TOWN OF EAST WINDSOR
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES
FEBRUARY 7, 2006
I. TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING
Tuesday, February 7, 2006 at the East Windsor Town Hall
Ms. Roberts called the meeting to order at 7:38 p.m. at the East Windsor Town Hall.
II. ATTENDANCE
Linda Roberts, First Selectman
Kenneth Crouch, Deputy First Selectman
Thomas Sinsigallo, Selectman
Gil Hayes, Selectman
Edward Filipone, Selectman
III. ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
MOTION: To add Section X. New Business, Item H. Review of Assessor’s Position/Contract.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
IV. PREVIOUS MINUTES
A. Regular Meeting Minutes/Joint Meeting Minutes with Board of Finance of January 17, 2006
MOTION: To accept the Regular Meeting Minutes/Joint Meeting Minutes with Board of Finance of January 17, 2006 as presented.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Filipone
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – None.
VI. COMMUNICATIONS – The following items were reviewed for the Board’s information.
A. Local Fire Marshal Duties
B. OPM RE: Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program
C. Board of Education and Services fro the Blind RE: Vending Machine
Price Increase
VII. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS
A. Linda Roberts, First Selectman
· A FEMA Rep did a reassessment of the Flood Damages for Hartford County. If funds are allocated, East Windsor stands to be reimbursed for OT for Highway, damage to equipment and incentives paid to volunteers. The share could be as much as $37,000.
· The Town Engineer received a quote for engineering services to conduct a flash board replacement feasibility study $9,500. The CIP request to fund the study and do necessary repairs is $50,000.
· Insurance quotes show there is no increase to liability/auto/property or Workers’ Compensation, Anthem is not done yet.
· The municipal facilities committee will be providing a report on March 1.
· Ms. Roberts attended the Leo Club installation, which is an avid civic group encouraging young people.
· The Charter Revision Commission will be requesting an extension of their deadline to report to the Board of Selectmen
B. Kenneth Crouch, Deputy First Selectman
· ZBA – A variance was granted at Garner/Bridge Streets
· Veterans – An architect has presented plans for the road in the Veterans Cemetery, this looks feasible.
C. Thomas Sinsigallo, Selectman
· Police Commission – the Chief was out for a few days due to minor surgery, but he is back. Work is being done on the budget. Crime activity is up. Also they are working on an internal transfer from Enfield, if accepted this saves money in training. The records division has its new office and it is going well.
· There is an important meeting on open space on the 17th that he encouraged everyone to attend.
· The date to submit applications to the Board of Assessment Appeals is March 20, 2006 at 4:30 p.m.
D. Edward Filipone, Selectman
· EDC – Nothing to report yet, but plans on attending the meeting on the 20th
· PZC – There was a meeting on 1/30 regarding open space and they seem to be on target with the moratorium date. Mr. Filipone also detailed the applications and approvals.
· WPCA – The sewer avoidance map (not WPCA’s) was discussed as well as review of the technical/capacity aspects. Mr. Filipone also detailed the approvals.
· Charter Revision – There is a lot of discussion taking place and an extension will be sought.
E. Gilbert Hayes, Selectman
· Board of Education – they have agreed to allow Mr. Hayes to serve as an ex officio, non-voting member, who can participate in the meetings and ask questions.
VIII. BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATION
A. Vacancies:
American Heritage River Commission:
Four Regular Members, republican, or unaffiliated, one vacancy to be filled, term expiring 11/1/2006. ~Three regular 4-yr. terms available.
Four Alternate vacancies, 4-year terms
Conservation Commission:
One Alternate Member, republican or unaffiliated vacancy to be filled, 4-yr. term expiring 1/1/2008
Economic Development Commission:
One Regular Member, republican or unaffiliated, vacancy, 4-yr. term
Director of The Greater Hartford Transit District: ~Representative needed
Municipal Facilities Study Committee:
Two Regular Members needed; one democrat from Board of Selectmen & one republican from Board of Finance
Municipal Building Code Board of Appeals:
Five Regular Members
Planning & Zoning Commission:
One Alternate Member, democrat or unaffiliated, one vacancy to be filled, term expiring 8/1/2006
Property Maintenance Code Bd. Of Appeals:
One Regular Member, republican or unaffiliated vacancy, 4-yr. term and Two Alternate vacancies, R or U, 4-yr. terms
Public Safety Committee:
One Regular Member, democrat or unaffiliated vacancy to be filled, term expiring 4/1/1007
Veterans Commission:
One Regular Member, Democrat, 4-yr. term
Volunteer Incentive Committee:
One Regular Member; one republican from the Board of Finance, 18-month term to expire 4/1/2007
Warehouse Point Library Assoc. Ad Hoc Study Committee:
Two Regular Members needed; one republican from Board of Finance and one vacancy to be filled, term expiring 3/1/2006
B. Resignation:
John Kupisz, Emergency Management
o This resignation was acknowledged. The First Selectman reappoints the position.
Re-Appointment:
C. James Barton, (D) Veterans Commission, 4-yr. term to expire 2/1/2010
(By Phone)
MOTION: To reappoint James Barton to the Veterans Commission for a four year term to expire 2/1/2010.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
James Richards, (R) Economic Development Commission, 4-yr. term to
expire 2/1/2010
MOTION: To reappoint James Richards to the EDC for a four year term to expire 2/1/2010.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Pauline Legassie, (D) East Windsor Housing Authority, 5-yr. term to expire 2/1/2011 (By Phone)
MOTION: To reappoint Pauline Legassie to the East Windsor Housing Authority for a five year term to expire 2/1/2011
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
New Appointments, Applications to be considered:
Jonathan Towle, (U) Public Safety Committee, 18-month term to
expire 4/1/2007
MOTION: To appoint Jonathan Towle to the Public Safety Committee for an 18 month term to expire 4/1/2007.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
THE FOLLOWING ARE BOF/BOS REPRESENTATIVES FOR TEMPORARY COMMITTEES:
Gilbert Hayes (D) Volunteer Incentive Committee, 18-month term to
expire 4/1/2007
Jack Mannette, (R) Municipal Facilities Study Committee, 18-month term to expire 9/1/2006
William Dove, (R) Volunteer Incentive Committee, 18-month term to
expire 4/1/2007
Tammy Sorensen-Duray, (R) Warehouse Point Library Study Committee, 18-month term to expire 3/1/2006
IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Ethics Ordinance
The Town Attorney has been on vacation, but he will review this ordinance and get back to the Selectmen for the meeting on the 21st.
B. *Tax Relief for the Elderly
X. NEW BUSINESS
MOTION: To go out of agenda order to New Business Item C.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
C. Review of Firefighter Response to EMS Calls, Requested by Tom Sinsigallo
Chief James Barton of the Warehouse Point Fire Department, James Baron Sr. of the Fire District and member Tony DeMastrantonio came before the Selectmen to field questions regarding citizen concerns. Mr. Sinsigallo stated that residents are asking why so many people and apparatus are arriving on scene for minor medical emergencies? There is a concern with so much equipment rolling for such calls, not only the cost factor for volunteer incentives, but equipment usage as well. Who dispatches the various departments and what are the guidelines for the various agencies to go to medical calls?
Chief Barton outlined that the fire departments are dispatched according to the fire department guidelines – TN is the dispatch. The fire department will not roll because someone’s “stomach hurts” but if immediate medical attention is needed, the department responds. The ambulance is a business and sometimes the ambulance is not in town, sometimes the fire departments respond faster. This mutual aide ensures that if the ambulance is tied up, emergency personnel arrive on scene.
It was asked how many are dispatched to calls. Chief Barton outlined you cannot only ask for so many volunteers for a particular call – those volunteers who arrive when toned out respond – the amount of apparatus to roll out depends on what volunteers arrive to respond to the call. The fire department is in communication with the ambulance.
Examples of times when the amount of emergency equipment/agencies arrived on scene versus what seemed necessary were given. It was expressed that it seems like better radio communication could be used to avoid a large turn out for a smaller event. The chain of command on scene regarding patient care was discussed. Chief Barton stressed that if the department is toned out because someone needs help, it is there mission to help.
The ambulance related questions need to be fielded by the ambulance company.
The Board of Selectmen expressed the excellent job by the volunteer firefighters, thanked them for coming in and providing answers to concerns that were expressed to the Selectmen by citizens. Chief Barton stated that any time residents have concerns or questions they can contact him, be it in writing or verbal, and he will do what he can to address concerns.
MOTION: To return to regular agenda order.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
A. Budget FYE 2007
Ms. Roberts distributed the selectmen’s budget, which was discussed. The budget submitted reflects that nonunion positions mirror the union positions for increase, which is a 3 ¼ increase on salaries. Also there is the possibility of postage amount issues due to the recent postage increase.
MOTION: To submit the Selectmen’s Budget for 06/07 as presented, including the 3 ¼ increase.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
B. Town Engineer Request for Contract Renewal
Len Norton came before the Selectmen to discuss the proposed five year contract renewal and provided supportive data for the time frame of the contract, as well as the salary steps proposed. The specifics of the contract were reviewed in detail, including benefits, as well as the percentage salary increase.
MOTION: To extend the present employment contract for the Director of Public Works/Town Engineer through July 1, 2008 with the salaries as proposed.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
C. Review of Firefighter Response to EMS Calls, Requested by Tom Sinsigallo – addressed above
D. Proposed Ordinance Creating a Library Board
This was distributed for review and comment. This item is currently before Charter Revision Commission for possible incorporation into the Charter. If this does not go through as a Charter item it can be done by Ordinance by the Selectmen.
E. Request from Public Safety Committee for Annual Operating Budget
Ms. Roberts outlined the estimated operating budget presented by Ed Endee for the inclusion into the 06/07 budget. Maintenance for the whole communications package is better than breaking it up among the agencies.
MOTION: To forward with recommendation the Request from the Public Safety Committee for Annual Operating Budget to be included in the next operating budget.
-Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
F. Letter from Mike Guarco, Chairman of Board of Finance in Granby requesting that the BOE and BOF in East Windsor join the CT. Municipal Consortium
The Selectmen endorsement of this consortium has been established, but Mr. Guarco is also seeking endorsement by the Boards of Finance and Education as well.
MOTION: To recommend to the Board of Finance and the Board of Education that they endorse the Connecticut Municipal Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Filipone
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
G. Tax Refunds
MOTION: To approve the tax refunds in the amount of $7,436.99 as recommended by the Tax Collector.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED
H. Review of Assessor’s Employment contract
Ms. Madore came before the Selectmen with a proposal for contract renewal and provided supportive data for contract parameters, as well as the salary steps proposed. Ms. Madore gave a brief presentation on the scope of job duties the Assessor has and that no overtime or comp time is currently calculated, as the numbers exceed what could reasonably be paid out. It was felt that a contract similar to the Director of Public Works/Town Engineer would be appropriate as it would provide the benefits sought, and provide parameters for overtime and comp time. As there is a max for comp time, which has already been met by the Assessor, that maximum would be in place for the contract for time
already put in, it does not have to be accrued again.
The salary increase was discussed at length and selectmen were concerned that the percentage increase would come back to haunt them due to the current budget conditions. This proposal will bring the position in line with salary ranges appropriate for the position, an equity adjustment – not a broad based budget increase.
MOTION: To enter into a three year employment contract with the Assessor, with the salary as presented and the contract to mirror language in employment agreement for the Director of Public Works/Town Engineer, with the provision regarding a cap on comp time.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Hayes.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 9:15 p.m.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Hayes.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
/cdc/
Cynthia D. Croxford
Recording Secretary
*Starred items will not be discussed, but will remain on agenda pending receipt of additional information.-
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