TOWN OF EAST WINDSOR
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
I. TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING
Mrs. Roberts called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at the East Windsor Town Hall.
II. ATTENDANCE
SELECTMEN PRESENT:
Linda Roberts, First Selectman
Al Regina, Selectman
Kenneth Crouch, Deputy First Selectman
Thomas Sinsigallo, Selectman
Michael Balf, Selectman
III. ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
IV. PREVIOUS MINUTES
A. Joint Meeting Minutes of January 20, 2004
MOTION: To accept the January 20, 2004, minutes as presented.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Balf.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED
B. Regular Meeting Minutes of February 3, 2004
MOTION: To accept the February 3, 2004, regular meeting minutes as corrected.
Correction: Public Participation: Peter Nevers resides on South Main Street, East Windsor.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Regina.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED
C. Special meeting minutes of February 10, 2004
MOTION: To accept these minutes as presented.
Made by Mr. Regina, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED
V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Marie DeSousa, Vice Chairman, Democratic Town Committee – Ms. DeSousa addressed the issues raised by Mr recently in connection with the election of Democrat Paul Catino to the Board of Finance. This concern was brought to the Secretary of State and it was validated that the election of Paul Catino is valid and legal. Ms. DeSousa further commented that Paul Catino is a life long resident of East Windsor and has the continued support of his position on the BOF by the Democratic Town Committee base on his resume for the betterment of the town, with no personal gain. There is action that can be taken through the Registrar Voters, whom have neither been consulted.
VI. COMMUNICATIONS
The following items were for the Board’s information:
· Karen Gaudreau, Certificate for Connecticut Town Clerk School
· Cox Communications in the Community
· Thank you letter from Home & Community Health Services
· Municipal Mgmt Bulletin/CL&P Streetlight Rate cases
· Federal Issues Bulletin/2004 Budget has mixed results for towns and cities
· Letter from State Senator Gary LeBeau re: magnet schools
·
VII. SELECTMEN REPORTS
A. L. Roberts, First Selectman
· The BOE budget hearing was last night and was not well attended by the public
B. K. Crouch, Deputy First Selectman
· Volunteer Park – the gazebos are the current project, next will be the tree cutting and then the fence by the roadway
· Human Services room at the annex has been started.
C. A. Regina, Selectman – No reports
D. Tom Sinsigallo, Selectman
· Taxpayer Robert J. Oris, Jr. has offered to give the transmission tower located at the old Watkin’s terminal to the Town. Ed Endee of the Public Safety Committee is looking into this.
E. M. Balf, Selectman
· BOE – Mr. Balf mirrored Ms. Roberts comments on the budget presentation.
VIII. BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
A. Vacancies:
· American Heritage River Commission (two reg. R term to expire 11/01/04, four alternates, 4 year terms)
· Cable Television (one reg. R, 2-yr. term to expire 06/30/03) To fill vacancy
· Conservation Commission (one alt. r & U, term to expire 01/01/04 and one term to expire 11/01/04)
· Elderly Commission: one reg. D, or U, four year term.
· Volunteer Incentive Committee (one reg. D or I, 18 mo term to expire 04/01/04)
· Municipal Building Code Board of Appeals (five regular members)
· Veterans Commission (two reg. D. or U, vacancies to be filled, terms expiring 02/01/06)
B. Resignations:
John Pica, U - EDC
MOTION: To accept, with regret, the resignation of John Pica from the Economic Development Commission.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Regina.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Bill Jones, D, Veterans Commission
MOTION: To accept, with regret, the resignation of Bill Jones from the Veterans Commission.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Richard Larson, U, American Heritage River Commission
MOTION: To accept the resignation of Richard Larson from the American Heritage River Commission.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Regina.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
C. Re-Appointments
Economic Development Commission
MOTION: To reappoint Richard Covill to the Economic Development Commission for a four (4) year term to expire 03/01/08.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
D. New appointments, Applicants to be considered: None.
IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. FYE 2005 Budget
Ms. Roberts distributed a recap of the Selectman’s budget, outlining the big ticket items as the Firefighter Incentive Program and the landfill costs. An updated schedule was also distributed.
B. Employee Handbook
MOTION: To table this item.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
C. Farmland Preservation Committee
Ms. Roberts met with George Grant. He is reviewing the charge for this committee and determining who would be interested in serving on this Committee.
D. Public Safety Committee
A charge for this committee is being determined and a poll of interested parties.
E. *American Heritage River Commission
1. Property Acquisition at 44 Norton Road – 3032011
2. Property Acquisition on Mill Street - 1630071
This has been referred to PZC and Park and Rec for review and comment.
F. *Tax Relief for the Elderly
The Assessor and Human Services will have reports for the next Selectman’s meeting.
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. Request to illuminate Broad Brook dam
Tom Khuns, owner of the Opera House has requested to install lights to highlight the Broad Brook Dam. Park and Rec has endorsed this idea, which includes Mr. Khuns maintaining the dam area.
MOTION: To give Mr. Khuns permission to light the Broad Brook Dam and maintain the dam areas with no liability to the Town.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Balf.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
B. Senior Services subject – Transportation Program Vehicle Replacement request.
East Windsor is eligible to purchase a bus at 20% the cost $150,000 worth of buses for $30,000. These vehicles will replace the current 1996 and 1997 buses. The replacement would cut down on rising vehicle maintenance costs. No action need be taken at this time, but in the future the Board, if interested, will recommend this purchase to the BOF.
C. WHPFD issues
Marie Martineau of the Fire District thanked the Board for their interest in the current distention at the WHPFD. Currently Mike Balf is the acting Chief of Warehouse Point Fire Department. Ms. Roberts added that, after consultation with the Town Attorney, Mr. Balf serving in that capacity, as well as his capacity as a selectmen presents no conflict. Any decisions the Board makes relative to the Fire Department, Mr. Balf will have to step down from. It was commented on how well the Board of the Fire District handled an uneasy situation.
An invitation to attend the celebration of the arrival of the new ladder truck on April 4, 2004, was extended to all present. It was also noted that both BB and WHP firefighters have trained and/or drilled on the ladder truck. The support of the Fire District for the March 3, budget hearing for the Incentive Committee was sought a well.
D. YMCA Hartford Region SACS program request
Human Services will review the existing programs in place and report back to the Selectman.
MOTION: To table this item.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
E. Letter from Holly K. Hensel regarding property.
This letter will be forwarded to the American Heritage River Committee, Park and Recreation and PZC for their review and comment.
F. Finance Board Residency Challenge.
Ms. Roberts outlined her conversations in regards to the concern regarding Paul Catino’s place on the BOF. If he remains a registered voter he can continue on the BOF. There is no recall provision in the State Statutes. CGS 9-43 regarding the Registrar of Voter’s options in this regard was discussed. It encompasses a letter to the elected official and that official’s response to same. This is at the Registar’s discretion for action.
MOTION: To do a letter to the Registar of Voters regarding these issues and enclosing the February 3, 2004 letter from Peter Nevers for their review and consideration of any action they deem appropriate under CGS 9-43.
Made by Mr. Regina, seconded by Mr. Crouch
DISCUSSION: It was discussed that the Board had taken all the action it could and to send a letter would be redundant.
Move the Motion
VOTE:
In favor: Crouch, Regina, Roberts
Opposed: Balf, Sinsigallo
MOTION CARRIED.
G. Police Negotiations
Gil Hayes cannot serve on this team due to medical issues.
MOTION: To appoint Bill Dove as the BOF representative to the police negotiating team.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Regina
In favor: Crouch, Regina, Roberts
Abstained: Balf, Sinsigallo
H. Revisions to the Capital Improvement Plan
Ms. Roberts outlined the changes to the CIP plan, previously accepted, due to HVAC issues with the Annex renovations. Consultations with the Building Committee took place and in order to have a 10-15 year additional use by municipalities the HVAC system and the windows needed to be addressed to the Police Department renovation project.
MOTION: To recommend to the Board of Finance the CIP plan, as revised, attached hereto as Attachment A.
Made by Mr. Regina, seconded by Mr. Balf.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
I. Town Planner Search
The Committee has reviewed the job description. It is posted with the American Planning Association and is on the CCM web site. The goal is to have a new planner in place by May 1. Donald Poland, the former Town Planner, has agreed to serve East Windsor as a consultant in the interim for $50 an hour, working Thursday evenings and attending the appropriate meetings.
XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. In accordance with CGS 1-200(6)(d)
MOTION: To enter into Executive Session at 8:45 p.m.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION: To come out of Executive Session at 9:00 p.m.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
No action taken.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 9:10 p.m.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
* Starred items were not discussed, but will remain on the agenda pending receipt of additional information.
Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia D. Croxford
Recording Secretary
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