BOROUGH OF NEWTOWN
NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT
Minutes of the meeting of the Borough of Newtown Board of Burgesses on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at Town Hall South, Newtown. Warden James Gaston called the meeting to order at 7:43 p.m.
Present: Warden James Gaston, Senior Burgess Joan Crick, Second Senior Burgess Jay
Maher, Zoning Officer Jean St. Jean, Treasurer and Burgess Marie Walker, Tax
Collector Jodie Enriquez, Burgess Betsy Kenyon, Burgess Anthony Baiad, Clerk
and Burgess Darlene Spencer
Absent: None
Burgess Walker made a motion to accept the December 9, 2008 special meeting minutes, seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
Public Participation: Those in attendance declined to address the Board.
Warden’s Report: Warden Gaston has been in communication with Town and Borough Engineer Ron Bolmer. Ron was asked by the Selectmen to review the area of the proposed Queen Street sidewalk and design an engineering plan. Warden Gaston said that the Burgesses recommended that the Queen Street sidewalks be installed on the east side. The Selectmen reversed that recommendation and now recommend installation on the west side. Ron is concerned about which side to concentrate his efforts. Warden Gaston said that it is the Town’s decision. It is their project.
Zoning Officer St. Jean said that the Town’s opinion was that most of the children that would be using the sidewalk live on the east side of Queen Street. They thought that those children would be crossing Queen Street from many different areas in order to get to a sidewalk on the east side. A sidewalk on the west side would tie in all the different homes and then the children could use it to get to a crosswalk with which to cross to the Middle School.
Warden Gaston noted that the Burgesses thought that the east side would be best because there are less properties and the sidewalk could continue from the Middle School to Reed Intermediate School where children could walk without having to cross at so many intersections. He further stated that the Town’s decision is the west side, so we will move forward with it. Warden Gaston said that he and Borough Engineer Ron Bolmer would like to form a committee that will walk the area, discuss it, and work toward a plan. He would like Burgess Jay Maher, Mike Floros of 32 Queen Street, and Bob Geckle of 35 Queen Street to be on the committee. He asked the Burgesses if there were suggestions for another committee member. Burgess Kenyon
volunteered to be on the committee. Warden Gaston will send a letter to Ron about the formation of the committee and get the project moving. Discussion followed concerning possible LoCIP money to help fund it.
Warden Gaston received a call from Borough Auditor, Glenn Nanavaty concerning the Borough’s annual financial report which is filed at the end of the year. Glenn thought that since we have a budget under one million, it didn’t have to be sent to the State, however that rule doesn’t apply to towns and municipalities. He has sent the Borough’s financial report to the State and has been resolved.
Warden Gaston received letter from Borough Attorney, Don Mitchell concerning the judgment ruled against a Borough resident. Zoning Officer St. Jean will give an update during her report.
Warden Gaston led discussion regarding the Honorable William P. Edmond Founder’s Award and where and when to conduct the presentation.
There was an article in The Newtown Bee concerning a new State Statute regarding the Freedom of Information Act. The statute indicates that if a municipality has a website, meeting notices and minutes must be posted on it within 48 hours. The Borough does not have a website, however, Warden Gaston has talked to Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia and the Town is willing to post our agendas and minutes on their website. Discussion followed.
Warden Gaston received a call from the Greyhound Association about two weeks ago regarding the lost greyhound. They asked him if they could post signs in the Borough. Rather than having them waste time to fill out the paperwork, he granted them approval for a period of seven days.
Tax Collector's Report: Tax Collector Enriquez reported the following for the month of January: Total Taxes Due for the List of 2008: $165,083.29. Current Taxes $158,918.65; Back Taxes $2,731.48; Interest $1,440.73; Lien Fees $336.00; Return of Overpayments ($1,543.99). Total Submitted to Treasurer to Date $161,000.00. Current Taxes Collected 95.3%.
Senior Burgess Crick made a motion to accept the Tax Collector’s Report, seconded by Burgess Baiad and unanimously approved.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Walker reported the following: A deposit of $2,000.00 was made from Tax Collector Enriquez for a total of $161,000.00 as of December 30, 2008. A transfer of $47,000.00 was made to cover this month’s invoicing making a total of $266,293.11 as of January 13, 2009 in the NSBMM Account. Capital Reserve is $1,879.46 as of December 31, 2008.
Burgess Maher made a motion to transfer $250.00 from Contingency to Audit, seconded by Burgerss Baiad and unanimously approved.
Burgess Spencer made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Burgess Baiad and unanimously approved.
Zoning Officer’s Report: Zoning Officer St. Jean reported that she is on a committee studying curb cuts. They are looking at Rt. 25 from Hawleyville to the Monroe town line and also down Church Hill Road. They will select an engineering firm at their meeting tomorrow night. She stated that these engineering firms are concerned about the traffic flow around the flagpole. Most want a round-about around the flagpole and/or eliminate parking in front of the businesses in that area. Discussion followed.
Burgess Kenyon questioned the mission of the committee.
Zoning Officer St. Jean said that the Town’s zoning has changed the Rt. 15 design district in Hawleyville. The Town’s Planning and Zoning are the Borough’s planners and they are looking at ways to alleviate traffic flow coming from I-84 Exits 9, 10, and 11. She also noted that curb cut management is State mandated. She stated that Sandy Hook Center and Hawleyville are open to design and new development and it is important to have curb cut management.
Warden Gaston questioned their goals and why they are concerned about an existing developed area. Discussion followed. Warden Gaston stated that he would like to be on the curb cut committee.
Zoning Officer St. Jean updated the Burgesses regarding Lexington Gardens which was sold recently. The new owners intend to keep the business the same for at least one year. Discussion followed regarding their driveway. Wachovia Bank has taken out a permit and they expect to move to their new building beginning March 12th. Zoning Officer St. Jean reported that they have to be out entirely by April 12th at which time renovations to the old building can begin. Discussion followed. She updated the Burgesses regarding Gas Stop in which the State has taken back their approval on the proposed project. The State wants a narrower entrance and they do not want the property to connect with the property at the corner of Church Hill Road and The
Boulevard should it be developed. The St. Rose School construction was completed. They had a dedication and thanked the Borough. Discussion was held regarding the Miller house at 46 Main Street. It was also mentioned that Zoning Officer St. Jean received a gold framed citation from the Connecticut General Assembly in recognition for all the work she has done for Newtown. She led discussion regarding the ongoing court case against a Borough resident which has led to a judgment. Once collected, the judgment monies will go into the general fund.
Historic District: Burgess Kenyon stated that the Historic District Expansion project is in the final phase. The ballots were mailed to 11 properties on December 18th with a return envelope to send back to the Clerk. Burgess Kenyon noted that Guy Howard of 4 Main Street called on the day that the ballots were mailed to rescind his decision to be included in the expansion due to the uncertain economy. However, because he called on the day they were sent, the Burgesses can make a motion tonight to vote him out. In order for the Historic District Expansion to pass it will need a 2/3 vote.
Clerk Spencer stated that four ballots were received. They were opened and all four properties voted to approve the expansion.
Burgess Baiad made a motion to pass the Historic District Expansion excluding Guy Howard of 4 Main Street, seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
The ordinance will be published twice in The Newtown Bee with an effective date of March 1, 2009.
The Board of Burgesses commended the Historic District Commission for their hard work and determination. Ellen Whalen of 65 Main Street also commended the Historic District Commission members for their coordination of the project.
Burgess Kenyon noted that a public hearing of the Historic District Commission will be held on January 22nd regarding the property north of the ambulance building. There is interest by the Newtown Ambulance Association in purchasing the property. The Association may want to raise the building. She further stated that Borough Historian, Dan Cruson, said that the building is of no historic significance. Discussion followed.
Sidewalks: Burgess Maher stated that there was nothing new to report.
Streets & Parks: Burgess Maher said that everything is quiet.
Old Business: Senior Burgess Crick spoke to a member of the Police Commission about the Glover Avenue speed bump. She informed the Police Commission member that the Borough requested that a traffic count be performed before and after the speed bump was installed. She asked him to find out whether a traffic count could be taken before and after the speed bump is reinstalled. Discussion followed.
Senior Burgess Crick stated that the Town of Brookfield will probably not be included in the Health District.
New Business: Clerk Spencer noted that the Borough Election will be held Monday, May 4, 2009 with the following offices up for election: Warden, three Burgesses, Clerk, Treasurer, Tax Collector, Assessor, two Board of Assessment Appeals members, Zoning Commission Member, Zoning Commission alternate, and Zoning Board of Appeals Member. A special nominating meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 10th at 7:30 p.m. followed by our regular meeting. Discussion followed.
Public Participation: George Schmidt of 12 Old Castle Drive asked what happened to the $200,000.00, discussed at the Selectmen’s Meeting, which was supposed to be added to the CIP in connection with the Queen Street sidewalk project.
Warden Gaston said that the money was sent to the next CIP and did not make the current one. They may use highway money. Discussion followed.
Ellen Whalen of 65 Main Street thanked Warden Gaston for clearing the sidewalk of snow on the north side of Main Street.
A special meeting of the Borough of Newtown, Board of Burgesses will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 for the purpose of placing into nomination the names of the candidates for elective office for the Borough Election. The regular meeting of the Borough of Newtown Board of Burgesses will immediately follow. Both meetings will be held in the Borough Office at Town Hall South.
There being no further business, Burgess Baiad made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m., seconded by Burgess Maher and unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Darlene M. Spencer
Borough Clerk
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