BOROUGH OF NEWTOWN
NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Borough of Newtown Board of Burgesses on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at Edmond Town Hall, Newtown, CT. Warden Gaston called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
Present: Warden James Gaston, Senior Burgess Joan Crick, Second Senior Burgess Jay Maher,
Burgess Anthony Baiad, Burgess Betsy Kenyon (7:33), Clerk Ann Benore, Tax Collector Jodie Enriquez (7:55), Treasurer and Burgess Marie Walker
Also Present: Tree Warden Rob McCulloch
Burgess Marie Walker made a motion to accept the March 8, 2011 meeting minutes, seconded by Second Senior Burgess Jay Maher and unanimously approved.
Public Participation: Bruce Walczak, 12 Glover Avenue, asked for help regarding the crosswalk at Glover Avenue and Meadow Road. Originally, a raised table with a crosswalk was approved but when the raised table was taken out the crosswalk alone became an issue and was removed. The crosswalk and signs were removed by the Police Commission because it was considered to be dangerous due to it being a mid-block crosswalk. Mr. Walczak would like to see the crosswalk put back given the fact that numerous people cross the street at that location. He feels that if the stanchion was put back as well as repainting the white lines it may be enough to alert traffic to the crosswalk and make it safer for pedestrians. Discussion followed.
Warden’s Report: Warden Gaston spoke about the United Water situation. We wanted a Pootatuck study done and would like some containment as to how much water would be taken up to the Greenridge development and how much control we would have of water being taken past that point. We did get the map indicating how much would be taken to Greenridge and United Water would have to go back to the DPH and DPUC if expanded past Greenridge. The line will be going up Main Street and we are asking for pressure valves behind property on the Main Street area. United Water has agreed to the Pootatuck study and we would like the DPH and DPUC to retain jurisdiction on this issue with respect to any consequences. Warden Gaston would like the authority to sign-off on the agreement.
Second Senior Burgess Maher made a motion to give Warden Gaston authority to sign-off on the United Water agreement in regard to the Borough’s best interests, Burgess Baiad seconded the motion and unanimously approved.
Warden Gaston received a lease agreement from the Board of Managers regarding a $300/month lease for the Borough’s use of their office at ETH. He will speak with Jim Juliano from the Board of Managers about this matter. Warden Gaston would like to see the Borough make a donation to ETH rather than enter into a traditional lease agreement. Discussion followed.
Warden Gaston received an email regarding the lack of sidewalks on Church Hill Road approaching Main Street. The email was also sent to First Selectman Pat Llodra. He responded that studies have been done and the embankment on the north side of Church Hill poses a significant problem as well as a great expense. If we ask Trinity Church to put a sidewalk in at their expense on their side of the road, it would be putting an unfair financial burden on the church. St. Rose did put a sidewalk in because of the fact that there is a school located there. The issue will be addressed again in the future by the Town and the Borough.
Warden Gaston spoke about a meeting with CL&P regarding a new manufacturing facility to be located on Edmond Road. The facility needs a significant amount of additional power and CL&P will have to make changes to telephone poles along Main Street. The new poles will be 5 feet higher, and pruning of some trees will have to be done. They also need one additional pole with a circuit box to be located on Main Street near Trinity Church. Warden Gaston and CL&P walked the area and found a spot to put the pole where it will not block any houses. CL&P was very agreeable in altering their plans to accommodate the Borough and maintain the character of Main Street. Discussion followed.
Tree Warden: Rob McCulloch reported that the town is out of money in the tree account so a couple of projects he would like to take care of will have to held off until July.
Tax Collector's Report: Tax Collector Enriquez presented the 2010 Grand List and reported the following: Total Taxes Due for the List of 2009: $168,497.50; Current Taxes: $164,010.43; Back Taxes: $3,422.59; Interest: $2,113.60; Lien Fees: $408.00; Return of Overpayments ($3,014.88). Total Submitted to Treasurer to Date: $166,500.00. Current Taxes Collected: $160,995.55.
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: In January 2011, a check for $500.00 was received by Jodie Enriquez for deposit which was not reported. A deposit of $1,000.00 was made in March and $500.00 in January making a total of $166,500.00 to date. A transfer of $8,000.00 was made to cover this month’s invoicing making a total of $198,726.29 in the NSBMM account as of 4/12/11. Capital Reserve is $1,897.47 as of March 31, 2011.
Senior Burgess Crick made a motion to move $1,500 from Contingency, $500 from Historic District, $2,000 from Elections and $1,000 from Sidewalks to the Legal Account, Burgess Baiad seconded the motion and unanimously approved.
Senior Burgess Crick made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Burgess Baiad and unanimously approved.
Zoning Officer’s Report: Zoning Officer Jean St. Jean reported that someone is interested in 33 Main Street and its renovation. Additional parking may be required which could possibly be shared with Newtown Savings Bank. She also reported that discussions are continuing with Newtown Firehouse regarding alternatives for its new location. Properties at 27 Church Hill Road and 12 Queen Street are still active; Taunton Press building may be considered for a veterinary hospital; and debris in the backyard of 14 Queen Street has been picked up.
Historic District: Burgess Kenyon had nothing new to report.
Sidewalks: Second Senior Burgess Maher reported that new owner at 23 Main Street is requesting a new sidewalk. Burgess Maher will look into the matter and reminded all that the sidewalk at 32 Main Street has needed for a while. Both 40 and 49 Main Street have been staked to install new maple trees which should happen in the next two weeks. The park bench in front of the General Store is going to be repaired.
The topic of the crosswalk located at Glover Avenue and Meadow Road was revisited. It was agreed that the Borough would like to see the crosswalk reinstalled (repainted, stanchion put back, signs put up).
Burgess Kenyon made a motion that Warden Gaston write a letter to First Selectman Pat Llodra regarding the crosswalk at Glover Avenue and the Borough’s position on the matter, seconded by Burgess Baiad and unanimously approved.
Streets & Parks: Second Senior Burgess Maher reported that Rob Connor will continue to maintain the islands and the monuments located in the Borough.
Old Business: None.
New Business: None.
Public Participation: None.
There being no further business, Burgess Baiad made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m., seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M. Benore
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