The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on Monday, November 5, 2007 in the meeting room at the C. H. Booth Library, Main Street, Newtown, CT. First Selectman Rosenthal called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
PRESENT: First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal, Selectman Joseph Bojnowski, Selectman William Brimmer
ALSO PRESENT: Finance Director Ben Spragg, Town Engineer Ron Bolmer, four members of public, two members of press
VOTER COMMENTS: Mr. Michael Floros, 32 Queen Street, stated that he was following up on the traffic study and traffic calming measures on Queen Street. He asked that this be kept moving along. First Selectman Rosenthal advised that the Board of Selectmen intend to take this up at a meeting shortly. The Board of Selectmen sent a recommendation to the Legislative Council to develop an ordinance that would establish regulations and criteria for how the town might consider various traffic calming devices to be put in place so there would be regulations to decide what roads would get them and how people would request them. The Police Commission is recommending traffic calming measures for Queen Street and Glover Avenue based on the traffic study but following guidelines
established by ordinance.
Ms. Lisa Floros, 32 Queen Street, attended the debate at Edmond Town Hall (First Selectman candidates) and the question was asked about speed tables. She believes that Mr. Rosenthal stated he was against them because of possible litigation. Mr. Rosenthal replied that it was actually Mr. Borst who gave that response. Mr. Rosenthal had answered that the Borough reps had indicated their concern about possible liability. Our town road officials are concerned because anything you do with the roads follows ASHTO Standards and federal guidelines. This protects us from liability. There are no standards for speed “tables”. You don’t have the protection you have when you normally do things with construction of roads.
Town Engineer Ron Bolmer added that he has attended seminars where towns are always asking questions about the town’s liability for these speed “tables”.
COMMUNICATIONS: None
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion by Selectman Bojnowski, the minutes of the 10/15/07 meeting were unanimously accepted as presented.
Upon motion by Selectman Brimmer, the minutes of the 10/23/07 meeting were unanimously accepted as presented.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS
Road Acceptance, Butternut Ridge Road, “Butternut Ridge” Subdivision
Selectman Bojnowski moved to accept Butternut Ridge, “Butternut Ridge” Subdivision into the Highway System and to set a maintenance bond in the amount of $36,200.00 to be held by the Town for one year. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Bond Release, Fire Suppression Tank, Boggs Hill Road, “Head o’Meadow Estates” Subdivision
Selectman Brimmer moved to release the fire suppression tank bond in the amount of $30,000 for Boggs Hill Road, “Head o’Meadow Road Estates” Subdivision. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Bond Release, Fire Suppression Tank, Bentagrass Lane
Selectman Brimmer moved to release the fire suppression tank bond in the amount of $30,000 for Bentagrass Lane. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Driveway Bond Releases
Selectman Bojnowski moved to release two driveway bonds as outlined on attachment. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Transfer
Selectman Brimmer moved to transfer FROM Account 01100-1073 Town Hall Salary Adjustments $43,986 TO Various Salary Accounts $43,986. Motion seconded and unanimously carried. This transfer is to cover annual salary increases for non-union department heads.
Extension Heritage Preservation Trust Lease – Meeting House
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve extending the lease between the Town of Newtown and the Heritage Preservation Trust of Newtown, dated December 30, 1988, for all remaining ten year renewal terms through December 30, 2038. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Tax Refunds
Selectman Bojnowski moved to approve November Tax Refunds in the amount of $37,961.76. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
At 6:55 p.m., the meeting recessed to hold a public hearing and was called back to order at7:30 p.m.
Lease for Stratford Hall, Fairfield Hills Campus
Selectman Brimmer moved to authorize the Town Attorney to complete negotiations on the final lease terms based on recommendations heard at Public Hearing this evening and to authorize the First Selectman to sign completed lease for Stratford Hall to Mr. Gordon Anderson. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Heritage Preservation Trust – Sublease
Selectman Brimmer moved to ADD Heritage Preservation Trust Sub-Lease to the agenda. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Brimmer moved to approve Subordination, Non-Disturbance and Consent Agreement between the Town of Newtown, The Heritage Preservation Trust of Newtown and T3 Unison Site Management. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Legal Matters/Land Purchases
Selectman Brimmer moved to enter executive session to discuss possible open space purchases and to invite Finance Director and clerk to attend. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Meeting entered executive session at 7:35 p.m. and returned to open session at 7:50 pm with no action being taken.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment A: Driveway Bond Releases
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