BOROUGH OF NEWTOWN
NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Borough of Newtown Board of Burgesses on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at Edmond Town Hall, Newtown, CT. Warden Gaston called the meeting to order at 8:05 p.m.
Present: Warden James Gaston, Senior Burgess Joan Crick, Second Senior Burgess Jay Maher,
Burgess Anthony Baiad, Burgess Betsy Kenyon, Clerk Ann Benore, Treasurer and Burgess Marie Walker
Absent: Tax Collector Jodie Enriquez
Also Present: Tree Warden Rob McCulloch
Burgess Kenyon made a motion to take new business out of order insofar as the appointment of Bill Lucas as Burgess, seconded by Second Senior Burgess Maher and unanimously approved.
Warden Gaston said that Bill Lucas had attended last month’s meeting expressing interest in the vacant Burgess position. He asked whether anyone had any questions or thoughts regarding the nomination of Mr. Lucas to fill the position. All agreed that Mr. Lucas would be a good addition to the Board.
Senior Burgess Joan Crick made a motion to appoint Bill Lucas as Burgess to fill the seat vacated by Darlene Spencer, seconded by Burgess Baiad and unanimously approved.
Clerk Ann Benore then read the oath of office to Mr. Lucas confirming his appointment as Burgess.
Burgess Marie Walker made a motion to accept the January 11, 2011 meeting minutes, seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
Public Participation: None.
Warden’s Report: Warden Gaston had nothing to report.
Tree Warden: Rob McCulloch had nothing to report.
Tax Collector's Report: No report due to the absence of Tax Collector Enriquez.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Walker reported the following: A deposit of $1,696.00 was made from Zoning Officer Jean St. Jean for building fees, etc. A transfer of $4,500.00 was made to cover this month’s invoicing. The total in the NSBMM account is $230,592.39 to date. Capital Reserve is $1,896.49 as of January 31, 2011.
Burgess Baiad made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
Zoning Officer’s Report: Zoning Officer Jean St. Jean suggested that Auditor Glenn Nanavaty change the name of the line item in the Audit report from “Miscellaneous Expenses” to “Building/Zoning Fees” for next year’s report. She stated that the public has expressed some confusion over exactly what “Miscellaneous” includes and felt that this would alleviate that confusion.
Zoning Officer St. Jean reported that the two doctor’s offices proposals, located on Queen Street and Church Hill Road, are going forward with their process. She also reported that she has a meeting with First Selectman Pat Llodra, Sandy Motyka (ETH Board of Managers), and Margot Hall (newly appointed member of ETH Board of Managers) regarding several craftsman who have proposed using Edmond Town Hall as a cultural arts headquarters. The proposal includes having open studios and craft shows taking place four times a year. This preliminary meeting will take place tomorrow. Discussion followed.
Zoning Officer St. Jean reported that the Firehouse application was defeated last night at the Zoning meeting. Parking, wetlands, site traffic, the size of the building all played a part in the decision.
Additionally, she reported that the proposed traffic light at Caraluzzi’s was approved by the State and should be done in the spring.
Historic District: Burgess Kenyon had nothing new to report.
Sidewalks: Second Senior Burgess Maher reported that all is quiet.
Streets & Parks: Second Senior Burgess Maher had nothing new to report.
Old Business: None.
New Business: Warden Gaston reported that the ETH Board of Managers has proposed that the Borough pay some sort of fee for the use of our new office. Preliminary figures were estimated to be around $300 per month. Warden Gaston would like to see this payment made in the form of a contribution to ETH rather than a rental payment. He stated that the Borough has made such contributions in the past (last year’s being $2,500).
In addition, the town has developed a new website and Warden Gaston has made suggestions to Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia with respect to editing the information on the Borough’s page.
Finally with respect to renting rooms at ETH when the Zoning Commission needs more room than the Borough Office offers, Warden Gaston would like to see the Board of Managers send us a bill for the rental fees rather than it being a cash transaction. Warden Gaston will contact Jim Juliano from the Board of Managers asking for such a procedure particularly for tax purposes.
Public Participation: None.
There being no further business, Burgess Baiad made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m., seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M. Benore
Borough Clerk
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