BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SPECIAL MEETING AUG. 28, 2000
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING 5:00 P.M.
First Selectman Patton called the meeting to order at 5:03 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Ennis & Knight, C. Berglund, Chirico family, C. Csiki,
M. Eldredge, G. Emmons, W. Emmons, L. Hisey, J. Kasacek, P. Latincsics, J. & S. Lewis, A. & G. St. Louis, F. Salce from Laidlaw and reporter from Chronicle.
Selectman Patton commented that this is not a public hearing but we are pretty informal and would like to give people the chance to speak. Mr. G. Emmons commented that he understands the residents of Old Farms Road were asked their opinion about the buses parking at the Town Office Building but the residents of Hancock Road were not given the opportunity to give their opinion about parking the buses at Public Works. He reported that 8/9 buses were already parked there and the crew moving plows to make room for the buses and that they should be working on the roads not moving plows. The residents of Hancock Road have the Transfer Station, Public Works, the Dog Pound, and the hazardous waste facility and are aggravated by the dump trucks on Wed. Sat. & Sun. and now 16 buses. Mr. Emmons asked why
this meeting was being held at 5:00 P.M. when it is hard for people to attend. Selectman Knight commented that the meeting had been called for 6:30 P.M. but he asked if it could be at 5:00 P.M. due to previous commitments. Selectman Ennis commented that the issue of not asking for your thoughts is his responsibility, when he heard there were objections to parking at the Town Office Building from the neighbors he asked for a poll of them. First Selectman Patton then gave a history of how it came about that Laidlaw was looking for a place to park the Willington school buses. We need to bus the kids and if there was a way to put the buses on town facilities it would be good. We have fuel at Public Works and 49 acres and we could accommodate them.
SPECIAL MEETING -2- AUG. 28, 2000
On June 5th he brought this and the problem with Route 320 to the Board of Selectmen. The Board of Education and the Board of Selectmen have been discussing this since then. First Selectman Patton commented that he would like the Town to provide a parking area since it will be the Town’s problem in 2 years. It is better to own than to rent, as we have been doing. Mr. Emmons wanted to know how many sites were considered and was told about 11/13. First Selectman Patton commented that 16 buses did not seem huge and his thought was how could we help out, what is the best solution to help the Town. In 2 years when we go out to bid for buses we will have our own parking area. We tried to accommodate in order to benefit Laidlaw and the Town. Other residents of Hancock Road
spoke against parking the buses at Public Works due to all the facilities up there, safety issues, noise and property values. They draw the line on parking buses; it is already used as a mini highway. W. Emmons asked it the contract obligates us. First Selectman Patton commented no, this is not a forced deal. Discussion on the cost of building a parking area, the rent paid for it and whether the Town will have a profit or will it be a wash followed. First Selectman Patton commented that he got involved because there was a problem and he thought he could help. It will not cost the taxpayers anything, we would get revenue. W. Emmons asked why the Town has the responsibility? Selectman Knight commented that when we sat down with the Board of Education we found out that one part of the contract says Laidlaw must find a lot and another part says the Town is responsible. M. Eldredge commented that everyone would have to go to court to
straighten it out and it would not be beneficial. If we do nothing, Laidlaw must bring in the buses from Stafford. He firmly disagrees with parking the buses at Public Works; he would like to see this go out to a private area, an area without safety issues. P. Latincsics commented that he understands Mr. Eldredge’s and the First Selectman’s opinions but if Laidlaw is willing to send the buses from Stafford what is the big rush, why can’t we do this on an interim basis until it is solved. Selectman Ennis commented that a lot of drivers live in Town and want to be in Town. He personally shares the safety concerns and believes the residents of Hancock Road have a full share of the Town’s operations. First Selectman Patton commented that the Board of Education’s concerns have been addressed, we are not rushing, this started in June and now school starts tomorrow. G. Emmons asked about the logging. First
Selectman Patton commented that the logging plans were in place before the issue of the buses came up, the logger could not do it until now.
SPECIAL MEETING -3- AUG. 28, 2000
S. Chirico asked if their opinion matters. First Selectman Patton replied yes, it does.
He apologies but he did not think it was a big deal, he lives on Route 74 and has trucks going up and down all the time. Their opinion will be weighed. J. Kasacek asked who will pay for the power at the facility and was told the Town would. She then asked how much money has been spent to this point. First Selectman Patton commented that the Town Engineer drew up plans and the crews did test pits. J. Kasacek feels that any revenue from this would be a wash, we would break even. Discussion on the revenue followed. M. Eldredge commented that the Board of Education insurance starts with the child getting on the bus. P. Latincsics commented regarding insurance that he is concerned with the shifting of responsibility from the vendor to the Town, do we want to assume the
responsibility rather than Laidlaw, and why isn’t the Board of Education taking this responsibility. First Selectman Patton commented that he does not see a high shift of responsibility, it is not a wash, we are receiving money from Laidlaw that was never budgeted or conceived of. We can now share the fuel in one location. We are not taking over the buses; we are providing a parking area for the buses that would benefit the Town, not the bus company. We need a facility and if we can provide one it is a benefit to the Town. Laidlaw indicated they would indemnify the Town. We can walk away from this, only time has been invested but it is important that the buses have a home, they are our kids, we are not competing with the private sector. Selectman Knight commented that there is some obligation where a contractor gets to use some of your property, one hand washes the other. He does understand how people feel that Hancock Road is
getting to be quiet a development. It is up to us to provide the service to get kids to and from school and yes it will cost money. The Town is not here to make a profit; the Town is here to serve. Selectman Ennis commented that he would like to see the bus location in Town but because of safety issues, the Hancock Road residents and putting the Town in line for liabilities he would vote against the Public Works site until all other alternatives are exhausted. If the vote was between Public Works and Stafford, his vote would be for Stafford. Hancock Road residents are bearing a large burden for the operation of the Town, someone else should share. C. Burgland commented that if the buses were parked in Willington you would get the personal property taxes from Laidlaw. Frank Salce, of Laidlaw, commented that when we contacted the Town in May the Town said they would help.
SPECIAL MEETING -4- AUG. 28, 2000
We asked this because 90% of our drivers live in Town and they are very good drivers, it would help our people and the Town would reap the benefits of taxes. It is also better during storms, breakdowns and other emergencies. In 3 other towns their buses are housed at Public Works. G. Emmons asked Mr. Salce if he thought it is appropriate to park on Hancock Road and Mr. Salce said yes. A. St. Louis asked about the Youngerman property as a possibility. First Selectman Patton commented that it would be more difficult to bring power in there, it is more remote and there is the S curve. Different sites in Town were discussed. Mr. Salce commented that it is not feasible to have buses in 2/3 sites; they are looking for one location. They have a lead driver (similar to foreman) who
acts as liaison between the schools and Laidlaw’s office, the drivers have cell phones and there are radios on the buses. W. Emmons asked about repairs and First Selectman Patton commented that preventive maintenance would be done in Stafford and the minor things a service truck will do. Selectman Ennis asked Mr. Salce how often the buses refuel. Mr. Salce commented they refuel every other day, their policy is not to go under ½ tank. S. Chirico asked who would make the final decision. First Selectman Patton commented that it is the responsibility of the Board of Selectmen to make the decision. Questions were asked about the Public Hearing and the petition for a Town Meeting and Tuesday’s Board meeting. It was explained that Tuesday is a Board of Selectmen’s meeting, at 6:00 P.M. to set a date for the Town Meeting for the Route 320 & Hancock Road project, and there is a Public Hearing, at the Town Hall on Wed. 8/30
at 7:00 P.M. regarding that project. Selectman Knight commented that the parking at the Town Office Building would be temporary not permanent. It is only a temporary solution. You will probably see about a dozen buses, some drivers can take them home. This is a better solution; we must take in the concerns of the Hancock Road residents. His feelings are that this is temporary until we exhaust all other sites. It will be inconvenient but it is better to use the Town Office Building temporarily.
SELECTMAN KNIGHT MOVED TO OFFER TEMPORARY USE OF THE TOWN OFFICE BUILDING PARKING LOT TO LAIDLAW FOR THE SCHOOL BUSES.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
SPECIAL MEETING -5- AUG. 28, 2000
SELECTMAN ENNIS OFFERED AN AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION TO READ THAT THIS USE BE REVIEWED AT EACH REGULAR BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING.
Selectman Knight seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (ENNIS & KNIGHT) 1 NO (PATTON)
SELECTMAN KNIGHT MOVED TO OFFER TEMPORARY USE OF THE TOWN OFFICE BUILDING PARKING LOT TO LAIDLAW FOR THE SCHOOL BUSES AND THIS USE TO BE REVIEWED AT EACH REGULAR BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (ENNIS & KNIGHT) 1 NO (PATTON)
SELECTMAN KNIGHT MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 6:45 P.M.
First Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Secretary
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