The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting, followed by budget deliberations, on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at the Multi-Purpose Building, Riverside Road, Sandy Hook, CT. First Selectman Borst called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
PRESENT: First Selectman Joseph Borst, Selectman Paul Mangiafico, Selectman Herbert Rosenthal
ALSO PRESENT: Finance Director Ben Spragg, Legislative Council members John Aurelia, Chris Lyddy, Jeff Capeci and Dan Amaral, several town department heads, one member of press
VOTER COMMENTS: Ms. Sarah Beier, 7 Yogananda, stated that there are currently only two Student Resource Officers (SRO). The Reed School has one and one is shared between the Middle School and High School, meaning one SRO for 2,600 students. She feels each of these schools should have their own SRO, and added that health teachers are qualified to head up the DARE program.
COMMUNICATIONS: None
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Selectman Mangiafico moved to accept the minutes of the 1/7/08 regular meeting and the 1/11/08 special meeting as presented. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Status on Fairfield Hills Leases
First Selectman Borst reported that he expects the Hawley lease to be on his desk on Monday for signing.
NEW BUSINESS
Coalition to Fight Increased Jet Traffic
Selectman Mangiafico stated that he has read the information that was given to this Board. He believes it would be good for the town to join, however, he has been asked questions and does not know the answers. Because of the re-routing, would there be more smaller aircraft flying lower over Newtown and what is more? Does anyone know? Selectman Borst feels that the lowest smaller aircraft would be able to fly is 1,600 feet. Selectman Rosenthal advised that before he left office, he was hearing from residents that they were seeing more small planes flying at lower altitudes than they had ever noticed before. Funding the joining of this Coalition would require a transfer from Contingency to cover the possible $70,000 cost. He feels we probably should join. Selectman Mangiafico
asked Mr. Spragg if there is money in contingency to cover this and Mr. Spragg replied that there are ample funds in contingency. First Selectman Borst will investigate further what the altitudes in our area could be and get more information on financing. This item will be deferred to a future meeting.
Selectman Rosenthal moved that the Town of Newtown join the Coalition to Fight Increased Jet Traffic and that at a subsequent Selectmen meeting we determine the amount of the town’s contribution. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Capital Improvement Plan
First Selectman Borst advised that based on a request from Board of Finance Chairman John Kortze, we need to look for $4 million to take out of the CIP to get down below the 10% debt cap. Mr. Borst is suggesting eliminating the Edmond Town Hall kitchen renovation project for $260,000; the Parks & Rec Community Center/Senior Center for $3,100,000; the Parks & Rec roof on the maintenance facility for $825,000; the artificial turf on Tilson field for $725,000; and the police building improvement design for $200,000. Mr. Rosenthal asked if the $4 million is supposed to come from the 5 year CIP in general or from a particular year, and if the Board of Finance is talking to the Board of Education as well? Mr. Borst replied that they are just looking at the town. The First
Selectman will get clarifications from the Board of Finance Chairman. Mr. Spragg stated that he feels the only changes the Board of Finance is planning is to remove the Parks & Recreation building and move it out, as well as the new animal shelter. This will be discussed again at tomorrow night’s meeting.
Mr. Mangiafico moved to reconsider the $1 million appropriation initiated by the Board of Selectmen for the Parks & Recreation Community Center/Senior Center design. Motion seconded. Mr. Rosenthal offered a friendly amendment to withdraw the appropriation until the First Selectman has the opportunity to meet with the seniors to discuss this project. Motion as amended was unanimously carried.
Selectman Mangiafico stated that a member of the Fairfield Hills Authority advised him that we will be deeded a storage building at Fairfield Hills and that $1 million could be used to renovate and make it suitable for the senior center. He asked if that was ever considered. Selectman Rosenthal advised that no studies have been done on that building regarding asbestos, etc. He had discussed this possibility previously with Senior Center Director Marilyn Place but neither of them had seen the building.
Driveway Bond Releases/Extensions
Selectman Mangiafico moved to approve a six month extension for one driveway (as outlined on attachment). Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
LoCIP Project – Chiller Building
Selectman Mangiafico moved to approve that $195,000 of LoCIP funds be used for the removation of the former Chiller Building at Fairfield hIlls into an Emergency Operations Center for the Town. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Traffic Enforcement
Selectman Mangiafico had asked to have this on the agenda. He feels that after hearing at the last meeting from the stepfather of the boy who was hit by a car on Queen Street, we need to address the need for speed “bumps”. We have speeding problems in town. Cars are driving through stop signs, including those on school buses. He asked the Police Chief to make a presentation at a future Selectmen’s meeting, with some recommendations. First Selectman Borst stated that he had asked the Chief to work on a committee including Selectman Mangiafico, Public Works Director Fred Hurley and Schools Transportation Director Tony DiLeonardi to review and come up with a plan of action.
Transfer
Selectman Rosenthal moved to transfer FROM Account 01270-2001 Health Insurance $3,000.00 TO Account 01260-2011 Pension Services $3,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Appointments/Reappointments
Selectman Mangiafico moved three appointments and one re-appointment (as outlined on attachment). Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
2008/2009 BUDGET
Account 190 Assessor
Assessor Tom DeNoto was present.
Selectman Rosenthal moved Account 190 Assessor in the amount of $223,273. Motion seconded.
Selectman Rosenthal moved to AMEND by increasing line 190-1002 by $3,500. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED ($226,773) UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED
Account 205 Computer Center
GIS/Technology Director Scott Sharlow was present.
Selectman Rosenthal moved Account 205 Computer Center in the amount of $218,740. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Account 110 Social Services
Social Services Director Ann Piccini was present.
Selectman Rosenthal moved Account 110 Social Services in the amount of $89,032. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Account 140 Tax Collector
Selectman Rosenthal moved Account 140 Tax Collector in the amount of $190,354. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Account 160 Probate
Selectman Rosenthal moved Account 160 Probate in the amount of $4,050. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Account 170 Town Clerk
Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia was present.
Selectman Rosenthal moved Account 170 Town Clerk in the amount of $254,495. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Account 180 Registrars
Republican Registrar Karin Aurelia and Democratic Registrar LeReine Frampton were present.
Selectman Mangiafico moved Account 180 Registrars in the amount of $179,236. Motion seconded.
Selectman Mangiafico moved to AMEND by decreasing line 180-1005 by $10,000 (eliminating second referendum costs). Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Selectman Rosenthal moved to AMEND by decreasing line 180-1007 Election Workers by $15,140. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED ($154,096) UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.
Account 200 Finance
Selectman Rosenthal moved Account 200 Finance in the amount of $332,603. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
First Selectman Borst will get salaries for Finance Director in surrounding, comparable towns to see if there might be some savings when a new Finance Director is hired.
Account 220 Commission on Aging
Selectman Rosenthal moved Account 220 Commission on Aging in the amount of $287,768. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Account 230 Town Hall Managers
Town Hall Board of Managers Chairman Jay Gill was present.
Mr. Gill advised that the Board of Managers has decided not to pursue the grant for the kitchen renovations and are withdrawing their request for matching funds at this time. There were some questions about the proposed increase in “rent” charges. Mr. Gill will return before final budget deliberations with more information.
Account 310 Police
Police Chief Michael Kehoe, Police Captain Joe Rios and Police Commission member Robert Connor were present.
Selectman Rosenthal moved Account 310 Police in the amount of $3,972,117. Motion seconded.
Selectman Mangiafico moved to AMEND by decreasing line 310-5080 Capital by $20,000 (removing the traffic engineer). Motion seconded and carried: 2 YES (Borst, Mangiafico) – 1 NO (Rosenthal)
MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED ($3,952,117) UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.
Account 315 Police Other
Selectman Rosenthal moved Account 315 Police Other in the amount of $150,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Account 300 Communications
Emergency Communications Director Joseph DelBuono was present
Selectman Rosenthal moved Account 300 Communications in the amount of $829,322. Motion seconded.
Selectman Rosenthal moved to AMEND by decreasing line 300-1001 FT Operators by $20,000. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED ($809,322) UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.
Legal Matters
Selectman Rosenthal moved to enter executive session to discuss a legal matter and to invite the Finance Director and clerk to attend. Motion seconded and unanimously carried.
Meeting entered executive session at 11:55 p.m. and returned to open session at 12:05 a.m., at which time meeting was adjourned.
Jan Andras, Clerk
Attachment A: Driveway Bond Extension
Attachment B: Appointments
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BOARD OF SELECTMEN – January 22, 2007 Meeting
APPOINTMENTS
Commission on Aging
(R) Karin Aurelia, 83 Castle Hill Road 01/06/09
Commission on Aging - Alternate
(D) LeReine Frampton, 6 Pebble Road 01/06/09
Lake Lillinonah Authority
(R) Arthur Niedzielski, 12 Fieldsone Drive 01/06/10
REAPPOINTMENT
Library Board of Trustees
(D) Paula Stephan, 65 Elizabeth Circle, SH 07/01/09
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