TOWN OF EAST WINDSOR
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 21, 2007
I. TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING
Mr. Filipone called the meeting to order on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the East Windsor Town Hall.
II. ATTENDANCE
Edward Filipone, First Selectman
Kenneth Crouch, Deputy First Selectman
Thomas Sinsigallo, Selectman
Gil Hayes, Selectman
Mark Simmons, Selectman
III. ADDED AGENDA ITEMS - None
IV. PREVIOUS MINUTES
A. Regular Meeting Minutes of August 7, 2007
MOTION: To accept regular meeting minutes of August 7, 2007, as submitted.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Crouch
IN FAVOR (Crouch, Sinsigallo, Simmons, Filipone)
Abstained (Hayes)
MOTION CARRIED
V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – NONE
VI. COMMUNICATIONS – The following items were for the Board’s information.
A. Connecticut Labor Force Data, June 2007
VII. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS
A. Edward Filipone, First Selectman
· CIP Committee has been appointed. Paperwork has been distributed to the departments and a response is to be received by 10/1. He expects the report from Webster Bank this week.
· BOF – No action or discussion on the Selectmen’s request for added appropriations – it is no longer an issue.
· The State check for Tschummi property. There is a sign on the property regarding the joint venture with the State.
· BOF – The Treasurer has indicated a surplus due to increased revenue; there were unexpected items, such as the Board of Education did not use all the money for the ECS grant.
· Mary Szabo, the Treasurer, has announced that she will retire next year, mid-year.
· The Zoning Enforcement Officer position is still open.
· In an effort to monitor legal bills, the procedure for contacting the town attorney is that all departments have to report to the First Selectmen before contacting the attorney. A record will be kept of who contacted the attorney, about what, and when was it resolved.
· Mr. Filipone is working on the WHPFD request to access the server. He is getting information from IT, as well as the Assessor and CCROG. He is not sure if this is Board of Selectmen action or internal, but it will be on the agenda.
· A new server will be in Town Hall this week – there have been email problems and there will be new software to learn.
· The WHP Library Ad Hoc Committee term expired on 8/1/07 and there was no request from that group to have its term or charge renewed.
· The 07/08 report looks good. Mr. Filipone provided paperwork with a quick analysis of the budget to the Board of Selectmen for their review and information.
B. Kenneth Crouch, Deputy First Selectman
· Building Committee – There has been a review of architects and it is hoped that this project will go out to bid the first of next year so it can be done the Summer 08.
C. Thomas Sinsigallo, Selectman
· EWPD – The police cruisers run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. While 110,000 miles on a car does not sound like a lot of mileage, due to the hours of use, the cars are worn out and some in the fleet are in rough shape. An added appropriation for new cars will be needed.
D. Gilbert Hayes, Selectman
· East Windsor Housing Authority – They discussed energy saving programs with CL&P, also there is discussions regarding potential use of the renovated Millbrook Condos. Ed Filipone suggested they contact his office.
· There has been a lot of publicity that the BOS should be ashamed for asking for the stipend. At a recent meeting Mr. Hayes wanted a better explanation and/or justification from the BOF as to why they get no stipend rather than “because no one else does.” Mr. Hayes discussed this with the Chair and received some information on shortcomings of the BOS when it dropped the ball and the BOF took care of it. Mr. Hayes also noted the fairly new, inexperienced CEO and that leads too more contacting the Town Attorney, more so than the experienced predecessor. He apologized if someone thought they were just looking for the money, he just
wanted a reason, since this has been in place since the 60’s. If you take it away fine, but provide a reason.
E. Mark Simmons, Selectman
· He agreed with Mr. Hayes and reiterated that the Town Charter states the BOF makes the decision, but it would be nice to have a reason.
Mr. Filipone interjected that this has been discussed thoroughly and it should be let go.
· PZC – There was an approval for a Shoham Road solid waste transfer station. There will be no incinerating here.
· Park and Recreation – the proposed dog park is on hold; there is a possibility of a portable ice rink at Osborn Field, also they Commission was inquiring as to more storage space. Mr. Filipone indicated that voting machines are soon to be moved and it is possible that will open up some space.
VIII. BOARD AND COMMISSION RESIGNATIONS & APPOINTMENTS
A. Resignation: none
B. Re-Appointment: none
C. New Appointments, Applications to be considered:
· John A. Stanat, (R), Historical Commission, 4-year term to expire
September 1, 2011
MOTION: To appoint John A. Stanat to the Historical Commission for a four year term to expire September 1, 2001.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Simmons
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
D. Vacancies: Attachment
IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Cemetery Maintenance
Dan Burnham of the Cemetery Association and Warren Wenz of the Veterans Committee came before the Board. Mr. Filipone reiterated that everyone present had been made aware of Connecticut General Statute Section 19a-297. All were aware of it. Mr. Wenz read the Veterans Committee minutes of the Special Meeting of August 20, which included detailing the proactive stance in inspecting the cemeteries and the assistance that the Veterans Commission, as well as the American Legion, will give the Cemetery Association in returning the flags to where they belong. Mr. Burnham signed for the book authored by an Eagle Scout detailing the location of the veteran graves. As for the markers, it is unknown where they were, Mr. Filipone indicated he might do advertising calling out to the public to let the
First Selectmen’s office know if a marker had been purchased and has gone missing. Mr. Burnham briefly stated that they Association is aware of the statute, and that his Association advised him to discuss the American Flags. Mr. Sinsigallo had inquired as to the Fire Department missing flags as well. Mr. Burnham made it clear that a written request has to be submitted to the Association, with a signature, for action to be taken through the proper channels of the Association. He was directed to not make decisions at tonight’s meeting and to simply discuss the American Flag situation. Discussion ensued with all present as to the location of flags. Mr. Burnham stated he has none stored.
B. Ad Hoc Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Committee
It was discussed that the Republican Town Committee and the Democratic Town Committee both have nominating committees. There will be no action in this regard and this item will be removed from the agenda.
C. Proposed Fines Ordinance
Mr. Filipone stated this is an effort to help clean up the Town, and currently the ZEO can only go so far without costing court costs. This provides an avenue of enforcing regulations thru fines and promote a violator to clean up the situation. The Town Attorney comments were not incorporated into the current draft and Mr. Filipone recommended it go to Town Meeting as written.
MOTION: To send the Ordinance for Zoning Violation Citations and Procedure to Town Meeting.
Made by Mr. Crouch, seconded by Mr. Sinsigallo
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
D. *Adult Day Care Transportation
E. *Melissa Green Director of Parks and Recreation/Re: Signage Funding
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. Police Commission/Re: Ordinance creating a Special Revolving Fund (amendment)
Mr. Knibloe and Ms. Sinsigallo of the Police Commission came before the Board to discuss this item. This ordinance has been in effect since the early 70’s and it was used as a revolving fund to cover items, as some vendors were slow to pay. In the past it was used to cover cost of uniforms, but now items like uniforms are in the contract. They are looking to recoup monies earned and share some with the town, while spending some of the fund to offset expenses. It was indicated the Police Commission would dictate where the funds were used, not the Chief. A lot of discussion took place on this issue, including that it sounds like the Board of Education budget, where money is granted and used at their discretion. Other input was that these are town funds, and if every arena of the Town that
earned money could use it to their discretion, a sort of independent piggy bank, that could create problems – a virtual Pandora’s Box. Mr. Knibloe stated that it was a give and take situation; the Department needs funds it’s not getting from the Board of Finance. Other departments that also use their revenue to offset town departments were discussed, such as WPCA, it is not just the Police Department who contributes to the Town funds. Mr. Knibloe stated they were not opposed to give the Town some money, just not all of it. Ms. Sinsigallo input that the money would offset debts generated due to lack of funding. This will go before the Town Attorney and the Auditor for review and comment.
B. Tax Refunds
MOTION: To approve the tax refunds in the amount of $391.70 as recommended by the Tax Collector.
Made by Mr. Sinsigallo, seconded by Mr. Simmons
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. ~MOTION CARRIED
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 8:25 p.m.
Made by Mr. Sinisgallo, seconded by Mr. Hayes
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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