BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES NOV. 20, 2000
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING 6:30 P.M.
First Selectman Patton called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Ennis & Knight, W. Beebe, M. Eldredge, S. Gagnon,
W. Gangaway, M. & S. Goodrich, J. Lewis, G. & A. St. Louis, J. Semmelrock and
R. Tulis.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN KNIGHT MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 11/6/00.
First Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (PATTON & KNIGHT) 1 ABSTAIN (ENNIS) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Mike Eldredge was present to present a petition for a Town Meeting to the Board. First Selectman Patton accepted and read the petition, which had 41 signatures. “Should the Board of Selectmen rescind their decision to lease an area within the Town gravel pit to park school buses and instead lease an area at the Town Office complex for school bus parking?”
CORRESPONDENCE
Report of correspondence available at meeting and in Selectmen’s office.
LEGAL OPINIONS ON PETITIONS
First Selectman Patton commented that this was put on the table at the 10/16/00 meeting.
SELECTMAN ENNIS MOVED TO LIFT LEGAL OPINIONS ON PETITIONS FROM THE TABLE AND CONSIDER.
Selectman Knight seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
Selectman Ennis commented that he thinks it should be the default process when presented with a petition, that we vote on it. We got a legal opinion on the use of the Town Hall and the last Town Meeting, one for and one against. Both were held out side the 21 day statute. The test for a Town meeting is pretty clear. First Selectman Patton commented that you can ignore the legal opinion, it is your decision. Any time we get a petition it is on a pertinent issue and it is good to get a legal opinion. To make it standard policy not to get a legal opinion is foolish. Selectman Ennis commented that we are all here at a meeting, when presented with a petition and can vote on it. Selectman Knight commented that since he had a few weeks to think about this, he tends to come down on
the First Selectman’s side.
The danger is that something could get by us that we didn’t see. Selectman Ennis asked about meeting the 21 day requirement. First Selectman Patton commented that we would have to go quicker. Selectman Ennis commented that there is no reason not to set a date for the Town Meeting while waiting for the legal opinion. Al St. Louis commented that he recommends that the Board look at the wording of the petition. It says that the Town is to lease land, it appears to be incorrectly worded. First Selectman Patton commented that the intention is for the Town to lease to Laidlaw at the Town Office Building. Al St. Louis asked if the wording could be changed at the Town Meeting and First Selectman Patton commented that he did not know. Selectman Ennis suggested setting the
meeting date and then the legal opinion will come in. Gay St. Louis asked about the cost of the legal notice. First Selectman Patton commented that we will wait until the 21st day to have the meeting and will not send the legal notice until it is time for that.
SELECTMAN ENNIS MOVED THAT WE RESOLVE NOT TO SEND OUT FOR LEGAL OPINIONS WHEN PRESENTED WITH PETITIONS FOR TOWN MEETING EXCEPT BY VOTE OF THIS BOARD.
Selectman Knight seconded the motion.
VOTE: 1 YES (ENNIS) 2 NO (PATTON & KNIGHT) MOTION FAILS
SIDEWALK COMMITTEE
Selectman Ennis commented that he met with Wes Beebe. Gene Emmons was unable to make the meeting. They traversed the sidewalks; they looked at the possibility of either replacing slabs for particular areas using concrete or replacing with asphalt. They looked at the front of Hall school at the fence by the ball field up to the driveway; the estimate for that is $16,000. From Hall school to 119 River Road would cost $11,100, based on the fact that it is a less walked area we could patch with asphalt. There are several other places where we could patch on the idea of safety and aesthetics; it could cost a couple of hundred dollars plus labor. They recommend patching from Center Street to the Federated Church and patching in front of Lyon Manor. The stonewall there is being pushed
out and will need to be addressed. The question is whose responsibility is this. Mr. Bucinno wants to go half and half with the Town for the sidewalk in front of the mill, the total estimate on that is $25,000. From #151 to the Fire House could be patched also. They did not estimate what the whole thing would cost. Wes Beebe commented that this would go to bid. The worst parts are in front of Hall school and Mr. Bucinno’s. Selectman Ennis commented that we assume the preference for the 2 worst areas would be to do with concrete. Mr. Bucinno would like concrete. First Selectman Patton asked if the estimates were based on Karl Acimovic’s numbers and Wes commented that it is a rough idea. Wes also said that there are some trees that need to come down between Pinney Hill and Center Street. There are a lot of things to consider. Wilbur Gangaway asked if the traffic justified the cost? First
Selectman Patton commented that we do not know. We need to look at who owns the sidewalks. The committee needs to look at whose responsibility it is and what legal responsibility we have. Wilbur Gangaway asked if we could take out the walks and put in grass.
Ralph Tulis asked has the Board has concluded that it is their responsibility to repair or replace the sidewalks? In other municipalities it is the landowner’s responsibility. He would only support doing in front of Hall school. Jack Lewis commented that the sidewalks were originally put in by the Foundation. He drove by the Hall complex and a tractor-trailer was sitting on the sidewalk. Wes Beebe commented that everything will have to be up to code, the committee looked at what could be patched, we need to find out who owns the sidewalks. Selectman Ennis commented that as we proceed we would split off Hall school. First Selectman Patton reminded the committee that they most post an agenda for their meetings.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION COUNCIL
Selectman Ennis commented that he thinks that this could be dissolved since we purchased the new site. First Selectman Patton commented that they are trying to get Willingtonct.org to be the address. Mountain Computer is trying to get Willington.ct.us as correct address with a pointer. Brian Alder will learn to use it and download the system.
APPOINTMENTS
SELECTMAN KNIGHT MOVED TO APPOINT SUSAN GAGNON TO THE LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO FILL A VACANCY. TERM TO BE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND TO EXPIRE AT THE NEXT MUNICIPAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 6, 2001.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
SELECTMAN KNIGHT MOVED TO RE-APPOINT THE FOLLOWING TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION:
BARBARA CLARK, REGULAR MEMBER, TERM 12/1/00 TO 12/1/03
CAROL JORDAN, REGULAR MEMBER, TERM 12/1/00 TO 12/1/03
LAURIE MAZICH SEMPREBON, ALTERNATE, TERM 12/1/00-12/1/03
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
PUBLIC WORKS
Wes Beebe commented that are mowing, cleaning catch basins and clearing easements. Jack Lewis asked if the town would have sand available since the State sand pit is moved. Wes commented that sand has always been available. Wilbur Gangaway commented that if you do not take the stop signs down at Luchon and Navratil you should make the intersection smaller. If there is an accident, he will testify in court that he kept bring this up to the Board. People speed around the corner without stopping. It is a very bad problem in the morning. First Selectman Patton commented that maybe we could both.
Mary Goodrich commented that Cisar Road is a problem too. Wilbur Gangaway also reported that the ditch on Luchon and Old South Willington is full of leaves. Wes commented that it fills up from the dam on 320. Mr. Gangaway commented that it is coming from the property that used to belong to the Hall foundation, where the new houses are. Selectman Knight commented that at the Mid-NEROC meeting he reported about the household hazardous waste being left when they are not open, just call them and they will pick it up. They close in mid November until the spring. First Selectman Patton commented that he walked the Malack property with an environmental engineer. The matter from there is under the limits, the detected concentration of leachable lead is non hazardous but must be removed,
about 50 or 60 yards. He is waiting for prices for removal. After removal it could be a good Eagle Scout project, Joe Philippi is thinking about it. It will be hard to get vehicles there. It could cost about $10,000.
DOT GRANT
First Selectman Patton commented that this grant is for a wheelchair accessible van, for $35,000. We must decide if we want to proceed with this, it is due Jan. 21, 2001. First Selectman Patton will ask Joyce Smith to get more information; he does not believe that covers everything. First Selectman Patton asked the Board to be prepared to make a decision at the next meeting.
SELECTMAN ENNIS MOVED TO ADD TOWN MEETING DATE TO THE AGENDA.
Selectman Knight seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
First Selectman Patton commented that he has a couple of other items to add to the Town Meeting call. The Board agreed to have the Town Meeting on 12/11/00. Selectman Ennis commented that on this petition we should go for a legal opinion. There is the Planning & Zoning aspect to consider.
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Knight commented that in looking over the Board of Education minutes he noticed that a Board member objected to the Youngerman property for the buses because of the narrow road, what part of Old Farms Road is wider than Rt. 320? First Selectman Patton commented that if we were going to lease property we would have to go to PZC for section 8-24 approval. Selectman Knight asked if the Town has a gravel pit why do we buy sand? First Selectman Patton commented that it is not good for sanding roads. Gay St. Louis asked if you could go to PZC before the Town Meeting? Al St. Louis commented that PZC can’t approve if it is not legal. First Selectman Patton commented that we need a site plan for the Youngerman property. Al St. Louis asked if there was money already
invested? First Selectman Patton said yes, we need to meet requirements; this is not an easy site. The understanding that we reached with PZC will go away if we can’t meet the requirements.
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES -5- NOV. 20, 2000
Gay St. Louis asked about the parking at the Town Office Building in January, is there a plan. First Selectman Patton commented that there is no plan for parking. Selectman Knight asked if the proposed Tax Ordinance would be on the next agenda and was told yes. First Selectman Patton commented that the Town received $500 from the Faith Baptist Church, a donation of $250.00 for maintenance of the Town Hall and $250.00 as a donation for the needy. They appreciate the use of the Town Hall. Selectman Ennis commented that he received a complaint regarding speeding on Schofield Road. He wanted to know what kinds of speed control, that is inexpensive, could we have. We could look at the flashing sign that tells the speed. First Selectman Patton commented that he was told they are
not very effective. We will run radar and get a tester/counter from UCONN.
SELECTMAN ENNIS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:44 P.M.
Selectman Knight seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Secretary
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