BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES SEPT. 18, 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, C. Csiki, R. Wiecenski and reporter from the Chronicle.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN KNIGHT MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 9/5/00.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK - No one.
CORRESPONDENCE
Report of correspondence available at meeting and in Selectmen’s office. First Selectman Patton commented that we receive faxes daily from DEP regarding mosquitoes. He was in on a conference call with DEP last week regarding spraying, it is not an issue here right now. There must be 24 hours notice in advance of spraying and that includes aerial spraying. The Superintendent has sent notices to parents asking who wants to be notified if we spray. First Selectman Patton also reported that he talked to Randy Perry of Virtual Town Hall. Mr. Perry will be here on October 2, 2000 at 10:00 A.M.
BUS PARKING
First Selectman Patton reported that he looked at the Youngerman property with Wes Beebe and Frank Salce, from Laidlaw. We could do something there, the parking lot must be expanded. There are 3 levels; levels 1 and 2 are in use. If we were going to do something there, we would use the first level; the cold mix could be moved to the seconded level. We would have to move the parking lot back, bring in electricity, a meter and install lighting, also put in a concrete pad for a port-o-let and future buildings. We must widen the entrance and install a gate. As you pull out of there, about 200’ to the left, some trees would have to be removed. The fueling would still need to be done at Public Works. It is possible to do this up there; the only thing is the sticky point of
creating another site up there, another facility with a port-o-let and a trailer. Planning & Zoning may or may not have an issue with the line of sight. It also needs water. It is not good, but not the worst. Selectman Knight asked if the brook up there is a seasonal brook or a real brook and was told it is a real brook. Selectman Ennis asked if a fuel tank could be put up there?
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES -2- SEPT. 18, 2000
First Selectman Patton commented that it could be done but he didn’t know if you would want to or not, it could cost around $40,000.00, when you have one that is ¾ miles away. Selectman Ennis commented that Mike Eldredge said Laidlaw owes us a tank under the existing contract. First Selectman Patton commented that under the present contract they must provide a tank so that would be a concern of Laidlaw’s. First Selectman Patton said he is looking at this, as we should get beyond Laidlaw and what they require. Looking ahead 2 years and say this is something we own, we are in the bus business, we contract it out but the buses are here for us because we have to transport school children. Contractors are there to make money, anything we impose on them they will pass on to
the contract. If we put a tank in there we don’t have the monitoring system and we would need someone to monitor it every day, that’s a law. The tanks are monitored at Public Works daily. First Selectman Patton would not recommend putting a tank there. He also received the suggestion of parking the buses at the Town site on I84 & Exit 70 commuter lot. We have that site until the River Road Recreation Committee needs it. We would run into problems there. We would have to bring in gravel, electricity and concrete. The driveway must go over a state road and it is temporary. This property must be used for recreation purposes. The Town Office Building is not practical, we would have to install a gate, it is a heavily traveled public parking area, the Board of Education ruled out this site, it is in a residential area. They would still have to fuel up at Public Works, right now it is costing a barrel of oil a
week. At the Public Works site we would need electricity from the Transfer Station, lighting and an entrance gate would have to be installed, stumping, grubbing and millings would be required; a path from the bottom parking area to the garage would need to be installed. It is 800’ from the nearest house. There is a gas tank with meters there. None would be a tremendous burden to do; it would probably cost less than $6,000 using the town crew. The Youngerman property is smooth. The I84 area would need the most work and is the most remote. Selectman Knight commented that there is no access in there. First Selectman Patton commented that there was talk about Moose Meadow Road, that is not centrally located. There are other small parcels throughout the Town, not suitable. The two most viable is Public Works and the Youngerman property. Both of them can have a gate put across, both are relatively remote, have easy access
for snow plowing, Public Works has the gas pumps; the Youngerman property is the closest Town property to the gas pumps. The disadvantage to the Youngerman property is that over the years, we would have to put in a well and a job trailer. The disadvantage of Hancock Road is the people there do not want the traffic but the buses have to fill up there anyway and we have the facility there. Either one is achievable. The most economical is Public Works and the Youngerman property next. Selectman Ennis asked what the reaction was to parking here and was told there was some grumbling but not to bad. Selectman Ennis asked if the PZC application would cover this.
First Selectman Patton commented yes, it appears to be an oversight on their part. We need to go under a special permit. Those are the basic points. The Youngerman property and Hancock Road are the most viable.
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES -3- SEPT. 18, 2000
First Selectman Patton commented that he will send a copy of these points to Laidlaw for their input. At the next Board meeting on October 2nd. we might make a decision or say we are done. Selectman Ennis commented that he did not think we should rule out the Town Office Building as a permanent solution. Selectman Knight commented that there appears to be at least one member of the board against each site.
APPOINTMENTS
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPOINT ARTHUR KOSTAPAPAS AS AN ALTERNATE ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2003.
Selectman Knight seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
PUBLIC WORKS
First Selectman Patton read a letter from Wes Beebe recommending Patricia Millix for the secretary position at the Public Works Department.
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ACCEPT WES BEEBE’S RECOMMENDATION.
Selectman Knight seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
Wes Beebe reported that this week the road crew is attending backhoe training in Newington, one member a day will attend. They are also grading gravel roads. The stone chipping is done and came out very nice, now they are sweeping up. They are curbing and still mowing. First Selectman Patton asked about the sidewalks. Selectman Ennis commented that he didn’t get a chance to check it out, he will do this for the next meeting and commented that it’s to bad their isn’t any economical way to do the curbing. Wes commented that the curbing and walk should be done separate. First Selectman Patton reported that he was asked about the trees on the green, a couple of maples are dying and need to come down; he will write to the Historic District Commission about this.
TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $71.19 TO AMERICAN HONDA FINANCE.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $31.10 TO EDWIN J. HUTCHINGS.
Selectman Knight seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES -4- SEPT. 18, 2000
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Knight asked about the Hoar letters. First Selectman Patton explained that Mr. Hoar’s horses got loose and destroyed some property; he had to check on the damage and wrote to Mr. Hoar concerning this. Mr. Hoar has fixed the fence.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS AND LABOR NEGOTIATIONS AT 7:25 P.M.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
SELECTMAN KNIGHT MOVED TO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:55 P.M.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
SELECTMAN KNIGHT MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:56 P.M.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Secretary
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