TOWN OF EAST WINDSOR
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 21, 2008
I. TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING
Ms. Menard called the meeting to order on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the East Windsor Town Hall
II. ATTENDANCE
Denise Menard, First Selectman
Gilbert Hayes, Deputy First Selectman
Mark Simmons, Selectman
Dale Nelson, Selectman
Unable to attend: Edward Farrell, Selectman (scheduled)
III. ADDED AGENDA ITEMS - None
MOTION: To go out of agenda order to New business, Item D. Bid Openings
Made by Mr. Hayes, Seconded by Mr. Simmons
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
No one in audience present representing bidders.
Item D. Bid Openings
1. Heating/HVAC
The bid sign in sheet was signed by all Selectmen and Ms. Menard read the received dates. One bid received and read.
2. Electrical Contractor
The bid sign in sheet was signed by all Selectmen and Ms. Menard read the received dates. Three bids received and read.
3. Plumbing Contractor
The bid sign in sheet was signed by all Selectmen and Ms. Menard read the received dates. One bid received and read.
MOTION: To return to agenda order
Made by Ms. Nelson, Seconded by Mr. Simmons
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
IV. PREVIOUS MINUTES
A. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of October 7, 2008
MOTION: To approve the regular meeting minutes of October 7, 2008 as submitted
Made by Ms. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - None
VI. COMMUNICATIONS – the following were for the board’s information:
A. Correspondence from North Central Conservation District
VII. [sic] B. Treasurers Office Correspondence
1. Financial Update
2. Capital Improvement Funding Options
C. Community Conversation/Correspondence
D. Public Safety Committee/Correspondence
VIII. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS
A. Denise Menard, First Selectman
· Board of Finance Meeting – The Webster Bank representative was present and financial information for finance options for the fire truck was distributed to the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Menard will get assistance from Webster bank and Linda Savitsky regarding the bonding issue for town meeting.
· November 19, 7 p.m. there will be a joint meeting with Board of Finance meeting to begin process for budget sooner than in past. The Boards will get a sense of where Board of Finance wants town agencies to be head toward planning budget requests and get budget letter out earlier.
· CCM convention is October 22.
· Bridge Dedication for WWI Bridge took place. Ms. Menard gave the JI reporter a write up on the Bridge Dedication
· National Honor Society ceremony was last week – five were in National Honor Society and eight more were inducted during the ceremony.
· Building Committee has a great dedicated group of people who are looking for inventive ways of doing things.
· CIP meeting is Thursday, 30th
· AT&T is back and the voice mail and phones are working and it should result in a cost savings
B. Gilbert Hayes, Deputy First Selectman
· Board of Education - CAP score results are incomplete – so no comment yet. Ms. Bilodeau was appointed to the Board. He referenced a newspaper article on two students who did power point presentation regarding the Washington DC trip.
· East Windsor Educational Foundation Committee is having a premier party at Sam Buca’s on November 13. There will be a fundraiser Spelling Bee in February.
C. Edward P. Farrell, Selectman – None.
D. Dale Nelson, Selectman
· Hal Kresge Foundation was great turnout at the Golden Gavel.
· Housing Authority – They paid the Pilot payment to the Town and the garbage removal cost is still a question.
E. Mark Simmons, Selectman
· Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve permit for 173K s.f. facility off Bridge Street. This should help the tax base and local job market.
· Veterans Commission – Road race is November 8 and they are doing well with sponsorships. The goal this year is to fund marking every Veterans grave with flag holders.
· BMX Skateboard Committee - The next benefit is Italian night on November 1 at K of C
· Parks and Recreation - The Barktober Fest was successful $1500 raised. October 24 Halloween party at Park. There was mention of a water problem at the Reservoir that needs to be corrected. There was mention of the flood gate at Broad Brook Pond may need repair – a potential CIP item.
IX. BOARD AND COMMISSION RESIGNATIONS & APPOINTMENTS
A. Resignations: None
B. Re-Appointments:
Elderly Commission
Claire Badstubner, (R) as a full member to fill a 4-yr. vacancy to expire 11/1/2012
MOTION: To reappoint Clair Badstubner as a full member to the Elderly Commission for a four year term to expire 11/1/2012.
Made by Ms. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Water Pollution Control Authority
1. Paul Anderson, (D) as a full member to fill a 4-yr. vacancy to expire 11/1/2012
MOTION: To reappoint Paul Anderson as a full member to the Water Pollution Control Authority for a four year term to expire 11/1/2012.
Made by Ms. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Simmons
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
2. D. James Barton, (D) as a full member to fill a 4-yr. vacancy to expire 11/1/2012
MOTION: To reappoint D. James Barton as a full member to the Water Pollution Control Authority for a four year term to expire 11/1/2012.
Made by Mr. Simmons, seconded by Ms. Nelson
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Planning and Zoning Commission
Lorraine Devanney, (D) as a full member to fill a 4-yr. vacancy to expire 11/1/2012
MOTION: To reappoint Lorraine Devanney as a full member to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a four year term to expire 11/1/2012.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Ms. Nelson
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
C. New Appointments: None
D. Board and Commission Current Vacancies (See Attached)
MOTION: To go out of agenda order and address item XIII Executive Session A at 8:12 p.m. pursuant to C.G.S. Section 1-200 (6) (b) Personnel Matters. Session to include Board of selectmen, Mary DeSousa and Mary Szabo.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Simmons
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED
MOTION: To come out of Executive Session at 8:43 p.m.
Made by Ms. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Simmons
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
No action taken
MOTION: To return to agenda order
Made by Mr. Simmons, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Charter Revision Update
Ms. Menard has discussed with Charter Revision members several items and they are almost to the point of needing legal counsel. Linda Savitsky suggested an attorney who specializes in Charter Revision questions. That attorney can assist with the order in which to do things, as well as a legal review of the document. They are just about at the point to have this review done – it seems to be money well spent to utilize an attorney who specializes in this area. Ms. Menard was looking for consensus for the Board as legal falls under the Selectmen budget. It was the consensus of the Board that is a logical step – hiring an attorney who has a specialty with Charter Revision.
The Board will ask the Charter Revision Commission for a report on the status of this project in January, 2009.
B. *Discussion of Board/Commission Volunteer Recognition Program
XI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Approval of Tax Refunds
MOTION: To approve the tax refunds in the amount of $3,616.31 as recommended by the Tax Collector.
Made by Ms. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Simmons
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
B. Discussion with Anne Gobin Regarding Energy Efficiency Possibilities
Ms. Menard received communication from Ms. Anne Gobin, an East Windsor resident with ideas on Energy Efficiency possibilities. Ms. Menard discussed with Ms. Gobin being a town volunteer to work with an Ad Hoc committee for this initiative to present the town with resources they can use to save money. Ms. Gobin gave a brief overview of her background and her reasons for being here including the energy future. She sees an evolution of State programs other towns are using and she is interested in helping East Windsor. It can be done for the climate and from a fiscal perspective. Ms. Gobin indicated there is a lot out there, including the ability to get a free solar panel program and vendors who have initiative to provide the town with ideas at no cost to the town.
There are vendors that will come in and put an adapter on the soda machine so it is running only when needed not constantly. Ms. Gobin indicated she does not know what the current town initiatives are. She indicated benchmarking of town buildings can be done – students can come and help with quick initiatives that have quick pay backs i.e., light bulb changes. Ms. Gobin provided the name of a gentleman who can assist the town with the pay back amounts of projects and be able to prioritize the projects – his students come out to do this. There are also several ideas on the school level which provide students with a community service project for this initiative. It was also mentioned that this information would be great to be distributed to seniors in town for potential cost savings. Ms. Menard will discuss this with Tim Howes, Superintendent of Schools to determine if the school is doing anything in
this initiative. Ms. Gobin remembers there used to be a Future Problem Solvers portion of the school curriculum. Ms. Menard asked Ms. Gobin to E-mail her the presentation so she can distribute the materials.
C. Evictions
Ms. Elizabeth Burns came before the Board and distributed a memo dated October 21, 2008 regarding a request for added appropriation for $3,000.00 line item under 5236 for Eviction / Ejection in the Current budget year 2008 / 2009.
Ms. Menard detailed the state statute guideline that the town is responsible for eviction items and made mention that CCM is going to focus on reform from State mandates on local levels of evictions.
Ms. Burns went thru the process for eviction (rental) and ejection (foreclosure), including the State Marshall’s responsibilities and the town’s responsibilities when the personal possessions are at the curb. For initial 15 days it is Town’s to store and it used to be done at the town garage – now the town uses a storage unit(s) as there is no longer any room at the garage. Ms. Burns went through the paper trail regarding these possessions and how the town disposes of them. The town works with Golden Gavel – who sells the items and the town receives a portion of the sale – in the case of no one coming to claim the items. In the case of claiming possessions the town receives back the cost of storage and moving costs.
Ms. Burns has seen an increase of foreclosure and potential evictions / ejections. Now there needs to be a fluidity of money with these items on the horizon. There were no monies expended before – now there is money expended. Previously it was a town building and a town road crew used – now vendors are used by necessity.
Some funds will be recouped but not all. Ms. Burns has no idea how much the town will recoup or for how long. She also went through various scenarios about the timeframes for this procedure, as well as what the Town has to take.
Ms. Burns was able to negotiate the rate of the storage unit at 50%.
Currently funds are taken out of the general assistance line and the Town has spent 645.30 in new budget season and has recouped some, but not all. She used the $3,000 figure because as economy worsens she would rather only come one time to the town Boards make this request – and they may not use this amount.
MOTION: To recommend to the Board of Finance a new line item under 5236 for Evictions/Ejections and an added appropriation of $3,000 to that line item in the budget year 2008/ 2009.
Made by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Ms. Nelson
Discussion: Ms. Menard inquired if another way to do this would be to over expend and fix at end of year. Ms. Burns indicated there is no money at all in the budget for evictions and there is no line to fund evictions - currently it is coming out of the general assistance line.
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
D. Bid Openings – addressed above.
1. Heating/HVAC
2. Electrical Contractor
3. Plumbing Contractor
XII. BUDGET MATTERS
A. Annual Report Update
Ms. Menard provided the Board copies of the First Selectmen Report for the Annual Report update which was submitted. The Selectmen can let her know if any edits are suggested.
Ms. Menard read an E-mail detailing that it is no longer required by state statute that the annual report contain the audit. This will provide costs savings and the annual report can be done earlier in the year. Ms. Menard will work with the Board of Finance regarding some financial piece, other than the audit, being published in the annual report.
B. Budget Process Discussion
There will be a joint meeting with the Board of Finance, as mentioned in Ms. Menard’s report. The ten year tax trend and grand list will be put on the website. There will be a town financial information button on the website to get the different facts from one source.
XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. Pursuant to C.G.S. Section 1-200 (6) (b)
Personnel Matters
(note – one item with persons present addressed previous in meeting.)
B. Pursuant to C.G.S. Section 1-200 (6) (e)
Refuse and Recycling Contract
MOTION: To enter into Executive Session Pursuant to C.G.S. Section 1-200 (6) (b) Personnel Matters and Section 1-200 (6) (e) Refuse and Recycling Contract
at 9:43 p.m. to include Board members only.
Made by Mr. Simmons , seconded by Ms. Nelson
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED
MOTION: To come out of Executive Session at 10:52 p.m.
Made by Mr. Simmons , seconded by Ms. Nelson
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
No action taken.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 10:54 p.m.
Made by Ms. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Hayes
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED
Respectfully submitted,
/cdc/
Cynthia D. Croxford
Recording Secretary
*Starred items will not be discussed, but will remain on agenda pending receipt of additional information
Electronically filed – no attachments
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