Town of Willington
BOARD OF SELECTMEN ° 40 OLD FARMS ROAD ° WILLINGTON, CONNECTICUT 06279 ° (860) 487-3100 ° FAX (860) 487-3103
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING AUG. 20, 2001
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING 6:30 PM
First Selectman Patton called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Ennis & Knight, D. Becker, J. Lewis and R. Tulis.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Selectman Ennis commented that on page 3, 3rd paragraph, it should have a heading to clarify it, possibly Transfer Station.
SELECTMAN KNIGHT MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 8/6/01, AS AMENDED.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) O NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK – No one.
CORRESPONDENCE
A report of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectmen’s office.
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADD ACCEPTANCE OF GIFT TO AGENDA
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT)
First Selectman Patton commented that the town attorney has advised us to adopt 2 resolutions regarding Daniel North’s gift of 80 acres to the Library Board. There is a condition in the deed that it is a charitable gift of unimproved land, or the proceeds from the subsequent sale thereof, for the use of the Willington Public Library Building Fund. This is given in the memory of Ruth Chamberlain North.
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED THAT THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON ACCEPTS AS A GIFT A CERTAIN PARCEL OF REAL PROPERTY FROM DANIEL NORTH AS DESCRIBED IN A QUIT CLAIM DEED (INCLUDING CONDITIONS OF TRANSFER) DATED AUGUST 14, 2001 AND RECORDED ON AUGUST 20, 2001, A COPY OF WHICH IS TO BE ATTACHED TO THESE MINUTES.
Selectman Knight seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) O NO
Selectman Ennis commented that profuse thanks should go to Mr. North.
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED PURSUANT TO CONNECTICUT LAW, C.G.S 12-81(4); 12-81(7);
12-81B AND 12-81D THAT THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE QUIT CLAIM DEED FROM DANIEL NORTH TO THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON IS HEREBY EXEMPT FROM PROPERTY TAX AS OF TODAY, AUGUST 20, 2001, THE DATE OF THE TRANSFER OF THE
REGULAR MEETING -2- AUG. 20, 2001
PROPERTY, AND THE TOWN SHALL NOTIFY THE TAX ASSESSOR AND REVENUE COLLECTOR OF THE EXEMPTION AND THE REVENUE COLLECTOR SHALL REFUND ANY TAXES PAID FOR THE PERIOD AFTER THE EXEMPTION EFFECTIVE DATE.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) O NO
Selectman Knight asked how the land would be disposed of? First Selectman Patton commented that we could look at land conservatories to see if they want to buy it and keep as open space. The Town does not want to get into the real estate business unless it is forced to. He has contacted Dan Donahue to look at the land for logging, there might be some money in the timber, as an income stream, if we can’t get someone to buy it and keep it in open space. There are many options. First Selectman Patton asked the Board for any ideas they might have, there is a couple of years before the library starts building. Selectman Knight asked is it the Boards fiduciary duty to get the maximum value from the property to benefit the Library or do we have a duty to the Town to maximize the return
on the property. First Selectman Patton commented absolutely, but you must remember that when you maximize you take some short-term dollars today and it could cost you a lot more in the future. You need to look at it and see what makes the most sense for the Library and the intention of the gift and see what makes the most sense for the Town, since the Town is going to front a lot of money, if approved, for the Library also. These are all things that go into the decision making, all of these things need to be examined and approached.
APPOINTMENTS
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPOINT ANTON RADELL TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION TO FILL THE VACANCY CREATED BY THE RESIGNATION OF SCOTT KNEELAND, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND TO EXPIRE 11/20/01.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) O NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO RE-APPOINT EDWARD STAVESKI AS BUILDING OFFICIAL, RETROACTIVE FROM APRIL 14, 2001 TO APRIL 14, 2005.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) O NO
PUBLIC WORKS
First Selectman Patton commented that the chipper broke last week so they started chip sealing today, that will be their focus for a couple of weeks. Selectman Ennis asked how much will be done. First Selectman Patton answered 14 miles. Selectman Ennis asked if there was a limit on the number of times you could chip seal a road? First Selectman Patton commented that there was and they are looking into this now, you would have to grind up the road and re-do the base when it gets to be to many layers, but it is an expensive process. First Selectman Patton asked the Board if they wanted to discuss the Transfer Station? Selectman Ennis commented that he would like to have a special meeting for this. Thursday, August 23, 2001 at 6:30 P.M. was agreed upon for this meeting. First
Selectman Patton commented that he received a package from the State today regarding the Village Hill Bridge. We must select a consultant engineer for inspection services. We could use the same engineer that designed the bridge or we can talk to others who bid originally or go to bid. First Selectman Patton commented that A N Engineering has done a good job on the project. The money could be there by October 1st or mid November, we could go to bid in the winter and begin construction in the spring. Selectman Knight commented that lacking absorbent cost, he can’t see any reason not to stay with A N; they have been with the project since the beginning and have been responsible.
REGULAR MEETING -3- AUG. 20, 2001
Ralph Tulis commented that there are two schools of thoughts on this, one is that to have the guy who designed the bridge do the inspections because he knows it best; the other school of thought is that that’s like having the fox watch the hen house. Sometimes it is better to get an independent consultant to do the inspection services. First Selectman Patton commented that the history of this bridge makes him reluctant to change. Selectman Knight commented that there is pride of ownership or it could be that mistakes won’t be caught. This will be discussed more at the first meeting in September.
PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT
This is for the property left to the Historical Society. DEP said the contamination must be cleaned up. The clean up is almost finished, and money has been put in escrow for 30 years for this. The Historical Society can sell the property soon and taxes will be paid from then on.
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED THAT PURSUANT TO C.G.S. 12-8 1B, THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2 RUBY ROAD AND ACQUIRED BY THE WILLINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY ON APRIL 16, 1999, SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM TAXES OF THE 00-2261 LIST PROVIDED THAT THE WILLINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY SHALL MEET THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION IN C.G.S. 12-8 1(7) THROUGH (16).
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) O NO
GOOD & WELFARE
First Selectman Patton commented that he is waiting for the Boards comments on the Personnel Policy draft. Their input will be included in a revised draft. Selectman Knight commented that he is still waiting for comments from the Board of Education for the Safety Committee. First Selectman Patton commented that a volunteer is repairing the Hall School sidewalks; he is doing a good job. We will have to decide about the rest of the sidewalks. First Selectman Patton asked Selectman Ennis if he met with the sidewalk committee yet and was told no. First Selectman Patton commented that we will have to figure out something, it needs to get done.
SELECTMAN KNIGHT MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:06 P.M.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) O NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary
| 
