The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on Monday, August 7, 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, Carolee Mason (Municipal Animal Control Officer), Virginia Jess (Canine Advocates), Adria Henderson (Canine Advocates), Ed Marks (Parks & Recreation Commission), three members of public
VOTER PARTICIPATION: Barbara O’Connor, 36 Little Brook Lane stated that she attended a ZBA meeting last week regarding making Little Brook Lane a through road. There were many people there who were opposed. First Selectman Rosenthal advised that the ZBA does not determine where roads are located. An informational meeting will be planned in order to give residents more information about the alternatives being considered. Ms. O’Connor also stated that she read a newspaper article on campus construction at WestConn in Danbury where they are planning a 49,000 s.f. addition to a building for a cost of $17 million. She will also be bringing this to the attention of the Board of Education who is estimating $44 million for an addition to the high school. Regarding
the recent Sandy Hook streetscape project, she feels that the landscape architect received a lot of money. She also feels that the trees that were planted are crooked and should not have been approved by the landscape architect. First Selectman Rosenthal advised that an RFP was done for this project paid by grant money. Didona Associates hired the firm for engineering and design, as well as landscaping. Their work included road reconfiguration, sidewalks, and lighting..
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Selectman Brimmer, the minutes of the 7/17/06 meeting were unanimously approved as presented.
COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Rosenthal received a petition from residents of Possum Ridge concerning the work done after the curbing and repaving were finished. Mr. Rosenthal will refer this to the Public Works Department to look at the grass that was planted.
First Selectman Rosenthal received a petition from residents of Washbrook who want the dirt road to be paved. Several years ago, residents petitioned not to have the road paved.
ADD TO AGENDA: Selectman Brimmer moved to add two maintenance bond releases and discussion of the Capital Improvement Plan to tonight’s agenda. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None
NEW BUSINESS
Maintenance Bond Release, Bramble Trail, “Thornberry Subdivision”
Selectman Bojnowski moved to release the maintenance bond for Bramble Trail, “Thornberry Subdivision” in the amount of $21,055.00 as per recommendation of the Town Engineer. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Maintenance Bond Release, Winton Farm Road & Jacobs Lane, “Winton Farm, Section II” Subdivision
Selectman Brimmer moved to release the maintenance bond for Winton Farm Road & Jacobs Lane, “Winton Farm, Section II” Subdivision in the amount of $42,000.00 as per recommendation of the Town Engineer. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Maintenance Bond Release, Road & Drainage Work Agreement, Toddy Hill Road, “Quarry Ridge Estates” Subdivision
Selectman Bojnowski moved to release the maintenance bond for Road & Drainage Work Agreement, Toddy Hill Road, “Quarry Ridge Estates” Subdivision as per recommendation of Town Engineer. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Maintenance Bond Release, Quarry Ridge Road, “Quarry Ridge Estates” Subdivision
Selectman Brimmer moved to release the maintenance bond for Quarry Ridge Road, “Quarry Ridge Estates” Subdivision as per recommendation of Town Engineer. 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 A. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Capital Improvement Plan
Board of Selectmen members received copies of the proposed Capital Improvement Plan and had asked that groups come to this meeting to answer any questions about the requests. Municipal Animal Control Officer Carolee Mason was present with Canine Advocates President Virginia Jess and Vice President Adria Henderson. There is a request in the CIP for $500,000 to build a new pound. Ms. Jess stressed that the current pound is too small and in bad repair. Canine Advocates has raised $60,000 since December and will continue with fundraising efforts. The architect is donating his services. Ms. Mason stated that she does not have any space to accommodate cats and needs to be able to take them in. They do not have any space for working with rehabilitating dogs or bathing them.
In addition, the current location behind the transfer station is difficult to get to and there is odor and flies. First Selectman Rosenthal feels that one possible site for a new facility would be the old sewage treatment plant at Fairfield Hills, which would be away from residential areas.
Mr. Ed Marks, Acting Chairman of the Parks & Recreation Commission was present to discuss the various requests for recreational needs. For 2007/2008, they are requesting $225,000 for design and engineering to renovate the existing maintenance facility at Fairfield Hills and then in 2008/2009, a request for $1.4 million for renovations and a new roof on that facility. This building is being used by both Parks & Recreation maintenance employees and the Board of Education so the costs would be divided. First Selectman Rosenthal questioned the $800,000 cost for roof replacement and asked for more back-up information. In 2007/2008, they are also requesting $500,000 for design and engineering for a recreation/community center/pool, then in
2008/2009, there is a request for $5 million for Phase I of construction. The need for swimming facilities has increased since the closing of the pool/pond at Dickinson Park. Selectman Brimmer asked if we can only allow town residents to purchase passes for the pool at Treadwell and was advised that it has to be open to non-residents as well since state funds were used to build the pool. First Selectman Rosenthal advised that he is discussing with Parks & Recreation the possibility of improving the parking at Eichlers Cove Marina in order to make more room for a beach to allow for lake swimming.
In 2008/2009, Parks & Recreation is requesting $725,000 for artificial turf for the Tilson soccer field located at Treadwell Park. Mr. Marks stated that the artificial turf on Treadwell field has been very successful, allowing the field to be used 10 months of the year. This saves other fields from over-use. The Tilson field is so shaded that it requires a lot of maintenance. Some of the sports organizations would be asked to help raise funds and also possibly increase surcharge fees to help cover costs. The cost for artificial turf has increased dramatically because they are made of petroleum products.
Members of the Board of Fire Commissioners could not be present tonight to answer questions about their requests in the CIP.
Resolution For Bonding
Selectman Brimmer moved to adopt the resolution entitled “Resolution Appropriating $460,000 For The Purchase Of A Triple Combination Fire Pumper Truck And Authorizing The Issuance Of $460,000 Bonds Of The Town To Meet Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose”, a copy of which is attached hereto and is recommended for adoption by the Town Meeting. Motion seconded and upon roll call vote, the motion carried: YES (Rosenthal, Brimmer, Bojnowski)
Selectman Brimmer moved that a Special Town Meeting be held in the C. H. Booth Library, Main Street, Newtown, CT on August 16, 2006 at 7:15 o’clock P.M. (E.D.T.) to receive a communication from the Board of Selectmen with respect to the resolution entitled “Resolution Appropriating $460,000 For The Purchase Of A Triple Combination Fire Pumper Truck And Authorizing The Issuance Of $460,000 Bonds Of The Town To Meet Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose” and to consider and act upon the Resolution and that the notice of said Special Town Meeting shall be in the form as attached to these minutes. Motion seconded and upon roll call vote, the motion carried: YES (Rosenthal,
Brimmer, Bojnowski)
Tax Refunds
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve August Tax Refunds in the amount of $28,593.40. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Appointments – None
Legal Matters
Selectman Bojnowski moved to enter executive session to discuss legal matters and to invite the Finance Director and the clerk to attend. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Meeting entered executive session at 8:35 p.m. and returned to open session at 8:45 p.m.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve legal defense in Dauti vs. Newtown Water and Sewer Authority. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment A: Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Attachment B: Resolution
Attachment C: Call of Special Town Meeting
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