The Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on Monday, June 12, 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: Town Attorney David Grogins, Community Development Director Elizabeth Stocker, EDC Chairman Chet Hopper, three members of public, one member of press
VOTER PARTICIPATION: Ms. Barbara O’Connor, Littlebrook Lane, asked if the town is really saving money by paying overtime to town crews to do road sweeping. First Selectman Rosenthal replied that it is saving about $100,000. We have always had town crews sweep during regular hours in addition to hiring contractors in order to get work completed in time. The contractors rates have increased dramatically which is why the decision was made to use town crews on overtime in addition to regular hours.
Ms. O’Connor asked if the First Selectman had anymore information about who is responsible for the damage to the traffic island on Orchard Hill Road/Route 25. Mr. Rosenthal advised that the police do not have any information.
COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Rosenthal advised that the town was approved for a STEAP Grant in the amount of $275,000 to cover electrical infrastructure at Fairfield Hills.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Road & Drainage Work Agreement, Oakview Road, Regency at Newtown
Upon recommendation of Town Engineer Ron Bolmer, it was decided to send a letter to Toll Brothers requesting an investigation as to the feasibility of widening Oakview Road from its intersection with Route 34 to the driveway serving the development.
NEW BUSINESS
Road Work Acceptance, Road & Drainage Work Agreement, Old Hawleyville Road, “Meridian Ridge” Subdivision
Selectman Brimmer moved to accept the work for Road & Drainage Work Agreement, Old Hawleyville Road, “Meridian Ridge” Subdivision and to reduce the bond from $65,020 to $13,040, which represents a maintenance bond to be held by the Town for a period of one year. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Selectman Bojnowski moved to release four driveway bonds and approve a six month extension for one driveway bond as outlined on attachment. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Appointment of EDC as Development Agency for Commerce Road Tech Park
Town Attorney David Grogins was present along with Community Development Director Elizabeth Stocker and EDC Chairman Chet Hopper. A letter was received from the Economic Development Commission requesting the support of the Board of Selectmen in order to be designated as the development agency for the Tech Park Project, pursuant to Chapter 132 of the CT General Statutes. Mr. Hopper explained that the EDC is now in the process of finding out where the access road should be for the park and are going through a number of changes in the layout in order to maximize the number of lots that can be created. The purpose of a development agency is to dispose of property in the most efficient manner possible. We want to maximize the tax base, as well as the number of lots, by attracting manufacturers and not
warehouse or storage facilities.
Attorney Grogins asked if the EDC anticipates the town selling lots or one big parcel? Mr. Hopper answered that we do not want to put this property in the hands of a single developer because we want to maintain control. Ms. Stocker advised that we have a $500,000 grant for the planning, which should take us through the approval process. We are talking about the possibility of putting covenants on the property in order to “raise the bar” rather than allowing anything that zoning will allow.
First Selectman Rosenthal suggested that negotiations be done by the development agency but final decisions be made by elected officials. Attorney Grogins felt that there could be the restriction that any transfer of property require authorization of the Board of Selectmen or legislative body of the town.
Selectman Brimmer asked if the EDC would be working with the Fairfield Hills Authority. Ms. Stocker advised that she and Mr. Hopper have met with the Authority and are aware of what they are doing. She does not see any conflict between the two groups since they are dealing with two different “products. The Fairfield Hills Authority is looking at leasing and possible rehabilitation of existing buildings, whereas the development authority will be looking at selling lots for development.
Selectman Brimmer moved to recommend to the Legislative Council that the Economic Development Commission be designated as the development agency for the Commerce Road Technology Park as per Chapter 132 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Offer of Open Space along Pootatuck River – Toll Brothers
A letter was received from Attorney Robert Hall, representing Toll Brothers, Inc. who are offering to dedicate a portion of land to the Town as an open space contribution. This is not the requirement of open space in connection with the elderly housing subdivision on Oakview Road. Trout Unlimited is interested in the Town acquiring this 15.29 acre parcel to give additional protection to the Pootatuck River.
Selectman Brimmer moved to refer the acceptance of 15.29 acres of open space shown on “Easement Map Depicting Conservation Easement and Open Space, Regency at Newtown, Oakview Road, Newtown, Connecticut” dated March 31, 2006, rev. 5/19/06 to the Planning & Zoning Commission as per CGS §8-24 and then to the Legislative Council. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Historical Grant – House Inventory
Ms. Mae Schmidle and Dan Cruson were present. Ms. Schmidle advised that several years ago, the State of Connecticut gave the town a grant of $80,000 to perform a survey of historic houses in Newtown and 80% of the houses were inventoried. We have now received another $15,000 in order to complete the inventory with the houses in Sandy Hook. The State Historical Commission would like to receive a letter from the Board of Selectmen stating that the town is willing to accept the $18,000 grant. Mr. Cruson stated that this is part of an on-going initiative of historic preservation and we need this complete inventory before we proceed. He hopes to get this information on the GIS as well. First Selectman Rosenthal stated that according to the Charter, we must prepare an impact statement
on all grants over $10,000 and submit to the Legislative Council. However, in this instance we will not actually be receiving any money only the finished product so it may not be necessary. He will check with the Town Attorney and Finance Director.
Selectman Brimmer moved to authorize approval of the receipt of an historical grant in the amount of $18,000 to complete the inventory of historic houses in Newtown. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Toddy Hill Drive Name Change
A request was received from the Assessor and the GIS Director pointing out that Assessor records indicate properties to be listed with Toddy Hill Drive locations while the property owners on this road use a Turkey Hill Terrace mailing address. Apparently, the Toddy Hill Drive name has been carried for historic purposes while subdivision approvals rendered the Turkey Hill Terrace addresses. This has become a safety issue with confusion as to addresses.
Selectman Brimmer moved to change the name Toddy Hill Drive to Turkey Hill Terrace. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Charge to Ad Hoc Strategic Long Range Planning Committee
After a brief discussion, it was decided that the First Selectman will contact other towns who have prepared Strategic Long Range Plans and see if someone would be willing to come to a future meeting to answer questions.
Appointments/Reappointments
Selectman Bojnowksi moved to appoint one member to the Inland Wetlands Commission and reappoint three members to the Hattertown Historic District as outlined on the attachment. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Tax Refunds
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve June Tax Refunds in the amount of $62,891.92. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment A: Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Attachment B: Appointments/Reappointments
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
JUNE 12, 2006
DRIVEWAY BOND RELEASES
RELEASES
MOFFITT BUILDERS, LLC, Short Hill Road, Map 35, Block 7, Lot 1.37 $ 1,000.00
ADR CONSTRUCTION LLC, 8 Spruce Drive, Map 42, Block 19, Lot 9 $ 1,000.00
DENNIS CATINO, 56 Forest Drive, Map 43, Block 20, Lot 43 $ 1,000.00
WHELAN HOMES, Dug Hill Road, Map 32, Block 3, Lot 24 $ 1,000.00
REQUEST FOR EXTENSION
RONALD MASON, 76 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Map 42, Block 15, Lot 24 $ 1,000.00
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BOARD OF SELECTMEN – 06/12/06 Meeting
Appointment
Inland Wetlands Commission (newly revised by Ordinance)
(D) Curran, Mary, 41 Cold Spring Road 6/12/06 – 1/07/08
Reappointments
Hattertown Historic District
(R) Rodgers, Moira B., 208 Hattertown Road 06/30/06 – 06/30/11
(R) Degen, Christine A., 62 Castle Meadow Road 06/30/06 – 06/30/11
(D) Degen, Bruce, 62 Castle Meadow Road 06/30/06 – 06/30/11
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