The HDTC met on March 1st, 2011, these are the minutes.
Haddam Democratic Town Committee
Minutes
March 1, 2011
Attendance: Chris Alexy, Peter Arsenault, John Bosco, Lauren Braren, Carole Clew, Diane Clowes, Rusty Clowes, Marge DeBold, Sean Donlan, John Fernandes, Sabrina Houlton, Ann Huffstetler, Dave Kapitulik, Kim Kelly, Bruno Morasutti, Bob Norton, Susan Oehl, Helen Reeve, Susan Rutty, Kathleen Sullivan, and Dawn Tarbetsky. Guests: Ed Schwing and Bob Waller
The meeting was called to order at 7PM by Chairman Sean Donlan and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Diane Clowes, seconded by Rusty Clowes: To accept the minutes of the February 8 meeting as distributed earlier. So voted.
Treasurer John Fernandes reported that there was $2636.17 in the treasury and that there had been no action during the month. Motion by Ann Huffstetler, seconded by Dave Kapitulik: To accept the report. So voted. It was noted that we need to add a considerable amount to that sum in order to have a successful election in November.
Public Comments: Sabrina Houlton wants to get the Community Relations Committee reactivated in March (meeting scheduled for Tuesday, the 15th at 7:30PM at Brookside Restaurant). Others who are interested are invited to attend.
Committee members were reminded to take down any political signs, and return them to the Chairman’s porch if desired.
Bob Waller, visitor, was introduced.
Old Business: The Chair thanked all members and others who helped, in their many different ways, to get Phil Miller elected as our new State Representative.
There was general discussion about Haddam’s vote in the recent Special Election and why there were more votes in our town for the Republican candidate, even though Phil Miller won in the other three towns. Some of the ideas expressed follow, in no specific order: The majority of voters in town are Unaffiliated and they may be leaning to the Republican side. We might want to inquire of a near-by town to see why they had greater success at getting D voters out. Lon Seidman might have some good input. It was noted that the R’s had unofficial checkers at the voting places, and may have encouraged R voting during the day. We should pay more attention to our potential absentee voters. All individuals (both committee and non-committee) who worked locally to get Phil Miller elected should be thanked by the DTC. We want to be seen as an effective, unified group, while allowing for diversity of opinion. We would benefit by having some rallying issues; perhaps we should regularly add a topic of interest to the agenda for Committee discussion. Several ideas were mentioned and passed onto the Community Relations Committee for consideration. We should keep up with what is going on in town by checking the town’s website for commission and board minutes or by having reports given at our meetings.
It was mentioned that there would be a Community Conversation about the purpose of public education on Saturday, April 9 from 9AM to 1PM at the HK Middle School.
Bob Waller gave information about a two day conference – Campaign School – on April 8 and 9. Anyone interested should look at the information provided, or speak to the Chair.
New Business: Ann Huffstetler noted slots that would be open in the coming November election: First Selectman, Selectmen (2), Tax Collector, Treasurer, Board of Finance (2), Bd. of F. alt. (1), Bd. Of Assessment Appeals (1), Planning and Zoning Comm. (3), PZC alt. (1), Zoning Bd. of Appeals (3), ZBA alt. (1), Bd. of Education (3).
Motion by Rusty Clowes, seconded by Peter Arsenault: To amend tonight’s agenda to include consideration of action taken to replace Liz Millardo upon her formal resignation as Board of Finance alternate. So voted. It was reported that Liz Millardo is in the process of resigning her position as Bd. of F. alternate and that Diane Stock has expressed interest in replacing her. Discussion followed about the need to act quickly as the budget sessions are just getting underway. Also discussed was how to go about that nomination process. Motion by Sabrina Houlton, seconded by Kim Kelly: To direct the DTC Chairman, upon the resignation of Liz Millardo, to recommend to the Haddam Board of Selectman that Diane Stock be named to replace her as Board of Finance Alternate. Discussion: Many members spoke in favor of the motion. Others recommended that we should take more time to determine whether she has the needed experience. Motion by Sabrina Houlton, seconded by Kathy Sullivan: To Call the Question. So voted. (passed by more than two-thirds of those voting). On the original motion: To direct the DTC Chairman, upon the resignation of Liz Millardo, to recommend to the Haddam Board of Selectman that Diane Stock be named to replace her as Board of Finance Alternate. So voted. The Chair will call Diane Stock.
Motion by Sean Donlan, seconded by Marge DeBold: To make Linda Rigono a member of the HDTC. So voted.
Dave Kapitulik raised concerns that the Governor plans to transfer the operation of the state’s seventeen vocational-technical schools from the state to local school districts. He explained why he feels that the current high quality of services would be compromised by such a change.
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie DeBold
Secretary, pro tem
The next meeting of the HDTC: Tuesday, April 5 at 7PM at the Town Hall.
