TOWN OF EAST WINDSOR
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES
OCTOBER 17, 2006
I. TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING
Ms. Roberts brought the meeting to order on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the East Windsor Town Hall
A MOMENT OF SILENCE WAS HELD FOR DAN LEONE.
II. ATTENDANCE
Linda Roberts, First Selectman
Kenneth Crouch, Deputy First Selectman
Thomas Sinsigallo, Selectman
Gil Hayes, Selectman
Unable to attend.
Edward Filipone, Selectman (scheduled)
III. ADDED AGENDA ITEMS – None
IV. PREVIOUS MINUTES
A. Regular Meeting Minutes of September 19, 2006
MOTION: To accept the regular meeting minutes of September 19, 2006, as submitted.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
William Loos, Melrose Road - He indicated that the Town leases fire trucks to the fire departments for twenty years. The Town should stand up to the obligation to replace a truck after twenty years. The reason a twenty year lease is signed is because the Town said it would replace the trucks after twenty years. The Town needs to put more money away for more trucks, as one is currently 34 years old.
VI. COMMUNICATIONS – These were distributed and briefly discussed
A. State of Connecticut OPM LOCIP program
B. CIP FY 2008-2012 Schedule of Presentations
C. Flu Clinics
D. Update from Governor Jodi Rell on Emergency Preparedness &
E. Homeland Security
F. National Resources Preservation Committee response to Board of Finance request to delineate program parameters for preservation of open space
G. Connecticut Labor Force Data for July & August 2006
H. Connecticut Labor Force Data Annual Averages for 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004
I. Annual United Way Campaign
J. Statement of Support For The Guard and Reserve
K. Resource Expo 2006, Presented by Allied Rehabilitation Center
L. Petition to Police Commission re: Street sign
VII. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS
A. Linda Roberts, First Selectman
· On October 26, 2006 the East Windsor EDC and the chamber of Commerce will have a meet your business neighbor meeting at La Notte at 5:30 p.m.
· Harvest for Hungry Food Drive is in October
· The First Congregational Church auction for Five Corners Cupboard will be held for the first time due to a shortage at one of the food banks in town.
· The East Windsor Rotary Club will host the second annual Monster Madness Spaghetti Supper on 10/21.
· The American Heritage River Commission is looking to purchase property on Rye Street and has applied for a grant with DEP. No decision has been made yet.
· Board of Education will have a community forum on November 9.
B. Kenneth Crouch, Deputy First Selectman
· Building Committee – The police department is 99% complete.
· Veterans Commission – There were no issues with the last funeral, the driveway worked well.
·
C. Thomas Sinsigallo, Selectman
· Police Commission – Margaret Drive has a petition to put a Caution Children at Play sign – the Chief will meet with the residents to discuss the issue.
D. Edward Filipone, Selectman – None
E. Gilbert Hayes, Selectman
· East Windsor Education Foundation is a 501C3 nonprofit which can apply for grants and distribute money, which has to go to an educational source. The Foundation has access to the money and determines how it is spent.
· Board of Education – Principal Chambers has a Lets Talk program and a mini open house is being held. He is a very positive person.
· Park and Recreation – There will be a Homecoming Weekend for Soccer – girls and boys 27th and 28th. The Parks and Recreation Director uses her own vehicle for mileage and was inquiring if she could get access to a town vehicle.
·
VIII. BOARD AND COMMISSION RESIGNATIONS & APPOINTMENTS
A. Resignation: None
B. Re-Appointment: THIS IS A NEW APPOINTMENT
· Michael Trevor Bray (U), Elderly Commission, to fill 4-yr. vacancy to expire 1/1/2008
MOTION: To appoint Michael Trevor Bray to the Elderly Commission to fill a vacancy for a four year term to expire 1/1/08.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
C. New Appointments, Applications to be considered:
· Noreen Farmer (D), Capital Improvement Planning Committee, 10-month term to expire 6/1/2007
MOTION: To appoint Noreen Farmer to the Capital Improvement Planning Committee for a ten month term to expire 6/1/07.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
· Elzear Rodrigue (D)
1. Building Committee, vacancy to be filled, 6-yr. term to expire 6/1/2010
MOTION: To appoint Elzear Rodrigue to the Building Committee to fill a vacancy on a six year term to expire 6/1/2010.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Property Maintenance Code Bd. Of Appeals, 4-yr. term to expire 11/1/2010
MOTION: To appoint Elzear Rodrigue to the Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals for a four year term to expire 11/1/2010.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Hayes.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
D. Vacancies: Attachment
IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
MOTION: To go out of agenda order to address Unfinished Business, Item C and New Business, Item A at the same time.
Felician Adult Day Care/re: Adult Day Care Transportation Request
Holly Vannucci re: Enfield Adult Day Care
Betsy Burns, who supervises Senior Services, Sister Patricia Marie, the Director of Felician Adult Day Care and Holly Vannucci, Director of Enfield Adult Daycare Center came before the Selectmen and provided a detailed, lengthy presentation regarding the services the two facilities offer and the challenges that have come up with getting East Windsor residents to the Adult Daycare facilities. The East Windsor Dial a Ride does not provide transportation to East Windsor clients for adult daycare. Enfield can provide the services, but not transportation, clients are now transported independently. They are looking to provide an opportunity to East Windsor residents. The challenges with getting elderly adult daycare residents to these facilities, as well as the Medicare hurtles was discussed in
detail.
Nurses aides are on some buses, East Windsor would not have one, but if one was needed, it could be worked out. The procedure for both facilities in how to get the individuals on an off the bus while keeping their safety foremost in mind was discussed and detailed. For the Felician facility, there is a van for Enfield, so it does not use Dial A Ride, but Somers, Suffield and Ellington bring the clients to the facility and they are looking for East Windsor to do the same. Currently Enfield has five East Windsor clients and Felician has two, but she had to refuse some due to the transportation situation.
Ms. Burns outlined there is a disconnect, a gap in senior services and it needs to be addressed. This matter will go before the Elderly Commission for discussion and report back to the Board of Selectmen.
MOTION: The Elderly Commission will address the transportation issues with Adult Daycare and return to the Board of Selectmen in two months (second meeting in January) with a recommendation.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION: To return to Agenda Order
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
A. Playground Committee update
Members of this Committee, including Kathy Bilodeau and Lynn Stanley came before the Board to discuss their work to date, including the fact that $18,000, including the Nickelodeon money, has been raised to date. Walmart has given $2,000. There is a web site, which will be linked with the town web site – www.cybercurve.com/ewplaygroundfund.htm. The Committee has met with State Representatives and has received positive feedback regarding the potential to get a grant. The Committee is
seeking approval from the BOE to spend some of the money to get some equipment out there to show what the Committee has accomplished and to use the money from Nickelodeon. Cox Cable will be airing the Committee meetings. There will be a fundraiser Barbecue Chicken dinner at the K of C on February 11, 2007. It was requested that the Board of Selectmen provide assistance with the grant request and submit a letter of support for the grant, which will be sent with the grant request and to the State legislators. This is in an effort to show community interest and support. Ms. Bilodeau will email Ms. Roberts with the specifics as to what the letters needs to state. Ms. Roberts will write the letter on behalf of the Board of Selectmen.
The Committee in its search had found other grants that East Windsor could apply for and was looking for assistance. The agencies which could assist with these additional grant ideas would be the Board of Education and/or Parks and Recreation.
MOTION: To authorize the First Selectman to write a letter of support for the Urban Act grant
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Hayes.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
B. BBFD & WHPFD/re: Billing MVA/Town Ordinance
Members of Broad Brook Fire Department, Warehouse Point Fire Department and the Warehouse Point Fire District were present for this portion of the meeting. Dave Lockwood, BBFD, detailed his research to date regarding other towns in Connecticut doing billing. Cromwell has gone with another agency, different from Fire Direct. The other three towns did not use ordinances, but had verbal agreements.
The concerns about how to distribute the funds were discussed at length. Mr. Lockwood provided that Union got 100% of the proceeds, $7,000 annual; Middlefield split 50/50 with the Fire Department and the General Fund and the 50% could only be applied to upgrade the extrication tools on apparatus; Westfield started in July and has not seen the money yet to apply it. It does take a while once the program is in place to start seeing the money from claims. Both fire departments would like to see the money funneled to the fire departments. These individuals will have to meet with the Board of Finance and strict guidelines need to be set, so as the direction of the money does not change with administrations. The idea of setting up two funds seemed ludicrous so the idea of one year one
department gets the moneys, the next year the other department gets the monies, alternating years was discussed. The Board of Selectmen concurred that billing was a good idea. The direction of the proceeds will be under the direction of the Board of Finance. These individuals were asked to return to the Board of Selectmen with a detailed proposal and plan at the second November meeting.
MOTION: To go out of agenda order to New Business Item D.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Broad Brook Fire Department re: Tanker Engine
Chief Myers and Mr. Arcari of Broad Brook Fire Department came before the Board to discuss the current dire situation regarding the Tanker Engine and its current condition. Chief Myers took time and specifically reviewed the history of the tanker, its repairs and overhauls and current condition, history of failed requests for monies through CIP, for both the Tanker and a Rescue. As a result, currently both the Tanker and the Rescue vehicle are in poor condition, and the Tanker is on its last leg. The amount of money needed to fix the tanker is $31,500, but it is felt this might be putting good money after bad, because even with the repairs there is no guarantee the Tanker will be fixed for a long period of time – it is old and other parts may go as well and are likely to go. It
might be a waste of money to make the Tanker operational.
They presented an idea of getting a Rescue Tanker, cost $500,000, 18 month to two year building time. This would alleviate the problem with two of Broad Brooks trucks and address an immediate need.
The avenues open to the Fire Department were discussed in detail and at length – including requesting to replace the truck now with an emergency bond; lease agreement; or take a chance with a CIP request. The truck will take six weeks to repair. The Selectmen felt the Department had two options to discuss with the Board of Finance – obtaining an added appropriation for $32,000 to fix the truck or to obtain a bond issue and buy a new truck. They were advised to provide the Board of Finance with specifics and a complete picture of what the situation is and what the options are.
MOTION: To recommend that the Board of Finance address the Broad Brook Fire Department issues of repairing the existing Tanker or replacing it with a Rescue Pumper.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION: To return to agenda order
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
C. Felician Adult Day Care/re: Adult Day Care Transportation Request - addressed above out of order
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. Holly Vannucci re: Enfield Adult Day Care - addressed above out of order
B. Wagner Farm re: request to purchase parcels of Land
Mr. Wagner came before the Selectmen with his request to purchase the land he rents now – he outlined what he does with the property as far as upkeep, how the property floods each year. He does not own the land adjacent and there is no development interest. Concern was expressed as to if the River Commission has plans for this piece. The map was reviewed and the topography discussed. It has to be determined if there are an open space restrictions attached to the property when the Town acquired it. This will be sent to the Town Attorney for review. After the Town Attorney gives an opinion it can be referred to PZC and then to a Town Meeting.
C. Approval of “Cut A Coupon Program”
This will be forwarded to the Treasurer to ascertain if all the Town programs are included.
D. Broad Brook Fire Department re: Tanker Engine - addressed out of order.
E. Treasurers Office request for an added appropriation
· Employment compensation
Ms. Szabo’s memo dated September 26, was discussed. It outlined the available balance of unemployment compensation and payables to process. She is requesting a transfer of $19,000 from the Contingency to the Unemployment Compensation line.
MOTION: To recommend to the Board of Finance an added appropriation of $19,000 to the Unemployment Compensation line.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
F. Cancel November 7th Board of Selectmen’s meeting due to Election Day
MOTION: To cancel the November 7, 2006 meeting
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
G. Tax Refunds
MOTION: To approve the tax refunds in the amount of $3,609.61 as recommended by the Tax Collector.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 10:10 p.m.
Made by Mr. Crouch, 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
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