The Ad Hoc Fairfield Hills Management Committee held a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 in the meeting room at Canaan House, Fairfield Hills, Newtown, CT. Chairman John Reed called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: John Reed, Robert Geckle, Andrew Willie, Moira Rodgers, William Lavery, Donald Studley ABSENT: Amy Dent, Richard Sturdevant
ALSO PRESENT: First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal, State Representative Julia Wasserman, Maria DeMarco (DeMarco, Murphy & Miles), Jan Andras (clerk), three members of public
Acceptance of Minutes: Upon motion by Mr. Lavery, the minutes of the 9/21/04 meeting were unanimously accepted as presented.
Facilities Manager’s Report: Ms. DeMarco distributed copies of the Management Report, dated 10/19/04, as well as the Financial Report for September which shows expenses of $63,127. Ms. DeMarco also distributed copies of a document outlining standards for building owners and managers to preserve (mothball) historic buildings. Chairman Reed asked Ms. DeMarco to contact the engineer involved with preparation of the Master Plan and invite them to come to a meeting to discuss what is involved with mothballing buildings.
Regarding the security, Ms. DeMarco reported that Post orders for Cognisa have been drafted and are being reviewed. There has been a recommendation that the town provide two older vehicles to the security personnel which will cut expenses. She has also recommended to Cognisa that there be a supervisor for each shift. They have been working with the Police Chief and developed a security plan for the next couple of weeks to cover Halloween problems.
Yankee Gas may be able to get a gas line onto the campus. Ms. DeMarco will know by the end of the week. This could be used to provide heat to the security building and to Newtown Hall.
The Canaan House basement mold clean up has cost approximately $50,000. Chairman Reed pointed out that there is no guarantee that the problem will not come back when water gets into the building again. That could be a significant potential cost to keeping employees in Canaan House for several more years.
Mr. Lavery moved to allow security personnel to utilize two older town vehicles for patrols and to recommend that we designate an overall security supervisor and two shift supervisors. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Mr. Lavery moved to recommend to the Board of Selectmen have a gas line installed to Newtown Hall and to the designated security building. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Officers: Chairman Reed reported that he and Mr. Geckle met with a Newtown resident who is a Senior Vice President for a financial investment firm. This resident wanted to learn about possible plans for the property. He was referred to the Community Development Director.
Security Subcommittee: Mr. Geckle reported that Shelton House and Fairfield House were recently broken into. During the Halloween season, there are plans to rent temporary lighting to light up the campus. Northeast Utilities has also completed a report on the permanent lighting needs. The security committee has also been looking into public safety issues at the campus such as tree limbs and damaged cupolas and having things taken care of by town personnel.
Use Policy: No report at this time
First Selectman’s Report: Mr. Rosenthal distributed copies of the results from the UConn Survey on the Master Plan. As a result of this survey, the Board of Selectmen made a few modifications to the Master Plan as follows: 1) Have an architectural study to determine whether to renovate Shelton House or build a new town hall on the site; 2) the same for Plymouth Hall; 3) 76% of respondents supported the idea of the eight single family homes being used for affordable housing. The Plan was changed to “allow” for this if a proposal came forward; 4) “Allowing” for police and/or fire department to be on the campus at some future date if there was a desire in the future. Mr. Rosenthal pointed out that the Master Plan does not require things but
“allows” them to happen if there is a proposal and funding approved. The Master Plan will now be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission by HMA. This was part of their contract.
Mr. Rosenthal advised that we have a lease for office space in town where we can move Board of Education and town employees now housed at Canaan House. The lease is being reviewed by the Town Attorney for three years with option to continue. The plan is to move the employees to the Kendro Building on Pecks Lane during the December school vacation.
Public Participation: Ms. Ruby Johnson, 16 Chestnut Hill Road, pointed out that the UConn Survey revealed that 59% of respondents feel that Fairfield Hills will involve an increase in taxes. She feels this committee needs to report expenses and get information to the public.
Mr. Robert Merola, 20 Cobblestone Lane, asked if the Security subcommittee meetings are open to the public and when the next meeting will be. The next meeting is October 26 at 9:30 am at Town Hall South. Some of the meeting may be held in executive session.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Lavery moved that if it can be done on a cost-effective basis, to recommend to the Board of Selectmen to move forward on vacating Canaan House by moving employees to rental space so that demolition and remediation can proceed with safety for employees and the public. Motion seconded and unanimously carried (Ms. Rodgers had left meeting prior to motion).
NEW BUSINESS – None
Ms. Wasserman pointed out that whenever the subject of affordable housing comes up, people assume that it means Section 8 housing and it does not. We are talking about housing that is affordable in Newtown.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
John Reed, Chairman
jan
| 
