TOWN OF EAST WINDSOR
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
March 15, 2005
I. TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING
Ms. Roberts called the meeting to order on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 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 - None
IV. PREVIOUS MINUTES
A. Regular meeting minutes of March 1, 2005
MOTION: To accept the Regular meeting minutes of March 1, 2005, as submitted.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Lori Devanney, 7 Margaret Drive & Police Commission member: Ms. Devanney encouraged the Board of Selectmen to adopt/pass the alarm ordinance before them tonight. This will save time for both the fire departments and police departments. Each time, day or evening, there is a false alarm lives are in danger. This ordinance is needed by both entities and she asked the Board to take a stand and pass the ordinance tonight.
VI. COMMUNICATIONS – The following were for the Board’s review.
A. Community Health Resources Consolidation
B. East Windsor Chamber Luncheon (Charter Revision Commission)
C. Connecticut Trolley Museum News
MOTION: To go out of agenda order to New Business, Item A.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL CIP FUNDS FYE 2006
Mary Szabo, Treasurer came before the Board and distributed back up regarding this request. She outlined the parameters of GASB 34 and the need for Infrastructure Accounting to have all Town assets accounted for, including structural assets, roads, bridges, etc. While several requirements of GASB 34 have been met, the structural portion needs to be contracted out as it is not possible to do in house due to lack of manpower and expertise. The information gained for GASB 34 compliance will be given to the Treasurer on a disk and should be able to be maintained with assistance from the Public Works Director. The second portion is GASB 43, Other post-employment benefits, which requires actuarial assumptions.
Ms. Szabo outlined the ongoing process of complying with GASB and what has been accomplished thus far. Currently balance sheets are skewed in liability vs. asset. Once this process is complete and a total picture of the town’s assets is in place balance sheet will be correct as to liability vs. assets. This was not requested previously on the CIP, because the Treasurer’s office was contemplating doing this in-house, that has been determined to be impossible. She has been in contact with other municipalities regarding compliance and several have contracted out these services as well.
The Selectmen expressed concern about maintaining this system once in place, so as the information will not get outdated. This will probably be maintained by the Treasurer’s office with input from WPCA and Public Works for updates as to infrastructure.
MOTION: To recommend to the Board of Finance and addition to the Capital Improvement Plan 2006 for $12,000 to cover GASB 34 and GASB 43 requirements
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Balf
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR.~ MOTION CARRIED.
~
MOTION: To remain out of agenda order, Unfinished Business, Item C.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Balf
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
WAREHOUSE POINT LIBRARY AD HOC STUDY COMMITTEE REPORT
Members from the ad hoc committee came before the Board with a report and their recommendations with timeline. Report dated March 15, 2005, attached hereto as Attachment A.
The current committee will continue to work toward the goals outlined in the report. There progress will be reported by the selectmen members who serve as liaison on the committee and by coming before the Board when significant activity is pending or warranted.
MOTION: To extend the term of the Warehouse Point Library Ad Hoc Study Committee to a full 18 month term, expiring March 1, 2006.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION: To stay out of agenda order to Unfinished Business, Item G
Made by Mr. Regina, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED
ORDINANCE REGULATING ALARM SYSTEMS
East Windsor Police Department Chief Edward DeMarco, Jr and Police Commission Chairman, Richard Sherman, came before the Board to update them on the alarm ordinance in full, the parameters of the ordinance, the fines in place, the history of how it was created and the implementation of the ordinance. The ordinance is not designed to punish, but to reduce the false alarms in town. Educating alarm owners is part of the plan and the plan allows the police department to have the most current information on the alarm sites in town. The administrative portion of the ordinance is on board with software, forms and personnel to administer and educate.
It was felt the monies collected should be appropriated to the Police Department as start up costs are incurred with software, equipment and manpower. The Board of Finance will be the entity to determine where monies collected through this ordinance will placed and/or how it is accounted for. Current procedures for revenues collected were discussed and that current practice is that monies are put into the general fund, and the related departments have line items in their budgets which reflect projected revenue. It is not a reflection of lack of trust with any department, but a measure to insure the Town’s accountability for monies collected. The possibility of an added appropriation for start up costs was discussed.
The ordinance was drafted by using language collected from several police departments who have had successful alarm ordinances in place.
Cal Myers, Chief of the Broad Brook Volunteer Fire Department, spoke in favor of the alarm ordinance, outlining the false alarms to date this year and the cost to pay firefighters to cover these calls.
The Board of Selectmen discussed the fines in place and if they were high enough as they barely cover the cost the Town incurs to send its firefighters to the scene. It was also discussed that a heavier fine may create an immediate reaction to remedy problems.
The ordinance will be revised as to Section XIV. Surcharges, Item B., to read as follows: “The alarm installation and/or repair company shall be assessed . . . .”
The state property and the school systems are not part of the alarm ordinance.
Disconnecting repeated alarm users was discussed and the liabilities such action would leave the town to. Dispatchers will be trained to glean true false alarm facts through training and policy.
Items that need to be determined in-house will be who collects the fines/fees and how unpaid fees will be collected and if additional charges are levied for unpaid/overdue fees. Ideas to investigate are tax liens, collections.
A public hearing is important so taxpayers can have an informed Town Meeting. The logistics as to collection and who will do the collection should be worked out before the public hearing. After the public hearing, the Board of Selectmen will discuss the ordinance and any changes they suggested can be implemented at that time before Town Meeting.
MOTION: To have a public hearing on the proposed East Windsor Police Department Ordinance Regulating Alarm Systems, with the following change, Page 9, Section XIV. Surcharges, Item B, “The alarm installation and/or repair company shall be assessed . . .”, on March 31, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the East Windsor Town Hall, 11 Rye Street, Broad Brook.
Made by Mr. Regina, seconded by Mr. Balf
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION: To return to agenda order
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Balf
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
VII. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS
A. L. Roberts, First Selectman – No Report.
B. K. Crouch, Deputy First Selectman
Building Committee: The Police Department renovations specs are in and advertised. There will be a mandatory walk through on 3/31.
C. A. Regina, Selectman – No report.
D. T. Sinsigallo, Selectman – No report.
E. M. Balf, Selectman
Board of Education: Their budget presentation was not well received by the Board of Finance and it is possible they will redraft their budget requests.
VIII. BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATION
A. Vacancies:
American Heritage River Commission:
Four reg. R or U vacancies, 4-yr. terms
Four Alt. vacancies, 4-yr. terms
Cable Television:
One reg. R, 2-yr. term
Conservation Commission:
One alt. R & U, term to expire 11/01/04
Municipal Building Code Board of Appeals:
Five Regular Members
Property Maintenance Code Bd. Of Appeals:
One Reg. R or U, 4-yr. term
Natural Resource Preservation Committee:
Two Reg. R or D, 18 month term to expire 7/31/2005
Economic Development Commission
One Reg. R, D or U, vacancy to be filled, term expiring 11/1/2005
Elderly Commission
Two Reg. D or U, vacancies to be filled, one term expiring 6/1/2007 & one term expiring 4/20/2008
B. Resignation:
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MOTION: To accept, with regret, the resignation of Marek L. Kement as an alternate to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Balf
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Re-Appointment:
REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION (CRCOG)
MOTION: To reappoint Kevin Saunders as a regular member on the Regional Planning Commission (CRCOG) for a one year term to expire March 1, 2006.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION: To reappoint Joseph Ouellette as an alternate member on the Regional Planning Commission (CRCOG) for a one year term to expire March 1, 2006.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
New Appointments, Applications to be considered:
ELDERLY COMMISSION
MOTION: To appoint Catherine Drouin as a regular member on the Elderly Commission filling a vacancy, term to expire 4/1/2008.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Balf
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Budget FYE 2006 – no action.
B. Municipal Facilities Study Committee
This Committee will meet on the fourth Wednesday of every month, with their first meeting being held in May.
MOTION: To appoint the following individuals to the Municipal Facilities Study Committee for an 18 month term to expire September 1, 2006:
Board of Selectmen: Mike Balf
Board of Finance: Ed Farrell
School Administration: Dr. Joseph Gallucci
Board of Education: Judith Rajala
Parent Teachers Organization: Gail Kement
Senior Citizens (representative) Elizabeth Burns
Park & Recreation: Patricia Briggs
Town Engineer: Leonard Norton
Planning & Zoning: Kevin Saunders
WPCA Kevin Leslie
EDC Richard Covill
Broad Brook Vol. Fire: Cal Myers
Warehouse Point Vol. Fire: James Barton
Police Commission: Linda Sinsigallo
Made by Mr. Balf, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED
C. Warehouse Point Library Ad Hoc Study Committee Report – Addressed above.
D. East Windsor Ambulance
Meetings are ongoing to come up with a mutually agreeable contract. At this point the direction appears to be that the Ambulance Association is a separate entity, not affiliated with the Town. There will be a contract, with some reporting requirements set down, and a separate fiscal part. This will be before the Board to be finalized.
E. Charter Revision – no action.
F. Park and Recreation Director Search – No action, search ongoing.
G. Ordinance Regular Alarm Systems – addressed above.
H. *Ethics Ordinance
I. *Employee handbook
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. Request for Additional CIP Funds FYE 2006 – addressed above.
B. Requests for Reassessment of Land Use Enforcement Position – to be addressed at April 5 meeting.
C. Request for new Fuel Pump
The budget recommendation for the town property budget will be increased to cover the cost as quoted for a new fuel pump. Another quote will be obtained before purchase.
D. Neighborhood Assistance Act
MOTION: To have a public hearing on March 31, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the East Windsor Town Hall, 11 Rye Street, Broad Brook regarding the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) Program Proposal.
Made by Mr. Balf, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
E. Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
· Re-adoption of Fair Housing Resolution and Policy Statement
MOTION: To re-adopt the Fair Housing Resolution and Policy Statement as attached hereto as Attachment B
and Attachment C.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Balf
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
· Renewal of Membership
MOTION: To renew the Fair Housing membership for $25.00
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
F. Small Cities Funding
· Request for Proposal
The Request for Proposal will be advertised.
G. East Windsor Community Day
· Proclamation
MOTION: To adopt the Proclamation for Community Week May 1 – 7, 2005, attached hereto as Attachment D.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Balf.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
H. Tax Refunds
MOTION: To approve the tax refunds in the amount of $7,814.47 as recommended by the Tax Collector.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Balf
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. In accordance with Connecticut General Statutes Section 1-200(6)(a)
Ratification of Clerical Contract
MOTION: To go into Executive Session at 9:00 p.m.
Made by Mr. Regina, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION: To come out of Executive session at 9:45 p.m.
Made by Mr. Balf, seconded by Mr. Regina
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION: To ratify clerical contract (Local 1303-192, AFSME Council 4,
AFL-CIO)as presented
Made by Mr. Regina, seconded by Mr. Balf
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m.
Made by Mr. Balf, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted
Cynthia D. Croxford
Recording Secretary
*Starred items will not be discussed, but will remain on agenda pending receipt of additional information.
| 
