BOROUGH OF NEWTOWN
NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT
Minutes of the meeting of the Borough of Newtown Board of Burgesses on Tuesday, November 10, 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,
Burgess Betsy Kenyon, Clerk and Burgess Darlene Spencer
Absent: Tax Collector Jodie Enriquez and Burgess Anthony Baiad
Burgess Walker made a motion to accept the October 13, 2009 meeting minutes,
seconded by Burgess Maher and unanimously approved.
Public Participation: None
Warden’s Report: No report
Tree Warden: Tree Warden, Rob McCulloch read his report as follows: There was one request from the Highway Department. Trees located at 2 Mt. Pleasant Road in Open Space. He inspected the trees and received an email on the same day from the Finance Office stating that Conservation Director, Rob Sibley would take care of it. Rob McCulloch will follow up in a week. The Town Highway crew took down two trees on Johnnie Cake Lane. Trees on 11 Currituck Road and 3 West Street are going to be removed by Timber Ridge Services by the end of the month. Rob is still waiting to hear back from the Highway Department regarding other trees. He will send the remaining list out to bid along with the pruning list.
Senior Burgess Crick asked about a broken limb on a tree in front of the Diedier property. Rob said he notified the State and they took it down. Discussion followed.
Discussion was held regarding Town and Country Garden Club’s request to have a tree in one of the traffic islands removed.
Tax Collector's Report: There was no report in Tax Collector Enriquez’s absence.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Walker reported the following: A deposit of $4,500.00 was made on October 20, 2009 from Tax Collector Enriquez for a total of $150,500.00 to date. A transfer of $5,000.00 was made to cover this month’s invoicing leaving a total of $384,027.92 in the NSBMM Account. CD #1001209814 has been renewed for two years at 1.75% as of October 24, 2009. Capital Reserve is $1,885.79 as of October 1, 2009.
Burgess Kenyon made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Burgess Spencer and unanimously approved.
Zoning Officer’s Report: Zoning Officer St. Jean attended an Access Management meeting in which the following was discussed: The elimination of curb cuts by closing some commercial driveways and establishing a connection behind business establishments. It was noted that wetlands, as well a loss of parking, would result in such an action. Johnnie Cake Lane was mentioned as a road that could be closed at one end and turned into a cul-de-sac.
Zoning Officer St. Jean reported that, due to the excessive number of curb cuts on Church Hill Road, the State is requiring that the driveway for the proposed building at the corner of The Boulevard and Church Hill Road enter/exit onto The Boulevard. The State will mandate a traffic light as well.
Discussion was held regarding the Rizzardi court settlement and permanent injunction.
Historic District: Burgess Kenyon reported that because of economics it would be better to have a two-sided sign (entering and leaving the Borough), than two signs put together. The estimate as follows: $550.00 per sign including labor; $125.00 per post (1 post per sign location). $625.00 x five locations = $3,125.00. Burgess Maher is working on the application with the State for the sign installation and Zoning Officer St. Jean will be presenting the proposal to the Borough Zoning Commission for their approval. Discussion followed.
Senior Burgess Crick made a motion to approve the Historic District Sign Project as presented and to appropriate $4,000.00 contingent upon approval from the Borough Zoning Commission, seconded by Burgress Walker and unanimously approved.
Sidewalks: Burgess Maher said that everything is quiet.
Streets & Parks: Burgess Maher received an application form from the State concerning the installation of the Borough of Newtown signs. Warden Gaston will review it.
Old Business: Senior Burgess Crick recently took a tour of the significantly vacant Edmond Town Hall. She is extremely concerned about the future of the building. Discussion was held regarding the Board of Managers and the Mary Hawley Society’s role in its preservation.
Warden Gaston stated that the ad hoc committee comprised of members of the Legislative Council, Board of Finance, etc. are working together to discuss ideas. Acquiring a purchasing manager to write grants has been one idea. Discussion followed concerning future uses for the building such as an art and cultural center, as well as a place where meetings could be held. Burgesses Walker and Spencer stated that they have noticed, from working at the CHB Library where the meeting rooms are in constant demand, that the Town is in need of additional places to hold meetings. The Burgesses agreed that the Edmond Town Hall is important and they would like to take a greater role in its preservation and livelihood.
New Business: Warden Gaston stated that Tax Collector Enriquez’ son is preparing for deployment to Afghanistan. He is part of the 1/102nd Infantry. Governor Rell announced that the State’s annual holiday drive to help support the families of troops already deployed or preparing to be deployed will include a special fund-raising effort to bring troops preparing for deployment at out-of-state bases home to Connecticut for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The effort is called “Operation Home for the Holidays”. Warden Gaston distributed the information to the Burgesses.
Senior Burgess Crick made a motion that By Resolution: We, the Board of Burgess of the Borough of Newtown, thank Louis Anthony Enriquez for his dedication and service to the country and we wish him a safe return from his tour in Afghanistan, seconded by Burgess Maher and unanimously approved.
Public Participation: none
The next regular meeting of the Borough of Newtown Board of Burgesses will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the Borough Office at Town Hall South.
There being no further business, Burgess Kenyon made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m., seconded by Burgess Walker and unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Darlene M. Spencer
Borough Clerk
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