The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on Monday, March 21, 2005 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, Community Development Director Elizabeth Stocker, three members of public, one member of press
VOTER PARTICIPATION: Ms. Barbara O’Connor, Little Brook Lane, is happy to see that the plows have not been so quick to come out early in the morning, especially on weekends when the schools are closed.
Ms. Ruby Johnson, Chestnut Hill Road, feels that the underlying issue at Fairfield Hills is whether public money should be spent to subsidize housing or businesses. How much money should the town spend on any building in the hopes that a business will come in. The next step is to request enabling legislation to establish a committee and give them authority. She would be “much more comfortable if the Board of Selectmen were doing what they are doing now”.
COMMUNICATIONS: A letter was received from Mr. Frank DeLucia of Nunnawauk Meadows requesting consideration for Small Cities Community Block Grant Funds. At the public hearing earlier this evening, comments were heard from a member of the Commission on Aging on the need for funds for improvements to the Senior Center.
First Selectman Rosenthal advised that the Planning & Zoning Commission has approved the Master Plan.
At the Town Meeting held last week, bonding resolutions were approved for $10 million to purchase open space, $2 million to purchase Eichlers Cove and the Laurel Trail property, $1 million for oil spill clean-up at the Reed School and approval to sell the five town-owned houses on Mile Hill South. The auction for the houses will be held on April 30.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Selectman Brimmer, the minutes of the 2/22/05, 3/2/05 and 3/5/05 meetings were unanimously accepted as presented.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None
NEW BUSINESS
Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve a six month extension for two driveway bonds as outlined on Attachment A. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Resolution – Fair Housing Statement
A letter was received from Community Development Director Elizabeth Stocker, who also serves as Newtown’s Fair Housing Officer, advising that there is no need to revise the Fair Housing Plan at this time.
Selectman Brimmer moved the Resolution for the Fair Housing Policy Statement as outlined on Attachment B. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Parks & Recreation Appropriation
No action was taken at this time. The Parks & Rec Director will be asked to attend next meeting to answer questions.
Setting of Fees for Tax Maps and GIS Datasets
No action was taken. The GIS Director will be asked to attend the next meeting to answer questions.
Appointments/Reappointments
Selectman Brimmer moved to appoint Ms. Patricia Barkman , 49 Taunton Lake Road as a member of the Ad Hoc Open Space Task Force for a term to expire on 11/21/05. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Brimmer moved to appoint ten Marine Patrol Officers for the Lake Lillinonah Authority 2005 boating season, as outlined on Attachment C. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Transfer
Selectman Bojnowski moved to transfer FROM Account 01570-2000 Contingency $76,000 TO Account 01510-1003 Winter Overtime $40,000 AND TO Account 01510-2031 Sand $18,000 AND TO Account 01510-2032 Salt $18,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Resolution for Historic Preservation Grant
Selectman Brimmer moved the following: RESOLVED that Herbert C. Rosenthal, First Selectman of the Town of Newtown, or Town Clerk Cynthia S. Simon as his designee, is empowered to execute and deliver in the name of and on behalf of this municipality, an application and contract with the State Library for an Historic Preservation Grant. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
March 2005 Tax Refunds
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve March 2005 Refund No. 10 in the amount of $53,274.62. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: The next regular meeting scheduled for Monday, April 4 will be held at 5:00 pm.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Jan Andras, Clerk
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