I. TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING
Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the East Windsor Town Hall
Mr. Filipone called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the East Windsor Town Hall, 11 Rye Street, Broad Brook.
II. ATTENDANCE
Edward Filipone, First Selectman
Kenneth Crouch, Deputy First Selectman
Thomas Sinsigallo, Selectman
Gil Hayes, Selectman
III. ADDED AGENDA ITEMS
MOTION: To add the following agenda items: New Business Item C. Discussion/Action re: Purchase of new vehicle for Senior Transportation; and New Business Item D. Emergency Management Director Job Description.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
IV. PREVIOUS MINUTES
A. Special Workshop Meeting Minutes of March 27, 2007
MOTION: To accept the Special Workshop Meeting Minutes of March 27, 2007, as submitted.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
B. Regular Meeting Minutes of March 20, 2007
MOTION: To accept the Regular Meeting Minutes of March 20, 2007 as submitted.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - None
VI. COMMUNICATIONS – For the Board’s information and reference:
A. Community Day, May 12, 2007
B. Connecticut Labor Force Data, January 2007
C. Correspondence from The Rotary Club
D. Connecticut Armed Forces Day Luncheon
VII. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS – Suspended to the next meeting.
A. Edward Filipone, First Selectman
B. Kenneth Crouch, Deputy First Selectman
C. Thomas Sinsigallo, Selectman
D. Gilbert Hayes, Selectman
VIII. BOARD AND COMMISSION RESIGNATIONS & APPOINTMENTS
A. Resignation:
B. Re-Appointment:
· Public Safety Committee
Edward Endee, Steve Andrusco, Tom Clynch, Jonathan Towle, Richard Sherman, John Madigan, Cal Myers, Gary Mazzone, Andy Ouellette, Blaine Simpkins, Gilbert Hayes and Jim Barton
MOTION: To appoint the following members to the Public Safety Committee for an 18 month term to expire October 1, 2008: Edward Endee, Steve Andrusco, Tom Clynch, Jonathan Towle, Richard Sherman, John Madigan, Cal Myers, Gary Mazzone, Andy Ouellette, Blaine Simpkins, Gilbert Hayes and Jim Barton
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
C. New Appointments, Applications to be considered:
D. Vacancies: Attachment
IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Review Budget 2007-2008
MOTION: To go out of agenda order, discussing Unfinished Business, Item A, as the last discussion of the meeting.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
B. Appointment of a member to the Board of Selectman
Mr. Sinsigallo made the nomination to appoint Robert Lyke Jr. to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Sinsigallo outlined that Mr. Lyke had an impressive resume and was not a newcomer to the political arena. Mr. Filipone indicated that the previous evening the Republican Town Committee already had selected their representative for the Selectman position.
MOTION: To nominate Robert Lyke, Jr. to fill the seat on the Board of Selectmen.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Hayes
IN FAVOR: SINSIGALLO, HAYES
OPPOSED: FILIPONE, CROUCH
MOTION FAILED.
MOTION: To nominate Mark Simmons to fill the seat on the Board of Selectmen.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Filipone
Discussion: Mr. Filipone outlined that the Republican Town Committee had a Special Meeting and voted on who would fill the position on the Board of Selectmen. It is a courtesy to allow the Republican Town Committee nominate their own people. Mr. Sinsigallo referenced the Charter and State Statute.
IN FAVOR: FILIPONE, CROUCH
OPPOSED: HAYES, SINSIGALLO
MOTION FAILED.
Mr. Filipone indicated the thirty days runs before the next Selectmen’s meeting, therefore, the Town Clerk will proceed accordingly.
C. East Windsor Basketball Class “S” State Champions
(1st State Title) Proclamation
MOTION: To make the Proclamation to the East Windsor High School Boys Basketball Team, as presented and read.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Hayes outlined that there will be a Banquet on May 4 where the team will be presented rings. He read the letter that will go out to civic groups and other organizations seeking donations for the rings. He requested that the Board of Selectmen consider funding any balance due if not collected through donation, so the team could have their rings for the Banquet. He suggested recommending to the Board of Finance putting the funds in escrow in the event the monies are not raised. He outlined that this has been good press for East Windsor and the Team deserves recognition from the Town as it has pulled the Town together.
MOTION: That the Board of Selectmen recommend to the Board of Finance that $2800 be put in escrow to help with the cost of rings for the East Windsor High School Boys Basketball team if the monies are not raised independently.
Made by Hayes, seconded by Sinsigallo
Discussion: Mr. Crouch outlined that Mr. Hayes has done a great job, and he understands why this suggestion is made, but pointed out that there are other things that are done in East Windsor that are good, and he would hate to open up a can of worms and go through the Board of Finance to recommend monies every time a good event occurs. He felt that all the planning is going in the right direction and donated $100 personally at the meeting (which Mr. Hayes matched). Mr. Crouch just felt the collection of funds for the rings should not go through the Town treasury. Mr. Hayes countered Mr. Crouch’s comments by stating this is a very positive thing for the Town and they should capitalize on it. The whole community has gotten together and it is a good ice breaker for
the township. He wants to make sure the money is in place should it not be collected through donation. Mr. Filipone indicated he will be abstaining from the vote, to avoid a deadlock, so a decision can be made.
In favor: Hayes, Sinsigallo
Opposed: Crouch
Abstained: Filipone
MOTION CARRIED.
D. *Ordinance Regulating “The Use of Recreational Vehicles
Attorney Penny will provide the Board with a response at the April 17 meeting.
E. *Scantic River Land Acquisition
An appraisal is pending.
F. *Adult Day Care Transportation
This item is on hold.
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. Northeast Utilities re: Notice of intent to sell two (2+) acres of land owned by Norconn Properties
This is a land locked piece that abuts land the town owns, it does not reach the second access. The Assessor provided a value figure of $2500-$3000. There are no plans on file that delineate wetlands, it is assumed there are no wetlands on the piece This will go out for public bid. Mr. Filipone will call to see if the owner would consider extending the land for sale to the Town right of way, so there is access to the piece on two sides.
MOTION: To authorize the First Selectmen to offer $3,000 for the two (2+) acres of land owned by Norconn Properties, purchase subject to approval at Town Meeting.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
B. Tax Refunds
MOTION: To approve the tax refunds in the amount of $914.24 as recommended by the Tax Collector.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED
C. Discussion/Action re: Purchase of new vehicle for Senior Transportation
To be discussed at joint meeting with Board of Finance
D. Emergency Management Director Job Description
The job description and information from Marcus Communications was provided for each Selectman’s review.
Out of Order Item as moved: Old Business, Item A. Review Budget 2007-2008
Mr. Filipone summarized the work done at the Board of Selectmen workshop and outlined that the $50,000 in CIP for Assessor Reval was input into the Assessor regular budget as this is an annual expense. So the paperwork distributed showed this as an added amount to the Assessor budget.
The proposed budget is a 9.48% increase. The revenue projections and grand list numbers were discussed. Mr. Filipone went through the changes made as a result of the Board of Selectmen workshop in detail. At this point in the meeting, the recommendation with changes made at the workshop would be $31,435,138, a net difference of $268,390 of where they began.
Mr. Crouch felt this was too much of an increase on the taxpayers and recommended decreasing the recommendation by 3%. He proposed taking out $300,000 from the Board of Education; $7,500 from Warehouse Point Fire and $50,000 from the Police Department, because of the significant increases in proposed budgets. The Board discussed these issues and Mr. Hayes felt the WHPFD equipment justified as it was a life threatening situation. Mr. Sinsigallo concurred that the equipment is antiquated and with the rules and OSHA requirements, the cut should not be made. Mr. Filipone indicated the Board of Education does not have much control over its budget with utilities, benefits and health care and he felt that it was favorable, and 4% was not unreasonable.
Mr. Sinsigallo raised the issue with the Emergency Management budget and did not know why the budget was so inflated when it is only an Advisory Board, no workers, only a Director. Mr. Filipone outlined the Homeland Securities duties, and disaster plan responsibilities and need for equipment. Mr. Sinsigallo felt this should only have a $5,000 budget.
At this point the Board was polled about the suggested cuts, but no formal motions were made, although a vote was taken, these individual items were not made in a Motion nor were Seconds heard, based on the result of the consensus, as outlined below, the Board of Selectmen made their recommendation to the Board of Finance. Mr. Filipone abstained from each item, so a decision could be reached.
To cut $300,00 from the Board of Education budget:
In favor: Crouch
Opposed: Hayes, Sinsigallo.
This item will not be adjusted for the Selectmen recommendation to the Board of Finance.
To cut $7,500 from the Warehouse Point Fire Department budget.
In favor: Crouch
Opposed: Hayes, Sinsigallo.
This item will not be adjusted for the Selectmen recommendation to the Board of Finance.
To cut $50,000 from the Police Department budget.
In favor: Crouch
Opposed: Hayes, Sinsigallo.
This item will not be adjusted for the Selectmen recommendation to the Board of Finance.
To cut $6,000 from the Emergency Management Budget.
In favor: Crouch, Hayes, Sinsigallo
The Board discussed where to take the funds from, it was agreed that the Director Salary would be reduced by $5,000 to $0; 1,000 would be taken from the phone, thereby providing $6,000 cut to this budget.
MOTION: To recommend to the Board of Finance a budget of $31,400,138*.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
IN FAVOR: HAYES, SINSIGALLO
OPPOSED: CROUCH
ABSTAINED: FILIPONE
MOTION CARRIED.
*Please note, it was the intent of the Board to recommend $31,429,138 – a mathematical error was made at the time the Motion was moved. This will be corrected when the minutes presented at the next regular Board of Selectmen meeting. The Board of Selectmen made it clear to the Board of Finance at the Special Meeting that followed this meeting – that a mathematical error was made – and the true number intended to be recommended was $31,429,138.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 7:50 p.m.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia D. Croxford
Recording Secretary
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