BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 21, 2006
I. TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING
Ms. Roberts called the meeting to order on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 7:30 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 the following new appointment applications to be considered: Denise Sabotka Menard, PZC; Steve Farmer, PZC alternate; Robert Petrelli, Veterans Commission
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
IV. PREVIOUS MINUTES
A. Regular Meeting Minutes of October 17, 2006
MOTION: To approve the regular meeting minutes of October 17, 2006, as submitted
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
B. Special Meeting Minutes of November 14, 2006
MOTION: To approve the special meeting minutes of November 14, 2006, as submitted
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Cal Myers, Chief of the Broad Brook Fire Department, spoke on behalf of the Department. On October 17, 2006, the BBFD gave a presentation to the Board on the need to repair/replace Rescue 139 and Tank 139. The Department sought to downsize by replacing two trucks with one piece. BBFD presented to the Board of Finance the same scenario and presentation. The Board of Finance recommended funds to repair the truck and did not address the needs to replace the apparatus – a Band-Aid on a deep cut. BBFD feels the replacement of these two trucks is critical. As Chief of the Department, he advised that BBFD intends to continue to pursue replacing the equipment by all means possible, including petitioning for a town meeting.
MOTION: To go out of agenda order to New Business, Item A – the Shared Services Ad Hoc Committee update
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
A. The Shared Services Ad Hoc Committee Update
Tim Howes and Noreen Farmer, members of the Committee came before the Board and gave a brief presentation. Currently the committee is researching and discussing IT Services for town, including the possibility of the school taking over the IT responsibilities for the town. They are also researching expansion of the Treasurer’s office to address space issues. Currently the idea of moving copiers from a room nearby and using that for filing/storage is being pursued. Discussions also took place on Mr. Howes actions to negotiate and lock in fuel rates for 2007. The members felt the committee is something to continue as they are working well together and can get a lot of accomplished.
MOTION: To extend the term of the Shared Services Ad Hoc Committee to a full 18 month term from the date it was created.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
By consensus the Board returned to agenda order.
VI. COMMUNICATIONS – The following were for the Board’s information. The items were reviewed and briefly discussed.
A. Agricultural Viability Grant Application
B. Broad Brook Fire Departments Financial Statements/June 30, 2005
C. Thank you from Central Conservation District
D. Farmers and Agricultural Business Owners Sessions
E. Health Department Population Figures
F. Thank you from Enfield Adult Day Center
G. Local 818’s Laurie Whitten: The (Katrina) Dog Rescuer
H. Certificate of Achievement/GeoSpatial Technologies at Work for Carol Madore, Rand Stanley, Laurie Whitten and Nancy Rudek
I. Town Employee Holiday Luncheon
J. Invitation to Park Hills Holiday Party
K. Toys For Joys
L. Charity Event For the Town of East Windsor Playground Fundraiser
VII. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS
A. Linda Roberts, First Selectman
The CIP presentations are complete and the plan will be presented to the Board in January.
B. Kenneth Crouch, Deputy First Selectman – No report
C. Thomas Sinsigallo, Selectman – No report
D. Edward Filipone, Selectman
· EDC – This Commission will be submitting a budget request next year. They are looking to promote and retain businesses.
· PZC – This Commission elected new officers and discussed resignations. Joe Ouellette is the new Chairman. Also, since the beginning of the moratorium, and since the end of it, there have been no applications for subdivisions.
E. Gilbert Hayes, Selectman
· Volunteer Incentive Committee – This Committee met to discuss its position in relation to the budget. They are currently on budget within 6%. The medical calls were questioned and BBFD kept track of medical calls, i.e., life threatening ones for one month. Per Chief Myers in one month there were 59 calls, 10 of which were medical calls. Tolland County screens when to call out the fire department.
· Board of Education – Mr. Hayes explained the Middle School’s “pass program” for failing students, who get a chance to earn back the ability to be in the main stream. It is also a chance to work on discipline.
VIII. BOARD AND COMMISSION RESIGNATIONS & APPOINTMENTS
A. Resignation:
· Debora Arnold, Assessor’s Aide
· Germaine Hoffman, Historical Commission
· Patricia Briggs, Park & Recreation Commission
· John Kehoe, Planning & Zoning Commission
No motions were made on the above as the terms were over. Letter of thanks for volunteer service are traditionally sent by the Selectmen’s office.
B. Re-Appointment:
· Peter Weilhower, (U) American Heritage River Commission, 4-yr. term to expire 12/1/2010
AMERICAN HERITAGE RIVER
MOTION: To re-appoint Peter Weilhower to the American Heritage River Commission for a four (4) year term to expire 12/1/2010.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Filipone
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
· Sharon Aprea, (D) Economic Development Commission, 4-yr. term to expire 12/1/2010
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MOTION: To reappoint Sharon Aprea to the Economic Development Commission for a four (4) year term to expire 12/1/2010.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
· Barbara Smigiel (U) Historical Commission, 4-yr. term to expire 12/1/2010
· Paul Scannell, (D) Historical Commission, 4-yr. term to expire 12/1/2010
· Irene Clifton (R) Historical Commission Alternate, 4-yr. term to expire 12/1/2010
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MOTION: To reappoint Barbara Smiegel to the Historical Commission for a four (4) year term to expire 12/1/2010.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION: To reappoint Paul Scannell to the Historical Commission for a four (4) year term to expire 12/1/2010.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION: To reappoint Irene Clifton, as an alternate, to the Historical Commission for a four (4) year term to expire 12/1/2010.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
· Gary Guiliano (R) Planning & Zoning Commission, 4-yr. term to expire 12/1/2010
· David Tyler (R) Planning & Zoning Commission Alternate, 4-yr. term to expire 12/1/2010
PLANNING AND ZONING
MOTION: To reappoint Gary Guiliano to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a four (4) year term to expire 12/1/1010.
Made by Mr. Filipone, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION: To reappoint David Tyler, as an alternate, to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a four (4) year term to expire 12/1/1010.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Filipone
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
· Thomas Davis (U) WPCA, 4-yr. term to expire 12/1/2010
WPCA
MOTION: To reappoint Thomas Davis to the WPCA for a four (4) year term to expire 12/01/2010.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Filipone.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
C. New Appointments, Applications to be considered:
· Nicholas S. Macsata, (D) Veterans Commission, 4-yr. term to expire 12/1/2010
*Mr. Macsata could not attend tonight’s meeting due to a previous commitment, specifically, fire training.
VETERANS COMMISSION
MOTION: To appoint Nicholas S. Macsata to the Veterans Commission for a four (4) year term to expire 12/01/2010.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
· John Matthews, (U) Planning & Zoning Commission, 4-yr. term to expire 12/1/2010
· Denise (Sabotka) Menard (D) Planning and Zoning Commission, regular member, 4 year term to expire 12/1/2010.
· Steve Farmer (D) Planning and Zoning Commission, 4 year term to expire 12/1/2010
MOTION: To appoint John Matthews (U) to the Planning and Zoning Commission as an alternate. Made by Mr. Sinsigallo. No second received, motion withdrawn as he is already serving as an alternate.
MOTION FAILED.
MOTION: To appoint Denise (Sabotka) Mendard (D) to the Planning and Zoning Commission, regular member, for a four (4) year term to expire 12/1/2010
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Hayes
DISCUSSION: There are no Democrats on this Board. It is important that there are Democrats on the Board, therefore, this appointment achieves that goal.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION: To appoint Steve Farmer (D) to the Planning and Zoning Commission as an alternate for a four (4) year term to expire 12/1/2010.
Made by Mr Crouch, seconded by Mr. Filipone.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
VETERANS COMMISSION
· Robert Petrelli, Veterans Commission, regular member, four (4) year term to expire 12/1/2010.
No action as there are currently no vacancies.
D. Vacancies: As outlined in attachment to agenda.
IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. BBFD & WHPFD/re: Billing MVA/Town Ordinance
Members of Broad Brook Fire Department and Warehouse Point Fire Department came before the Board to discuss the latest on this endeavor. The Board was given a copy of the F.D. Direct contract, as well as Broad Brooks idea for a policy on insurance billing. Warehouse Point had no paperwork to present, but their intent is the same as BBFD.
The next step is to get the Board of Finance input on how to collect and disperse these monies. The BBFD and WHPFD will meet and discuss ideas, and present their collected efforts at the next Board of Selectmen meeting on 12/5/2006. In the meantime Ms. Roberts will have the Town Attorney review the F.D. Direct contract. A few of the ideas for the monies to date are: put the funds to the Volunteer Incentive budget and/or towards equipment. It is the intention of the departments that these funds be directed to the Fire Departments, not the general fund, as the funds are recouped by direct effort of the fire departments. This endeavor will take firefighter man hours to collect and submit data. No ordinance will be needed for the Billing.
B. Cut-A-Coupon Program
The latest was presented and it will go into the next newsletter. Also efforts will be made to include it in the town report.
C. *Wagner Farm re: request to purchase parcels of Land
D. *Adult Day Care Transportation
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. The Shared Services Ad Hoc Committee Update - Addressed above out of order.
B. Request to go to Town Meeting
· Police Department/Board of Finance
· Broad Brook Fire Department/Board of Finance
· Greater Hartford Transit District
The Board discussed the above three items at length and the actions recently taken by the Board of Finance. Ms. DeSousa, a Board of Finance member, was in the audience and contributed to the conversation, but stressed that she was not speaking formally on behalf of the Board of Finance, but providing her input as she understood the rationale behind recent actions taken by the Board. With that said, the following was discussed.
The breakdown of how the required fund are to be dispersed was discussed, 50% of the funds needed were dispersed, and the remaining will be dispersed at a later date, and will require another town meeting. The Board of Selectmen had several inquiries as to what the delay in dispersing the funds would accomplish. It was stated this was an effort to provide an extra set of eyes on Police Department spending and to make the public more aware of the current state of the Police Department Budget. This will allow for accountability and monitoring of the Chief overtime budget spending. Ms. DeSousa stated this was not a punishment, but a move to make room for accountability.
Ms. Roberts stated that this was a poor means of discipline and wanted to know if the Board of Finance had a contingency plan if the transfer of funds was turned down at Town Meeting. The Board of Finance has the capacity to call the Police Department in for a meeting monthly to get the status of its budget spending. Ms. Roberts stated she strongly disagrees with this method and feels that monthly scrutinizing of the budget would accomplish the same goal. Ms. DeSousa stated that if this if voted down, there will likely be a decrease in services and hope it attains the goal of better future budgeting.
The Board members continued to discuss this Police Department issue and the upcoming Town meeting.
Next the BBFD request was discussed and the Band-Aid approach to this problem. Ms. Roberts discussed the two means for capital funding, issue debt service (as has been done in the past) or Capital Improvement Plan. The CIP has been slashed in years past due to budget issues. The request to the BOF was not an attempt to circumvent the budget, but an alternate way to provide funds for an urgent need. This BBFD equipment request will be added to the CIP.
MOTION: To recommend to Town Meeting on November 30, 2006 a transfer of $85,000 from Contingency 2 account number 1-01-50-8410-8-950-00000 divided into $31,000 put into the Overtime Fixed account #1-01-15-2145-1-102-00000 and $54,000 put into the Overtime Variable account #1-01-15-2145-1-103-00000 respectively.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION: To recommend to Town Meeting on November 30, 2006, a transfer of $35,000 from Contingency account number 1-01-50-8410-8-890-0000-0 to the Broad Brook Fire Department account number 1-01-15-2150-8-861-0000-0 for the purpose of repairing the 1974 Diamond Reo Tanker.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION: To forward to Town Meeting the acceptance of the 2007-2007 Greater Hartford Transit District and Grantee Operating Assistance Grant Contract.
Made by Mr Crouch, seconded by Mr Filipone
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
C. Approval of Trombley/Tschummi Property Purchase
This item is all approved through appropriate avenues. The idea is to purchase the property outright and then submit to DEP for reimbursement. This speeds up the receipt of reimbursement which will now take 60 days. To do it the other way would take up to two years for reimbursement. There is cash flow to use and replace the funds. The Board of Finance requested a formal motion to purchase the property outright.
MOTION: To recommend the outright purchase of the Tromley/Tschummi Property in the amount of $600,000 and to subsequently apply for a $390,000 reimbursement from DEP.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Filipone.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
D. Approval of Resolution for 2006 Homeland Security Grant Funding
MOTION: To adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Town of East Windsor may enter into with and deliver to the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security any and all documents which it deems necessary or appropriate, and
FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, Linda Roberts as the First Selectmen of the Town of East Windsor is authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the Town of East Windsor and to do and perform all acts and things which she deems to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of such documents, including, but not limited to, executing and delivering all agreements and documents contemplated by such.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
E. Approval of Resolution for 5310 Grant/Senior Van
MOTION: To adopt the Resolution to Authorize Linda Roberts, First Selectman for the Town of East Windsor, to enter into an agreement entitled: “Agreement between the State of Connecticut and Town of East Windsor for a cash grant toward the purchase of wheelchair accessible motor vehicle(s) for services to elderly and/or disabled persons.” FTA Grant No. CT 16-0032; State Project No. 170-2748.
Made by Mr. Filipone, seconded by Mr. Hayes.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
F. Second Annual Connecticut Winter Wonderland Walk For The Cure Proclamation
MOTION: To adopt the Proclamation for the Second Annual Connecticut Winter Wonderland Walk for the Cure.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Filipone
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
G. Board of Selectmen 2007 meeting dates
By consensus the Board will continue to meet in 2007 on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the East Windsor Town Hall.
H. Tax Refunds
MOTION: To approve the tax refunds in the amount of $1,609.24 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 8:55 p.m.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted
Cynthia D. Croxford
Recording Secretary
*Starred items were not discussed, but will remain on agenda pending receipt of additional information.
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