BOROUGH OF NEWTOWN
NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT
Minutes of the meeting of the Borough of Newtown Board of Burgesses on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at Town Hall South, Newtown. Warden James Gaston called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
Present: Warden James Gaston, Senior Burgess Joan Crick, 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: Second Senior Burgess Jay Maher
CORRECTION: Warden Gaston stated that the minutes of the special meeting held on February 10, 2009 did not reflect that a motion was made to close the nominations and adjourn the meeting.
Senior Burgess Crick made a motion that the February 10, 2009 special meeting minutes be corrected to state, “Burgess Baiad made a motion to close the nominations and adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m., seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.” Burgess Baiad seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Senior Burgess Crick made a motion to accept the February 10, 2009 special meeting minutes, seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
Burgess Kenyon made a motion to accept the February 10, 2009 regular meeting minutes, seconded by Burgess Walker and unanimously approved.
Public Participation: Marilyn Alexander of 8 Taunton Lake Drive and a member of the Newtown Woman’s Club, GFWC, Inc. stated that the Club is involved in the “Flags on the Green Fundraiser” to benefit Operation Oasis. She explained that flags would be sold to honor past and present veterans and would be placed in the grass around the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument. The flags would have a tag attached to them with the name of the veteran and would be on display from Flag Day, June 14th until the end of July. The flags would then be retrieved and given to the honoree or their family. Funds raised would be donated to Operation Oasis to create a “Vets OASIS” on Connecticut Public
College Campuses to welcome home our Veterans. It would be a place where they can gather among themselves, discuss their experiences and struggles, get help from mentors, and plan ways to reenter society in education or in the workplace. Mrs. Alexander requested permission to put the flags on the Solders’ and Sailors’ Monument from Flag Day, June 14th until the end of July.
Burgess Crick thought it was a wonderful idea, but questioned whether the flags would get in the way of mowing the grass. Discussion followed.
Warden Gaston asked Mrs. Alexander whether the local VFW had been contacted.
Discussion followed.
Burgess Baiad made a motion to approve the Newtown Woman’s Club project and the placing of flags around the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument from June 14th through the end of July subject to the approval by the VFW, seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
Warden Gaston said that he will contact the VFW about the project. He commended the Newtown Woman’s Club for their work.
Burgess Spencer made a motion to amend the agenda and add the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
Debbie Aurelia of the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission requested permission to hang a banner across Queen Street in front of the Middle School to promote the Commission’s Connecticut Film Festival to be held on Saturday, April 25th. Harvey Hubbell’s documentary film on dyslexia will be showing at the Edmond Town Hall. Discussion was held regarding the banner and the possibility of using sandwich board signs. Discussion was also held about hanging a banner over the Edmond Town Hall entrance.
Zoning Officer St. Jean suggested that Ms. Aurelia contact the Newtown Land Use Agency Director, George Benson regarding the banner and sandwich board signs. Approval from the Town Hall Board of Managers is needed if a banner will be placed over the Town Hall entrance.
Burgess Walker made a motion to approve the hanging of a banner by the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission over Queen Street for three weeks prior to the Connecticut Film Festival scheduled for April 25th, seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
Warden’s Report: Warden Gaston reported that he was contacted by a member of the Lion’s Club who asked for permission to hang a banner across Queen Street in front of the Middle School to promote their annual “Lose the Litter Day”. Warden Gaston granted them approval.
Tax Collector's Report: Tax Collector Enriquez reported the following for the month of March: Total Taxes Due for the List of 2008: $165,083.29. Current Taxes $161,388.86; Back Taxes $3,001.49; Interest $1,834.43; Lien Fees $384.00; Return of Overpayments ($1,546.41). Total Submitted to Treasurer to Date $163,000.00. Current Taxes Collected 96.8%.
Discussion was held regarding the grand list and budget preparation.
Burgess Walker made a motion to accept the Tax Collector’s Report, seconded by Burgess Spencer and unanimously approved.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Walker reported the following: A deposit of $1,500.00 was made from Tax Collector Enriquez for a total of $163,000.00 as of March 10, 2009. Also, a deposit of $1,942.00 was made from Zoning Officer St. Jean for building fees, etc. A transfer of $4,000.00 was made on March 10, 2009 to cover this month’s invoicing making a total of $261,562.54 in the NSBMM Account. Capital Reserve is $1,880.85 as of February 27, 2009.
Burgess Kenyon made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Senior Burgess Crick and unanimously approved.
Zoning Officer’s Report: Zoning Officer St. Jean reported that My Place Restaurant will be coming before the Borough Zoning Commission to ask for an amendment. They want to have outside dining in front and on the side of the building. Zoning Officer St. Jean updated the Burgesses regarding Gas Stop. The State has held up their plans with respect to the proposed driveway. Discussion followed. Wachovia Bank is finishing up their new bank location and will soon receive their Certificate of Occupancy. She updated the Burgesses regarding the Knights of Columbus’ building and the proposed plans for the railroad station building and property. Discussion followed.
Historic District: Burgess Kenyon had nothing new to report.
Zoning Officer St. Jean said that Scott Sharlow has prepared an aerial map of the Borough with the entire Historic District on it. The Burgesses reviewed the map. Zoning Officer St. Jean suggested that Scott reduce the size of the map so that copies can be made and sent to each of the Historic District residents.
Sidewalks: No report in Burgess Maher’s absence.
Streets & Parks: Senior Burgess Crick reported that the Town and Country Garden Club is still concerned about the tree on the Queen Street/Glover Avenue traffic island. The top of the tree is half dead. Burgess Maher has talked about it at past meetings. Discussion followed. Senior Burgess Crick will ask Rob McCulloch to take it down.
Warden Gaston mentioned that he hasn’t heard from Borough Tree Warden John Mead. After discussion, Warden Gaston asked Senior Burgess Crick to find out whether Rob would like to be the Borough Tree Warden.
Election: Clerk Spencer noted that the Registrar of Voters conducted the lottery which determines the order in which the names of the nominees will be placed on the ballot.
Old Business: none
New Business: none
Public Participation: none
The next regular meeting of the Borough of Newtown Board of Burgesses will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the Borough Office at Town Hall South.
There being no further business, Burgess Baiad made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 p.m., seconded by Senior Burgess Crick and unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Darlene M. Spencer
Borough Clerk
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