The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on February 17, 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: Town Engineer Ron Bolmer, 9 members of public, one member of press
VOTER PARTICIPATION: Ms. Linda Dunne, 26 Old Bethel Road, heard that the movie theater is moving from Edmond Town Hall and asked where they are moving to? What are the plans for a community center? What are the plans to expand or relocate the Police Department? First Selectman Rosenthal answered that he has not heard anything about the movie theater moving from Edmond Town Hall. Regarding a community center, the Fairfield Hills Master Plan “allows for” a community center at Fairfield Hills but does not require one. There are no specific plans at this time. There is also no specific plan to relocate the police department at this time, although the Master Plan does allow for it.
Ms. Ruby Johnson, 16 Chestnut Hill Road, distributed handout outlining the requests heard by the Fairfield Hills Master Plan Committee.
Mr. Doug Ross, 114 Underhill Road, stated that there is a water problem in his neighborhood. The Health Department has no money in the budget and the Board of Selectmen control the budget. Mr. Rosenthal advised that we have a Health District and that they are not a town department. The Health District requests a bottom line budget number from the Board of Selectmen. The Selectmen do not control what is handled within that budget.
COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Rosenthal received a letter from Tunxis Management advising that as of February 29, 2004, they will no longer perform property management services for Fairfield Hills as an agent for the Connecticut Department of Public Works. It is not clear at this time what DPW will do to manage the property until the town takes ownership.
First Selectman Rosenthal advised of a draft House Bill #5023 which would require municipalities to create an Ethics Code and a Ethics Commission. Newtown has had a Board of Ethics and a Code of Ethics since the early 70s. All public officials fill out a form indicating that they should disclose any potential business conflicts. This draft bill would require all appointed and elected officials to file a disclosure of all of their debts, investments, etc., which would then be public information. Mr. Rosenthal feels this will make it more difficult to find volunteers to serve on boards and commissions. Selectman Brimmer will speak to State Representative Wasserman to voice an objection to this Bill.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Selectman Bojnowski, the minutes of the 1/28/04 and 2/2/04 meetings were unanimously accepted as presented.
Maintenance Bond Release, Mountain Manor Road, Resubdivision of High Meadow Farm Associates
Town Engineer Ron Bolmer is still not able to assess this road.
Maintenance Bond Release, Autumn Ridge Road, “Autumn Ridge” Subdivision
Selectman Brimmer moved to release Maintenance Bond, Autumn Ridge Road, “Autumn Ridge” Subdivision in the amount of $16,500. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve one driveway bond release as outlined on Attachment A. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve two driveway bond extensions as outlined on Attachment A. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Edmond Town Hall Elevator Project
Architect Alan Black gave a presentation of drawings for the construction of a new elevator and stairway on the north side of Edmond Town Hall. This will provide accessibility for the disabled and bring the building into compliance with the ADA and the Connecticut Building Code. The plan also includes a new emergency generator to be located in the rear parking lot. The project has received approval for $500,000 in Small Cities Grant funding.
Appointments/Reappointments
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve four appointments as outlined on Attachment B. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve six appointments to the Sandy Hook Streetscape Project Steering Committee as outlined on Attachment B. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
The steering committee will bridge communications between the selected consultant, contractors, town government and community during the Sandy Hook Streetscape Project.
Fairfield Hills Master Plan
Selectman Bojnowski still favors a simple poll once the Board of Selectmen come to an agreement on amendments to the Master Plan to be sent to Planning & Zoning, possibly not to the extent or cost that was first proposed. Selectman Brimmer feels that would be a compromise. We should get input from the public and if it can be done more economically, he would favor it. It was decided to invite the UConn survey people to the next meeting to discuss this possibility.
Regarding a town hall, First Selectman Rosenthal feels that we should charge the architect/contractor with performing a complete study of the cost effectiveness of renovating Shelton Hall vs. building a new town hall on the Shelton House site, keeping the same architectural style. The other two Selectmen agreed.
Selectman Bojnowski feels that Plymouth and Stamford Halls should both be demolished. These buildings are continuing to deteriorate and will be very difficult to “resurrect”. He realizes that the cultural arts peoples are interested in Plymouth Hall but he feels that rather than spending money “mothballing” Plymouth, it would be better to demolish and put in something that meets the needs. Mr. Rosenthal advised that the ad hoc cultural arts study committee that the Selectmen appointed are currently holding meetings. If we do form a Cultural Arts Commission, with the opportunity for federal and state grants, the onus would be on that commission and the arts groups to start fundraising.
Selectman Brimmer feels that there is a real need in town for alternative, affordable housing and the small single-family houses on the property could help fill that need. Mr. Rosenthal stated that from the public input, there was clear opposition to housing. Also, the property is zoned as one parcel so the houses would have to be sold without land.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to adopt changes to the Fairfield Hills Master Plan as follows: 1) Charge architect/contractor with performing complete study of the cost effectiveness of renovating Shelton Hall vs. building a new town hall on the Shelton House site, keeping the same architectural style; 2) Demolish Plymouth Hall and Stamford Hall; 3) Do not initially demolish the single-family homes pending results of survey; 4) Master Plan should provide for the opportunity for relocation of police and/or fire facility. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: On March 1, 2004, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The Board of Selectmen will interview the eight residents interested in serving on the Economic Development Commission, to fill three vacancies.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment A: Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Attachment B: Appointments
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