BOROUGH OF NEWTOWN
NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT
Minutes of the meeting of the Borough of Newtown Board of Burgesses on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at Town Hall South, Newtown. Warden James Gaston called the meeting to order at 7:33 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 March 10, 2009 meeting minutes, seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
Public Participation: None
Warden’s Report: Warden Gaston stated that he didn’t hear back from the VFW regarding the placing of flags around the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument by the Newtown Woman’s Club in conjunction with their fundraiser to benefit veterans, therefore, he contacted Marilyn Alexander of the Newtown Woman’s Club and gave her the ok.
Warden Gaston led discussion regarding federal incentive program money that the Town may have received for road work, etc. He will contact Fred Hurley to find out what kind of road work is included in the contract/agreement and whether or not the Queen Street sidewalks could be included under it. He also noted that he received an email stating that the city of Hartford plans to use some of their federal incentive money toward pedestrian pathways.
There will be a meeting on April 30th at 7:30 pm. to discuss the Plan of Conservation and Development. Warden Gaston will be attending as well as Borough Zoning Commission Chairman, Linda Shepard.
Discussion was held regarding the Superintendent, Janet Robinson’s and the Newtown Board of Education’s interest in the feasibility of acquiring the property at 27 Church Hill Road that is up for sale. The property is located next to Hawley School and it holds a lot of possibilities for school parking, driveway access, etc.
A budget work session was conducted. A budget and mill rate of 0.58 was agreed upon for the 2009-10 fiscal year.
Tax Collector's Report: Tax Collector Enriquez reported the following for the month of April: Total Taxes Due for the List of 2008: $165,083.29. Current Taxes $161,837.23; Back Taxes $3,001.49; Interest $1,897.12; Lien Fees $504.00; Return of Overpayments ($1,546.41). Total Submitted to Treasurer to Date $164,500.00. Current Taxes Collected 97.1%.
Burgess Kenyon 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 $1,500.00 was made from Tax Collector Enriquez for a total of $164,500.00 as of April 14, 2009. A transfer of $3,000.00 was made on April 14, 2009 to cover this month’s invoicing making a total of $266,200.33 in the NSBMM Account. Capital Reserve is $1,881.54 as of March 31, 2009.
Senior Burgess Crick made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Burgess Spencer and unanimously approved.
Zoning Officer’s Report: Zoning Officer St. Jean reported that Warden Gaston picked up the aerial maps of the Historic District for distribution to the Historic District residents. She updated the Burgesses regarding the property at 25 Church Hill Road and their proposed addition. Discussion was held regarding the Gas Stop property. Mr. Weihl plans on developing the property at the corner of the Boulevard and Church Hill Road. A smaller building than the one in his original plan will be proposed. Zoning Officer St. Jean also spoke about the Board of Education’s interest in the property next to Hawley School. She stated that she met with the owners of the Lexington Gardens property. They are interested in building it up. Updates
were given regarding Wachovia Bank, the Knights of Columbus, St. Rose Church, and My Place Restaurant. Zoning Officer St. Jean noted that two trees in front of John Vouros’ house have been marked for removal by the State of Connecticut DOT. Discussion followed.
Historic District: Burgess Kenyon stated that there are no new applications before the Commission. Discussion was held regarding a phone call she received from Borough resident, Bob Connor who is concerned that he wasn’t aware of the public hearing that was held regarding the house next to the Newtown Ambulance Association. Burgess Kenyon stated that the public hearing notice was published twice in The Newtown Bee. Discussion was held concerning whether or not the Historic District Commission should send certified letters to neighbors regarding public hearings. It was decided that notices in the newspaper are sufficient. Mr. Connor is concerned that the house might be demolished. Burgess Kenyon explained to him that the sale was a hardship and
that the house doesn’t have any historic value. Warden Gaston stated that any further plans concerning the property will have to come before the Borough Zoning Commission and the Historic District Commission.
Sidewalks: Burgress Maher will not be conducting another Streetscape Sidewalk Repair Project until after June 30, 2009.
Streets & Parks: Burgess Maher spoke to Rob Connor regarding the maintenance of the traffic islands. Rob will charge the same price as last year. Discussion followed.
Election: The Borough Election will be held in the Old Court Room at the Edmond Town Hall on Monday, May 4, 2009 from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Old Business: Burgess Maher asked if the Burgesses would like the two trees on Main Street, which are scheduled for removal, to be replaced. Discussion followed and it was agreed that the trees be replaced at a cost of approximately $500.00 per tree.
New Business: none
Public Participation: none
A special meeting of the Borough of Newtown property owners and/or electors will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the Borough Office at Town Hall South for the purpose of voting on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2009-10.
The next regular meeting of the Borough of Newtown Board of Burgesses will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 immediately following the special meeting in the Borough Office at Town Hall South.
There being no further business, Burgess Baiad made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:53 p.m., seconded by Senior Burgess Crick and unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Darlene M. Spencer
Borough Clerk
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