The Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on Monday, July 22, 2002 at the C. H. Booth Library, Main Street, Newtown, CT. First Selectman Rosenthal called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM. From 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the Board of Selectmen had interviewed four candidates for a vacancy on the Economic Development Commission, in executive session.
PRESENT: First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal and Selectman William Brimmer.
Selectman Joseph Bojnowski was unable to attend.
ALSO PRESENT: Finance Director Ben Spragg, Town Engineer Ron Bolmer, six members of public
VOTER PARTICIPATION – Mr. Eugene Cox, 31 Pond Brook Road, filed application for Scenic Road Designation. He believes that Pond Brook Road meets the criteria for this designation. He has lived on the road for 58 years and his father built some of the stone walls in the 1920’s. Pond Brook is one of the only roads in Newtown that runs alongside a major stream and he would like to see the character of this road maintained.
Mrs. Cox, 31 Pond Brook is in support of the Scenic Road Designation application.
Mr. George Carlson, 19 Pond Brook Road, has lived on the road for 16 years. The character has changed with construction. He would hate to see the road changed anymore. He feels if the road is “improved” it would become a shortcut.
First Selectman Rosenthal advised that according to the Scenic Road Ordinance, if a road is designated as “scenic”, it will stay at less than 22” wide, and stone walls and trees would be retained. However, for public safety road purposes, a road could still be paved, although, he does not foresee that at this time for Pond Brook Road.
COMMUNICATIONS: None
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Selectman Brimmer, the minutes of the 6/17/02 and 7/1/02 meetings were unanimously accepted as presented.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None
NEW BUSINESS
Application for Scenic Road Designation – Unpaved Portion of Pond Brook Road
Selectman Brimmer moved to submit the application for Scenic Road Designation for the Unpaved Portion of Pond Brook Road to the Legislative Council. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Bond Reduction, Fire Suppression System, Washington Avenue, “Tilson Woods” Subdivision
As per the original subdivision agreement, the applicant was to install four fire suppression tanks at a cost of $120,000. The developer then opted to extend an existing water line system and provide fire hydrants instead of tanks. Because of the extensive work that had to be done on Washington Avenue, the applicant agreed to overlay the entire road after installation of the water line and this bond is being applied to that work.
Selectman Brimmer moved to reduce bond for Fire Suppression System, Washington Avenue, “Tilson Woods” Subdivision from $120,000 to $24,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Bond Reduction, Tilson Lane, Pearl Street, Charlies Circle, “Tilson Woods” Subdivision
Selectman Brimmer moved to reduce the bond for Tilson Lane, Pearl Street and Charlies Circle, “Tilson Woods” Subdivision from $810,000 to $283,500. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Maintenance Bond Release, Road & Drainage Work Agreement, Hattertown Road, “Westwood Estates” Subdivision
Selectman Brimmer moved to release the maintenance bond in the amount of $1,100 for Road & Drainage Work Agreement, Hattertown Road, “Westwood Estates” Subdivision. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Bond Reduction, Fire Supression Tanks, Charter Ridge Road, “Cider Mill Farm” Subdivision
Selectman Brimmer moved to reduce bond for Fire Suppression Tanks, Charter Ridge Road, “Cider Mill Farm” Subdivision from $90,000 to $30,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Selectman Brimmer moved to release nine (9) driveway bonds as outlined on Attachment A. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Brimmer moved to release one (1) subdivision bond (common driveway) as outlined on Attachment A. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve six month extensions for three (3) driveway bonds as outlined on Attachment A. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Property Tax Exemption for Low-Income Veterans
First Selectman Rosenthal advised that the 2002 General Assembly passed a Public Act that increased the amount of property tax exemption that municipalities can provide to income-eligible veterans. Newtown’s State Representative Julia Wasserman was involved with the passing of this Act. The First Selectman has already passed this information on to the Legislative Council Chairman and Council Ordinance Committee Chairman. No financial impact has been determined yet, but it is probably minimal since the income level for eligibility is very low. The Assessor has advised that it would depend on how the State will interpret income. If they do not include Social Security in the determination of income levels then more people would be eligible.
First Selectman Rosenthal moved to recommend to the Legislative Council to enact an Ordinance for expanding property tax exemption for low-income veterans, as per Public Act No. 02-137. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Appointments
Selectman Brimmer moved appointments as outlined on Attachment B. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
July 2002 Tax Refunds
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve July 2002 Refunds No. 1 in the amount of $19,282.80. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Legal Matters - None
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment A: Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Attachment B: Appointments
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