The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on Monday, March 6, 2006 in the meeting room at the C. H. Booth Library, Main Street, Newtown. First Selectman Rosenthal called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
PRESENT: First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal, Selectman Joseph Bojnowski, Selectman William Brimmer
ALSO PRESENT: Finance Director Ben Spragg; Town Engineer Ron Bolmer, Fairfield Hills Authority Chairman Robert Geckle, one member of the public, two members of press
VOTER PARTICIPATION: Ms. Barbara O’Connor, Little Brook Lane, asked why we are paying for another traffic study of Queen Street. First Selectman Rosenthal answered that the first was a Pedestrian Safety Study around the Middle School and shopping center, which was paid for by the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials. The current study is for traffic flow on Church Hill Road, Queen Street, Glover Avenue, South Main Street and effects of Commerce Road becoming a connector. This is being paid for by the Town and the D.O.T. and should be completed in June.
COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Rosenthal received a letter from Attorney Denlinger regarding the Little Brook Lane Extension advising that his client, Mr. Delucia, will be going through the variance procedure in order to obtain two lots with conveyance to the town of land for the extension of Little Brook Lane to Turkey Hill Road.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Selectman Brimmer, the minutes of the 2/7/06 meeting were accepted as presented (Rosenthal, Brimmer – Selectman Bojnowski was not present at that meeting).
Upon motion by Selectman Bojnowski, the minutes of the 2/21/06 meeting were accepted as corrected (Rosenthal, Bojnowski – Selectman Brimmer was not present at that meeting).
NEW BUSINESS
Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve one driveway bond release and two driveway bond extensions as outlined on attachment. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Discontinuance of a section of Orchard Hill Road
Town Engineer Ron Bolmer explained that the town recently realigned a section of Orchard Hill Road, leaving a small portion of a former curve that the town no longer needs. It is suggested that this former section of road be discontinued which will revert ownership to the abutting property owner.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to discontinue a former section of Orchard Hill Road (Parcel X as outlined on Property Survey prepared for Frederick K. Baff and Ellen D. Baff, 15 Orchard Hill Road, Newtown, CT, prepared by Brautigam Land Surveyors, PC, dated 2/8/06) and to obtain an easement for drainage purposes, as outlined on said map and to refer to the Planning & Zoning Commission as per CGS §8-24. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Fairfield Hills Update
Fairfield Hills Authority Chairman Robert Geckle was present to give an update on what the Authority has accomplished to date in execution of the Master Plan. He distributed written copies of his report which was then discussed. Mr. Geckle pointed out that the biggest expense in the operating budget is for security, which is expected to be reduced when some of the buildings are demolished. Approximately half of the remediation work has been completed and we are expecting all remediation to be completed by July 2006. This past week, Fleet Environmental dug 10’ deep trenches around Bridgeport Hall to remove contaminated soils and it was decided have curtain drains and foundation drains installed while the ground is open. At this time, the Authority is looking at Bridgeport Hall as a
possible town hall building. Shelton House has been ruled out due to the condition of the building and the water running underneath the building.
Mr. Geckle will ask the town hall architect and landscaping architect attend a future meeting to make a presentation to the Board of Selectmen once they have firmer cost estimates. There is currently $13.5 million left in the bonding. Once we have the numbers for the town hall and ballfield, we will look at what is left for demolition. The Authority is also looking at any other sources of funding.
Transfer
Selectman Bojnowski moved to transfer FROM Account 01570-2000 Contingency $75,000 TO Account 01510-2032 Salt $50,000 AND TO Account 01510-1003 Winter Overtime $25,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Foreclosure – 35 Lakeview Terrace
First Selectman Rosenthal advised that there are currently $42,428.83 in backtaxes due on this quarter acre of lakefront property with a collapsed structure and no access from the road. A neighboring property owner is willing to settle the foreclosure by removing the dangerous structure.
Selectman Brimmer moved to commence foreclosure action on property at 35 Lakeview Terrace. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Resolution – Historic Document Preservation Grant
Selectman Brimmer moved the following: RESOLVED that Herbert C. Rosenthal, First Selectman of the Town of Newtown, or the 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 Document Preservation Grant. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Appointments
Selectman Brimmer moved to appoint (R) George T. Ferguson, 49 Taunton Hill Road as a member of the Conservation Commission for a term to expire on 01/06/08 contingent on his attending the required training courses. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
February 2006 Tax Refunds No. 2
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve February 2006 Tax Refund No. 2 in the amount of $22,721.01. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Proposed Land Purchase
Selectman Bojnowski moved to enter executive session to discuss a possible land purchase and to invite Mr. Spragg and the clerk to attend. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Meeting entered executive session at 6:45 p.m. and returned to open session at 6:50 p.m.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve the purchase of 24,778 sf of property from the State of Connecticut as per File No. 96-100-1B and to refer this to the Planning & Zoning Commission as per CGS §8-24. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:51 pm.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment: Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
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