The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on March 1, 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, 12 members of public, one member of press
VOTER PARTICIPATION: Ms. Barbara O’Connor, Little Brook Lane, feels like we are living in a police state with all of the local, state and federal regulations.
Mr. Bob Eckenrode, 7 Wildcatt Road, regarding the Fairfield Hills poll, he wants to make sure that questions asked are also informative so that people understand some of the issues at Fairfield Hills. He gave a list of questions. Mr. Rosenthal pointed out that most of the questions on this list are already addressed in the Master Plan.
COMMUNICATIONS: The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is holding a rally on Monday, March 8 at 6:30 pm in the Middle School cafeteria.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Selectman Bojnowski, the minutes of the 2/17/04 were unanimously accepted as presented.
OLD BUSINESS
Maintenance Bond Release, Mountain Manor Road, Resubdivision of High Meadow Farm Associates
Mr. Chick Spath was present from High Meadow Farm Associates. He believes there was an oversight in excluding this section of road when the rest of the bonds were released. The four sections were reviewed by the Town Engineer prior to October 1997 when the road was originally accepted. He had copies of letters showing releases of other bonds.
The Selectmen will look into this further and take this up at the next meeting.
Presentation by UCONN Center for Survey Research and Analysis
Mr. Pat McGloin, Project Manger from the UCONN Center for Survey Research and Analysis was present. He had previously submitted a proposal to the town for a Fairfield Hills Master Plan survey. The Center is a non-partisan, non-profit survey research facility dedicated to the study of public opinion and located on the UCONN campus at Storrs. Their three main areas of research are academic, government entities, and political and economic. They have worked with many communities in the state on very specific issues. They have a great deal of experience working with municipalities.
For a town the size of Newtown, they would recommend doing a survey of 400 residents asking them questions in as scientific and unbiased way as possible. They would use a random digit dial methodology. Numbers would be generated from the telephone company and they would only speak to residents 18 and older. Calls are made from the Center and caller ID screens show the UCONN name. All questions are asked identically and coded identically by a skilled workforce. There should be a minimum of 8-10 questions which would take approximately 15 minutes.
Mr. Rosenthal allowed the public to ask questions. Ms. Linda Dunne, 26 Old Bethel Road, asked where the Center would get the information to develop the questions. Mr. McGloin stated that they do not take suggestions for questions. They gather as much information as possible, including information from “Friends of Fairfield Hills” given tonight and newspaper articles. They then use concepts to develop questions. Ms. Dunne asked if questions could be published in newspaper before survey begins. Mr. McGloin answered that would seriously compromise the survey.
Mr. Al Roznicki, Hanover Road, asked how this survey would differ from those already done. Mr. Rosenthal answered that no scientific survey has been done yet. He feels there should only be two questions – what did you like about the Master Plan and what don’t you like.
Ms. Ruby Johnson, Chestnut Hill Road, agrees that we should spend the money to get a good poll. She explained the polls the Friends of Fairfield Hills took.
Mr. Rosenthal advised that he would like to know from the poll if the modifications to the Plan made by the Board of Selectmen is appropriate.
Selectman Brimmer stated that he was vocal about not spending anymore money on a poll but after listening to tonight’s presentation, he has decided it makes sense to do this, because of the integrity of the results. The other surveys were not done in a scientific way.
NEW BUSINESS
Road & Drainage Work Agreement – Bentagrass Lane, Sterling Associates Subdivision
Larry Edwards was present.
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve Road & Drainage Work Agreement – Bentagrass Lane, Sterling Associates Subdivision in the amount of $104,500 for road improvements in front of proposed lots on Bentagrass Lane and at intersection of Bentagrass with Boggs Hill Road and $30,000 for the cost of the fire suppression tank. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Road & Drainage Work Agreement – Bryan Lane, R&G Riverview Associates, LLC
Larry Edwards and Bryan Robik were present. They are proposing to upgrade the existing roadway from the paved portion in 950’ towards Cold Spring Road in order to develop two lots. The road would be widened to 22” and left as a gravel road.
First Selectman Rosenthal stated that he will not agree to a gravel road. There could be more development in the future and this road would be pushed through. Mr. Edwards suggested an 18’ paved road. After some discussion, it was decided not to take action tonight.
Driveway Bonds
Selectman Brimmer moved to release one (1) driveway bond and to approve one six-month driveway bond extension as outlined on Attachment A. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Appointments
First Selectman Rosenthal advised that Sherry Paisley has resigned from the tourism board and that Ms. Mae Schmidle is interested in the position. Mae has served on this board in the past.
Selectman Brimmer moved to appoint Mae Schmidle, Echo Valley Road, as a member of the Northwest Connecticut Convention & Visitors Bureau. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Tax Refunds
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve Tax Refunds in the amount of $21,368.23. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Legal Matters
Selectman Brimmer moved to enter executive session to discuss legal matters and to invite the clerk to attend. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Meeting entered executive session at 9:15 p.m. and to return to open session at 9:30 p.m.
Having no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment: Driveway Bond Release/Extension
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