ATTENDANCE: Michael Coffey, Chairman; Richard McQuaid, Douglas
Sutton, Kelly Straniti

STAFF: Peter Nolin, Corporation Counsel; Linda Guliuzza, Assistant
Corporation Counsel

OTHERS: Thomas Hamilton, Director of Finance; Stephen Kitts, Kathy
Watts, Athena Coroneos, Susan Lane, Wes Small, JoAnn Gardella

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Coffey called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Mr. Coffey called the roll and announced there was a quorum present.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Let it be noted that the following comments and remarks by all speakers have been summarized and are not necessarily verbatim.

Massage Parlor Ordinance

Mr. Coffey then open the public hearing on the proposed ordinance for the City of Norwalk regarding massage parlors at 7:06 p.m. He then asked if there was anyone present who wished to speak for or against the issue.

Mr. Stephen Kitts of 3 Beckwith Road, Haddam, CT was the first speaker. He introduced himself to the Committee and stated that he was the Executive Director of the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy, also referred to as CCMT. CCMT is the only school in Connecticut dedicated executively to training professional massage therapists.

Mr. Kitts stated that since 1993, the State of Connecticut has been issuing licenses for massage therapy. Currently, there are over 3,600 of these licensed professionals practicing throughout the State. A majority of these professionals are graduates of CCMT. Massage therapists have worked with the medical professionals to gain increasing recognition as health care professionals.

Mr. Kitts said that the licensed massage therapists share a common concern with the City regarding those who conduct illegal activities that negatively impact the community in the name of massage. These illegal activates damage the reputation of massage therapy. Licensed massage therapists understand the City’s concerns with so-called massage parlors and massage therapists will work collectively with both the State and local municipalities to assist with appropriate regulations.

Senator Bob Duff has recently successfully co-sponsored Public Act 07-35, which will take effect on January 1, 2008. The language of this law is significant and must be taken into account by every municipality that has an existing massage parlor ordinance or is considering the establishment of one.

Mr. Kitts said that massage therapists are willing to work with the City to develop a reasonable and effective legal policy to achieve a goal that does not unfairly penalize or burden ethical, state licensed massage therapists.

Ms. Kathy Watt of 48 Cedar Crest Place in Norwalk addressed the Committee next. Ms. Watt stated that she was a licensed massage therapist in the State of Connecticut, a resident of Norwalk, and the Dean of Students at the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy at the Westport campus. She stated that CCMT was the oldest accredited massage therapy school in the State of Connecticut and is exclusively dedicated to training massage therapists. Steve Kitts 28 opened the school years ago at the main campus in Newington. The Westport campus has been open for 15 years and the Groton location for four years. The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation accredits the School, students are eligible to receive federal financial aid and Pell grants for attending CCMT and the Connecticut Commission of Higher Education approves the school. Some of the courses are accepted for accreditation at Charter Oak State College. Ms. Watt then reviewed some of the many courses that students at CCM take for graduation. The students received diplomas that allow them to sit for the New York licensing exam, and or the National Certification Exam. The National Certification Exam must be passed in order to be licensed.

Ms. Watt said that legitimate licensed massage therapists are in support of Norwalk regulating the adult entertainment establishment existing in the City. Senator Bob Duff’s co-sponsored Public Act 07-35; the City will have the tools to prosecute the illegal adult entertainment businesses. This state statute prohibits anyone other than a licensed massage therapist or holder of another applicable license from using the titles “massage therapist”, “licensed massage therapist”, “massage practitioner” or “masseuse”. It also prohibits advertising that would use any manner using the term of “massage” unless the services are to be provided by a licensed massage therapist.

When the new State of Connecticut bill limits the use of language by the adult entertainment industry goes into effect on January 1st, 2008, the proposed ordinance by Councilman Coffey should remove references to that terminology from the ordinance or exempt licensed massage therapists and their establishments. Licensed massage therapists are not the ones that need regulations. It is important that the Common Council and the ordinance committee of the City review the proposed ordinance and make those corrections. The professional massage therapists would like to work cooperatively with the City to develop a reasonable and effective legal policy to achieve the goals but does not unfairly burden the ethical licensed massage therapists of the State of Connecticut.

Athena Coroneos, of 14 Theodore Lane in Norwalk addressed the Committee next. Ms. Coroneos greeted the Committee and stated that she was a licensed massage therapist and has been for ten years. She said that she graduated from CCMT and has also taken adjunct studies at the Swedish Institute in New York City.

Ms. Coroneos said that she had a real passion for her work. She formerly worked as a nursing student who injured her back. This led to Ms. Coroneos seeking alternative treatment including chiropractic treatment and massage therapy. It helped tremendously. She has developed such a respect for the massage process that she had worked with newborns to those who are 102. It also provides relief for those undergoing chemotherapy, stroke patients, MS and cardio vascular surgery patients. Ms. Coroneos attended the Olympics for the 2002 Winter Olympics and 2004 Summer Olympics with the U.S.A. Massage Therapy team. There is a grueling background check to do this.

Ms. Coroneos said that it is wrong to classify massage as illegitimate. She suggested that the City needed to concentrate on massage parlors, not on massage therapists, who are licensed and attend rigorous programs. It is wrong to sully legitimate therapists by classing them with massage parlors, which is a euphemism for prostitution. She suggested that the landlords also be held accountable for renting their property to people who are conducting illegal businesses. Ms. Coroneos said that it would be wrong to outcast licensed therapists by fingerprinting them or taxing permits. It is more important to pursue the people who need to be removed from the businesses. She concluded by saying that she was proud to call herself a licensed massage therapist.

Susan Lane, of 80 Gregory Boulevard, addressed the Committee next. She said that she was a licensed massage therapist who has worked in Norwalk for thirty years. She said that she felt she could speak for many ethical massage therapists that work in Norwalk when she said that it would be important to work out a solution to the massage parlor problem. This solution should not penalize the licensed massage therapists or restrict the ability of the licensed therapists to earn a living. Ms. Lane said that she was supportive of all the efforts of the City and State legislators, along with the law enforcement, to put an end to the illegal businesses that operate under the guise of massage, but are really adult entertainment. These businesses give legitimate massage a bad name. Ms. Lane stated that is why she contacted Senator Duff and Mr. Kitt, the Director of CCMT. Together, they crafted the Public Act 07-35 that will give all the towns and cities in Connecticut the laws that have been long needed to fight and eliminate massage parlors once and for all.

In the ordinance proposed for Norwalk, Ms. Lane said, there were areas that need work in order not to unfairly restrict licensed, ethical massage therapists. She said that she believed that these points could be worked out in a spirit of cooperation between the Committee and the ethical massage therapy community. It must be carefully thought out to avoid creating new problems.

Ms. Lane warned that when Public Act 07-35 takes effect in 2008, the ordinance may need revision. It is also important to keep in mind that the wording of Public Act 07-35 and plan accordingly. It is incumbent on the ordinance committee and the ethical massage therapy community to continue to work together for as long as it takes to eliminate massage parlors and all like establishments. But at the same time, it is important to maintain a friendly and safe environment for the ethical massage therapists to earn a living.

Wes Smalls, of 10 Oliver Street, said that he would just like to reiterate the points that had already been made. He said that he has been a massage therapist for 14 years and that he is located right down the street from City Hall at Maritime Therapy Massage.

Joann Gardella, of 10A Tommy’s Lane, greeted the Committee and stated that she has been a resident of Norwalk for 38 years. She said that her husband has been a resident for 52 years. In January, Ms. Gardella’s husband became nationally certified to practice massage. This is his second career. Ms. Gardella said that Ms. Lane’s comments were elegantly said. Ms. Gardella said that she was concerned about the language that was included in the proposed ordinance, because it could preclude Mr. and Mrs. Gardella from using their office, which is located in their home. She said that she had no problem with following every other ordinance, but the language that is currently included will prohibit the Gardella’s from running their legitimate business from their home.

Ms. Gardella said that she believes the language will make it impossible for a therapist to practice massage therapy at a client’s home, which comprises about 50% of the Gardella’s business. Ms. Gardella said that she would be happy to have the Health Department come in and inspect, or she is happy to pay a license fee, but not being able to run her business from her home will cause a problem.

Mr. Coffey then asked if there was anyone else present who wished to speak for or against the proposal. He repeated the request two more times. Hearing none, Mr. Coffey closed the public hearing on the proposed ordinance for the City of Norwalk regarding massage parlors at 7:20 p.m.

Retiree Medical Trust Ordinance

Mr. Coffey called the public hearing on the Retiree Medical Trust Ordinance to order at 7:20 p.m. Mr. Coffey then asked if there was anyone present who wished to speak for or against the proposed Retiree Medical Trust Ordinance. No one from the public wished to address this issue. Mr. Coffey repeated the call for anyone present who wished to speak for or against the proposed Retiree Medical Trust Ordinance two more times. Hearing none, Mr. Coffey closed the public hearing on the Retiree Medical Trust Ordinance at 7:21 p.m.

SPECIAL MEETING

The Committee then moved into the special meeting portion of the agenda at 7:22 p.m.

a) Massage Parlor Ordinances

Mr. Coffey said that he had met with Mr. Kitts, Ms. Lane and Ms. Watt at 6 p.m. to discuss the proposed ordinance. Prior to this, a request had been sent to CCM for copies of legislation on massage parlors in other towns. The current proposal was drafted from the Stratford ordinance and has been revised.

Atty. Nolin stated that there would be a copy of the revised draft posted on the City’s website

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO TABLE THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE ON MASSAGE PARLORS TO THE SEPTEMBER MEETING.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Sutton left the meeting at 7:25 p.m.

b) Retiree Medical Trust Ordinance

** MR. COFFEY MOVED TO APPROVE THE RETIREE MEDICAL TRUST ORDINANCE.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

c) Project Labor Agreement

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO APPROVE THE PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

ADJOURMENT

Mr. Coffey adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Service