BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AUG. 21, 2000
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING 6:30 P.M.
First Selectman Patton called the meeting to order at 6:37 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Ennis, D. Becker, C. Csiki, S. & J. Lewis, T. Millix, D. & J. Semmelerock and reporter from the Chronicle. Selectman Knight was absent.
SELECTMAN ENNIS MOVED TO ADD DATE FOR TOWN MEETING AND DROBNEY PROPERTY TO THE AGENDA.
First Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (PATTON & ENNIS) 0 NO
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN ENNIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 8/7/00.
First Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (PATTON & ENNIS) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Deferred until topic comes up.
CORRESPONDENCE
Report of correspondence available at meeting and in Selectmen’s office. First Selectman Patton reported that he received a letter regarding a mosquito management program and larvicide applications to catch basins. He will send this letter to the Eastern Highlands Health District for their opinion. If no one is in the office, we have a message on the answering machine with the phone number of the health district, directing people to call there with questions on crows.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION COUNCIL
Selectman Ennis commented that Ms. Fisherkeller is on vacation and must wait for her to have a meeting. This will be on the next agenda.
DATE FOR TOWN MEETING
SELECTMAN ENNIS MOVED TO SET AUGUST 30, 2000 AT 7:00 P.M. FOR A TOWN MEETING TO CONSIDER THE QUESTION POSED IN THE PETITION OF JULY 28, 2000 AND DULY EXECUTED: SHOULD THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN EXPEND $30,000-$40,000 FROM THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON ROAD FUND TO RECONSTRUCT A PORTION OF ROUTE 320, A STATE ROAD?
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES -2- AUG. 21, 2000
First Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
Discussion on this followed. Selectman Ennis commented that this is a big question, it is not frivolous and should be honored. First Selectman Patton read a letter from the Town Attorney stating that her opinion was that the petition should be denied. Selectman Ennis commented that he disagrees and commented that the statute dealing with petitions for town meetings states that the Board of Selectmen shall call a town meeting except if the petition is frivolous, unlawful or improper. First Selectman Patton commented that we can’t call a town meeting every time people disagree with expenditures. Selectman Ennis commented that should the legislative body of the town decides it wants to intervene, it can. Whether or not the meeting is called is discretionary, it is better to err on
the side of letting the people decide. Mr. Csiki commented that this money was not approved. We are lucky that we have the right to petition, it is sacred and should be taken serious, there are very few petitions. He things we should go to town meeting to get the approval. It cost the Board nothing to call the town meeting and the Board gets some good will. In his opinion, the answer to the question would be yes. First Selectman Patton commented that it is a dangerous precedent; a town meeting could be called for anything. The Board of Finance gave us the right to spend the rent from Laidlaw. Selectman Ennis commented that he is not afraid of a precedent being set. T. Millex commented that it would be a wash. D. Becker asked if an expenditure of $30,000/$40,000 would be approved by the board ordinarily? First Selectman Patton commented that the Public Works budget is at the discretion of the supervisor. D.
Becker asked if the Board would make the decision on this? First Selectman Patton commented that Clint Eldredge Road was handled on the Board level. Hypothetically the Board of Finance gave approval, contingent upon the Board of Selectmen’s approval, to pay for the removal without using taxpayer’s money, not coming out of the Public Works budget but out of the rent and the recovery of stone. C. Csiki commented that individuals have been compensated out of Public Works already.
First Selectman Patton commented that it seems that we are looking for a Public Hearing, not so much a Town Meeting. The Town Attorney is pretty clear on the Town Meeting. A Public Hearing would be no problem; people would have the opportunity to voice their opinion. Selectman Ennis commented that he appreciates that, but the question is on the petition to ask for a yes or no on this issue. He believes they have the right to do that.
VOTE: 1 YES (ENNIS) 1 NO (PATTON)
MOTION FAILS
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO CALL A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE PROPOSED PROJECT ON HANCOCK ROAD & ROUTE 320, ON AUGUST 30, 2000 AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE TOWN HALL.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion
VOTE: 2 YES (PATTON & ENNIS) 0 NO
First Selectman Patton commented that he made the motion so people have the chance to look at the project and make comments and the Board of Selectmen can have their say
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES -3- AUG. 21, 2000
about what we want to do and not do. Selectman Ennis commented that this is better than nothing.
DROBNEY PROPERTY
First Selectman Patton commented that the Board of Finance approved going to Town Meeting for $43,000 for this property. The Conservation Commission would like to have some deed restrictions and covenants included in the deed. We need to give them time to do this. We also need to get a final written agreement from the landowner.
PUBLIC WORKS
Wes Beebe is on vacation. First Selectman Patton commented that chip sealing is the main focus for the next week. No report on the cost of the slabs.
TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF
$106.92 TO CHASE MAN. AUTO. FIN. CORP.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (PATTON & ENNIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF
$1,364.54 TO SEAN W. & SUZANNE M. HARRINGTON.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (PATTON & ENNIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF
$20.56 TO ROBERT K. RUSSELL.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (PATTON & ENNIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF
$21.59 TO KATHLEEN THOMSEN
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (PATTON & ENNIS) 0 NO
BUS PARKING
At the last meeting Selectman Ennis requested polling the neighbors, a letter from the Town Engineer and a letter from the Board of Education regarding parking the school buses at the Town Office Building. All this was done. Selectman Ennis commented that from Karl Acimovic’s letter it seems possible to park the buses and leave 32 spaces for others.
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES -4- AUG. 21, 2000
First Selectman Patton commented that taking the handicap spaces away from that
number leaves 24 spaces for employees and seniors and no parking for visitors. The Board of Education letter raises questions on the safety of using a public parking lot and the majority of the of people polled are against parking here.
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED THAT WE ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH LAIDLAW TO PARK THE SCHOOL BUSES IN THE PARKING AREA TO BE CREATED BEHIND THE EXISTING MID-NEROC BUILDING.
There was no second to the motion.
Selectman Ennis commented that he would like to table the motion. He wants Laidlaw to have the opportunity to negotiation with private citizens in town. We should not compete with the private sector. First Selectman Patton commented that we are not competing with the private sector. Selectman Ennis commented that he has reason to believe the search was not through. There is a person preparing their property now. First Selectman Patton asked who the person was and Selectman Ennis commented that he does not want to mention his name until he talks to him. D. Becker asked how long has Laidlaw known they would need a home. First Selectman Patton said May. Selectman Ennis commented that the First Selectman talked to the Superintendent but the Board did not know until July. First Selectman Patton commented that he brought it to the Board in June. Selectman Ennis commented that if it takes a little more time it will not hurt. First Selectman Patton commented to Selectman Ennis
that you have been unwilling to make a decision. The Board of Education, the Superintendent, the Board of Finance and Laidlaw are comfortable with the decision to park the buses at Public Works. If you are uncomfortable, say so. Selectman Ennis commented that it is more appropriate to table this until the next meeting when he has more information. He has decided not to second the motion.
GOOD & WELFARE
A draft on a policy for check signing was handed out today. It will be looked over before the next meeting.
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:05 P.M.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (PATTON & ENNIS) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
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