The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on September 7, 2004 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, Assessor Thomas DiNoto, Asst. Parks & Rec Director Carl Samuelson, a graduate student, one member of press
VOTER PARTICIPATION: None noted at this time
COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Rosenthal advised that a letter of appreciation was received from Regional Hospice for the allocation of $5,500 in the current town budget.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Selectman Brimmer, the minutes of the 8/16/04 meeting were unanimously accepted as presented.
Appointments
First Selectman Rosenthal introduced Mr. Tom DiNoto, newly hired Assessor for the town. According to the Town Charter, if an Assessor leaves during the term, the successor is appointed to fill out the balance of that term. Mr. Rosenthal stated that he is very impressed with Mr. DiNoto’s background and please that he has accepted the position.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve the appointment of Thomas DiNoto as Assessor for the Town of Newtown for a term to expire on 2/27/08. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Brimmer moved to appoint Ms. Margot Hall, 5 Nettleton Avenue as Hearing Officer for the Town of Newtown. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Capital Improvement Plan
Assistant Parks & Rec Director Carl Samuelson was present to answer questions about the modification to the CIP request for the Dickinson Park pool. Mr. Samuelson advised that as is, this pool does not meet State Code. Once any renovation work is done, it will no longer be grandfathered and must meet Code. They are estimating $2 million for this project.
The Parks & Recreation Commission is also asking for a dome on the Treadwell Pool in the 08/09 and 09/10 budget years. The open swim time at the high school is being cut more and more every year. A dome would allow Treadwell pool to be utilized year round.
Selectman Brimmer advised that he has a problem with spending $2 million on a pool that is only used four months per year. Perhaps we would be better off spending money to make Treadwell useable all year long. He would like to find out more from the Parks & Recreation Commission about what kind of revenue is being generated. After discussion, it was decided to leave the Dickinson Park pool request at the original $720,000 and have the Parks & Rec Commission come back with more options: The Board of Selectmen would like to know: 1) Revenue generated – how many residents are using each pool; 2) What is the function of each pool and what would be the best use of the areas; 3) What is the experience of South Windsor – why
did they spend $3 million?
Selectman Brimmer moved modifiy the P&R request to the CIP to $720,000 for the Dickinson Pond Renovation project in the year 05/06; to approve a modification to the CIP for $400,000 for the Hook and Ladder pumper in the year 06/07; to approve a modidfication to the CIP for $400,000 for a Dodgingtown pumper in the year 07/08; and to approve recommendations for the Sandy Hook Streetscape and Commerce Road Technology Park as recommended by the Community Development Director. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve the modification to the CIP for $250,000 for purchase of a grader in the year 07/08. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
The Board of Selectmen then ranked each project on the 2005/06 – 2009/10 Capital Improvement Plan. These recommendations will now be forwarded to the Board of Finance.
NEW BUSINESS
Road and Drainage Work Agreement – 100 Riverside Road, M&P Development, LLC
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve Road & Drainage Work Agreement, 100 Riverside Road, M&P Development, LLC in the amount of $15,750.00. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
This agreement is to extend two Town Drains in order to develop one lot.
Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve release of six (6) driveway bonds as outlined on Attachment A. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve a six month extension for two (2) driveway bonds as outlined on Attachment A. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
August 2004 Tax Refunds
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve August 2004 Tax Refunds No. 2 in the amount of $32,660.09. Motion seconded and carried: 2 YES – 1 abstention (Mr. Rosenthal)
Legal Matters
Selectman Brimmer moved to enter executive session to discuss legal matters and to invite Town Engineer Ron Bolmer and clerk to attend. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Meeting entered executive session at 9:00 p.m. and returned to open session at 9:10 p.m.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to authorize legal action, if necessary, for enforcement of fence removal on corner of Cornfield Ridge and Castle Hill Road. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: There will be a ceremony commemorating the transfer of the Fairfield Hills campus to the town on September 10 at 3:00 pm.
The Fairfield Hills Management Committee has been working on security issues at the property. They are now looking into what should be done at Canaan House to provide heat for the employees.
The next agenda will include approval for the sale of the five houses on Mile Hill South that are also part of the transfer. This will require Town Meeting approval.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 pm.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment A: Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
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