BOROUGH OF NEWTOWN
NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT
Minutes of the meeting of the Borough of Newtown Board of Burgesses on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at Town Hall South, Newtown. Warden James Gaston called the meeting to order at 7:36 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 Baiad made a motion to accept the April 14, 2009 meeting minutes, seconded by Burgess Walker and unanimously approved.
Public Participation: None
Warden’s Report: Warden Gaston extended congratulations to everyone who was re-elected. He also expressed concern over a flier that was distributed to Borough residents prior to the election. He received several calls from Borough residents who were upset over its nasty tone. Discussion followed.
The Police Commission will be holding a meeting on June 2nd at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall South Conference Room. They are looking for feedback from residents of Main Street and nearby roads concerning the flagpole area. Zoning Officer St. Jean led discussion regarding the grant given to the town to conduct access management. The Access Management Committee is conducting a study on commercial access driveways and potential new driveways. The committee met with consultants and key officials to review every driveway from Exit 9 to Exit 11 on Rt. 25 and down Church Hill Road to Exit 10. The committee also discussed to a lesser extent the flagpole area, as a traffic study has already been conducted on it. Zoning Officer St. Jean
discussed the reasons why the Borough needs a planning representative.
Warden Gaston reported that he attended the Plan of Conservation and Development meeting at which he spoke about the Borough’s plan to preserve Main Street and the downtown area with respect to zoning, the village concept, and the streetscape sidewalk repair. He said that he further reported that the Borough is working toward the completion of the sidewalks on Queen Street to extend to the Reed Intermediate School.
Warden Gaston attended the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers’ meeting and requested space for the Borough when the offices move to Fairfield Hills. Discussion followed.
Discussion was held concerning the plaque to be awarded to Scudder Smith for his outstanding contribution to the Borough. The Pleasance is a beautiful oasis in the Borough open to public recreational use.
Senior Burgess Crick made a motion to exempt the real property tax on One Main Street for one year (2009-10) due to its open and public recreational use, seconded by Burgess Baiad and unanimously approved.
Warden Gaston led discussion regarding an ethics code for the Borough. The Town has an ethics code, but the Borough does not. Many smaller towns don’t have one because then they would have to have an ethics commission. It may become mandatory that all municipalities have an ethics code. He asked the Burgesses to consider the possibility of putting together an ethics code or adopting the Town’s ethics code and ethics commission.
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 $162,081.66; Back Taxes $3,001.49; Interest $1,937.41; Lien Fees $552.00; Return of Overpayments ($1,546.41). Total Submitted to Treasurer to Date $165,500.00. Current Taxes Collected 97.2%.
Burgess Walker made a motion to accept the Tax Collector’s Report, seconded by Senior Burgess Crick and unanimously approved.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Walker reported the following: A deposit of $1,000.00 was made from Tax Collector Enriquez for a total of $165,500.00 to date. A transfer of $9,000.00 was made to cover this month’s invoicing leaving a total of $258,120.12 in the NSBMM Account as of May 12, 2009. Capital Reserve is $1,882.24 as of April 30, 2009.
Burgess Kenyon made a motion to transfer $312.18 from Contingency to Election, seconded by Burgess Baiad and unanimously approved.
Burgess Spencer 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 updated the Burgesses regarding Lexington Gardens and the possibility of changing the entrance driveway and the installation of a traffic light on Church Hill Road. She attended a meeting concerning the development of the corner of The Boulevard and Church Hill Road. If the area is developed, the State of Connecticut will determine where the access driveway will be. Discussion followed. The Town and Hawley School are interested in the purchase of 27 Church Hill Road. It will be discussed at the next Borough Zoning Commission meeting.
Senior Burgess Crick would like the Borough Zoning Commission to address building height requirements and the filling in of land on any new development project. For example, the land was built up before the construction of the building on the corner of Queen Street and Church Hill Road. Discussion followed.
Zoning Officer St. Jean updated the Board regarding the moving of Wachovia Bank and the completion of the landscaping and driveway near Caraluzzi’s Market.
Burgess Baiad made a motion to appoint George Benson as Planning Officer for the Borough of Newtown, seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
Historic District: Burgess Kenyon reported that she has been distributing the Historic District plaques.
Sidewalks: Burgress Maher asked the Burgesses if they had any suggestions for the next area of Streetscape Sidewalk Repair. Several suggestions were made including the sidewalk in front of Honan’s Funeral Home and the area in front of 32 Main Street. Discussion followed.
Burgess Maher stated that the sidewalk in front of the Rohmers house at 27 Main Street needs attention. It is extremely uneven and a safety hazard. It was mentioned that that area of sidewalk has been discussed in the past and deemed untouchable because of its historic significance. Discussion followed and it was decided that Burgess Kenyon will ask the homeowner if she objects to the Borough resurfacing the ground underneath the stone in order to make the sidewalk safe to walk on. It was also suggested that Borough Historian, Dan Cruson, be asked for his thoughts on the matter.
Streets & Parks: Burgess Maher led discussion regarding the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Monument. He stated that the circular seating area has not been realized and suggested that a few curved wood slat benches with no backs be installed. The benches would be similar in style to the one in front of the Newtown General Store. They would be placed in back of the monument. Upgrading the lighting was also discussed. Burgess Maher will put together a proposal.
Discussion was held concerning the replacement of the diseased trees that were taken down by the State at the Dana-Holcombe House at 29 Main Street. Burgess Maher noted that John Vouros has requested a specific type of maple tree. Warden Gaston stated that Mr. Vouros will have to provide the cost difference.
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, June 9, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the Borough Office at Town Hall South.
There being no further business, Senior Burgess Crick made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:04 p.m., seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Darlene M. Spencer
Borough Clerk
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