Town of Willington
BOARD OF SELECTMEN ° 40 OLD FARMS ROAD ° WILLINGTON, CONNECTICUT 06279 ° (860) 429-5649 ° FAX (860) 429-8415
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING JULY 2, 2001
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING 6:30 PM
First Selectman Patton called the meeting to order at 6:31 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Ennis & Knight, Attorney S. Boyan, G. Goodrich, C. Jordan, J. Lewis, R. Tulis and R. Waldo.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN KNIGHT MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 6/11/01.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT)
PRESENT TO SPEAK – No one.
CORRESPONDENCE
A report of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectmen’s office.
CONSERVATION EASEMENTS
Attorney Boyan presented a map and copies of letters to the Board regarding Fenton Bluffs subdivision that was discussed at the last meeting and referred to Attorney Branse’s letter of 9/11/98 where he comments that the PZC’s only role would be to send a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen concerning this and he assumes it would be positive. W. Knight of the PZC made a motion to remove all lot lines and road line for and that the open space will revert back to Mr. Waldo, release the conservation easement on all lots except lot 14 in section 2 and the drainage easements on lots 33, 37, 41, 44 & 45. Her client, Mr. Waldo, has a proposal they believe to be fair. He is asking for the return of lots 3, 4 & 5 and proposes moving the lot line and giving all of the open space for lot 2. First Selectman Patton asked if this is a new proposal instead of the fee in lieu of and we would retain open space for all of section 1 and swap section 2 and have it continuous. C. Jordan asked
if it wouldn’t be easier to give us 1 and 3. Mr. Waldo commented that he needs 400 feet frontage. C. Jordan commented that the Conservation Commission voted to retain all of the land, it was made in good faith, we can’t help it if Mr. Waldo changed his mind. First Selectman Patton commented that it was offered in good faith but circumstances change. Discussion followed on how this has never been done before, and the best way to handle it to be fair all around. First Selectman Patton commented that if the Town took a lot we could sell it for a house lot and put the money into open space. C. Jordan commented that this was a possibility. If that is the intent then it should be part of the Town Meeting. First Selectman Patton commented that with that amount of money you can do something and that would fall in with Mr. Waldo’s plans. Carol Jordan commented that it must be a buildable lot. R. Tulis commented
that Mr. Waldo could get approval for 3 lots and deed one back to the Town. Mr. Waldo asked if the Town would dig the test holes if you are going to wind up with a lot? C. Jordan commented that we probably do not have a legal obligation to return anything. First Selectman Patton commented that Mr. Waldo is looking for a fair shake from the Town. Discussion on the rational behind open space followed.
PAGE 2
Selectman Ennis commented that he personally feels inclined to agree with Mr. Waldo’s request, no net harm has been done to the Town before or will be after, we will be getting suitable compensation. First Selectman Patton agreed. Mr. Waldo commented that he has no problem with deeding a lot to the Town as long as the Town digs the test holes. First Selectman Patton commented for one lot only; he would like to take a look at it before we go to PZC and Town Meeting. We can make this work. Mr. Waldo asked how this happens, step by step? First Selectman Patton commented that we must look at it to see that we can make 3 lots out of it; we have to go to PZC and Inland/Wetlands and then Town Meeting. Carol Jordan commented that the motion brought to Town Meeting should be specific
and clear that the revenue goes to open space. Mr. Waldo commented that we would have to have a letter of understanding. Selectman Knight commented that even leaving out the legality of the Town selling lots, we do not want to compete with realtors. Mr. Waldo commented that if we are the developer and you are the owner, we would leave one lot with you. First Selectman Patton commented that he is really trying to be fair to the owner and get money for open space. A site walk at Fenton Bluffs was scheduled for Monday, July 9, 2001 at 6:30 P.M. Selectman Knight commented that the site walk should be done prior to the letter of intent. First Selectman Patton commented that we would draft something for Mr. Waldo to look at and finalize it after the walk.
TAX ABATEMENTS
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX ABATEMENT FOR THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON OF $261.56, ON THE 2000 GRAND LIST ON THE PROPERTY ON TINKERVILLE ROAD, FORMERLY OWNED BY AMELIA DROBNEY; AND A TAX ABATEMENT FOR THE TOWN OF $72.61, ON THE 2000 GRAND LIST ON THE PROPERTY ON TURNPIKE ROAD, FORMERLY OWNED BY FRANK & KATHRYN MALACK.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $52.22 TO WILLIAM R. CALLAHAN.
Selectman Knight seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
GOOD & WELFARE
First Selectman Patton commented that the sweeping is finally done, it was the longest sweeping we ever had. They took out the corner of Cosgrove and Rt. 320, the big rock, on Thursday. Chip sealing will be done in August. Selectman Knight suggested putting up signs chip sealing ahead on the road they are working on. Mowing has started. There was a letter from the Republican Town Committee for the PZC appointment. A letter will be sent asking that person to attend a PZC meeting and they will make a recommendation. First Selectman Patton commented that a legal notice for requests for proposals was put in the newspaper and is due back by July 13th. This is for administration of the Small Cities Rehab for funding a new Senior Center. It allows us to do some of the
infrastructure work for senior housing. Also, the other possibility would be to do water and sewer on other projects that are our there. It would be the town doing that portion of it. It would benefit the Town to do the senior center. This allows you to build a lot of stuff and get a different source of money. It was recommended by DECD. First Selectman Patton had a meeting with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture; they are a possible funding source. Things happen, it is just slow.
SELECTMAN KNIGHT MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:45 P.M.
First Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT)
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary
| 
