The Board of Selectman held a regular meeting Monday August 4, 2008 at 7:30p.m. in the meeting room of the C.H. Booth Library located on Main Street, Newtown, CT. 06470. First Selectman Borst called the meeting to order at 7:30p.m.
PRESENT: First Selectman Borst, Selectman Rosenthal and Selectman Mangiafico.
ALSO PRESENT: Town Engineer Ron Bolmer, twenty members of the public and one member of the press.
VOTER COMMENTS: Ms. Barbara O’Connor of 36 Little Brook Lane Newtown, CT. 06470 addressed the Board regarding the boxes AT&T is placing on utility poles which have the possibility of exploding. Ms. O’Connor also addressed the Sandy Hook Center renovations in which the landscape architecture took up much of the allotted funds.
Mr. Bob Geckle of 35 Queen Street Newtown, CT. 06470 stated that he would like to request for the recent Fairfield Hills Authority resignation letter from Moira Rodgers be added to the agenda for discussion and reappointment of someone to take her place. Mr. Borst stated that the Selectman are aware of the resignation and plan to discuss it during the meeting.
COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Borst addressed the Board regarding a few issues such as, the National League of Cities requesting suggestions and comments for the next meeting in November 2008 to be held in Orlando, Florida., Liz Stocker’s report on the benefits to the Town in receiving grant money, an invitation to bid on Bridgeport Hall was advertised in the Danbury News Times and the Hartford Courant and will be in the Newtown Bee, also advertised will be the position for the Clerk of the Works for the Bridgeport Hall and High School projects.
Selectman Rosenthal stated that he was glad to hear that the bids had finally gone out for Bridgeport Hall however, He was under the impression that they were to go out July 28, 2008. Mr. Rosenthal called David Wedge of O&G who was also under the impression that some things were left unresolved as they were awaiting verification that the traffic study had been completed. Mr. Rosenthal stated that the original approval letter had been sent directly to the First Selectman’s office May 19, 2008. Essentially Mr. Rosenthal was asking First Selectman Borst to be proactive in seeking resolutions to matters sooner than later so as to save time and money. First Selectman Borst responded that to the best of his knowledge he moved along to the best of his ability.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the previous meeting held Monday July 21, 2008 were accepted with one change as follows; on page 6 under the discussion item Litchfield Hall Demolition Estimated Cost (the first sentence should read) Selectman Borst noted that $1,000,000 had been approved for the demolition of Litchfield Hall…
Selectman Rosenthal moved to accept the minutes as amended. Selectman Mangiafico seconded motion. All were in favor.
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Adoption of Bond Resolution for
a. $38,826,000 High School Project
b. $1,000,000 Parks and Recreation/ Senior Center
Selectman Rosenthal stated that the Board may not be able to take any action on the Bond Resolutions because it was not properly identified on the agenda. First Selectman Borst stated that he had spoken to Glenn Santoro of Robinson & Cole who said that the way the agenda reads is broad enough for the Board to take action if they wanted to. Mr. Borst stated that it seems as though there is conflicting information from Mr. Santoro, Mr. Borst suggested that the Board possibly table this discussion item until the next meeting as there is no rush to approve the Bond resolution at this time.
Selectman Mangiafico added that the Bids that have come back from the High School project are higher than anticipated. The $38 million that the town voted on covers specific items, Mr. Mangiafico asked what the equivalent number of items that is being looked at now? Mrs. Elaine McClure of the Board of Education stated that currently Morganti is analyzing the bids. Mr. Mangiafico went on to question if the bids come back substantially higher, then how is the $38 million addressed and if the bid structure turns out to be (for example) $42 million and the Board of Education goes back to eliminate specific items that were approved to be covered – how are the items decided upon?
First Selectman Borst stated that he had spoken with financial director Mr. Tait who said the $38 million and if any subsequent amount was needed could be bonded out.
Selectman Rosenthal stated that currently the bids are over $38 million and is reluctant to move forward on voting on the Bond resolutions without knowing how the (bid) process would turn out.
Selectman Mangiafico added that the project needs to be done lawfully as time constraints potentially cost more money.
Selectman Borst moved to table this discussion item until the bids are more concrete and Town Attorney David Grogins can be contacted on the subject. Selectman Rosenthal seconded motion. All were in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Driveway Bond Releases (Attachments A & B)
Selectman Rosenthal moved to approve the recommendation of Driveway Bond releases for GLT Residential of 22 Main Street Newtown at Quail Hollow Lane identified by Map 44, Block 5, Lot 15 in the amount of $1000.00 originally posted 2/27/08 and Bayta Corporation of 176 Brushy Hill Road Newtown at Stony Brook Road identified by Map 20, Block 2, Lot 3-13 in the amount of $1000.00 originally posted 4/25/05. Selectman Mangiafico seconded motion. All were in favor.
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Driveway Bond Extension request by Mr. William Notaro of Newtown Heights identified by Map 12, Block 5, Lot 14 originally posted 8/9/05. An extension is requested due to the complexity of the project and construction delays, the as built needs to be completed.
First Selectman Borst asked Town Engineer Ron Bolmer what his thoughts on the request were. Mr. Bolmer stated that he would expect another couple of months for the completion of the driveway. Selectman Mangiafico asked why he should be grated an extension to get the driveway bond money back after three years. Mr. Mangiafico stated that he would not be in favor of granting the extension at this time. First Selectman Borst asked for a motion to approve the extension request. Selectman Rosenthal seconded the motion for discussion purposes. Mr. Rosenthal stated that in the past extensions had been granted if reasonable cause was given. He suggested a letter be sent to Mr. Notaro explaining that the driveway “as built drawing” must be completed and approved by the
Town Engineer no later than 30 days or the $1000.00 Driveway Bond will be forfeited.
All were in favor.
2. Maintenance Bond Release (Attachment C).
Selectman Rosenthal moved to accept the recommendation of the Maintenance Bond Release of Nighthawk Lane of “Berkshire Woods” Subdivision in the amount of $25,300.00. Selectman Mangiafico seconded motion. All were in favor.
3. August Tax Refunds (Attachment D)
Selectman Rosenthal moved to accept the August Tax Refunds in the amount $6562.48.
Selectman Mangiafico seconded motion. All were in favor.
Selectman Rosenthal moved to add to the agenda the Fairfield Hills Authority resignation of Moira Rodgers. Selectman Mangiafico seconded. All were in favor.
4. Fairfield Hills Authority resignation
Selectman Rosenthal moved to approve Mr. John Madzula to the Fairfield Hills Authority. Selectman Mangiafico seconded motion and stated that Mr. Madzula has a wonderful back ground for the position and made a note of appreciation for Moira Rodgers. All were in favor.
5. Newtown Pension Plan Investment Policy change (Attachment E)
Selectman Rosenthal moved to support the recommendation made by the Pension Committee. Selectman Mangiafico seconded for discussion, at this point he stated he has no reason to agree based on the information in the packet provided to the Board for the recommended change in allocation of funds. Selectman Mangiafico stated that he would like a presentation from the Pension Committee or Westport Resources supporting their recommendation.
Selectman Rosenthal stated that he would be willing to hold off on his vote until a presentation can be made and Selectman Mangiafico is comfortable with the allocation recommendations. Selectman Rosenthal moved to table this item until the next meeting.
Selectman Mangiafico seconded motion. All were in favor.
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6. Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers / Mary Hawley Society request for $35,000
Selectman Rosenthal stated that in past years the Town has assisted organizations financially in loaning the funds for a project to be repaid later.
Selectman Borst moved to approve $35,000 to Board of Managers in accordance with the memo from Financial Director Bob Tait (Attachement F).
Selectman Rosenthal seconded. All were in favor.
7. Edmond Town Hall board of Managers / Mary Hawley Society request for $123,000 LoCIP funds.
First Selectman Borst stated that roughly $90,000 out of the LoCIP funds are available before March 2009 when the Town should receive another $200,000 from the state to aid in Capital Improvement Planning/ Projects.
Mr. Jim Juliano and Mr. Jay Gill of the Town Hall Board of Managers clarified how the kitchen project is coming along and how money has been saved in multiple areas for example by reusing cabinets in another area.
Selectman Mangiafico questioned the Town Hall Board of Managers how much additional income is expected to come in based on the remodeled kitchen. Mr. Gill stated that basically the rental fee for the space will be increased from the current $300.00 to approximately $600.00 - $900.00 which will bring in $60 - $70,000 of additional income.
Selectman Rosenthal stated that application modifications have been made in the past to LoCIP applications and generally speaking the additional funds are granted provided the need is explained.
First Selectman Borst moved to approve the $90,000 from the LoCIP funds for the Edmond Town Hall Kitchen renovations and to modify the current LoCIP application to reflect that amount . Selectman Rosenthal seconded motion. All were in favor.
The Town Hall Board of Managers were advised to submit a modified LoCIP application in March 2009 for any short fall between the $90,000 and the requested $123,000.
The Board of Selectman entered Executive session at 8:57p.m. and returned to regular session at 9.45p.m.
Subsequent to the Executive session, Mr. Rosenthal moved to have the Town Attorney defend the Town in the following legal actions:
Hattertown LLC. vs. Inland Wetlands Commission of the Town of Newtown and the Commissioner of Environmental Protection.
Newtown Zoning Enforcement vs. Mr. Karl E. Philippi of 42 Swamp Road Newtown, CT. 06470.
Newtown zoning Enforcment vs. Mr. & Mrs. John Gureckis of 30 Tomahawk Trail Sandy Hook, CT. 06482.
First Selectman Borst seconded each item. All were in favor.
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ADJOURNMENT:
Having no further business, the Board of Selectman adjourned their regular meeting at 9:55p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Cayenne Spremullo, Clerk
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First Selectman Joseph Borst
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