The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on Monday, April 2, 2007 in the meeting room at the C. H. Booth Library, Main Street, Newtown, CT.
PRESENT: First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal, Selectman Joseph Bojnowski, Selectman William Brimmer
ALSO PRESENT: Finance Director Ben Spragg, EDC Chairman Chet Hopper, three members of public, one member of press
VOTER PARTICIPATION: None noted
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Minutes will be accepted when Selectman Bojnowski is present. He was traveling on business.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Proposed Amendments to Public Building & Site Commission Ordinance
The Public Building & Site Commission has submitted their proposed revisions to the Ordinance which they discussed with the Board of Selectmen at a meeting on 3/5/07. First Selectman Rosenthal prepared a list of recommendations based on those discussions for some minor adjustments as some of the proposed changes were not consistent with the Charter. He stated that the Public Building & Site Commission is an advisory board. Contracts are under the control of the Board of Selectmen or Board of Education.
The proposed amendment states that a public building project is any project in excess of $250,000. The Board of Selectmen feel that this should be “any project that is included in the Capital Improvement Plan”.
Selectman Brimmer moved to send recommendations for amending the Public Building & Site Commission Ordinance to the Legislative Council, with action to be held until after any Charter changes. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Ad Hoc Strategic Long Range Planning Committee
First Selectman Rosenthal stated that there are members of the Legislative Council who want to appoint an ad hoc committee. We have tried to schedule officials from other towns to come to speak with the Board of Selectmen about their Plans but that has not worked out. Mr. Rosenthal prepared a Charge To ad Hoc Strategic Long Range Planning Committee. The Board of Selectmen can appoint a committee to follow Sec. 3-20(b) of the Charter. He asked that the other Selectmen look over this Charge to discuss at the next meeting. Selectman Bojnowski stated that he is concerned that people spend a lot of time and effort on this and feel ownership of the work, and as such, there are expectations that their recommendations will be completed. Mr. Rosenthal stated that the committee would be advisory,
the charge is to “assist the Board of Selectmen to review and plan for the future needs of the town”. This item will be on the next agenda.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
Selectman Brimmer moved to accept the minutes of the 3/5/07 regular meeting as presented. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Brimmer moved to accept the minutes of the 3/19/07 special meeting as presented. Motion seconded and carried (Mr. Bojnowski abstained as he was not present at that meeting).
NEW BUSINESS
Extension of time for temporary use license with TUV Rheinland
EDC Chairman Chet Hopper was present along with a representative of TUV Rheinland. TUV has a license agreement with the Town to utilize a portion of town property for a testing facility. The license agreement expires on 4/15/07, however, they are looking to purchase this half acre of town property adjacent to their facility on Commerce Road and would like to continue the license agreement until a possible sale can be arranged.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to extend the expiration date of the License Agreement, dated October 6, 2006, between TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc. and the Town of Newtown until August 30, 2007. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Sale of Town Land for Economic Development
This will be on a future agenda (TUV Rheinland).
Business Incentive Program Application – Architectural Glass Industries, LLC
A letter of support for this application was received from the Economic Development Commission. Mr. David Tofinchio of Architectural Glass Industries, LLC was present and stated that this company is moving here from Norwalk because Norwalk did not offer them any kind of incentive. EDC Chairman Chet Hopper advised that this company is also eligible for the multiplier on the significant amount of personal property they will be moving here. First Selectman Rosenthal advised that the Board of Selectmen would be voting to recommend this directly to the Legislative Council, and not to the Board of Finance, because the total of the abatement is less than $25,000. Selectman Bojnowski stated that he is very much in favor of this and thanked the EDC for bringing this business to Newtown. Mr. Tofinchio
stated that they currently have seven employees and expect to need at least another five with the next year, as they are growing rapidly.
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve the Business Incentive Program Application of Architectural Glass Industries, LLC and to recommend this application to the Legislative Council with the personal property multiplier. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Setting of Hauler Permit Fees
First Selectman Rosenthal advised that the towns in the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority are setting fees for haulers using transfer stations. Public Works Director Fred Hurley is recommending $100 per year for each hauler in Newtown to purchase a permit fee to do business within the town. HRRA will collect the fees and do all paperwork.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to set permit fees for each hauler in the Town of Newtown in the amount of $100 per year. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Modification to Road and Drainage Work Agreement – The Old Road, Milton Adams
Town Engineer Ron Bolmer could not be present but sent a memo stating that in November 2005, Mr. Adams entered into a Road & Drainage Work Agreement as part of a subdivision on The Old Road and Twist Hill Lane. The agreement was amended then to have Mr. Adams pay for the extension of paving of The Old Road. The subdivision was approved, however, Mr. Adams withdrew that application and resubmitted a new one. The Town has already paved the section of road in question and Mr. Adams should be asked to pay $5,842.68, which is the cost to paved the road to a width of 18 feet, as originally agreed (although the road was actually paved to 22 feet).
Selectman Brimmer moved to modify the Road & Drainage Work Agreement between Milton Adams and the Town of Newtown, The Old Road, 2 Lot Re-Subdivision, “Proposed Re-Subdivision, Lot 1, Paul Scudder Smith & Earl Wright Smith Subdivision in the amount of $5,842.68, which is the cost to pave the section of road to a width of 18 feet. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Driveway Bonds
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve two driveway bond releases and approve six month extensions for six driveway bonds as outlined on Attachment A. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Appointments
Selectman Brimmer moved to appoint three Democrats and two Republicans to the Cultural Arts Commission, as recommended by the Town Committees, and outlined on Attachment B. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
There are now seven members with two more vacancies on this committee. The Board of Selectmen have received several resumes from unaffiliated voters. They will make a decision on the remaining two vacancies after reviewing these resumes.
Legal Matters
Selectman Bojnowski moved to enter executive session to discuss a legal matter and a possible land purchase and to invite Finance Director Ben Spragg and the clerk to attend. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Meeting entered executive session at 6:40 p.m. and returned to open session at 6:50 p.m.
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve the purchase of 37.5 acres of open space as discussed in executive session and to refer to the Planning & Zoning Commission as per CGS §8-24. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve the purchase of a 12 acre parcel of open space as discussed in executive session and to refer to the Planning & Zoning Commission as per CGS §8-24. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment A: Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Attachment B: Appointments
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