The Stonington Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on this date at 7:00 p.m. at the Stonington Police Station. Present were First Selectman William S. Brown, Selectman Stephen E. Bessette and Selectman Peter L. Balestracci. Also present were students from Stonington High School, members of the public and members of the press.
(1) Call to Order
Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
(2) Tax Delinquent Properties offered to Town
A letter dated July 28, 2005 was received from Attorney Richard Dixon, regarding three parcels of property – one on Pleasant Street and two on Rossie Street. The owner of the properties has no interest in retaining them or paying taxes on them and would be happy to transfer the properties to the Town and/or the Fire District, in lieu of any taxes due on the properties. Mr. Brown referred the matter to the Town’s Planning Director, Jason Vincent, who responded with a memo dated August 29, 2005 regarding the three parcels.
Mr. Brown commented that the Board should really consider acquiring the parcel on Pleasant Street, but not the other two parcels. Discussion was held, during which time Mr. Bessette stated he looked at the Pleasant Street parcel and agrees the Town should acquire it. Perhaps the other two parcels could be offered to abutting property owners. Consensus of the Board was to acquire the parcel on Pleasant Street but decline the offer of the other two parcels.
A motion was made by Mr. Bessette, seconded by Mr. Balestracci and unanimously voted to authorize the acquisition of Parcel #00340500 (Map 163, Block 1, Lot 9D), contingent upon a positive report from the Planning and Zoning Commission in accordance with CGS 8-24.
(3) Municipal Energy Consulting Group, LLC
Correspondence was received from Municipal Energy Consulting Group, LLC, offering to help the Town of Stonington obtain refunds of streetlighting overcharges from CL&P. Mr. Brown commented that representatives of Municipal Energy Consulting Group will be invited to attend a Board of Selectmen’s to discuss this matter.
(4) Bid Awards / Letters of Agreement – None.
(5) 9-1-1 Street Numbering
Joe Larkin, Zoning Official, forwarded the following recommendation for assigning a street number in accordance with the Street Naming and Numbering (Emergency 9-1-1) Ordinance. The Assessor concurs with this recommendation.
Map |
Block |
Lot |
Address |
59 |
1 |
3A |
132 Farmholme Road, Stonington, CT 06378 |
Mr. Larkin also forwarded the following recommendation for changing a previously assigned street number, due to a technical error in the original assignment.
Map |
Block |
Lot |
Address |
3 |
17 |
43 |
20 Edwards Street, Pawcatuck, CT 06379 |
A motion was made by Mr. Bessette, seconded by Mr. Balestracci and unanimously voted to assign these street numbers as recommended by the Zoning Official.
(6) Correspondence – None.
(7) Re/Appointments Boards and Commissions
Pawcatuck River Harbor Management Commission
A motion was made by Mr. Balestracci, seconded by Mr. Bessette and unanimously voted to reappoint regular members Scott Dilley and Bernard Chalecki. Their new terms will run from November 1, 2005 through October 31, 2009.
Planning and Zoning Commission
A motion was made by Mr. Bessette, seconded by Mr. Balestracci and unanimously voted to reappoint alternate member Joseph Basile. His new term will run from September 1, 2005 through August 31, 2008.
Board of Police Commissioners
A motion was made by Mr. Balestracci, seconded by Mr. Bessette and unanimously voted to appoint John Holstein to the Board of Police Commissioners, effective November 1, 2005. Mr. Holstein’s term will run until October 31, 2010.
Water Pollution Control Authority
Mr. Brown commented he is pleased to say that Selectman Stephen Bessette has applied to be a member of the WPCA.
A motion was made by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Balestracci and unanimously voted to appoint Stephen E. Bessette to the WPCA, filling a vacant term that will expire July 31, 2010.
Zoning Board of Appeals
John Seremet’s term as a regular member expired on August 31, 2005. He would like to be appointed as an alternate member. Neil Canavan, alternate member, has expressed a desire to be moved up to regular member. A motion was made to appoint Neil Canavan as a regular member for a three-year term that runs from September 1, 2005 through August 31, 2008 and appoint John Seremet to fill Mr. Canavan’s alternate vacancy, term to expire August 31, 2007.
(8) Old Business – None.
(9) New Business
A letter dated September 16, 2005 was received from the Connecticut Dept. of Transportation, regarding State land being offered to the Town of Stonington. Mr. Brown commented that the subject parcel is on Route 2 and is the site of the old go-cart track formerly owned by the Main family. The State has put a price of $541,000.00 on this parcel. Mr. Balestracci questioned what purpose the Town would have for buying it.
A motion was made by Mr. Balestracci and seconded by Mr. Bessette to decline the State’s offer to purchase State land in Stonington, File No. 137-137-27A.
Mr. Bessette commented that the Town’s money should be spent to acquire Open Space, not to acquire a parcel that is good for economic development. Mr. Brown stated that he agrees with his colleagues on the Board and does not feel it would be in the best interests of the Town to purchase it.
The vote was unanimous to decline the State’s offer.
(10) Comments from the Public
Vincent Faulise, Pawcatuck, inquired further about the State land being offered and about the second agenda item (the three parcels being offered to the Town).
Frances O’Neill, Pawcatuck, stated that if there is an aquifer under the State land on Route 2, the Town should buy the land for a future water source. She then went on to comment about the Pawcatuck improvement project being held up by the difficulty in obtaining rights-of-way, suggesting the grant could be split and the project could start sooner. She commented she suggested this to a representative from the State who said it would be possible but the request would have to come from the Town. Mr. Brown commented he will discuss this matter with the Town’s Planning Director.
Ed Hart, Taugwonk Road, Stonington, commented he would like the Board to consider forming a task force to study the variables used by the State of Connecticut to determine the ECS grants to the Town. He suggested that the Assessor, the Finance Director, and the Administrative Officer should be part of this task force.
Vincent Faulise, Pawcatuck, commented he agrees with Mr. Hart. Mr. Faulise then inquired if Pawcatuck Park is part of the Pawcatuck improvement project, and further discussion took place regarding Pawcatuck Park. Mr. Brown commented that the Town has received a $10,000 grant, other grant money has been applied for, and Docko is working on the permitting process for a new dock at Pawcatuck Park.
Further brief discussion took place about the Pawcatuck improvement project.
(11) Adjourn
There being no further business to come before the Board, the regular meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathy A. Kent
Recording Secretary
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