September 27, 2006
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 George R. Sylvestre, Director of Administrative Services and members of the public and the press.
(1) Call to Order
Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
(2) Executive Session to consider AFSCME Union Local 1303-120 (Town Hall Employees) Contract
A motion was made by Mr. Bessette, seconded by Mr. Balestracci and unanimously voted to enter into executive session for the purpose of reviewing records, reports and statements of strategy or negotiations with respect to collective bargaining.
The Board of Selectmen and Mr. Sylvestre, Director of Administrative Services, entered into executive session at 7:01 p.m. The executive session ended at 7:08 p.m. with no action having been taken.
A motion was made by Mr. Balestracci, seconded by Mr. Bessette and unanimously voted to ratify and approve the written proposal of the Town of Stonington and Local 1303-120 (Town Hall Employees) for the period July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2010.
(3) Comments from the Public
Gail Shea, Pawcatuck, addressed the Board regarding her concerns about the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff. She submitted to the Board, and read from, a lengthy, prepared statement and spoke of her concerns regarding “denial of due process”.
Don Sadowski submitted to the Board a copy of a letter dated August 22, 2006 from the Department of Planning to Wilbur F. Breslin. Mr. Sadowski commented on the Planning and Zoning Commission and “lack of due process.” He would like to see the Board of Selectmen take a good look at the Planning and Zoning Commission’s actions and the Planning Department’s actions.
Ed Hart, Taugwonk Road, stated he endorses Ms. Shea’s comments, and stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission needs oversight.
Mark Tebbets, 14 Sunrise Ave., Pawcatuck, endorsed Ms. Shea’s comments and submitted written materials to the Board. He spoke at length about his concerns regarding the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Planning Department, and due process issues.
Dora Hill, Pawcatuck, stated she endorses Ms. Shea’s comments.
David Christina, Elm Street, spoke regarding a letter he sent to the Board of Selectmen and not being sure whether they received it or not, regarding suggested improvements to Town Hall. He commented he hopes the Board will hear what’s being said tonight, especially about ethics.
Mark Tebbets again addressed the Board regarding issues with the Planning and Zoning staff.
(4) Retiree Health Care Trust - Successor Trustee Resolution
Mr. Brown read a memo dated September 11, 2006 from George R. Sylvestre, Director of Administrative Services, requesting that the Board adopt a resolution for successor trustee for the Retiree Health Care Trust.
(4) Retiree Health Care Trust - Successor Trustee Resolution (cont’d.)
A motion was made by Mr. Bessette, seconded by Mr. Balestracci and unanimously approved to adopt the following resolution:
“Whereas, the Town of Stonington has adopted the TOWN OF STONINGTON RETIREE HEALTH CARE TRUST (the “Trust”) to hold the assets for the Town of Stonington Retiree Health Care Savings Account Plan; and
Whereas, the Town is currently the trustee of the Trust; and
Whereas, the Town desires to appoint Washington Trust Company of Westerly, Rhode Island as the successor trustee of the Trust; and
Whereas, Washington Trust company has agreed to be the successor trustee of the Trust;
Therefore Be It Resolved:
1. That the Town is hereby removed as the trustee of the Trust effective October 1, 2006; and
2. That Washington Trust Company is hereby appointed the successor trustee of the Trust effective October 1, 2006; and
3. That George Sylvestre is hereby authorized and directed to take any and all actions necessary to accomplish the change in trustees including the amendment and restatement of the Trust to reflect the change in trustees.”
(5) Request for approval and acceptance of Conservation Easement
Mr. Brown read a memo dated September 5, 2006 from Thomas J. Londregan, Town Attorney, recommending execution of the Conservation Easement Agreement presented to the Town by Brand Fire Safety Services, Inc., in conformity with the approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission. This Conservation Easement Agreement is associated with Planning and Zoning Application PZC0546SPA & GPP, A Child’s Garden Montessori, Inc.
A motion was made by Mr. Balestracci, seconded by Mr. Bessette and unanimously voted to approve the Conservation Easement Agreement presented to the Town by Brand Fire Safety Services, Inc. and authorize First Selectman Brown to execute said agreement.
(6) Bid Awards / Letters of Agreement
a. Highway Department: Sand for snow and ice control
Mr. Brown read a memo dated August 28, 2006 from William Stewart, Highway Supervisor, recommending that the Board of Selectmen award the bid for sand for snow and ice control to the low bidder, John Moran & Sons, of North Stonington, for a price of $13.74/cy delivered.
A motion was made by Mr. Balestracci, seconded by Mr. Bessette and unanimously voted to award the bid for sand for snow and ice control to the low bidder, John Moran & Sons, of North Stonington, for a price of $13.74/cy delivered.
b. Highway Department: Sidewalk repair and new sidewalk installation
Mr. Brown read a memo dated August 28, 2006 from William Stewart, Highway Supervisor, recommending that the Board of Selectmen award the bid for sidewalk repair and new sidewalk installation throughout the Town to Concrete Slabs by Drab LLC for $3.00 per square foot for flat, $4.20 per square foot for aprons, $4.20 for monolithic sidewalk and $11.00 for separate curbing.
A motion was made by Mr. Balestracci, seconded by Mr. Bessette and unanimously voted to award the bid for sidewalk repair and new sidewalk installation throughout the Town to Concrete Slabs by Drab LLC for $3.00 per square foot for flat, $4.20 per square foot for aprons, $4.20 for monolithic sidewalk and $11.00 for separate curbing.
(7) 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 |
112 |
3 |
2A |
450 Al Harvey Road, Stonington, CT 06378 |
Mr. Larkin and Ms. Standish also recommend assigning street numbers for Prospect Place Condominiums, located on Prospect St., Mitchell St., and Mechanic St., in accordance with a memo dated September 11, 2006 (see Attachment A of these minutes)
A motion was made by Mr. Balestracci, seconded by Mr. Bessette and unanimously voted to approve the street numbers as recommended by Mr. Larkin and Ms. Standish.
(8) Correspondence - None.
(9) Re/Appointments Boards and Commission
Resignations were received from Robert Gaultney, Housing Authority, effective 11/30/06; Matthew Berger, K-12 School Building Committee, effective immediately; and Dan Careb, Zoning Board of Appeals, effective immediately.
Police Commission
Mr. Bessette suggested an ad should be placed in the newspaper requesting applicants for the Police Commission. Mr. Balestracci commented that the Board has received applications for appointment and he would like to move forward.
A motion was made by Mr. Balestracci to appoint Paul Collette as a member of the Board of Police Commissioners. There was no second and the motion failed.
A motion was made by Mr. Bessette, seconded by Mr. Balestracci and unanimously voted to place an ad in the newspaper requesting applicants for the Police Commission.
Waterfront Commission
A motion was made by Mr. Balestracci, seconded by Mr. Bessette and unanimously voted to reappoint Randy Minor and William Robinson to the Waterfront Commission.
Planning and Zoning Commission
A motion was made by Mr. Balestracci and seconded by Mr. Brown to reappoint Paul Altman as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Bessette stated that the Board should conduct an interview prior to reappointment, due to the concerns regarding the Planning and Zoning Commission expressed by the public at tonight’s meeting. The vote on the motion was 1 in favor (Mr. Balestracci), 2 opposed (Mr. Brown and Mr. Bessette). Therefore, the motion failed.
(10) Old Business - None.
(11) New Business
a. Consider and act on Resolution regarding Project Limits for Pawcatuck Streetscape Project.
Mr. Brown read a memo from Mark Comeau, AIA, Community Development, requesting that the Board adopt a resolution to eliminate, at this time, the work west of the U.S. Route 1 and Route 234 intersection originally proposed as part of the Pawcatuck Streetscape Project.
A motion was made by Mr. Bessette, seconded by Mr. Balestracci and unanimously voted to adopt the following Resolution:
“RESOLVED, that project limits for State Project Number 137-146, Federal Aid Project Number HPP-H018 (2); a.k.a. “Pawcatuck Streetscape Project - TEA-21”; be reduced by elimination of associated Work west of the U.S. Route 1 - Route 234 intersection.”
(12) Adjourn
There being no further business to come before the Board, the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathy A. Kent
Recording Secretary
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