Common Council votes Yes on Poultry and Livestock Ordinance

The Common Council voted unanimously to amend Article 1, the "Keeping of Certain Animals Restricted." city ordinance Sec. 107-1. Previous to the vote council members discussed the concerns expressed by 5 members of the public, weighing that against years of failed attempts by the council to vote in favor of amending the ordinance. In an unusual compromise the Mayor promised to veto the ordinance later in the week, if the entire farming community comes together with a letter of protest to speak with one voice in opposition to the amended ordinance. To address some of the farmers concerns two amendments where added to the submitted ordinance; one stating that federal and state law would superseded the ordinance, and a second adding language to make the ordinance more specific, and less arbitrary. During the deliberations Council member Bauer argued for a motion to postpone, stating that  amendments to the changes would not be adequate to properly address the concern he

Trains, Riverfront and farming--part of the cities heritage.

and some members of the public had with the language of the ordinance. Middletown's Chief Public Health Sanitarian Sal Necsi told the Council that he supported the "new" ordinance, stating that it would allow Middletown residents to live a more self-sustainable lifestyle, and keep with what is being taught in classes offered at the Middletown's Vocational Technical school. He noted that the current ordinance was hard to enforce, and not in keeping with current state statues. One member of the public, Mr. Hasbrouck who owns 19.5 acres of un-farmed land stated to the council that they and the city should not lose sight of Middletown's historical origins as represented in the city seal hanging in council chambers. While he agreed the current wording of the ordinance reached to far, he stated that the proposed solution goes to far, and worried that if he did decided to farm his land, that the new requirements would be too burdensome, and that the grandfather
exemption for current farms would not apply to his property. As a final nod to the farming community Councilmember Pessina, urged the Mayor to appoint a member of the farming community to the Board of Health so that they might have a seat at the table in future deliberations on similar topics. While the document on the right was not mentioned at the council meeting, the city did complete a Farmland Viability Grant Final Report 2008, (open link and scroll to the bottom of the page.)  two of the recommendations are particularly pertinent to this ordinance and the discussion over adapting it 1.) the creation of a City Agricultural Commission, (seems  this might replace the need for an appointment to the board of health as suggested by Councilmember Pessina and 2.) a recommendation that all city Zoning Regulations be reviewed to create a modern definition of farming and agriculture.

Other actions taken by the council included authorizing the Mayor to bond $355,000. to assist Middletown Youth Soccer (MYS) so that they might satisfy their financial obligations with De Rita Construction and complete the creation of two fields on Long Hill Road. Part of the agreement with MYS is that the 99 year lease will be be relinquished, and that the Middletown Public Schools will have access to the Country Club Road soccer fields. Councilmember Serra stated that "if  the city does not help what will 1500 individual children do; it's time to step up to the plate." Mr Bauer noted that the the MYS program is one of the most cost efficient programs offered in the city. He said "you can't take your childhood back" lamenting that he would have liked to have had the same opportunity when he was younger.  Also noted was the relationship to the Recess Rocks Get out and Play award  wining video production at Macdonough, and what a "win-win approving this resolution was for  everyone in the city." The measure passed unanimously.

The Democrats Cauc

A resolution to affirm the Eckersley Hall Building Committee was voted on favourably. The named Chair and Vice Chair Concilmembers Klattenberg and Pessina respectively, promised a "bipartisan collaboration" to see the project through. Others named to the committee are August DeFrance, Ed Dypa, Larry Riley, Ed Monarca, Trevor Davis, William Wasch, Ryan Kennedy, and the lone female appointee Annabelle Malone. Councilmember Faulkner asked that everyone "think out of the box" when they sit down at the committee table and really look into the future to creatively plan for this project.

Measures that passed with little or no discussion included moving to approve the annual Feast of St. Sebastian at an expense to the city of roughly $3000. Appropriating $22,500 for architectural services to be used by the Middletown High School Locker Room Building Committee. Amending chapter 74 of the Retirement board.  Urging the CT DOT to complete the lighting project of the Arrigoni Bridge as well as including mandatory night work, and underwater inspection of the piers and base of the bridge to the current project plans that will repair the bridge's structure. The meeting closed with an acknowledgement by Council Serra of the appropriateness of the Mayor authorizing $2500 from his contingency fund to help pay for the cost of the of Xavier High School Championship Rings, and noted that this would roughly cover the expense of the rings for the students who live in Middletown.