THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on Monday, November 1, 2010 in the Council Chambers,
3 Primrose Street, Newtown. First Selectman Llodra called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: First Selectman E. Patricia Llodra, Selectman William F.L. Rodgers, Selectman William F. Furrier.
ALSO PRESENT: Finance Director Robert Tait, Tax Assessor Chris Kelsey, Director of Planning and Land Use George Benson, Public Works Director Fred Hurley, four members of the public and two members of the press.
VOTER COMMENTS: Ruby Johnson, 16 Chestnut Hill, Sandy Hook, has been researching the CIP going back twenty years and believes the fire companies can anticipate when upgrades will be needed. First Selectman Llodra noted that they are aware of the appropriate replacement for the rolling stock. Ms. Johnson suggested working on a long range plan. If plans are not executed when anticipated, a time should be identified as to when it will be done. First Selectman Llodra said Parks and Recreation has developed long range plans for Dickinson Park, Treadwell Park and are in the process of developing a long range plan for Eichlers Cove; we want to respect the work of the commissions.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Selectman Rodgers moved, for discussion purposes, the acceptance of the minutes of the Board of Selectman meeting of October 18, 2010. Selectman Furrier seconded. Mr. Rodgers noted the following corrections: Page 1, item 1, unfinished business regarding the employee handbook, the word ‘council’ should be corrected to ‘counsel’. Page 2, Item #4 under new business, Sustainable Energy discussion should add a second sentence stating that Mr. Rodgers further suggested there would be a possibility of requiring, per charter, some sort of sustainable energy impact statement a kin to a financial statement. The minutes as corrected were accepted unanimously.
First Selectman Llodra said that she and Mr. Tait agreed it would be a good idea to have a marker on department head project sheets relative to sustainable energy, encouraging it to be thought of at the inception of the project.
COMMUNICATIONS: The town is in compliance with the video surveillance policy. IT reconstituted the server and can now save the video for two weeks effective Dec. 1, 2010. First Selectman Llodra shared a draft document regarding the school facilities study and how it differs from the town space needs study. A town wide space needs study needs to be informed by the work that is done by the school facilities study. A memo to Bill Hart was also shared regarding goals and space needs and full day kindergarten (Att. A) Mr. Furrier said that if we are facing increased space due to declining enrollments the topic of full day kindergarten should be discussed. Mr. Rodgers said that it isn’t the environment for such an ambitious program expansion; the First Selectman is correct
to raise a threshold issue. First Selectman Llodra stressed her position is not a value judgment on the efficacy or the importance of full day kindergarten, it is the consideration of expanding and using space at the same time we are studying space seems to be inconsistent. Everyone needs to have a chance to weigh in.
FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT: Mr. Tait reported revenues is good, tax collection is at 53.5%. Building permits and town clerk accounts are exceeding last year revenues.
ADD TO AGENDA: Selectman Furrier moved to add under new business #7 Driveway Bond Release, #8 discussion and possible action on naming of streets and #9 Valley Council of Governments Brownfields Clean up Grant. Selectman Rodgers seconded saying he would need to recuse himself from item #8. All in favor.
Later, Mr. Rodgers realized he was mistaken in thinking he needed to recuse himself and asked that his recusal be struck.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Discussion and possible action:
1. Town of Newtown Employee Handbook, Non-Union: This item should be finalized at the next meeting.
2. Use of Municipal Space: This item should be finalized at the next meeting.
3. Implementation Plan – Plan of Conservation and Development: The Council will forward recommendations and strategies that might be helpful in the designing of an implementation plan.
4. POCD – Transportation: Mr. Benson and Mr. Hurley were present to discuss transportation. Topics covered were TRAN1 1, TRAN1 2, TRAN1 3, TRAN2 1a, TRAN2 3b (the current proposal for the Tech Park eliminates this as an option), TRAN2-25 4, TRAN2-25 5, TRAN2-302 1. First Selectman noted there were four objectives dealing with state scenic road classifications. Mr. Benson will look into this. Also covered were TRAN2-302 2 TRAN2-34 2, TRAN2-34 3, TRAN2-34 4, TRAN2-34 5, TRAN2-6 5, TRAN2-GR 1, TRAN2-GR 2, TRAN2-GR 3, TRAN2-I84 1, TRAN2-I84 2 and TRAN2-SHC 1.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion and possible action:
1. Appointments: Selectman Rodgers moved the appointment of Anthony D’Angelo to the Lake Zoar Authority for a term to expire January 6, 2013. Selectman Furrier seconded. All in favor. Selectman Furrier moved to reappointment Dr. Grossman to the Health District Board for a term from December 1, 2010 to December 1, 2013. Selectman Rodgers seconded. All in favor. Selectman Furrier moved to appoint Robert Rabinowitz to the Cultural Arts Commission for a term to expire January 6, 2013. Selectman Rodgers seconded. All in favor.
2. Tax Refunds: Selectman Rodgers moved the November tax refund No. 6 in the amount of $7,041.48. Selectman Furrier seconded. All in favor.
3. Discussion on a joint meeting of the Board of Selectman and the Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee: First Selectman Llodra would like to have a meeting with the Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee as way of supporting them. A meeting with the Charter Review Committee will also be set.
4. Resolution: Selectman Rodgers moved to waive the entire reading of the resolution and moved the resolution entitled: RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR A SPECIAL APPROPRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,070,000 FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AS AUTHORIZED IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (2010-2011 TO 2014-2015, INCLUSIVE) AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,070,000 BONDS OF THE TOWN TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE (Att. B). Selectman Furrier seconded. All in favor.
5. Set Time and Date for Special Town Meeting: (Att. C) Selectman Rodgers moved November 15, 2010 at 7:00pm as the time and date for the Special Town Meeting regarding the resolution entitled: RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR A SPECIAL APPROPRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,070,000 FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AS AUTHORIZED IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (2010-2011 TO 2014-2015, INCLUSIVE) AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,070,000 BONDS OF THE TOWN TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE. Selectman Furrier seconded. All in favor.
6. Board of Selectmen 2001 Meeting Calendar: Selectman Rodgers moved to approve the Board of Selectmen Meeting Calendar for 2011 from January 3, 2011 thru January 17, 2012. Selectman Furrier seconded. All in favor.
7. Driveway Bond Release: Selectman Rodgers moved the driveway bond release for Clifford Ingham of Forest Drive, M43, B20, L35B in the amount of $1,000. Selectman Furrier seconded. All in favor.
8. Naming of Streets: Mr. Kelsey said the VFW had approached him to change the name of Tinkerfield Road. Five hundred essays were received from students with road name suggestions. There is a residence on Tinkerfield Road now that has a South Main Street address; in case of an emergency this location would not be found. Mr. Kelsey confirmed that all parties affected were notified and that this is not a through road so there won’t be any transportation problems. Mr. Furrier moved the Board of Selectmen approve the changing of the road name from Tinkerfield Road to Freedom Defenders Way, effective Veterans Day, November 11, 2010. Selectman Rodgers seconded. All in favor. Selectman Rodgers moved to clarify the correct name and spelling of a road as
Farview, one word, no spaces. Selectman Furrier seconded. All in favor.
9. Resolution: First Selectman Llodra noted that a resolution was previously approved to authorize the First Selectman to execute an agreement up to $75,000. What was granted was $100,000. Selectman Furrier moved that E. Patricia Llodra, First Selectman is authorized and directed to execute and file an Agreement with the Valley Council of Governments for financial assistance in an amount of $100,000 an to provide such additional information, to execute such other documents as may be required, to execute any amendment, decisions and revisions thereto, and to act as the authorized representative of the Town of Newtown. (Att. D) Selectman Rodgers seconded. All in favor.
VOTER COMMENT: none.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mr. Sibley will attend the November 15 meeting to fully discuss Open Space. Mr. Tait will present the financial analysis tool he has developed at the meeting of December 6.
ADJOURNMENT: Having no further business, the Board of Selectmen adjourned their regular meeting at
8:57 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________
Susan Marcinek, Clerk
Att. A: memo from E. P. Llodra to W. Hart re: Goals & Space Needs
Att. B: $2,070,000 Resolution
Att. C: Town Meeting Notification
Att. D: Valley Council of Governments Resolution
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