The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 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, several town department heads, two members of public, two members of press
VOTER PARTICIPATION: Ms. Barbara O’Connor, 36 Little Brook Lane, read in newspaper that library employees are asking for salary increases because other towns are paying their library employees more. She has always felt that the “keeping up with the Joneses” attitude is not right.
COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Rosenthal received a letter from Attorney General Blumenthal advising of a public hearing on the Bank of America proposed acquisition of FleetBoston Bank. Connecticut towns have benefited from the FleetBoston community reinvestment commitment and Mr. Blumenthal wants to ensure that that will continue.
First Selectman Rosenthal received a copy of the report Connecticut Municipal Budget Adoption Experiences prepared by the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations.
First Selectman Rosenthal received a letter from Mr. Joe Hovious of the Candlewood Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited regarding the recent oil spill at Fairfield Hills. They are requesting a meeting with the First Selectman which will take place sometime next week.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Selectman Brimmer, the minutes of the 1/5/04 meeting were unanimously accepted as presented.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None
NEW BUSINESS
Maintenance Bond Release, Mountain Manor Road, Resubdivision of High Meadow Farm Associates, Mountain Manor Estates, Resubdivision of Portion of Lot 10, 4 Lots, 11.464 Acres
Selectman Bojnowski moved to release Maintenance Bond, Mountain Manor Road, Resubdivision of High Meadow Farm Associates, Mountain Manor Estates, Resubdivision of Portion of Lot 10, 4 Lots. Motion seconded.
Town Engineer Ron Bolmer advised that this road was accepted in November 1997 but the one year maintenance bond was never released. After some discussion, it was decided to have Mr. Bolmer get an estimate to fix the longitudinal pavement cracking.
Selectman Brimmer moved to TABLE this motion until February 2, 2004. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Road Acceptance, Abbey Lane, “Abbey Ridge Estates” Subdivision
Selectman Bojnowski moved to accept Abbey Lane, “Abbey Ridge Estates” Subdivision into the Newtown Highway System and to set the maintenance bond at $16,000 to be held by the Town for a period of one year after acceptance, contingent upon final approval by Town Attorney. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Road Acceptance, Avalon Way, “Avalon” Subdivision
Selectman Brimmer moved to accept Avalon Way, “Avalon” Subdivision into the Newtown Highway System and to set the maintenance bond at $25,100.00 to be held for a period of one year after acceptance, contingent upon final approval by Town Attorney. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Driveway Bonds Releases/Extensions
Selectman Bojnowski moved to release three (3) driveway bonds as outlined on Attachment A. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve six month extensions for four (4) driveway bonds as outlined on Attachment A. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Transfer – Public Works
Selectman Brimmer moved to transfer FROM Account 01570-2000 Contingency $50,000 TO Account 01510-2031 Sand $25,000 AND TO Account 01510-2032 Salt $25,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to transfer FROM Account 01570-2000 Contingency $50,000 TO Account 01510-1003 Winter Overtime $50,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Appointments/Reappointments
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve five (5) appointments/reappointments as outlined on Attachment B. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to authorize Selectman William Brimmer, Jr. to preside in the event that the Town Agent is unable to perform his duties. Motion seconded and carried. (2 YES – Mr. Brimmer abstained)
2004/2005 Budget Deliberations
Account 110 Social Services
Selectman Brimmer moved Account 110 Social Services in the amount of $75,272. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Director Ann Piccini was present to speak to this budget. The part-time secretary position has being changed to full-time secretary/case manager and Mrs. Piccini is now serving as director and municipal agent. First Selectman Rosenthal advised that we are in the process of hiring someone with a degree in social work to serve as consultant to this department on a per diem or retainer basis.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.
Account 220 Commission on Aging
Selectman Bojnowski moved Account 220 Commission on Aging in the amount of $221,544. Motion seconded.
Senior Center Director Marilyn Place was present along with two commission members. They are proposing the addition of a part-time receptionist and a part-time driver for the van that was donated to the center. The current maintenance person has a CDL license and could work some extra hours as a driver.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.
Account 190 Tax Assessor
Selectman Bojnowski moved Account 190 Tax Assessor in the amount of $201,223. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Tax Assessor Denise Hames was present. The only increase in this budget, other than salaries, is the addition of $2,500 for dues and publication for the GIS Director. It was then noted that the clerk for the Board of Assessment Appeals was included in this account as well as in the Clerk account.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to AMEND by decreasing line item 01190-1002 to $123,936. Motion seconded and unanimously carried. (This reduction eliminates the clerk so that it only appears in the Clerk budget).
MAIN MOTION UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED AS AMENDED ($200,723)
Account 140 Tax Collector
Selectman Brimmer moved Account 140 Tax Collector in the amount of $169,504. Motion seconded.
Tax Collector Carol Mahoney was present. They are requesting an increase in overtime necessary for the busy collection periods.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.
Account 230 Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers
Selectman Brimmer moved Account 230 Town Hall Board of Managers in the amount of $150,000. Motion seconded.
Board Chairman Edgar Beers was present and stated that the Board is willing to accept a $25,000 reduction in their request, if necessary. This account may be revisited.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.
Account 160 Probate Court
Selectman Brimmer moved Account 160 Probate in the amount of $3,950. Motion seconded.
Probate Judge Margot was Hall was present. There is no increase in this budget, however, they are requesting funds in the Non-recurring account to purchase new carpeting for their office.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.
Account 170 Town Clerk
Selectman Brimmer moved Account 170 Town Clerk in the amount of $248,258. Motion seconded.
Town Clerk Cynthia Curtis was present. They are requesting an increase for a part-time employee from 10 to 20 hours per week. First Selectman Rosenthal advised that this request may be revisited.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED
Account 180 Registrars
Selectman Bojnowski moved Account 180 Registrars in the amount of $134,656. Motion seconded.
Registrars Lereine Frampton and Karen Aurelia were present. This budget request includes the cost of a possible second budget referendum and two possible primaries. After discussion, it was decided to remove these.
Selectman Brimmer moved to AMEND by decreasing line item 01180-1005 Referenda from $14,400 to $7,200 (one referendum). Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Brimmer moved to AMEND by decreasing line item 01180-1006 Primary from $20,000 to –0-. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
MAIN MOTION UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED AS AMENDED ($107,456)
GIS Director
Director Scott Sharlow was present. His budget requests are included in the Non-recurring line item in Account 105. The main request is for $100,000 for Phase II of the GIS Implementation and Parcel and Planimetric Upate. After a lengthy discussion, Mr. Sharlow was asked to come back to this Board with more information.
Account 500 Highway Department
Selectman Bojnowski moved Account 500 Highway in the amount of $5,764,411.96. Motion seconded.
Public Works Director Fred Hurley was present. He advised that the salary of one of the office staff can be removed from this budget because it is paid by the WPCA.
Selectman Brimmer moved to AMEND by decreasing line item 01500-1002 Administration BY $25,812.96. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Brimmer moved to AMEND by decreasing line item 01500-5081 Capital Road to $1,850,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried. (This decrease is to reduce the $200,000 for Meadowbrook Road bridge replacement to $50,000 for engineering only at this time).
Selectman Brimmer moved to decrease line item 01500-5080 Capital Equipment to $473,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried. (This decrease includes removal of one replacement single axle truck with all season body and plow for $110,000.)
Account 505 State Aid Roads
Selectman Brimmer moved Account 505 State Aid Roads in the amount of $91,933. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
First Selectman Rosenthal stated that he would like to look into having this line item taken out of the budget. This is a “wash” account and is actually a “guess” on our part as to how much money the State will fund each year.
Account 510 Winter Maintenance
Selectman Bojnowski moved Account 510 Winter Maintenance in the amount of $425,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Account 515 Landfill (Transfer Station)
Selectman Brimmer moved Account 515 Landfill (Transfer Station ) in the amount of $1,192,196. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
First Selectman Rosenthal has asked the Public Works Director to look into having the Town take over the recycling pick-up. The costs continue to climb and there are a lot of complaints being received about the service.
Account 650 Public Building Maintenance
Selectman Bojnowski moved Account 650 Public Building Maintenance in the amount of $404,816. Motion seconded.
Selectman Brimmer moved to AMEND by decreasing line item 01650-5080 Capital from $63,000 to $35,000 (eliminating the purchase of a van). Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED AS AMENDED ($376,816)
Account 710 Car Pool
Selectman Bojnowski moved Account 710 Car Pool in the amount of $45,000. Motion seconded.
Selectman Brimmer moved to AMEND by decreasing line item 01710-5080 Cars from $40,000 to $20,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried. (eliminating the purchase of a replacement truck for Planning & Zoning)
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED AS AMENDED ($25,000)
Account 200 Finance
Selectman Brimmer moved Account 200 Finance in the amount of $273,491. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Finance Director Ben Spragg asked to withdraw his request for a new replacement computer in the non-recurring line item under Account 105.
Account 205 Computer Center
Selectman Bojnowski moved Account 205 Computer Center in the amount of $11,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 pm.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment A: Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Attachment B: Appointments/Reappointments
BOARD OF SELECTMEN – 1/20/04 Meeting
Appointments
Library Board of Trustees
(R) Kelly Urso, 38 Brookwood Drive 01/20/04 – 07/01/04
Conservation Commission
(R) Jeffrey Ritter, 9 Honey Lane 01/20/04 – 01/06/08
(replacing Sandra Michaud)
Planning & Zoning Commission
(R) Barbara J. Brymer, 43 Poverty Hollow Road 01/20/04 – 12/01/05
(currently alternate – filling unexpired term of Daniel Fogliano)
Planning & Zoning Commission Alternate
(R) Robert Mulholland, 21 Russet Road, SH 01/20/04 – 12/01/05
(filling vacancy left by Barbara Brymer becoming full member)
Hattertown Historic District Commission Alternate
(R) Jane Sharpe, 62 Underhill Road 01/20/04 – 06/30/07
Resolution to authorize William Brimmer, Jr. to preside in the event that the Town Agent is unable to perform his duties.
1/20/04
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