The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on Monday, May 20, 2002 at the C.H. Booth Library, Main Street, Newtown, CT. First Selectman Rosenthal called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
PRESENT: First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal, Selectman Joseph Bojnowski,
Selectman William Brimmer
ALSO PRESENT: Finance Director Ben Spragg, Town Engineer Ronald Bolmer, Schools Business Director Ron Bienkowski, nine members of public, one member of press
VOTER PARTICIPATION – Ms. Barbara O’Connor, 2 Little Brook Lane, regarding the paving currently going on at Huntingtown Road, there is a steep drop off on the sides. Paving is planned for tomorrow or Wednesday. Mr. Bolmer will look at the problem.
COMMUNICATIONS: None noted
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Selectman Bojnowski, the minutes of the 4/15/02 meeting were unanimously accepted as presented.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Road Acceptance, Lafayette Trail, “Tamarack Woods” Subdivision
Developer Larry Edwards was present. The Board of Selectmen had tabled this road acceptance since there is damage to curbing. Mr. Edwards agreed that there is “scarring” on the curbs from the snowplows, which is no different than any other road in town. They did replace most of the curbing in the turnaround which had been broken by construction equipment. First Selectman Rosenthal stated that he will not accept roads in the future that are not in perfect condition, which should give the developers more incentive to get roads accepted quickly. Mr. Bolmer advised that 90% of the “scarring” is from snow plows, however, there are some areas where vehicles parked on the curbs and flattened sections. Mr. Edwards stated that they have been building on this road for five
years and trying to get it accepted for two years. He did agree to fix any flattened curbing.
Selectman Brimmer moved to accept Lafayette Trail, “Tamarack Woods” Subdivision into the Newtown Highway System and to reduce the bond to $11,000.00 which represents a 10% maintenance bond to be held by the Town for a period of one year. Motion seconded and carried: 2 YES (Brimmer, Bojnowski) – 1 NO (Rosenthal)
Pension Plan – “Smoothed Valuation Asset Method”
During budget deliberations, both the Board of Finance and Legislative Council approved a budget adjustment to reflect the smoothed valuation asset method, however, it has to be formally approved by the Board of Selectmen as Trustees of the Plan.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve a revision to the valuation process, in accordance with a letter from David Leonard of T. R. Paul dated January 28, 2002, and that a blended trust asset yield calculation be used in future annual valuation reports. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Road and Drainage Work Agreement, Wildcat Road (Bobcat Lane)
Developers David French and Larry Edwards were present. The Board of Selectmen had referred this proposed road work agreement to the Planning & Zoning Commission as per Section 8-24 of the State Statutes. The P&Z Commission recommends closing off the unimproved section of Wildcat Road to vehicular traffic. The new road would be a cul-de-sac with the name “Bobcat Lane”.
Selectman Bojnowski moved a Road and Drainage Work Agreement, Wildcat Road, Bobcat Lane, Sturges Road and Taunton Hill Road, “Wildcat Hill” Subdivision in the amount of $79,000.00. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Mr. French agreed to clear the unimproved section of Wildcat Road of fallen trees in order to leave a passable walking trail.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution – Small Cities Grant Application for Edmond Town Hall ADA Renovations
A public hearing was held earlier this evening for public comment on this proposed application.
Selectman Brimmer moved Resolution (Attachment A) for the Town of Newtown Small Cities Program. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Request for Transfer – Library Sidewalks
Mr. Joseph Humeston, a member of the Library Board of Trustees, was present. He advised that the sidewalk along Main Street in front of the Library has deteriorated and there is a liability issue for the Town. They received an estimate from Bomanite for $25,980 to replace the sidewalk. The Library can come up with $4,200 towards the expense and is requesting a transfer to cover the balance.
Selectman Brimmer moved to transfer FROM Account 01570-2000 Contingency $22,000.00 TO Account 01670-0000 Library $22,000.00. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Maintenance Bond Release, Road and Drainage Work Agreement, Sturges Road, “Sturges Woods” Subdivision
Selectman Bojnowski moved to release maintenance bond in the amount of $5,600.00 for Road and Drainage Work Agreement, Sturges Road, “Sturges Woods” Subdivision. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Selectman Brimmer moved twelve (12) driveway bond releases as outlined on Attachment B. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Bojnowski moved one subdivision bond release as outlined on Attachment B. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve a six month extension for two (2) driveway bonds as outlined on Attachment B. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Special Appropriation for Extension of Waterline to Newtown High School
Schools Business Director Ron Bienkowski was present. This project was discussed during the recent budget deliberations by the Selectmen, Board of Finance and Legislative Council. Mr. Bienkowski advised that the Board of Education has applied for a Clean Drinking Water Loan from the State, which was submitted last week. The Department of Health will review and should have an approval by early July for funding in August. United Water Co. will provide $60,000 in materials and $516,000 would be bonded at one-half prime interest over a period of twenty years.
Selectman Bojnowski introduced the following resolution and moved to waive the reading of the full resolution: RESOLVED: That the resolution entitled “Resolution Appropriating $516,000 For The Planning, Design And Construction Of A Waterline Connection To Provide Clean Drinking Water And Authorizing The Issuance Of $516,000 Bonds Of The Town To Meet Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose,” a copy of which is attached hereto, is hereby adopted and recommended for adoption by the Town Meeting. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Brimmer moved that said resolution be adopted as introduced and attached to these minutes. Motion seconded by Selectman Bojnowski. Upon roll call vote, the motion carried: YES (Rosenthal, Bojnowski, Brimmer)
Resolution Authorizing First Selectman To Sign Application for State Loan To Fund Water Line Project at Newtown High School
Selectman Bojnowski moved “Resolution To Obtain State Funding For Drinking Water Projects” (Attachment D). Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Mandatory Referral to Planning & Zoning Commission – Water Line Project
First Selectman Rosenthal advised that the extension of a public utility requires a referral to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Selectman Brimmer moved to refer extension of the water line to Newtown High School to the Planning & Zoning Commission, as per Section 8-24 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Request from Hook & Ladder Co. to Expand Firehouse
H&L President Michael McCarthy, Chief Dave Ober and Board of Directors members Rick Camejo and Bill McCarthy were present. They are proposing adding three bays to the existing firehouse behind Edmond Town Hall. They have been looking at other options but land constraints and financial constraints will prevent them from building a new firehouse. Since this is a town-owned building, they will need permission to build an addition. The fire company would supply the estimated $250,000-$275,000 for this expansion. First Selectman Rosenthal pointed out that there are structural problems with the existing building. A structural engineer would need to determine whether moving the heaviest equipment from the existing bays to the new bays would alleviate this problem.
Selectman Brimmer moved to give authorization for Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 to add three bays to the existing firehouse behind Edmond Town Hall at Hook & Ladder Co. expense. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Transfer – Registrars
Selectman Brimmer moved to transfer FROM Account 01570-2000 Contingency $8,000.00 TO Account 01180-1005 Referenda $8,000.00. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
This transfer will cover the cost of the second budget referendum which is not budgeted every year.
Tax Refunds
Selectman Bojnowski moved May 2002 Tax Refunds in the amount of $19,249.72. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Legal Matters
Selectman Brimmer moved to enter executive session to discuss one legal matter and to invite the Finance Director and clerk to attend. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Meeting entered executive session at 8:30 p.m. and returned to open session at 8:45 p.m.
Selectman Brimmer moved to authorize the First Selectman to commence foreclosure proceedings against Homesteads Community at Newtown, LLC property at 12 Pocono Road, Newtown, CT. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment A: Resolution – Small Cities
Attachment B: Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Attachment C: Bonding Resolution – Extension of Water Line
Attachment D: Resolution – Authorization for First Selectman
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