veto the approval of any public improvement, and the appropriation therefore, in an amount of $1,000,000 or more when the same has been approved at public referendum in accordance with the Charter; (4)consideration of amending Section C7-1 of the Charter to provide that the Public Utilities Commission may not approve any public improvement costing $1,000,000 or more, nor expend any funds in connection therewith, until the same has been approved at public referendum; (5)consideration of amending Section C8-1 of the Charter to provide no supplies, materials, equipment, goods, or other commodities, nor any services may be purchased, nor any contract awarded, for any public improvement costing $1,000,000 or more until said improvement is approved at public referendum in accordance with the Charter; (6)consideration of amending Section C8-11 of the City Charter to provide that no purchase may be made, nor claim paid or payment made for any public improvement costing $1,000,000 or more unless said public improvement has been approved at public referendum in accordance with the Charter; (7)consideration of amending Section 8-13 of the City Charter to provide that the City may not incur any indebtedness by issuing bonds or notes for the costs of any public improvement costing $1,000,000 or more until said public improvement has been approved at public referendum in accordance with the Charter; (8)consideration of amending such other sections of the Charter as necessary to provide that no expenditure is made nor debt incurred in connection with any public improvement costing more than $1,000,000 until said improvement has been approved at public referendum in accordance with the Charter; (9)consideration of such other miscellaneous matters relating to the Charter as the City Council, the Mayor, or the City Manager shall refer to said Charter Revision Commission; and

Be It Further Resolved, that said Charter Revision Commission, when appointed, shall hold a public hearing or hearings in accordance with the provision of pertinent statutes, and shall submit its final report on its doings to this City Council on or before June 1, 2004; and

Be It Further Resolved, that a special appropriation in the amount of One Thousand ($1,000.00) Dollars be authorized to the Charter Revision Commission for the purpose of defraying necessary expenses, including, but not limited to, secretarial services, supplies and publication expenses utilized during the course of its deliberations.

Referred to Committee of the Whole.

Item 6. Presented by Mark Benigni, by request.

Whereas, the City Council recently approved the agreement between the City and the Fire Fighters Union; and

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Whereas, additional funds are needed in this year’s budget to make salary adjustments under this agreement; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the sum of $246,000 is hereby made available from the Contingency Fund for this purpose.

Referred to Finance.

Item 7. Presented by Patricia D. Lynes and Matthew C. Dominello, Sr.

Whereas, the Department of Human Services, Division of Senior Affairs, Meals-on-Wheels Program delivers 135 meals each day to homebound senior citizens in Meriden to help them remain in their own homes as long as possible; and

Whereas, many of these meals are paid for by State of Connecticut agencies and programs whose mission is also to help people continue to live independently at home as long as possible; and

Whereas, there is substantial paperwork involved in submitting the monthly billing to be reimbursed for providing these meals; and

Whereas, the Department of Human Services, Division of Senior Affairs, has one Clerk II position in the Meals-on-Wheels Program that has been vacant since February, 2003 due to the retirement of an employee; and

Whereas, this employee is responsible for completing grant reimbursement forms for the City under the Connecticut Homecare Program for Elders and the Department of Social Services; and

Whereas, while a General Fund position, this employee generates $125,000 in grant funds annually for the City; and

Whereas, this position is included in the City’s budget for both the current and upcoming fiscal years; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, tat the City Manager is hereby authorized to fill this position; and

Be It Further Resolved, that this position is a benefit to the City of Meriden since it is budgeted for $34,107, but generates $125,000 in program revenues annually for the Meals-on-Wheels Program.

Referred to Finance and Human Services.

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Item 8. Presented by Michael S. Rohde, by request.

Whereas, the City of Meriden and its residents are desirous of continuing to proceed with the construction of drainage improvements on Old Stagecoach Road; and

Whereas, a necessary component of this project is the acquisition of temporary and permanent easements along, on and across a portion of the land including, but not limited to, 212 Old Stagecoach Road, 533 South Broad Street, and 777 South Curtis Street; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the City of Meriden will acquire through eminent domain the temporary and permanent easements necessary for the construction of drainage improvements on Old Stagecoach Road, including, but not limited to, 212 Old Stagecoach Road, 533 South Broad Street, and 777 South Curtis Street.

Referred to Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

Item 10. Presented by Patricia D. Lynes, by request.

Whereas, the State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health, desires to maintain a preventive health and health services block grant award in an amount not to exceed $11,516 for the period effective 7/1/03 through 6/30/04; and

Whereas, the City of Meriden, Department of Human Services, Division of Health, desires to conduct a program to decrease the risk of premature death and disability from heart disease, stroke and certain cancers by reducing the risk factors of smoking for these; and

Whereas, this is a renewal grant that has received funding since 1983; and

Whereas, the receipt of this grant has no financial impact in the city’s general fund; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that Beth Vumbaco, RN, MS, Director of Health and Human Services is hereby authorized to execute a contract on behalf of the City of Meriden, Department of Human Services, Division of Health in accordance with the aforesaid project. Beth Vumbaco, RN, MS, Director of Health/Human Services shall process and submit all of the documents required that are relative to this contract.

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Item 11. Presented by Stephen T. Zerio and Brian F. Kogut.

Whereas, the City Council and the Board of Education have worked closely together to provide adequate funding for the education of the Meriden’s children; and

Whereas, this cooperation is more important than ever given the level of funding expected from the State of Connecticut this budget year; and

Whereas, the Board of Education hopes to have a budget surplus of approximately $300,000 for the current year, which funds would lapse into the City’s general fund at the end of the fiscal year; and

Whereas, the City Council can by special appropriation add funds in the amount of such surplus to the Board of Education’s budget for the fiscal year commencing on July 1, 2003; and

Whereas, such an appropriation would assist the Board of Education to meet their budget requirements for the coming fiscal year; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that it is the sense of the City Council that it would approve a special appropriation to the Board of Education for the 2003-2004 fiscal year in an amount equal to the amount of unexpended funds appropriated to the Board of Education for the 2002-2003 fiscal year, as soon after the amount of such surplus is ascertained.

Referred to Finance.

Item 12. Presented by Mark D. Benigni.

Whereas, the City is a member of the Quinnipiac Watershed Partnership (QWP); and

Whereas, the QWP is asking its partners to help financially support the organization; and

Whereas, the QWP is seeking a contribution of $250.00 from the City; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the amount of $250.00 is hereby approved from the Contingency Budget for this purpose.

Referred to Finance.

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Item 13. Presented by Michael S. Rohde.

Whereas, the Department of Parks and Public Works has five vacancies which have been funded in this year’s, as well as the coming year’s municipal budget; and

Whereas, these vacancies include the following positions – an Associate City Engineer, Custodian, Mechanic, Parks Maintainer, and Highway Maintainer; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the City Manager is hereby authorized to fill these five positions (Associate City Engineer, Custodian, Mechanic, Parks Maintainer and Highway Maintainer); and

Be It Further Resolved, that the above positions are filled effective July 1, 2003.

Referred to Finance.

Item 14. Presented by Brian F. Kogut, by request.

Whereas, the Department of Finance has two vacancies which have been funded in this year’s, as well as the coming year’s municipal budget; and

Whereas, these vacancies include the following positions, Director of Accounting and Accountant; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the City Manager is hereby authorized to fill these two positions (Director of Accounting and Accountant); and

Be It Further Resolved, that the above positions are filled effective July 1, 2003.

Referred to Finance.

Item 15. Presented by Brian F. Kogut.

Whereas, Walter Hubbard made a bequest to the City of Meriden of $50,000, with the direction that the net income from that gift be used for the care, maintenance and preservation of Hubbard Park; and

Whereas, Clarence P. Bradley also made a bequest of $50,000 to the City of Meriden, with the direction that the income be expended in the care and improvements of the public parks of Meriden; and

Whereas, these funds should be used together with other funds appropriated by the City Council at the direction of the City Council; now, therefore,

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Be It Resolved, that the following shall be enacted as Article IV, Section 10-24 of the City Code:

Section 10-24. Hubbard and Bradley Bequests.

All funds from the Hubbard bequest and the Bradley trust shall be expended only as appropriated and directed by the City Council for the purposes set forth in each of those bequests.

Be It Further Resolved, that this ordinance shall be effective upon passage and that publication hereof be dispensed with.

Referred to Finance for Public Hearing and Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

Item 16. Presented by Brian Kogut, by request.

Whereas, the operational expenditures and revenues have changed since the last budget period; and

Whereas, the income of the Meriden Water Department (Water and Fiscal Divisions) for the 2003-2004 Fiscal Year water use billings should approximately match the expense level; and

Whereas, the recurring rates include an increase in the basic service charge; and

Whereas, the budget proposed to the Meriden City Council for the Fiscal Year 2003-2004 for the Water Department (Water & Fiscal Divisions) is $7,699,230; and

Whereas, the Fiscal and Water Division budgets have been assessed a general fund allocation of $976,000; and

Whereas, the Public Utilities Commission finds it appropriate to maintain the commodity rate at Two Dollars and Forty Nine Cents per One Hundred (100) cubic feet; and

Whereas, the proposal includes increasing the basic service charge as follows:

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Meter Existing/Proposed

Size Semi-Annual Charge

1-1/4” & 1-1/2” $11.57 $20.80

8” $136.42 $195.56; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the aforementioned rates for the Meriden Water Department shall take effect June 1, 2003, and said rates shall be effective and due and payable for billings, due and payable December 1, 2003. Subsequent billings shall be due and payable on the first day of June and the first day of December each and every year thereafter until this Ordinance is further amended; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the rates and charges for water users of property located outside the territorial limits of the City of Meriden shall be fifty percent (50%) higher than the rates and charges noted above for the users located within the City of Meriden except where prohibited by Prior Contract or resolutions.

Referred to Finance for Public Hearing.

Item 17. Presented by Matthew C. Dominello, Sr., by request.

Whereas, the City’s Hanover Street Parking Lot is used by both the Police Department, those citizens using the Senior Citizens’ Center, and the general public; and

Whereas, the parking facility is presently at overflow capacity, with Police employees, senior citizens, and the public, having to park on the street; and

Whereas, it is desirable to free-up parking spaces at the Hanover Street Parking Lot for those senior citizens and members of the public that use this Center; and

Whereas, the City Manager is hereby directed to check into possible parking options for Meriden’s senior citizens that use our Senior Citizens Center; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the City Manager be directed to check into the number of additional parking spaces that could be provided by using a portion of the vacant lot located between the Police Department and the Senior Citizens’ Center for additional police parking; and

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Be It Further Resolved, that if the number of these parking spaces is significant, the City Manager is hereby directed to include the costs to improve the existing police parking lot in the City’s next Capital Improvement Project, which is presently being developed.

Referred to Public Safety.

Item 18. Presented by Matthew C. Dominello, Sr., and Anthony D. Tomassetti.

Whereas, the Police Department now participates in the State-Wide Narcotics Task Force of New Haven County; and

Whereas, under this program, the City receives $2,000 per month in State revenues, for a total of $24,000 for the coming fiscal year; and

Whereas, the Chief of Police wishes to have this revenue stream credited back to the Police Department to offset operating expenses and to fill two vacant positions in his command staff; and

Whereas, these vacant positions include one Captain and one Detective, who the Chief of Police would like to fill at the Sergeant level; and

Whereas, these two positions are critical to have sufficient command-level staff for the Department’s new City-Wide Community Policing Program; and

Whereas, the annual cost of filling these two positions is $8,000, which can be paid from this income stream; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that this State revenue source be credited back to the Police Department for this coming fiscal year; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the Chief of Police be allowed to fill the vacant positions of Police Captain and Sergeant.

Referred to Finance and Public Safety.

Item 19. Letter to City Council from Planning Commission re: Meriden Gas Turbines – Conservation Deed Restriction and their recommendation that the City accept the proposed Conservation Deed Restriction. Commission makes recommendation to maintain the wetlands in the area. Filed.

Item 20. Letter to City Council from Planning Commission re: 193 Hobart Street and their recommendation that the city dispose of this vacant lot. This transfer be conditioned upon no further primary structure to be placed on the lot and said lot is not to be used to increase density of any other property. Filed.

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Item 21. Bid Waiver from Richard Graham, Deputy Director of Public Works for pavement milling by Costello & Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming was filed.

Item 22. Bid Waiver from Steve Montemurro, MIS Director to suspend the process for RFQ003-13 for digital imaging was filed.

Item 23. Bid Waiver from Meriden Public Schools for Clapis Associates for $16,000 to do a partial upgrade of the sound system in the Maloney H.S. auditorium was filed.

Item 24. Letter to Mayor Benigni from Robert Shapiro, Sales Manager of A-1 Services of 127 Colony Street requesting that “one hour parking” signs in front of the old Home Club building and next to his business (at approximately 117 Colony Street) be removed. Referred to Public Safety.

Item 25. Claims submitted against the City by Richard & Noreen Wilcox, 202 Tumblebrook Road, Meriden; Barbara & William Schott, 196 Tumblebrook Road, Meriden; Carmen Salas, 841 Blackstone Village, Meriden; Wanda Mercado, 70 Randolph Avenue, Meriden; Barbara Bannon, 150 Hilltop Drive, Southington, CT. were referred to Legal and Safety & Risk.

Item 32. Meriden Municipal Pension Board Meeting Minutes of May 13, 2003 were filed.

Item 33. Meriden Police Department Monthly Report of April 2003 was filed.

Item 34. Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes of May 7, 2003 were filed.

Item 35. Public Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2003 were filed.

Item MNO36. Presented by Stephen T. Zerio.

Whereas, the Meriden Economic Resources Group, Inc. is the owner of properties located at One State Street and 50 East Main Street in Meriden; and

Whereas, the City holds a mortgage on said properties securing a loan in the original principal amount of $2,389,092.75, by note dated September 20, 2001; and

Whereas, the City holds an option and right of first refusal on said properties; and

Whereas, the City wishes to own said property at this time for flood control and economic development purposes; and

Whereas, the Meriden Economic Resources Group, Inc. is willing to transfer said property to the City in satisfaction of the above note and mortgage held by the City, and wishes to transfer control and management of and responsibility for the properties to the City as of July 1, 2003; and

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Whereas, the Meriden Economic Resources Group, Inc. presently claims that the assessment on said properties are in excess of the value of said properties, but has paid all taxes due on said properties to date; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the City Council approves the transfer of the above properties from the Meriden Resources Group, Inc. to the City in full satisfaction of its outstanding loan and mortgage to the City; provided that the Meriden Economic Resources Group, Inc. shall withdraw it presently pending tax assessment litigation for no additional consideration; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the City shall accept said properties in lieu of any taxes that might be due at the time of closing; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the City shall assume management and control of and responsibility for the properties as of July 1, 2003; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the City Manager and City Attorney are hereby authorized to execute all documents necessary to effectuate the above on behalf of the City.

Referred to Finance.

Item MNO37. Presented by Mark Benigni.

Pursuant to the provisions of the City Charter the following is appointed to the Human Rights Advisory Board:

Item MNO38. Presented by Patricia D. Lynes.

Whereas, the State of Connecticut, Department of Education, has notified the City of Meriden, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Youth Services of a preliminary grant award in an amount not to exceed $52,000 for a one year period from July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004; and

Whereas, the City of Meriden, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Youth Services, is requesting to submit a completed grant application in order to continue the overall operation of the Youth Services Division which provides the coordination of services to all Meriden youth; and

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Whereas, this is an annually renewable grant with the State of Connecticut, Department of Education; and

Whereas, this is a matching grant with the City of Meriden; now, therefore,

Be It Resoled, that the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Youth Services, is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract for a continuation grant from the State of Connecticut, Department of Education, in such form and manner as required by the State Department of Education, in an amount not to exceed $52,000; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the Director of Health and Human Services, Beth Vumbaco, is hereby authorized and directed to sign such contract, and that the Division of Youth Services is hereby designated to administer said program and all activities will be carried out under the direction of Beth Vumbaco, R.N., M.S., Director of Health and Human Services.

Item MNO39. Presented by Brian F. Kogut, by request.

Whereas, the City of Meriden and Local #740, Meriden Municipal Public Works employees entered into negotiations for a wage reopener; and

Whereas, the parties have reached a tentative agreement; and

Whereas, the wage increases are at market level; and

Whereas, Local #740 has agreed to forego Lincoln’s Birthday for a Floating Holiday, an estimated savings of 16k per year in overtime; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the Personnel Director be authorized to formally enter into this agreement with Local #740; and

Be It Further Resolved, that $45,946 be transferred from the Contingency Fund to the appropriate salary line items to cover the salary costs.

Referred to Finance.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

Item 1. Presented by Matthew C. Dominello, Sr.

Whereas, each year the Meriden Probus Club honors two educators who have contributed to the betterment of education in Meriden, and who have shown their

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

continuing dedication to their profession, and Cynthia Fuda has been selected as one of this year’s honoree’s as “Probus Club Educator of the Year”; and

Whereas, Cynthia, native of Meriden, is currently the Special Education teacher at John Barry School, a position she has held for the past 20 years; and

Whereas, Cynthia’s teaching career began upon receiving her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Special Education/Elementary Education from St. Joseph’s College and her Master’s Degree in Special Education at Southern Connecticut State University; and

Whereas, Cynthia has participated in the EASE Program, has been the Assistant Director of the John J. Nerden RTC Camp and in her spare time is currently a member of the Civitan Club and School Board Member at Mt. Carmel School; and

Whereas, Cynthia is certainly worthy of this award as evidenced by her commitment to her students, her profession, and her community; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the Mayor and City Council does hereby publicly congratulate Cynthia upon being named the Probus Club Educator of the Year for 2003 and that Tuesday, June 3, 2003 be proclaimed as “Cynthia Fuda Day” in the City of Meriden, Connecticut, in honor and appreciation for her accomplishments and dedication in the school system; and

Be It Further Resolved, that a copy of this resolution be posted at John Barry School so that Cynthia’s fellow teachers and students may publicly take notice of her special day and to express their appreciation to her for the dedication she continues to display in her profession.

Adopted and Presented on the 2nd of June 2003.

Matthew Dominello, made a motion, seconded by Stephen Zerio, to adopt. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Benigni asked Deputy Majority Leader Dominello, Majority Leader Zerio and Minority Leader Feest to join him and Ms. Fuda and in the ellipse. The Mayor gave Ms. Fuda a framed copy of the resolution.

Item 2. Presented by Matthew C. Dominello, Sr.

Whereas, two educators who have contributed to the betterment of education in Meriden are selected each year by the Meriden Probus Club, and Matthew C. Dominello, Jr. is being honored as one of this year’s honorees as “Probus Club Educator of the Year” for his continuing commitment to education; and

Whereas, Matthew, a native of Meriden, is the Speech/Language Pathologist at Thomas Hooker School for 23 years; and

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Whereas, Matthew has received his Bachelor of Arts in 1978 and a Master of Science Degree in 1981 from Southern Connecticut State College; and

Whereas, Matthew is the Evening Program Director for the John J. Nerden RTC Camp and a teacher for EASE evening program at Platt High School; and

Whereas, Matthew is a parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, member of the Meriden-Wallingford Civitan Club, member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the Connecticut Speech-Language Hearing Association; and

Whereas, Matthew, is husband to Pamela Dominello, and they have two sons, Michael and Nicholas; and

Whereas, Matthew is certainly worthy of this award as evidenced by his commitment to his students, his profession, and his community; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the Mayor and City Council does hereby publicly congratulate Matthew upon being named the Probus Club Educator of the Year for 2003 and that in honor and appreciation for his accomplishments and dedication in the school system; that Wednesday, June 4, 2003 be proclaimed as “Matthew C. Dominello, Jr. Day” in the City of Meriden, Connecticut; and

Be It Further Resolved, that a copy of this resolution be posed at Thomas Hooker School to allow Matthew’s fellow teachers and students to take notice of his special day and to express their appreciation to him for the dedication he continues to display in his profession.

Adopted and Presented on the 2nd of June 2003.

Matthew Dominello, made a motion, seconded by Stephen Zerio, to adopt. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Benigni asked Deputy Majority Leader Dominello, Majority Leader Zerio and Deputy Mayor Shamock to join Mr. Dominello and his family in the ellipse. The Mayor gave Mr. Dominello a framed copy of the resolution.