The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on October 18, 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: Finance Director Ben Spragg, Pension Committee memers, representatives of Westport Resources, five members of public
VOTER PARTICIPATION: Ms. Ruby Johnson, 16 Chestnut Hill Road, asked to be allowed to ask questions during the UConn Survey presentation.
Ms. Barbara O’Connor, Little Brook Lane, asked if we have found that the operating costs at Fairfield Hills are a lot more than what the experts thought they would be. Mr. Rosenthal replied that at this point, they are not.
COMMUNICATIONS: None
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Selectman Brimmer, the minutes of the 10/4/04 meeting were unanimously accepted as presented.
NEW BUSINESS
Presentation by Westport Resources, joint meeting with Pension Committee
Members of the Pension Committee, Chairman Tom Murtha, Dana Schubert, Barbara Bloom, Frank Krasowski, and Steve Shaeffer were present, along with Human Resources Administrator Carole Ross and Pension Committee Clerk Jane Torrance. John Vaccaro, Rudy Palanski and Michael Bliss of Westport Resources were present to give the Board of Selectmen, as Trustees of the account, and the Pension Committee, the annual update on the portfolio for the employee pension plan. Five years ago, the balance of funds was $12,654,986. The balance as of the end of September 2004 is $19,201,553. A written report was distributed and discussed at length.
Pension Committee Chairman Tom Murtha stated that Wesport Resources has done a great job for the town.
Road Work Agreement, Hoseye Coach Road, Hanlon Property
Attorney Robert Hall was present and advised that a six lot subdivision has been approved. One year ago, the Board of Selectmen approved a road work agreement in the amount of $195,000. Since that time, Herde Construction has purchased the property and will be completing the development. They are asking to change the road work agreement to the name of the new owner.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to amend the Road Work Agreement, Hoseye Coach Road, Hanlon Property, dated 11/3/03, to Road Work Agreement, Hoseye Coach Road, Herde Construction, in the amount of $195,000, subject to consultation with the Town Attorney. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Road Work Agreement, Castle Meadow Road, Newman Subdivision
This item will be taken up on the next agenda.
Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve release of three (3) driveway bonds and to approve a six month extension for one (1) driveway bond as outlined on attachment. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Road Bond Reduction, Nighthawk Lane, “Berkshire Estates” Subdivision
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve a Road Bond Reduction for Nighthawk Lane, “Berkshire Estates” Subdivision, from $253,000 to $126,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Transfer
Selectman Brimmer moved to transfer FROM Account 01570-2000 Contingency $17,860.00 TO Account 01105-2013 Non-recurring $17,860.00. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
This transfer was requested to cover the costs to prepare Code Books with all ordinances and regulations and also to provide the information in an electronic format for inclusion on the town website.
UConn Presentation
Mr. George Pettinico, Associate Director of the Center for Research and Analysis at UCONN was present to give an overview of the recent survey regarding the Fairfield Hills Master Plan. Survey results had been received earlier and made available on the town website.
Members of the public were invited to ask questions. When asked, Mr. Pettinico answered that the Center undertook full responsibility for preparation of the questions. He stated that they were given the objectives and then created the questions. Mr. Pettinico then went over the results of the survey noting that “there is no clear consensus on what to do at Fairfield Hills”. The results of the survey show that one-third of the respondents support the Master Plan, one third oppose the Master Plan, and one third are not sure. The main reasons given by those who oppose the Plan are concerns about financing and possible tax increases; too much development already in town; they don’t like the plan; or they don’t know enough
about the Plan.
Call of Town Meeting – Sale of Town-owned Houses on Mile Hill Road South
Selectman Brimmer moved to sell five houses on Mile Hill Road South owned by the Town of Newtown and to Call a Special Town Meeting in the Middle School Auditorium on October 27, 2004 at 7:30 pm. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Resolution Appropriating $320,000 For The Purchase Of A Class A Fire Pumper Truck
Selectman Bojnowski moved to adopt the resolution entitled “Resolution Appropriating $320,000 For The Purchase Of A Class A Fire Pumper Truck And Authorizing The Issuance Of $320,00 Bonds Of The Town To Meet Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose” and that a Special Town Meeting be held in the Middle School Auditorium on October 27, 2004 at 7:30 pm as outlined on Attachment B. Motion seconded and carried: 3 YES (Rosenthal, Bojnowski, Brimmer) – 0 NAYS
Resolution Appropriating $290,000 For Architectural And Engineer Services For Planning and Design Of Renovations to HVAC System at Hawley Elementary School
Selectman Bojnowski moved to adopt the resolution entitled “Resolution Appropriating $290,000 For Architectural And Engineering Services For The Planning And Design Of Renovations To The HVAC System at Hawley Elementary School and Authorizing The Issuance Of $290,000 Bonds Of The Town To Meet Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose” and that a Special Town Meeting be held at the Middle School Auditorium on October 27, 2004 at 7:30 pm as outlined on Attachment B. Motion seconded and carried: 3 YES (Rosenthal, Bojnowski, Brimmer) – 0 NAYS
Resolution Appropriating $4,150,000 For Renovations to HVAC System at Head o’Meadow Elementary School
Selectman Bojnowski moved to adopt the resolution entitled “Resolution Appropriating $4,150,000 For Renovations To The HVAC System at Head O’Meadow Elementary School And Authorizing The Issuance Of $4,150,000 Bonds Of The Town To Meet Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose” and that a Special Town Meeting be held at the Middle School Auditorium on October 27, 2004 at 7:30 pm as outlined on Attachment B. Motion seconded and carried: 3 YES (Rosenthal, Bojnowski, Brimmer) – 0 NAYS
Reconsideration – Sale of Five Houses on Mile Hill Road South
Selectman Bojnowski moved to reconsider motion for sale of houses on Mile Hill Road South. Motion seconded and unaninimously carried.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to amend motion by adding “to authorize that the proceeds be expended for the purpose of environmental remediation at the former Fairfield Hills property”. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Legal Issues – None
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 pm.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment A: Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Attachment B: Call of Special Town Meeting
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