BOROUGH OF NEWTOWN
NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT
Minutes of the meeting of the Borough of Newtown Board of Burgesses on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at Town Hall South, Newtown. Warden James Gaston called the meeting to order at 7:37 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
Warden Gaston informed the Board that he had to leave the meeting early.
Warden’s Report: Warden Gaston reported that he received a letter from George Schmidt of 12 Old Castle Drive concerning the Borough’s financial status. Warden Gaston read the letter to the Burgesses. Mr. Schmidt requested to be put on the agenda. Warden Gaston stated that he contacted Mr. Schmidt and informed him that, as soon as the Borough receives their audited financial report, he will be added to the agenda to address his concerns to the Board.
Burgess Spencer made a motion to go into executive session to discuss litigation, seconded by Burgess Baiad and unanimously approved.
Senior Burgess Crick made a motion to come out of executive session, seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
Warden Gaston left the meeting and Senior Burgess Crick led the meeting.
Burgess Maher made a motion to accept the September 8, 2009 annual meeting minutes and special meeting minutes, seconded by Burgess Walker and unanimously approved.
Tree Warden: Tree Warden, Rob McCulloch read his report as follows: Tree at 27 Hanover Road, Town tree within easements, referred back to Highway Department. Tree at 3 West Street, Highway Department could not take it down, will be sent out to bid this month. Request #336 – Overlook Drive, dead tree on right of way, referred to Highway Department. Request #323 – dead trees on West Street near church, referred back to Highway Department. Dead trees at 27 Grand Place, referred back to Highway Department.
Rob reported that he met with State Tree Warden Steve Geddes. The State took down the tree at 49 Main Street and will give the trees at 24 Main Street a little more time to see how they do. The trees at 24 Main Street will be sent out to bid in a pruning package that Rob is putting together. Rob asked the State Tree Warden about replanting. The State Tree Warden said that a permit is usually required, but agreed to waive it. Further, he didn’t know of any grants for the replanting of trees by the State or the DEP. Rob said that when the time comes to replant, he would seek help from local businesses.
The State was called and cleaned up a large limb that fell at the Dedier’s property on Main Street. They will be coming out to look at the remaining tree and also some dead Ash trees on Johnnie Cake Lane.
Trees being sent out to bid to be removed are: Maple tree at 11 Currituck Road, Elm tree at 3 West Street, Maple tree at 27 Hall Lane, and Maple tree at 17 Glover Avenue.
Trees being sent out to bid to be pruned are: 2 Maple trees at 24 Main Street, Silver Maple at 3 Glover Avenue, and 5 Hickory trees at Rams’ Pasture.
Senior Burgess Crick led discussion regarding trees that need replacing.
Tax Collector's Report: Tax Collector Enriquez reported the following: Total Taxes Due for the List of 2008: $159,409.74. Current Taxes $160,510.84; Back Taxes $1,165.21; Interest $486.07; Lien Fees $48.00; Return of Overpayments ($11,478.74). Total Submitted to Treasurer to Date $146,000.00. Current Taxes Collected 93.5%.
Burgess Walker made a motion to accept the Tax Collector’s Report, seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Walker reported the following: A deposit of $6,000.00 was made on September 9, 2009 from Tax Collector Enriquez for a total of $146,000.00 to date. A transfer of $4,000.00 was made to cover this month’s invoicing leaving a total of $284,264.24 in the NSBMM Account. Capital Reserve is $1,885.79 as of September 30, 2009.
Treasurer Walker stated that the Certificate of Deposit on the Capital Reserve is coming due. Discussion followed. Senior Burgess Crick will contact the bank about interest rates.
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 updated the Burgesses regarding the Access Management meeting she recently attended. She updated the Board regarding the work nearing completion at the Caraluzzi Market/Ace Hardware building and the traffic light between that building and the Big Y. The State is still working with Gas Stop on their driveway. Zoning Officer St. Jean said that she has received calls from people concerned about what to do with the Edmond Town Hall once the town offices have moved. Starbucks is interested in renovating the inside of their building. Discussion was held regarding signage in the Borough. Discussion was also held regarding the proposed new firehouse that was recently denied. Zoning Officer St. Jean
reported that the Dana-Holcombe House is interested in the possibility of building a small cottage on their property. Discussion followed.
Historic District: Burgess Kenyon met with the Sign Depot regarding the Borough of Newtown Historic District signs. She displayed a mock up of the sign which will be two sided. It will read, “Entering Borough of Newtown Historical District Est.1824” in black letters on a white background. The back side will read, “Leaving Borough of Newtown Historical District Est. 1824”. She noted that the Sign Depot strongly suggested that the sign not be made of wood as wood is too heavy and will require two posts to support it. They suggested using composite which will require only one post and will last forever. In addition the installation will be much less expensive. Burgess Kenyon stated that she will have an estimate for five
2-sided signs at the next meeting. The signs will be placed at the following locations:
1. Rams’ Pasture beginning of Rt. 302
2. Near The Newtown Bee on Church Hill Road
3. End of 10 West Street
4. End of 10 Currituck Road
5. 82 Main Street near Johnnie Cake Lane
Sidewalks: Burgess Maher reported that he and Rob Connor walked the length of the sidewalk at 27 Main Street and assessed the job of resetting the stone. The estimated price is within the budget. Burgess Maher will meet with Mrs. Rohmer to schedule a time to reset the stone and replace a few of the pieces with existing material which will bring the sidewalk up to safety standards.
Streets & Parks: Burgess Maher noted that the replacement trees have been planted at 29 Main Street.
Senior Burgess Crick stated that the sidewalk in front of the Inn at Newtown is not well lit. She feels that it is a dangerous area and wondered if anything could be done to illuminate it. Discussion followed.
Senior Burgess Crick noted that the grass has been removed from the paving stones at the Solders’ and Sailors’ Monument and it looks much better. She received a call from someone who noticed that a name is missing from one of the markers at the monument. She referred the person to the local veteran’s organization.
Old Business: none
New Business: Burgess Walker led discussion regarding the Consulting line item.
Burgess Spencer made a motion to transfer $350.00 from Contingency to Consulting, seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
Public Participation: none
The regular meeting of the Borough of Newtown Board of Burgesses will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the Borough Office at Town Hall South.
There being no further business, Burgess Spencer made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m., seconded by Burgess Walker and unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Darlene M. Spencer
Borough Clerk
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