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 SEPT. 17, 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, J. Lewis, R. Lisiewski and K. Demers.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN ENNIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 9/4/01 & 9/11/01.
Selectman Knight seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Kathy Demers of Mason Road was present to ask about the North property. First Selectman Patton commented that we have received the property, it was donated to the Town to be used for the Library, it is a gorgeous piece of property. We are working with the Norcross Sanctuary and UCONN, we are trying to receive fair market value and add it to the UCONN property. Norcross protects and preserves property. If this went through, Norcross would buy the property and give it to UCONN as long as they got an easement to keep it in open space and do research there. Ms. Demers commented that the Nipmuck trail goes through there. First Selectman Patton commented that Dan Donahue, who works for Norcross, wants to attend a Library Board meeting and a Conservation Commission meeting. Ms. Demers
commented that Mr. Talmage is considering selling his property. Maybe the Joshua Trust would also be interested. First Selectman Patton commented that if they could do it, it would be nice. Ms. Demers commented that this is a wonderful opportunity for the Town to keep open space. Selectman Knight commented that it is the consensus of this Board to do the lowest impact possible and do the best for the library. First Selectman Patton commented that we hopefully can get fair market value.
CORRESPONDENCE
A report of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectmen’s office.
VILLAGE HILL BRIDGE
First Selectman Patton commented that he went to a meeting with Close Jenson & Miller, the State’s engineers, last Wednesday. The plans were finalized and the mylar filed; the legal notice is scheduled for October 3rd. Selectman Ennis asked if CJM will be a constant presence. First Selectman Patton commented that they oversee the design work, approve change orders and cost, they are the technical arm of the state; he has been dealing with Dick Lyon and Bob Turner at CJM. A N is the Town’s engineers. A N gave him a proposal last Wednesday for $188,000 for time and material, before the meeting there was a need to revise the proposal. We do not have the new one yet. They will provide full time inspection and the paper work. They assume 334 days on the project
although it may be 364 days. The State allows for a 15% increase. The bid opening is scheduled for October 31st., we make sure the contractor can handle the job and there is time to order materials and the construction starts in the spring. Last week the bridge was inspected, the steel is starting to go.
REGULAR MEETING -2- SEPT. 17, 2001
We put barrels on the side of the bridge to prevent traffic, the middle is fine. Putnam Welding is putting plates on the bottom. This will do for a year but it is not a long-term solution. The abutments are starting to wear but Karl Acimovic will keep an eye on it. The estimate for the construction is between 1.4 million and 1.8 million. From the shape of the bridge, it is time to proceed.
MASON ROAD
First Selectman Patton commented that we are putting an application into Inland/Wetlands for this road. We will move the road over and widen it. It is a dirt road and will stay dirt. The Inland/Wetlands meeting is September 24th. We will do drainage at the same time. Karl Acimovic looked at Moose Meadow Road, near Brndiar’s house where there are a lot of accidents. Work will have to be done there but it will be a couple of years.
SIDEWALK COMMITTEE
First Selectman Patton asked Selectman Ennis if the sidewalk committee met and was told no. First Selectman Patton commented that we need to figure out what we want to do with the rest of the sidewalks. We agreed about Hall School but we need to decide about the rest, it is deteriorating. Selectman Ennis commented that they would meet before the next Board meeting. This whole thing started because Mr. Buccino wanted the Town to share the cost of replacing his sidewalk. First Selectman Patton commented that the big question is who repairs them; we are responsible for Hall School but the rest are private. Who is responsible if someone falls, plus it looks awful. In some other towns the owner is responsible and if the town repairs them they put a lien on the house. Selectman
Knight commented that they are discontinuous sidewalks; maybe we should just rip them up and give back the lawn.
PERSONNEL POLICY
First Selectman Patton asked Selectman Ennis if he had a chance to rewrite a section of the personnel policy. Selectman Ennis commented that we need to separate it. The code of conduct for officials is a good idea and should be drafted by an internal committee and adopted by the boards. The personnel policy would be better and a more useful document if only for employees. First Selectman Patton asked if there would be a code of conduct in the personnel policy only for the employees, not officials? Selectman Ennis commented yes but we would look at both. One for employees and one done by the committee and adopted by the boards for officials. First Selectman Patton asked if he wanted to take out section 10 altogether or leave it in for the employees. Selectman Ennis commented
that he wanted to leave it in for employees, focused on employees and have another one for officials. Selectman Knight commented that it might be appropriate to go to ordinance; if you miss 3 meetings in a row you are out. First Selectman Patton commented that he didn’t think we have the authority to do that. Selectman Knight commented that at some point you have to be considered as resigned. It seems like one of those things we should be able to do something about. First Selectman Patton commented that it is an issue, the Board of Education has cancelled 9 meetings in the last two years due to a lack of quorum; people that do get elected must be willing to step up to the plate and do the job. Selectman Ennis commented that if we have that kind of thing, written and adopted by each board and signed by the chairs of the boards then
the Board of Selectmen could be responsible for making sure that it gets distributed to newly elected officials. People would start off with the idea that there is some kind of standards. First Selectman Patton commented that you are right, it is probably not a bad idea to do that, but some of it is obvious, you should show up to meetings. We will take another look at the code of conduct and see if you want to make any changes as far as employees go and maybe we can send it out to the boards. Selectman Ennis commented that he would take on the task of speaking to the chairs of each board and see if they will participate in that committee. Selectman Ennis commented that you had indicated that we would have to look at the employee’s benefits. Twenty-seven hours is full time.
First Selectman Patton commented that no the workweek is 40 hours full time.
REGULAR MEETING -3- SEPT. 17, 2001
The Town Clerk, Revenue Collector and Assessor all get benefits on 27/40 hours, they are here more and we need to change it. We need to make the salary consistent with the job. In the union, anything 35 hours and over is full time, less than 35 hours is part time. Right now there are no limits on the benefits, other than insurance benefits. For salaried people we have no policy for sick time, we have some vacation policy but no long or short term disability. No one abuses it. For the newer employees we have a letter stating their benefits. The salaried employees came back with a counter offer. We need structure; there is liability to the Town. Selectman Ennis commented that it is tough to take things away. First Selectman Patton commented that we are trying to
get core hours, some are expected to be here 40 hours, and others need to be here 27 or 30 hours. I’d like to see them here during public hours, if their office is covered in the evening that’s fine. Selectman Ennis asked if the First Selectman gets benefits and was told basically only the simple IRA. Selectman Ennis commented that that’s something we may want to look at, it limits people you can draw upon. Selectman Knight commented that going back to the hours, some of that is under the Board’s purview, he does not know how that would be expressed in the personnel policy but we can say that you are expected to be here to cover public hours. First Selectman Patton commented that these are the issues because we never addressed the policy. As we bring people in we need to tell them what our expectations are and we need to figure out what our expectations are. Selectman Ennis commented that we need a staff meeting to
get feed back. First Selectman Patton commented that we are trying to introduce structure.
TAX REFUND
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $86.46 TO DANIEL NORTH.
Selectman Knight seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $204.44 TO SHAUN PATZ.
Selectman Ennis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $34.45 TO ROBERT OR JOYCE VASCONCELOS
Selectman Knight seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
First Selectman Patton commented that there is a new Public Act; with a Town Meeting we can up the waiver from $5.00 to $25.00. Keep that in mind and think about how it affects us.
PUBLIC WORKS
First Selectman Patton commented that we have a sick pick up truck. We planned on buying one in the summer but this one has lots of stuff wrong with it. Backus checked it out, the engine needs to be reconstructed and exhaust work done along with other things; the cost could be several thousand dollars. It is in the CIP for 7/1/01; do we want to move it up? First Selectman Patton commented that he would recommend replacing it; there are a lot of state trucks out there. The State puts out bids for pick-ups; they are running about $34,000 with a plow. It would cost $3,000 or $4,000 to fix and it has 128,000 hard miles on it. Selectman Knight commented that he certainly sees the need for it. First Selectman Patton asked do we want to get this fixed or go for it. I think we
should replace it. Selectman Knight commented that he agreed, that would be his recommendation.
REGULAR MEETING -4- SEPT. 17, 2001
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED THAT WE GO TO THE BOARD OF FINANCE TO REPLACE THE PUBLIC WORKS VEHICLE WITH A NEW PICK UP TRUCK USING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BID, NOT TO EXCEED $40,000.00.
Selectman Knight seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
First Selectman Patton commented that Casey resigned. Mike is having pizza for him on Wednesday at noon. They are working on this parking lot now. Selectman Ennis commented that the dirt section of Krivanec Road is bad. First Selectman Patton commented that they will start doing repairs on Village Hill Road Bridge next Monday. Ketches Road Bridge needs repair also; it may need to be replaced in 5 or 10 years. The membrane on the Daleville Rd. Bridge needs to be replaced.
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Knight commented that now the Safety Committee’s proposal has been presented to the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education. It will appear on the next Board of Education meeting; their committee received it favorably. This is necessary to comply with workers compensation. First Selectman Patton commented that it is amazing the support from the town for donations and the number of people that were at the candle light service. Selectman Ennis thanked First Selectman Patton for organizing that and commented that it was nicely done and he appreciated it. First Selectman Patton commented that everyone did a wonderful job. Our thoughts are still with the people in New York and Washington.
SELECTMAN ENNIS MOVED THAT THE BOARD WRITE A LETTER TO THE WILLINGTON HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT TO THANK THEM FOR GOING TO NEW YORK.
Selectman Knight seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT) 0 NO
Selectman Ennis commented that he realizes that Willington Fire Dept. #1 would have gone also if they had the opportunity. First Selectman Patton commented that they might go yet.
First Selectman Patton reported that we received a letter from the Governor and the Government Finance Officers Association that we have received a Certificate of Excellence for our comprehensive financial report. It is pretty remarkable, it was the first time we submitted it and everyone said you never get it the first time. We will get a plaque that will go in the financial office. Quite a lot of work went into it. They did a nice job putting it together. There will be an award for Donna Latincsics and Terry Hoffman and we will do some publicity.
SELECTMAN ENNIS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:00 P.M.
Selectman Knight seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ENNIS & KNIGHT)
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary
| 
