TOWN OF EAST WINDSOR
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING MINUTESJUNE 6, 2006
I. TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING
Thursday, June 6, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the East Windsor Town Hall
Ms. Roberts called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m. (after conclusion of Town Meeting) 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 New Business, Item I. Town Clerk/Transfer of operating funds to salaries
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION: To add to New Business, Item J. Ethics Ordinance
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
IV. PREVIOUS MINUTES
A. Special Meeting Minutes of May 11, 2006
MOTION: To accept the special meeting minutes of May 11, 2006, as submitted
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – None.
VI. COMMUNICATIONS – The following were provided for the Board’s information and briefly overviewed.
A. Thank you/East Windsor Ambulance
B. Equalized Net Grand List/OPM
C. Emergency Department Construction Begins/Johnson Memorial Hospital
D. Junk Mail Recycling Deliveries Commencing July 1, 2006/CRRA
E. Blake Law Firm/Statutory Notice of Intent to File Claim
F. Superior Court/Civil Summons
G. Special Town Meeting Minutes of April 27th
H. Public Hearing Minutes of May 11th
VII. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS
A. Linda Roberts, First Selectman – No report.
B. Kenneth Crouch, Deputy First Selectman – No report.
C. Thomas Sinsigallo, Selectman
Library Ad Hoc Committee is on the agenda tonight and Mrs. Spielberg will be coming before the Board.
D. Edward Filipone, Selectman
PZC – The approved regulations will be in effect June 16. A vote was held to end the residential moratorium, effective June 16. He outlined approval/denial on pending applications and/or receipt of new applications received.
WPCA - He outlined approval/denial on pending applications and/or receipt of new applications received. There will be an increase in the sewer user charge from $180 to $226, which represents a 25% increase. This charge has not increased in over ten years, formerly the WPCA drew on an account of delinquent bills to offset costs to avoid increase. That account no longer accommodates that action and thus an increase was necessary.
E. Gilbert Hayes, Selectman
Volunteer Incentive Committee – This Committee has been reestablished and meets regularly. The Committee came in under budget this year. Mr. Hayes also outlined that the incentive intent is for people who chose to take action, to stay and as a thank you for taking action.
VIII. BOARD AND COMMISSION RESIGNATIONS & APPOINTMENTS
A. Resignation: None
B. Re-Appointment:
Cliff Nelson, (D) 6-yr. term to expire 6/1/2012
BUILDING COMMITTEE
MOTION: To reappoint Cliff Nelson to the Building Committee for a six year term to expire 6/1/12.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
C. New Appointments, Applications to be considered:
Tina McCarter, (U) Conservation Alternate, 4-yr. term to expire 1/1/2008
MOTION: To appoint Tina McCarter to fill a vacancy as an alternate on the Conservation Inland Wetland Commission, term to expire 1/1/2008.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. *Request to amend ordinance 87-2 re: Regulating the Use of Recreation Vehicles, Snowmobiles and all Terrain Vehicles (Recommended to Public Hearing)
B. *Abandoned Motor Vehicle Ordinance
C. *BBFD & WHPFD/re billing MVA/Town Ordinance
D. *Natural Resource Preservation Committee: re bonding money for Farmland Preservation (waiting for Board of Finance)
E. *Tax relief for the Elderly
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. Request from Veterans Commission to build Roadway at the Veterans Cemetery
Ken Crouch made a presentation on behalf of the Veterans Committee regarding improvements to the Veteran Cemetery, which is part of the Windsorville Cemetery, by putting in a paved driveway. He provided a map which detailed the proposed 16ft wide driveway. This is funded with monies raised by the annual race. The Cemetery Association has approved this plan. The cost is $25,000.
MOTION: To forward to Town Meeting the following Resolution:
RESOLVED: The Board of Selectmen approve and ratify the building of a roadway in the Veterans Cemetery located on Windsorville Road.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
B. Request for added Appropriation
· Police Department Renovations - $19,604.00
Ken Crouch, on behalf of the Building Committee, came forward and gave a history of this project, including the difficulties with the initial architect, the Building Committee serving as a General Contractor and the hiring of a Clerk of the Works, the various unforeseen issues that arose as work progressed on an older building, the work done to date and the work remaining to wrap the project up. Mr. Crouch provided a detailed list of the work that remains and constitutes the request for added appropriation. The list did reflect some items that were taken care of free of charge. Once the money is in place it is anticipated the project will be done in a month to six weeks. Mr. Crouch will make the presentation to the Board of Finance. Mr. Crouch also pointed out that on a former Building
Committee project, specifically the work done in a previous year at the Broad Brook School, came in under budget – some of that monies could be used to offset this project.
MOTION: To recommend to the Board of Finance an added appropriation of $19,604 for Police Department renovations.
Made by Mr. Filipone, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
· Legal and Insurance
Ms. Roberts outlined that she has kept everyone apprised of anticipated Legal and Insurance costs and the potential need for a requested added appropriation. She presented the additional legal fees necessary.
MOTION: To recommend to the Board of Finance an added appropriation of $19,520 to Town Counsel & Legal.
Made by Mr. Filipone, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
C. 2006 Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition
Ed Farrell came before the Board and discussed an RFP from the DEP for Open Space/Watershed land acquisition due 6/30/06. The first draft of the proposal has been reviewed by the First Selectmen and Laurie Whitten, Director of Planning and Development. This grant will cover 50% of the land acquisition – thereby East Windsor will fund $300,000. The monies are in place in the open space account. The property location was outlined. It is currently under pressure from developers. This contract will require the land serve as open space only, and it is contingent on East Windsor getting the grant from the State. No problems are anticipated with obtaining the grant. This item was before the Selectmen months ago and it has been through the appropriate town agencies – it
was the consensus this is an appropriate use of existing open space funds. The appraisals for the property came in higher than $600K, and the developers seeking it are offering more as well.
MOTION: To forward to Town Meeting the following resolution:
RESOLVED: The Board of Selectmen approve and ratify procurement of 40.7 acres as open space land from Agnes W. Trombley and Herbert R. Tschummi for a fixed price of $600,000. Said procurement is executed based on receipt of a grant from the State of Connecticut accounting to (at least) 50% of the agreed price.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
D. Request for Guidance/Transition of WHP Library to Town of East Windsor
Elise Spielberg and Ed Farrell came before the Selectmen to discuss the Library Ad Hoc Committee work to date on ideas for making the library a part of the Town. The were seeking guidance from the Board to determine if they should continue the work, focusing on current budget times and trying to determine the Town’s intent – if it is truly interested in obtaining the Library for the Town. Extensive discussion ensued regarding anticipated increased budget requirements should the library be a town agency. This was the focus of concern, can this concept continue, knowing there will be a need for additional monies to fund the concept. The draft brochure was distributed and the Committee’s ideas for promoting the concept were discussed. A study was done on the building and
provided to Mr. Crouch to review briefly. Currently the library cannot take advantage of the Town fuel rates or services as it is a private organization. The library has no computers.
The Library Association would continue and it would take care of the endowment and the rental property next to the library. There would also be a Library Advisory Committee – as well as a liaison to both these Committees.
The Committee wants to do what it can to improve the town services by way of the library, but it is unsure if the Town will follow through with the idea in light of anticipated budget increases. The Selectmen would like to see a proposal that outlines what the Town financial portion will be and what the endowment will cover. Also the Committee is anticipating an increase in request for monies, but what is the draw for the Town to take on the library – the positive aspect of this venture needs to be outlined. The question was raised also if the Town takes on the building, and in ten years the building is deemed too small for a library and the library is placed in a different building, what happens to the current building and land – does it return to the endowment? This will be an item
for the town attorney to review. Concerns were also expressed in taking on another town building, when maintaining the ones currently can pose problems. It was also expressed that the Committee has worked for two years and the time has come to move forward, get a commitment from the town
Ms. Roberts outlined she does not want to see the Committee abandon its charge - a lot of research has been done to date. A recommendation with teeth is needed, one with the numbers in place and specifics as to this concept. Then a public hearing can be held and that is the way the Selectmen can obtain feedback on this concept.
The Board consensus was for this Committee to continue its research on the option of the library becoming part of the town and to provide the Board with a concrete, specific proposal that the Selectmen can present to a public hearing for feedback.
E. Request permission to use Warehouse Point Town Green
Discussion ensued regarding the use of the Town Green by the public. Ms. Roberts will forward correspondence outlining that the area can be enjoyed for general use - but not publicized events.
F. Year End Transfers
The year end transfers outlined in a memo dated June 6, 2006 were overviewed.
MOTION: To recommend to the Board of Finance the year end transfers as presented by the First Selectman.
Made by Mr. Filipone, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
G. Set Salaries for 2006-2007
MOTION: To set the 2006/2007 salaries as presented and outlined in the Attachment A.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Filipone.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
H. Tax Refunds
MOTION: To approve the tax refunds in the amount of $832.78 as recommended by the Tax Collector.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED
I. Town Clerk/Transfer of operating funds to salaries
No action required. This was for the Board’s information.
J. Ethics Ordinance
Discussion took placed regarding concerns expressed to Selectmen members by members on Boards and Commissions with the parameters of the current Ethics Ordinance. The Board discussed forwarding the concerns, and the Selectmen’s suggested revisions in light of concerns, to the Ethics Commission for review.
MOTION: To recommend the Ethics Commission readdress the recently passed Code of Ethics, specifically sections:
3.3 (change the amount from $10 to $75);
4.3 (adding language “up to $1000”);
4.4 (decrease statute of limitations from five (5) years to two (2) years;
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 9:50 p.m.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Hayes.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
/cdc/
Cynthia D. Croxford
Recording Secretary
Attachment A (to be provided by the Selectmen’s office)
*Starred items will not be discussed, but will remain on agenda pending receipt of additional information.
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