The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 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 Ron Bolmer, seven members of public, one member of press
VOTER PARTICIPATION – Ms. Barbara O’Connor, Little Brook Lane, asked how the reval firm is being paid, is it on a percentage basis? Mr. Rosenthal answered that they are being paid a flat contract fee.
Mr. Zoltan Csillag and Ms. Julia Nable of Walnut Tree Hill Road read a letter regarding a proposed telecommunications tower at 79 Church Hill Road (copy attached).
Mr. Duane Jones and Ms. Linda Jones of Walnut Tree Hill Road agree with the letter. “If we allow this in town, Newtown will have to live with it forever.”
Ms. Virginia Gottrod, 4 Walnut Tree Hill Road, stated that if one of these towers fall, they can leave a depression of 40’. There is a gas pipeline near this tower. She feels the tower should be placed on town land on Commerce Road.
Mr. Rosenthal advised that he has asked the town attorney to review the T-Mobile application to get input on whether there would be any possibility of success in opposing this tower location. The CT Siting Council does have the final say in this matter. Under our regulations, it was not the Planning & Zoning Commission but the Zoning Board of Appeals who had the authority before it was determined that all towns are under the control of the State Siting Council.
COMMUNICATIONS: None
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Selectman Bojnowski, the minutes of the 2/5/03 meeting were accepted as presented (Mr. Brimmer was not present at that meeting).
Upon motion by Selectman Brimmer, the minutes of the 1/27/03 regular meeting were unanimously accepted as presented.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Call of Special Town Meeting
Selectman Bojnowski moved to call a Special Town Meeting as per Legal Notice (attached). Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Permit Fees – Driveway Permits
Currently, driveway permits require a bond, which is returned upon completion of a driveway apron, but no permit fee is required. There is a lot of work involved between the Engineering Dept., Finance Dept. and First Selectman’s office to administer these bonds and inspections. A $25 permit fee is required for all road excavation permits. After some discussion, it was decided to institute a fee for each driveway permit.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to institute a $50 administration fee for each driveway permit issued by the Town of Newtown, effective April 1, 2003. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Bond Reduction, Cider Mill Road, “Cider Mill Farms” Subdivision
Selectman Brimmer moved to reduce the bond for Cider Mill Road, “Cider Mill Farms” Subdivision, from $112,000.00 to $82,000, as per recommendation of Town Engineer and Fire Marshal. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Maintenance Bond Release, Hearthstone Lane, “Eagle Ridge” Subdivision
Selectman Bojnowski moved to release the maintenance bond for Hearthstone Lane, “Eagle Ridge” Subdivision in the amount of $10,000.00 as per recommendation of Town Engineer. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Selectman Brimmer moved to release four (4) driveway bonds as outlined on Attachment C. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve a six month extension for three (3) driveway bonds as outlined on Attachment C. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Transfer
Selectman Brimmer moved to transfer FROM Account 01570-2000 Contingency $30,000 TO Account 01170-2026 Indexing $30,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
There is an increased number of documents being recorded in the Town Clerk’s office. This amount will be covered by increased revenue.
Appointments
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve four appointments as outlined on Attachment D. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Tax Refunds
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve February 2003 Tax Refunds in the amount of $10,722.00 and February 2003 Tax Refunds in the amount of $29,865.60. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Legal Matters – None
ANNOUNCEMENTS: First Selectman Rosenthal advised that the Fairfield Hills Advisory Committee is holding their final meeting on February 26, 2003 and is expected to present their recommendation to the Board of Selectmen on March 3.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment A: Letter regarding tower
Attachment B: Call of Special Town Meeting
Attachment C: Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Attachment D: Appointments
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