The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on Monday, December 15, 2003 in the meeting room 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, Public Works Director Fred Hurley, Parks & Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian, one member of public, one member of press
VOTER PARTICIPATION: Ms. Barbara O’Connor, 36 Little Brook Lane, asked if the State is paying for clean-up of the fuel oil spill at Fairfield Hills. First Selectman Rosenthal advised that the State is in the process of developing the remediation plan. The Town does not yet own the property and has no liability in this matter.
COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Rosenthal distributed copies of a report from Fire Marshal Bill Halstead outlining the events regarding the spill of 4,550 gallons of fuel oil at Fairfield Hills.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Selectman Brimmer, the minutes of the 11/25/03 meeting were unanimously accepted as presented.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None
NEW BUSINESS
Appointment of Clerk
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve the appointment of Jan Andras as Clerk to the Board of Selectmen. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Appointment of Town Agent
First Selectman Rosenthal moved to appoint Joseph Bojnowski as Town Agent. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
By Charter, the Town Agent is appointed to preside in the absence or disability of the First Selectman.
Appointment of Town Attorneys
Selectman Bojnowski moved to appoint Town Attorneys as follows: General Counsel – David Grogins, Esq. of Cohen and Wolf, PC; Land Use issues – Robert Fuller, Esq.; Labor Issues – Fred Dorsey of Siegel, O’Connor, Zangari, O’Donnell and Beck, PC; ZBA – Paul Pollock, Esq.; Bond Counsel – Robinson & Cole, LLP. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Maintenance Bond Release, Cobblers Mill Road (extension), “Cobblers Ridge” Subdivision, Resubdivision of Lot 33
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve release of Maintenance Bond for Cobblers Mill Road (extension), “Cobblers Ridge” Subdivision, Resubdivision of Lot 33 in the amount of $21,600.00. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Bond Reduction, Fire Suppression Tank, Russet Road, “Cider Mill Farms Phase III” Subdivision
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve bond reduction for Fire Suppression Tank, Russet Road, “Cider Mill Farms Phase II” Subdivision from $60,000 to $30,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Road Acceptance, Extension of Misty Vale Road, “Misty Vale Acres” Subdivision
Selectman Bojnowski moved to accept Extension of Misty Vale Road, “Misty Vale Acres” Subdivision into the Newtown Highway System and to set the maintenance bond in the amount of $14,244.40 to be held by the Town for a period of one year. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Selectman Brimmer moved to release eleven (11) driveway bonds and to approve one six month extension as outlined on attached. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Report by Public Works Director
Public Works Director Fred Hurley was present, along with Town Engineer Ron Bolmer. A chart was distributed (attached) showing all work done and still planned to be done in the current fiscal year. The current budget for Capital Roads was reduced by $300,000 from the requested $2 million, plus there was a reduction in state funding for roads.
Selectman Bojnowski asked about the possibility of doing more road work and less bridge work. Mr. Hurley advised that 30 town bridges have been evaluated with many of them being obsolete, not meeting current standards. We are planning work for each of them over a ten year period.
Mr. Hurley also reported that 40% of the total winter maintenance account has already been expended on the two storms to date, with both occurred on weekends.
Report by Parks & Recreation Director
Parks & Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian was present. A written report was distributed (attached) outlining completed projects for the current year and future projects. She feels that a lot has been accomplished at the parks level over the last year, a lot of which can be attributed to the new Parks Assistant Director Carl Samuelson.
The Dickinson Park pool was paved almost 35 years ago and is deteriorating. We will be looking at major repairs over the next few years or we could have to shut down the pool-pond. In next year’s budget, she is requesting money to have a feasibility study. It is not known if a filtered pool system is a possibility since this is located in a flood plan. We may only be able to renovate the paved pond the way it is now.
Selectman Brimmer advised that he has heard comments from residents who feel that the wrought iron gates at Liberty field were excessive and unnecessary. Mrs. Kasbarian replied that the gates were not very expensive. The same gates were placed at Dickinson Park and Treadwell Park.
There have been improvements to ballfields around town but there is still a problem at Taylor Field where football is played throughout the fall, in all weather, and then lacrosse starts in the spring. There is no opportunity to work on the fields and they are in very bad condition.
Selectman Bojnowski asked what are the most critical needs for next year. Ms. Kasbarian replied that first is a maintenance facility. We have 10 employees working in a building that was built when we only had 3 employees and 3 trucks. Mr. Rosenthal stated that we are looking at the old laundry building at Fairfield Hills and are requesting $200,000 in the next budget for renovations.
The second priority would be Treadwell pool renovations, as budgeted 04/05; third is reconstruction of Dickinson Pond; fourth is new field construction at Fairfield Hills (the 90’ baseline fields) and fifth is a recreation center at Fairfield Hills.
Proposal from UConn Center for Survey Research and Analysis
The Center for Survey Research and Analysis submitted a proposal to perform a survey of Newtown residents in order to provide information about the public opinion of key issues facing the Town, including the Fairfield Hills Master Plan. CSRA is a non-partisan, non-profit survey research facility dedicated to the study of public opinion. The cost of the project is $12,500.
Selectman Brimmer stated that he is against doing any more polling. We have had a lot of input from the public and this Board is elected to make decisions. He feels the Selectmen should look at the Plan, make some modifications and move forward. Selectman Bojnowski agreed that this Board is elected to make decisions. The only reason he believes a poll would be helpful is to have a professional, unbiased survey, “unencumbered by certain vocal special interest groups” to indicate what the majority of residents favor. When the Plan goes to the Planning & Zoning Commission, there will be even more discussion and opportunity for public input.
First Selectman Rosenthal stated that representatives of the CSRA did admit that this is more complex than many of the types of things they have surveyed. No matter what the results of the survey, there will still be people who disagree with those results. Mr. Rosenthal has heard comments from people who did not vote because they did not feel strongly for or against the Plan but expected elected officials to make decisions. The general framework of this Plan has not changed in the past ten years that it has been discussed by various committees. The recommendation is still for a mixed re-use of the campus.
It was decided to put the Master Plan on the first agenda in January and to have discussions at each meeting.
Transfer – Tax Collector
Selectman Bojnowski moved to transfer FROM Account 01570-2000 Contingency $2,000 TO Account 01105-2014 Leasing $2,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
During the budget process, the State of CT wanted to do away with the program of tracking delinquent motor vehicle taxpayers with registration renewals. Instead of eliminating the program entirely, they are now billing municipalities for the cost.
Appointments/Reappointments
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve new appointments and re-appointments as outlined on attachment. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
December 2003 Tax Refunds
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve December 2003 Tax Refunds No. 7 in the amount of $9,943.61. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Legal Matters – None
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment – Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Attachment - Public Works Report
Attachment – Parks & Recreation Report
Attachment – Appointments/Reappointments
| 
