THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on Monday, June 1, 2009 in the meeting room at the C.H. Booth Library, Main Street, Newtown, CT.
CALL TO ORDER: First Selectman Borst called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: First Selectman Joseph Borst, Selectman Paul Mangiafico, Selectman Herbert Rosenthal.
ALSO PRESENT: Finance Director Robert Tait, Town Attorney David Grogins, twenty-two members of the public and one member of the press.
First Selectman Borst noted there would be two items added to the agenda: AT&T VRAD box installations and removal; this item was not voted on at a prior meeting. Housatonic Railroad will be added to executive session as the Town Attorney anticipates litigation.
VOTER COMMENTS: Ruby Johnson, 16 Chestnut Hill Rd., Sandy Hook stated that the Woodbury Hall tenants are looking to the Department of Agriculture and warned that when you take money from the Federal government it will come with strings attached. Ms. Johnson spoke again about bringing people together to solve controversial issues. She urged the Selectman to have people from both sides of the issue when appointing people to the Tick Borne Disease Action Committee. Ms. Johnson hopes there is a sound financial plan when considering a duplex in Fairfield Hills for Kevin’s Community Center. The town needs to know how much it is going to cost to take down Greenwich Hall and build a parking lot. The Town should have the Newtown Bee publish the open space that has been purchased.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Selectman Mangiafico moved to accept the minutes of 05/18/09. Selectman Rosenthal seconded. All in favor.
COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Grant Update: First Selectman Borst reported on the grant update (Att. A). Selectman Mangiafico questioned the wording in the Kevin’s Community Center and what it means that the town has to guarantee that the clinic will be supported for a period of ten years. He also questioned what property is referred to in paragraph five, page three. Selectman Mangiafico said the Batchelder loan was originally $45,000. How is the amount owed $84,860? Selectman Rosenthal stated there was legislation that forgave this loan. First Selectman Borst said Ms. Stocker had sent a letter to confirm the forgiveness but hasn’t
received a response back yet.
2. Eagle Scouts: First Selectman Borst reported that over the weekend both he and Selectman Mangiafico attended Eagle Scout ceremonies. The services were impressive and there were five Eagle Scouts being honored.
3. Hawleyville Post Office: First Selectman Borst reported that the new Hawleyville Post Office will be at 23 Barnabus Road. Selectman Mangiafico and Selectman Rosenthal commended First Selectman Borst and Congressman Chris Murphy on their work in getting the Hawleyville Post Office relocated.
4. Probate Courts: First Selectman Borst is working with Brookfield and Bethel to see if the courts can be consolidated into one in Newtown.
5. Bridgeport Hall: During the replacement of an elevator at Bridgeport Hall it was discovered there are water problems. A curtain drain will be installed a behind Bridgeport Hall that will go across the building to divert the water to a drain at the front end of Bridgeport Hall.
6. Tick Borne Disease Action Committee: First Selectman Borst reported that there is a list of 28 people that need to be interviewed. The committee should consist of people from both sides of the issues. There will be a more positive report at the next meeting as to where the Board is and what they are going to be doing.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion and possible action:
Add to agenda: Selectman Rosenthal moved to add AT&T VRAD boxes for discussion and possible action, first item under new business. Selectman Mangiafico seconded. All in favor.
1. AT&T VRAD Boxes: Selectman Mangiafico moved the approval of the VRAD boxes that have been held, based on the agreement by AT&T and the Town of Newtown, that AT&T, within 120 days, and by Sept. 19th, will remove and relocate the VRAD box on Queen Street as stipulated in their letter of May 19. Selectman Rosenthal seconded.
All in favor.
2. Common Driveway Bond: Selectman Rosenthal moved the release of one common driveway bond: Oak Street Design & Construction, Grace Moore Road, M54, B9, L94. Selectman Mangiafico seconded. All in favor.
3. Appointments: Selectman Mangiafico moved to authorize the First Selectman to
appoint Joseph Girgasky (R), 7 Lake Road, Newtown as an alternate to the Public Building & Site Commission for a term to expire 01/06/13. Selectman Rosenthal seconded. All in favor.
4. Transfer: Selectman Rosenthal moved to approve the transfer from Contingency
1570-2000, $16,819.74 to Referendum 01880-1005 $10,012.98 & Election Workers 01180-1007 $6,806.76. Ms. Frampton, Registrar of Voters, spoke about the number of referendums during the year and said there were changes to laws regarding the Presidential referendum. First Selectman Borst seconded. All in favor.
5. Transfer: Selectman Rosenthal moved to approve the transfer from Contingency
$450.00 to N.W. Safety 01426-0000. Selectman Mangiafico seconded. All in favor.
6. Transfer: Selectman Rosenthal moved to approve the transfer from Contingency
01570-2000 $25,000 to Unemployment. Seconded by Selectman Mangiafico. Mr.Tait explained the Board of Managers will reimburse the Town. Discussion was held on how unemployment works by state law. All in favor.
7. Kevin’s Community Center: Lisa Schwartz, of the Board of Directors, Kevin’s Community Center suggested that the ten year support mentioned in the grant report means that the town would be liable for the grant should Kevin’s Community Center cease to be an entity. Ms. Schwartz explained that KCC is looking for approval to transfer the grant money from Newtown Hall to one of the duplexes at Fairfield Hills.
Dr. Taweh reported that KCC has a long term strategic plan. The grant money and additional money already set aside for development will cover all the costs. Dr. Taweh believes KCC can exist long term with no financial hardship. Selectman Rosenthal moved the Board of Selectman support the motion of the Fairfield Hills Authority as follows: We support the request to the State of Connecticut to transfer the use of the $500,000 grant for the location of Kevin’s Community Center from Newtown Hall to one of the duplexes, preferably the one closest to the existing infrastructure, with the understanding that the $500,000 grant be sufficient to cover all infrastructure and renovation costs. Selectman Mangiafico seconded. All in favor.
8. Telephone recommendation: Communications Director Maureen Will spoke about the telephone system relative to the move to Fairfield Hills. She has narrowed the search down to two vendors and plans to sever some services to the town. There is one system that is a redundant system, that would be both the Board of Education and the Town of Newtown. The Board complimented Ms. Will on her report and presentation. She will make her recommendations by July 1. (Att. B).
9. Newtown Youth Academy refinance: Town Attorney Grogins explained that Newtown Youth Academy is getting a loan through the Newtown Savings Bank that is guaranteed through the Department of Agriculture. The lease has a provision that requires no more than 80% loan to value ratio. Attorney Grogins asked the Board to waive the provision. Attorney Grogins will have a resolution for authorization at the June 15 Board of Selectmen meeting.
10. Lake Lillinonah Authority marine patrol appointments for 2009: Selectman Rosenthal moved the appointment of the law enforcement personnel marine patrol officers as presented in a letter dated May 18, 2009 from the Lake Lillinonah Authority. Seconded by Selectman Mangiafico. All in favor.
11. Tax Refunds: Selectman Mangiafico moved the June 2009 Tax Refunds No. 16 in the amount of $5,395.29. Selectman Rosenthal seconded. All in favor.
11. Tax Abatements: Selectman Rosenthal moved the Tax Abatements for June 2009 in
the amount of $87,220.27. Selectman Mangiafico seconded. All in favor.
12. Executive Session: Selectman Rosenthal moved to enter executive session for purposes of discussing potential litigation of Housatonic Railroad, open space purchases, and an assessment appeal. Invited to attend were Town Attorney David Grogins, George Benson and Rob Sibley. Executive Session was entered into at 9:10pm and returned to regular session at 9:55pm with the following motions:
First Selectman Borst moved to approve the transfer of the Lisy #09-01 property as a donation to the Town of Newtown for the cost of “Closing” fees. Seconded by Selectman Rosenthal. All in favor.
Selectman Rosenthal moved the First Selectman to authorize the Town Attorney to defend the Town in two Tax Appeal cases: 1.) Dissa Lakhdar, 9 Prospect Drive, Newtown and 2.) James K. Dolan, 22 Ridge Road, Newtown, CT. Seconded by Selectman Mangiafico. All in favor.
No action was taken on Housatonic Railroad.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: none
ADJOURNMENT:
Having no further business, the Board of Selectman adjourned their regular meeting at
10:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
________________________
Susan Marcinek, Clerk
Att. A: Grant update
Att. B: telephone system recommendation
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