Town of North Stonington
Board of Selectmen
New Town Hall Conference Room
June 26, 2007
7:00 PM
Call to Order-7:00 PM with Selectmen Mullane, Peterson, and Hescock
present
Public Comments and Questions-Shawn Murphy asked about drainage study
for the neighborhood, and Mr. Mullane told him it would be ready later
this week.
Darren Robert addressed the Board with regard to fencing for the front
of the Elementary School and ask opinion of the Board.
Minutes-A motion was made by Selectman Peterson, seconded by Selectman
Mullane to approve the minutes as corrected of June 5, 2007, carrying.
3-0 A motion was made by Selectman Peterson, seconded by Selectman
Mullane to approve the minutes of June 12, 2007 as presented, carrying.
3-0 A motion was made by Selectman Mullane and seconded by Selectman
Peterson to approve the minutes of June 21, 2007, as corrected,
carrying. 3-0
Correspondence
* Announcement- Nick Mullane met with Barry A Margolin, Esq. to
discuss communication with the MPTN. He has been assigned by Michael
Thomas to meet with various Boards and Commissions and townspeople. The
Tribe is looking to work with the community on future planning aspects.
* Announcement- Selectman Mullane responded to the STC/DOT
stating the Town did not agree with the improvements at I95/Rt2, the
adding of a third lane Westbound for right turns to Route 617, and
continuing through on Route 2. Selectman Mullane told STC that the left
lane traffic does not always turn onto I 95 South and instead goes
straight on Route 2 West, which makes three lanes merging on Route 2.
He also stated that could cause DOT to make Route 2 Westbound from I95
to North Stonington's rotary two lanes and cause the rotary to be made
into a four way stop.
* Town vs STC pre trial schedule notices
* Lantzius vs Town Defendant's supplemental memorandum
* Little League petition to PZC
* FEMA Question and Answer book
* DPH Flood Management Certification
* Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center thank you regarding year's
donations
* EDA Representative meeting
* Material Weakness response to State OPM
* Letter to BOF to withdraw Federal Highway Safety Grant
* Letter to Selectmen from BOF regarding setting of mill rate
* Letter to Tax Collector regarding setting of mill rate
* Letters to Kellene Limpert and William Ricker regarding
appointments to the Conservation Commission
* Neddeau conservation easement release
* Request from Groton 911 regarding reverse 911 project
* Various memos, notices, and advertisements
Old Business-
1. Tribal Recognition-None presented
2. Annexation-None presented
3. Route 2 Road Modifications update-Executive Session-A motion was
made at 7:28 PM, by Selectman Mullane, seconded by Selectman Hescock to
enter Executive Session, with Attorney Tom Collier. The session
adjourned at 9:00 PM. In conclusion of the session Selectman Hescock
made the following motion that the Town terminates the Route 2
litigation by filing a court withdrawal of appeal no later than June 29,
2007, seconded by Selectman Peterson. Mr. Mullane made a motion to
amend the motion on the floor as follows that a letter of legal
deficiencies be entered into the record, seconded by Mr. Peterson,
general discussion followed. No vote was taken and motion to withdrawn
the amendment was made by Selectman Mullane and seconded by Selectman
Peterson, carrying. 3-0 Selectman Hescock made a motion to withdraw his
motion, seconded by Selectman Peterson, carrying. 3-0. Selectman
Hescock made a motion to withdrawal of the Route 2 appeal and entering a
letter into the record of deficiencies by June 30, 2007, seconded by
Selectman Mullane, carrying. 3-0.
4. Response to STC on Route 2/I95 updates
5. Subdivision Review and Planning and Zoning Issues
Milltown Commons-Active and pending
Garden Court LLC-Active and pending
6. Assekonk Swamp Walkway-Railings are done and installed. Now
working on final grading and parking area.
7. Little League appropriation request-There has been ongoing work
to gather all information which is now complete. Tim Baas provided a
petition of 258 signatures presented to the PZC to support the
application. Selectman Mullane clarified that the petition was to
support a zoning application not to support monetary issues. Selectman
Hescock was not in support of the project. Selectman Peterson would
still like to send the item to a referendum, but feels the Town will not
support at this time. In general discussion it was revealed that at
this time it appears that there is no financial support for the Little
League's request. Selectman Mullane questioned what is Plan B, if we do
not support this project?? It appears if it goes to a Town Meeting in
all probability it would be rejected especially in light of the current
budgetary situation. Selectman Mullane asked if we would dismiss the
request completely or is there going to be an effort on the Town's part
to develop a complex somewhere else in Town and to obtain financial
assistance or will the Little League be dismissed to act on their own.
Selectman Mullane stated he would like the decision to be deferred one
more week and have a final decision at next week's meeting, in order to
consider support or alternates.
8. Permanent School Building Project Committee activities
Bids on Elementary School Fire Alarm System-Still under
review with PSPBC. Item will be on hold until funding authorized by
Board of Finance.
9. Budget 2007-08
Line Item Veto-Selectman Hescock would like an ordinance in
place to allow line item veto and mandatory referendums for budgets.
Selectman Mullane questioned the line item veto issue in light of the
town's attorney position and if it would contradict State Statutes and
if it was legal. Selectman Mullane wanted to get a declaratory ruling
or a friendly lawsuit to resolve the issue. Selectman Hescock was
adamant about getting a decision. No action taken.
Revision to Budget
10. Highway Union Contract Draft Review-Executive Session-A motion
was made by Selectman Peterson to enter Executive Session at 9:02 PM,
seconded by Selectman Mullane, carrying. Briefed by Steve Holliday,
Highway Foreman and Nick Mullane. The session was adjourned at 9:52 PM
with a motion by Selectman Mullane, seconded by Selectman Peterson. A
special meeting will be held on Friday to discuss and possibly approve
contract.
11. Additional Appropriation/Transfers/Close Out FY 2006-07
Year End additional appropriations and transfers-None at
this time.
New Business
1. Releasing of Draft minutes and documents-No decision, check with
FOI Commission
2. PSPBC expenditures-Items are on hold until expenditures are
approved by the Board of Finance.
3. Woodco Bond-Deferred
4. ZBA Court Results (Executive Session) As above-Attorney Collier
gave the Board an overview of status of Lantzius litigation, no action
taken.
5. FY 2007-08 Budget Operations and Expenditures-The Selectmen went
through line item by line item and made reductions in operating and
capital. Further research was needed on some items so the final action
was deferred until next week's meeting. The reductions total
approximately $182,000. The Board will also recommend that the CNR
Funds be used to purchase the new proposed ambulance.
Public Comments and Questions
Adjournment-11:17 PM
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