THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on Monday, October 4, 2010 in the Council Chambers, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown. First Selectman Llodra called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
PRESENT: First Selectman E. Patricia Llodra, Selectman William F.L. Rodgers, Selectman William F. Furrier.
ALSO PRESENT: Finance Director Robert Tait, Town Engineer Ron Bolmer, Director of Economic Development Elizabeth Stocker, Director of Parks and Recreation Amy Mangold, Parks & Recreation Commission members Ed Marks, Maureen Crick Owen, Vincent Yanni and Jan Brookes, ten members of the public and two members of the press.
ADD TO AGENDA: Selectman Rodgers moved to add, for discussion and possible action, the extension to BSS Development, LLC Road Work Agreement. Selectman Furrier seconded. All in favor.
VOTER COMMENTS: Ruby Johnson, 16 Chestnut Hill Road, Sandy Hook presented a map to the Selectmen listing and positioning the needs of the town such as a police station, baseball diamond and private offices. She asked the board to consider an architect with a sense of design. Think about what a school could be used for should one be closed due to declining school enrollments. The population of the United States will increase to 438,000,000; consider the future when we will need another school. She attended a Planning and Zoning meeting where affordable housing for economic growth was discussed; it is not our responsibility, as tax payers, to provide affordable housing, for employees of new businesses.
Carol Marchetti, Eichler's Cove, Sandy Hook, said that none of the Parks & Recreation Commission members are boat owners and thinks at least one of them should be. She compared water front home rentals, spoke of contradictions in the amendment from the Parks & Recreation Commission and compared her salary to the cost of security and a beach gate attendant. The lifeguard shed doesn’t have electricity. A person needs to be on site all the time.
Ed Giovannini, 105 Coventry Lane, Trumbull said the boating marina is a community. A dynamic set of skills is required to manage a marina including boating expertise, knowledge of the lake, familiarity with the boaters and having knowledge of a marina is a great benefit. Eichler’s Cove is a product for the Town of Newtown, to remove Carol Marchetti is damaging to that product. Carol being there provides the best security. The marina will be vulnerable to vandalism. People will leave the marina if there is not someone there managing it effectively. It’s not about keeping the status quo, it’s about improving the marina for residents and slip holders; keeping Carol there is the best way to ensure your product will improve over time.
Tom Garrity, 80 Limerick Road, Trumbull, said having Carol Marchetti there is invaluable. The Marchetti family presents a family atmosphere for Eichler’s Cove. Carol is a strong asset to the marina.
Earl Wilson, Shelton, said a common concern is security and the capability of people on site. Carol is very energetic. He asked for the results of the survey that was given to slip holders. He hopes the town continues going in a positive direction.
Eric DaSilva, 1 Pinnacle Drive, Newtown said that the Police will not monitor video from the marina which means nobody will respond. The marina is too far out, if someone isn’t on site 24/7 it will appear that the town is abandoning the boaters at the marina. He hopes there will be a decision to keep management on the property 24/7.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Selectman Furrier moved to approve the minutes of the Board of Selectman meeting of September 20, 2010 as presented. Selectman Rodgers seconded. All in favor.
COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Llodra shared emails in support of onsite management at Eichler’s Cove and emails of concern about Mile Hill South. There is concern about truck traffic, volume and speed of traffic on the road. She has asked the Police Commission to address the issues and to regenerate the process of posting the road with ‘No Thru Trucks’ signs. There are special circumstances that have to meet the state regulations. The ordinance was not in concert with the state regulations; that is why signs were removed in the past. Mr. Rodgers believes the ordinance has been changed and offered to designate himself as the point of contact from the Board of Selectmen to the Police Commission as he did a lot of research, working with the Town Attorney on this
topic.
FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT: Mr. Tait said an appropriation/bond resolution would be submitted soon on the capital projects 2010-2011. We’ve authorized the Middle School Roof project; have yet to authorize renovations to the P&R facility phase II for $300,000. The Old Mill Dam bridge replacement will come in lower than anticipated. The Sandy Hook Streetscape project will be submitted over five years, the Sandy Hook water main extension has yet to be bid and the Newtown Hook & Ladder firehouse will be $1.5 million over three years. The 2011-2012 budget process will be underway at the end of October. The financial statement for the 2009-2010 audit will be finalized in November.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Discussion and possible action:
1. Eichler’s Cove Action Plan: First Selectman Llodra said the contract is set to expire October 15, 2010 and clarified that discussion of the town taking over full management of Eichler’s Cove was not a surprise. At her meeting with Carol Marchetti in March 2010 Mrs. Llodra explained that the intention when purchasing Eichler’s Cove was to move full management to the Parks & Recreation Department at some point. There is not an issue with the quality of work of Carol Marchetti. There have been continuing discussions on this over the years. Four issues were discussed with the subcommittee as a follow up to concerns expressed by the Board of Selectmen:
1.) clarity on grandfathering of non-resident members of Eichler’s Cove.
2.) the issue of security, providing the right oversight for the valuable boats.
3.) greater clarity on personnel and system of management
4.) a map or graphic of the site.
First Selectman Llodra said the subcommittee executed the work of the charge very well which was to develop a process that enables the town to take over management of the marina. The plan had to lead the town to the place where the park could be self sustaining and the subcommittee had to develop a vision as to what the park could be. First Selectman Llodra spoke about the financial impact of the management changes (Att. A). Selectman Rodgers confirmed that the Parks & Recreation Director and Commission met again with Carol Marchetti to discuss her willingness should the management plan change. First Selectman Llodra confirmed that the dispatch center will not monitor live security cameras but there are active patrols in the marina area. The amended proposal includes a live security person
until there is a security program which might be some years out. Selectman Furrier thinks this is the right path to take that the residents of Newtown support. Grandfathering is important. He is pleased with the compromises and the presentation of the plan. Selectman Rodgers said there was a perception that there was inadequate communication regarding the renewal, or non renewal, of Carol Marchetti’s contract; continuing a relationship with the current management has been explored. He suggested a mass mailing to boaters to inform them of the change in circumstances, changes contemplated and when they are contemplated for. Selectman Rodgers proposed that the Board of Selectman approve the plan and recommendation of the Parks & Recreation Commission concerning the management of Eichler’s Cove. (Att. E) Selectman Furrier seconded. All in favor. First Selectman Llodra noted the impact on Carol Marchetti and voiced her
appreciation for the valuable service she has provided to the marina. The decision is not about Carol but the need to begin to execute the plan of development for the facility. Mrs. Mangold clarified that the portion of the draft proposal stating that over time the boat slip renters would be limited to Newtown residents only was removed and is not part of the revised recommendations. Selectman Rodgers thanked both sides for agreeing to meet with each other after the last Selectmen meeting; it served a valid purpose. Selectman Furrier said he looks forward to spending time at Eichler’s Cove.
2. Video Surveillance Policy: Selectman Rodgers moved to adopt the Town of Newtown Video Surveillance Policy effective December 1, 2010. Selectman Furrier seconded. All in favor.
3. Use of Municipal Space: item to be carried.
4. Implementation Plan – Plan of Conservation and Development: ongoing item to be carried.
5. Economic Development: Ms. Stocker presented a list of active and pending grant projects (Att. B). She reviewed Newtown Bucks, a program sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce that encourages residents to spend money at local businesses. POCD: Ms. Stocker addressed ECDE1 13, ECDE1 14, ECDE1 7, ECDE2 3 and ECDE3 2. The Economic Development Commission is currently reviewing these. She suggested the Selectmen continue to promote an environment of responsiveness for economic development.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion and possible action:
1. Information on the EPA Assessment Grant: Ms. Stocker and Mr. Arthur Bogen, grant consultant, spoke of up to $200,000 of assessment funding that can be used at any site in town; specific sites need to be identified. The focus is on Fairfield Hills for asbestos abatement. Public commentary is required prior to the grant. The grant will be awarded in late spring. The goal is to assess the condition and get an approximate cost of clean up. Some potential areas of use are 7 Glen Road, Batchelder, the Edmond Town Hall and Fairfield Hills.
2. Driveway Bond Release: Selectman Rodgers moved the driveway bond release for HRT Construction, LLC, Castle Meadow Road, M33, B5, L19 in the amount of $1,000 as recommended by the Town Engineer. Selectman Furrier seconded. All in favor.
3. BSS Development, LLC Road Work Agreement Extension: Mr. Bolmer explained that the Board of Selectmen entered into a Road and Drainage Agreement with BSS Development, LLC in July 2004. The subdivision was approved in October 2004. All improvements are required to be done in six years or the town has to return the money. Selectman Furrier moved the extension of agreement between BSS Development, LLC and the Town of Newtown to May 15, 2011. Selectman Rodgers seconded. First Selectman Llodra said this was the recommendation of the Town Attorney who has worked with the bank and the contractor and they have already signed the agreement. Selectman Rodgers asked if the bank was the issuer of the bond. The bank is the issuer of the bond. Selectman
Furrier retracted the original motion. Selectman Rodgers retracted his second. Selectman Furrier moved to extend the agreement that exists between BSS Development, LLC and the Town of Newtown titled Road and Drainage Work Agreement for Sub-Division Projects Requiring Planning and Zoning Approval originally dated on the 9th day of December 2004 and to extend the entire agreement to May 15, 2011. Selectman Rodgers seconded. All in favor.
4. Appointments: Selectman Rodgers moved the appointment of Ray Hoesten to the Lake Zoar Authority to fill a vacancy to expire January 6, 2013. Selectman Furrier seconded. All in favor.
5. Transfers: Selectman Furrier moved the transfer in the amount of $38,913.00 from 01570-2000 Contingency Fund to 01500-1003 Payroll, $22,713, 01515-1002 Payroll, $5,074.00, 01240-2002 FICA, $2,126.00 and 01270-2003 Life Insurance, $9,000.00 (Att. B) Selectman Rodgers seconded. All in favor. Selectman Rodgers moved the transfer of $16,675.00 from 01510-4060 Contractual Services to 01500-1004 Overtime. (Att. C) Selectman Furrier seconded. All in favor. Selectman Furrier moved to transfer $7,110.00 from 01570-2000 Contingency to 01500-1004 Overtime. (Att. D) Selectman Rodgers seconded. All in favor.
6. Town of Newtown Employee Handbook, Non-Union: First Selectman Llodra asked the Selectmen to review the draft handbook and return with feedback for the next meeting.
7. Tax Refunds: Selectman Furrier moved the October Refunds No. 5 in the amount of $26,600.55. First Selectman Llodra seconded. Selectman Rodgers recused himself. Motion passed (Furrier, Llodra: YES)
VOTER COMMENT: Ann Marie Mitchell, 17 Butterfield Road, said that the situation in Hawleyville is unknown at this time; therefore she does not know how applicable it would be to the assessment grant. She asked Ms. Stocker and Mr. Bogen to keep Hawleyville in mind for consideration. She said it is difficult to attend all of the meetings of various boards and committees and suggested a representative from all boards attend a monthly meeting within the five neighborhoods. There are too many gaps. First Selectman Llodra said that the town has hired someone, on an hourly basis, to record the meetings in the Council Chamber but shortly there will be an issue with money. She said the people involved in Hawleyville might benefit from dealing with certain agencies and Selectman Rodgers
suggested Ms. Mitchell attend the next SHOP meeting. Ms. Mitchell expressed an interest in having sidewalks in Hawleyville.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Legislative Council is having a meeting on October 6 and has invited the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance to discuss the enrollment study with Dr. Chung.
ADJOURNMENT: Having no further business, the Board of Selectmen adjourned their regular meeting at 10:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________
Susan Marcinek, Clerk
Att. A: Eichler’s Cove financial impact
Att. B: Active & Pending Grants
Att. C: Transfer
Att. D: Transfer
Att. E: Parks & Recreation proposal for Eichler’s Cove
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