BOROUGH OF NEWTOWN
NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Borough of Newtown Board of Burgesses on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at Edmond Town Hall, Newtown, CT. Warden Gaston called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m.
Present: Warden James Gaston, Senior Burgess Joan Crick, Second Senior Burgess Jay Maher,, Burgess Betsy Kenyon, Clerk Ann Benore, Tax Collector Jodie Enriquez, Treasurer and Burgess Marie Walker, Zoning Officer Jean St. Jean
Absent: Burgess Anthony Baiad, Burgess Bill Lucas, Tree Warden Rob McCulloch
Senior Burgess Crick made a motion to accept the April 12, 2011 meeting minutes, seconded by Second Senior Burgess Maher and unanimously approved.
Public Participation: Margaret O’Neil Murphy, 8 Meadow Road, spoke about the sidewalk situation on Queen Street. She expressed that the sidewalks are needed on that road and would like to see the project get started given that it has been a topic of discussion for a very long time.
Priscilla Jones, 5 Meadow Road, also spoke in favor of sidewalks on Queen Street. In her opinion, the sidewalk should be on the east side because there are no side streets on that side of the road. Zoning Officer Jean St. Jean said that in the previous study done on the sidewalks, the majority of residents indicated that they would like to see it on the west side. Warden Gaston said that there will be a CIP meeting in August and that the Borough is going to try to get the sidewalk project on that schedule. He suspects the project will cost approximately $300,000. Ultimately, the Board of Selectmen will make the decision as to which side the sidewalk will go on.
Ms. Jones also asked whether white lines indicating a pedestrian crossing could be placed on the driveways of the businesses on Queen Street (near My Place Restaurant). Zoning Officer St. Jean said she will look into it and also stated that the light at the entrance to Big Y is being reconfigured which should help pedestrians.
Michael Floros, 32 Queen Street, asked who will have the influence regarding the CIP and the sidewalk project. It was discussed that the Police Commission is involved as well as the Board of Selectmen, traffic studies, and the public.
Warden’s Report: Warden Gaston congratulated all on the recent election. He received a letter from the Newtown Women’s Club asking permission to place flags at the soldiers and sailors monument from May 20th until June 14th (Flag Day). All agreed that it would again be a nice project and Warden Gaston will send letter granting permission.
Warden Gaston updated all on the CL&P project to replace telephone poles with taller ones to accommodate the new manufacturing facility on Edmond Road. He showed maps that indicated which poles will be replaced, pole placement, and removal of tree limbs.
Warden Gaston reported that he did sign the United Water agreement. A study on the Pootatuck was agreed upon, pressure valves will be installed, there will no “zebra striping” on Main Street. The existence of the Borough Historic District and the Zoning Commission are reasons why we were able to stay involved in the discussions.
He also reported that Relay for Life will be putting up their banner on Queen Street.
Warden Gaston received a letter from George Schmidt, 12 Old Castle Drive, which he read to the Board. Mr. Schmidt indicated in his letter that the strip of land at the intersection of Castle Hill Road and Old Castle Drive which overlooks the flagpole needs regular lawn maintenance. Since the land is Borough property, he is asking whether the Borough can take responsibility for the lawn maintenance. He attached a proposal from the neighborhood’s lawn service company which came to $600.00 for the entire year. Discussion followed.
Burgess Kenyon made a motion that the Borough assumes the cost of the lawn maintenance of the strip of land at Castle Hill Road and Old Caste Drive, seconded by Second Senior Burgess Maher, and unanimously approved.
Tree Warden’s Report: Due to the absence of Rob McCulloch, Warden Gaston reported that a stump was removed at 10 Hall Lane.
Tax Collector's Report: Tax Collector Enriquez reported the following: Total Taxes Due for the List of 2009: $168,497.50; Current Taxes: $164,342.13; Back Taxes: $3,422.59; Interest: $2,143.23; Lien Fees: $456.00; Return of Overpayments ($3,014.88). Total Submitted to Treasurer to Date: $166,900.00. Current Taxes Collected: $161,327.25.
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 $400.00 was made from Jodie Enriquez making a total of $166,900.00 to date. There was no transfer for invoicing. The total in the NSBMM account is $197,334.59 to date. Capital Reserve is $1,897.95 as of April 29, 2011. Two line items need to be increased to pay bills – Elections needs $102.80 and Office Supplies needs $106.20. Discussion followed.
Second Senior Burgess Maher made a motion to transfer $106.20 from Sidewalks to Elections, seconded by Burgess Kenyon and unanimously approved.
Senior Burgess Crick made a motion to transfer $102.80 from Sidewalks to Office Supplies, seconded by Second Senior Burgess Maher and unanimously approved.
Second Senior Burgess Maher 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 reported that 33 Main Street will possibly be sold by June 30th. There will be further discussion on the matter at tomorrow night’s Zoning meeting. Two developers are looking at 30 and 32 Church Hill Road. Ms. St. Jean spoke about the property at 27 Church Hill Road being a commercial property and not residential so, therefore, a vehicle can be stored on the property.
Warden Gaston added that he did not need to write a letter to the First Selectman regarding the Glover Avenue crosswalk because the matter was resolved and the crosswalk was replaced.
Historic District: Burgess Kenyon reported there were two applications for 62 Main Street, one for a sun porch on the north side and the other for a bay window. There will be a meeting regarding these applications in two weeks.
Sidewalks: Second Senior Burgess Maher had nothing to report.
Streets & Parks: Second Senior Burgess Maher reported that the owners of 40 Main Street requested not to have the tree replaced on their property as was previously discussed. Warden Gaston said he was inclined to grant their request.
Old Business: None.
New Business: None.
Budget: ~Warden Gaston presented the proposed budget for 2011-2012. ~ Each line item was reviewed and discussed as well as the revenue figures. ~A couple of adjustments were made still keeping the mill rate at 0.61 mills, reflecting no increase in the mill rate.
A meeting of the property owners and/or electors of the Borough of Newtown will be held on May 24, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall for the purpose of voting on the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2011-2012. A special meeting of the Board of Burgesses will be held immediately following the meeting of property owners, in the Borough Office at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, Newtown, CT.
Public Participation: None.
There being no further business, Burgess Walker made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30p.m., seconded by Second Senior Burgess Maher and unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M. Benore
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