The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on May 3, 2004 in the Board 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, Martha Wright and Pat Barkman (Open Space Task Force), 4 members of public, 1 member of press
VOTER PARTICIPATION: Ms. Ruby Johnson, 16 Chestnut Hill Road, feels that development of the Commerce Road Technology Park is a great initiative but we will not see any tax relief quickly. She distributed figures from the Friends of Fairfield Hills indicating what they feel possible revenue could be should the town renovate and rent out Newtown Hall and Bridgeport Hall. She also feels that the Bridgeport Hall roof should be taken care of immediately once the Town takes ownership of Fairfield Hills.
COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Rosenthal received a revised estimate and proposal from the UCONN Center for Survey Research. Selectman Brimmer moved to ADD discussion and possible action on the UCONN Survey Proposal to the agenda. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Brimmer noted that Ms. Barbara O’Connor, Littlebrook Lane, could not be present tonight but asked him to express her concerns about the recent theft of transfer station funds by an employee. Mr. Rosenthal advised that he and Finance Director Ben Spragg instructed every department to prepare a written procedure for handling of funds. These have been reviewed by the insurance company with only minor modifications suggested. The insurance company will be paying out for the missing cash. The checks have now been released by the court and will be deposited. Mr. Rosenthal plans to send out letters to the check owners prior to the deposit. The insurance company will pay for the cost of a clerk and postage to do
so.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Selectman Bojnowski, the minutes of the 4/5/04 meeting were unanimously accepted as presented.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Road & Drainage Agreement – Bryan Lane, R&G Riverview LLC
This item will be on next agenda. First Selectman Rosenthal spoke with the developer and attorney. They do not agree with the amount of work being requested on this road but will resubmit a plan to the Town Engineer.
Road & Drainage Work Agreement – Pepperidge Road, David French & Sons Builders
Mr. David French, Jr. and Mr. Charles Spath were present. They plan to subdivide and develop two lots on Pepperidge Road and are proposing to provide labor to install drainage on the road if the town provides the materials. This drainage they are proposing is to contain the flows created by the subdivision of the two lots. Reclaiming and repaving this section of road would then cost an additional $25,000. First Selectman Rosenthal stated that the town was not planning to pave this road at this time. The developer has more incentive for this to be done during this summer than the town does and the developer should pay for the paving. After a lengthy discussion, the developers were asked to prepare the possible scenarios with costs and bring to the next
meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Presentation by Open Space Task Force
Task Force Chairman Martha Wright was present, along with member Pat Barkman. Ms. Wright gave a brief report on work by the Task Force, which includes the purchase of open space on Pole Bridge Road. They are now working on completion of “Al’s Trail” with funds from Iroquois, mainly for bridges and fencing.. They still need to get easements from some property owners.
The committee would also like to research and catalog the present open space parcels. The Land Use office has a card file which they would like to use to create maps.
Ms. Pat Barkman has been heading up the work on “Al’s Trail”, which is a 9 mile trail connecting Paugusset North to Fairfield Hills. This project was approved for $50,000 in Iroquois funds and there is a potential for a National Recreational Trails Grant to help build a gazebo. In March, the trail was dedicated to Mr. Al Goodrich.
Mr. Rosenthal advised that the Parks & Recreation Chairman is interested in taking over the trails as a recreational activity. They would then have the manpower to help clear and maintain the trails. This will be discussed further.
Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Selectman Bojnowski moved to release one driveway bond as outlined on attachment. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Brojnowski moved to approve a six month extension for two driveway bonds as outlined on attachment. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Appointments
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve the appointment of ten Lake Lillinonah Authority Marine Patrol Officers for the 2004 boating season. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Brimmer moved to appoint Sean Hughes, 22 Turkey Roost Road as a member of the Open Space Task Force for a term to expire on 11/21/04. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Ordinance – All-Terrain Vehicles
First Selectman Rosenthal advised that he has received a number of letters and telephone calls about all-terrain vehicles and motorized dirt bikes damaging town property and trails. There are also complaints about noise from these vehicles on private property. Several towns have ordinances banning these vehicles on town property. If the Council looks into a noise ordinance for private property, it would have to be approved by the Department of Environmental Protection.
Selectman Brimmer moved to recommend to the Legislative Council the adoption of an ordinance banning all terrain vehicles on town property, similar to that of the Town of Stratford. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Resolution creating “Social Services Donation Fund”
Selectman Brimmer moved to recommend to the Legislative Council the following resolution: Any funds available to the Social Services Department through donations or gifts specific for Social Services shall be placed in the custody of the Financial Director of the Town of Newtown and shall be kept by him in an account which shall be known as the “Newtown Social Services Donation Fund” and shall be separate and distinct from all other Town accounts.
All disbursements from the Social Services account shall be made on order of the Director of Social Services or the First Selectman in accordance with the donation or gift. All disbursements on the account shall be approved by the Director of Social Services or the First Selectman.
Social Services shall furnish an annual report with regard to such account and the account shall not be closed at the end of any fiscal year. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Resolution creating “Conservation Commission Gift Fund”
Selectman Bojnowski moved to recommend to the Legislative Council the following resolution: Any funds available to the Conservation Commission from a specific contribution to the Conservation Commission shall be placed in the custody of the Financial Director of the Town of Newtown and shall be kept by him in an account which shall be known as the “Newtown Conservation Commission Fund” and shall be separate and distinct from all other Town accounts.
All disbursements from the Conservation Commission account shall be made on order of the Conservation Commission in accordance with the donation or gift. All disbursements on the account shall be approved by the Director of Land Use.
The Conservation Commission shall furnish an annual report with regard to such account and the account shall not be closed at the end of any fiscal year. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Call of Special Town Meeting
Selectman Brimmer moved to call a Special Town Meeting on Monday, May 17, 2004 as outlined on NOTICE OF SPECIAL TOWN MEETING (attached). Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Tax Refunds
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve May 2004 Tax Refund No. 13 in the amount of $62,051.00. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
UCONN Survey – Fairfield Hills
The Center for Survey Research and Analysis provided a revised cost of $10,000 to provide a survey to 400 interviewees regarding the Fairfield Hills Master Plan.
Selectman Brimmer advised that he feels this cost is still too high and he asked to put off any action until the next meeting.
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 9:05 p.m. and returned to open session at 9:25 p.m. with no action being taken.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: First Selectman Rosenthal advised that the closing on Fairfield Hills has been delayed again. DEP does not yet have a final report on the recent boiler explosion.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment: Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Appointments
Call of Special Town Meeting
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