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Town of Willington
BOARD OF SELECTMEN ° 40 OLD FARMS ROAD ° WILLINGTON, CONNECTICUT 06279 ° (860) 487-3100 ° FAX (860) 487-3103
PUBLIC HEARING OCT. 3, 2001
TOWN HALL 7:00 P.M.
First Selectman Patton called the public hearing to order at 7:00 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Ennis & Knight, L. Wagner from L. Wagner and Associates and the public. First Selectman Patton read the legal notice for the meeting:
THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2001 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE TOWN HALL, 11 COMMON ROAD, WILLINGTON, CT TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS ITS PROPOSED APPLICATION TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR FUNDS UNDER THE SMALL CITIES PROGRAM.
THE PURPOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING IS TO OBTAIN CITIZENS VIEWS ON THE TOWN’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING NEEDS AND REVIEW AND DISCUSS SPECIFIC PROJECT ACTIVITIES IN THE AREAS OF HOUSING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR COMMUNITY FACILITIES WHICH COULD BE A PART OF THE TOWN’S APPLICATION FOR FUNDING. THE TOWN IS CONSIDERING SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR $500,000 TO CONSTRUCT A SENIOR CENTER ON TOWN OWNED LAND LOCATED AT OLD FARMS ROAD.
ALL ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. THE HEARING IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE HANDICAPPED. ANY DISABLED PERSONS REQUIRING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE OR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING PERSONS SHOULD CONTACT MR. JOHN PATTON, FIRST SELECTMAN, FOR A.D.A. COORDINATION AT LEAST FIVE DAYS PRIOR TO THE HEARING.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED CONCERNING THE PROGRAM BY CONTACTING MR. JOHN PATTON, FIRST SELECTMAN AT (860) 487-3100, 9:00 A.M. –
2:00 P.M., MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
First Selectman Patton introduced the Board of Selectmen and Mr. Wagner. Mr. Wagner is doing the paper work for this project; he has dealt with various towns and did the original Senior Center for Willington. First Selectman Patton commented that the project that we are proposing is a Senior Center to be developed on the property that is being developed for Senior Housing. A drawing was passed out to everyone and a large display board was used to show where the Senior Center would go and what it might look like. First Selectman Patton commented that we are attempting to build the infrastructure, road, and utilities, well and septic along with the center. The Housing Authority is looking for its own grants to build 40 units of Senior Housing, which would have a community room just for the
residents of the Senior Housing. The Senior Center the Town wants to build would be for all seniors, not just those living in Senior Housing. Discussion on the size and condition of the present center followed. The present Senior Center is small, it has a small kitchen and a large room with the pool table, a TV, a couch and some chairs in it as well as tables & chairs set up for lunch.
PUBLIC HEARING OCT. 3, 2001
TOWN HALL 7:00 P.M.
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Whenever there is a large function things must be moved around and taken out. They rented space at a Stock N Lock to store stuff. The parking is limited also. First Selectman Patton commented that we would hope to build a bigger center with more room; a room for the nurse to see people, an office, there could be other rooms as well as a kitchen and ample parking. This grant is for $500,000; the cost to build is about $850,000. We are applying to the Office of Policy and Management for a $500,000 grant and also the Department of Social Services for additional funds. The request to OPM is for a total of One Million Dollars, half of it this year and half of it next year. The Board of Selectmen is looking for the Small Cities money to do the Senior Center before the Senior
Housing. First Selectman Patton commented that we need input from the public. We need to do a resolution. Mr. Wagner asked how many here support building a new Senior Center. Everyone there supports building a new Senior Center. Rev. Larson commented that he could see the need for a new center; the size of the room, the need for an office for the nurse and president, the parking and food distribution and many other reasons.
W. Gangaway asked how long will it take after delivery of the application, there have been lots of cutbacks. Mr. Wagner commented that the $500,000 is firmly in place, the risk is with the $350,000, and we need to move quickly. B. Robertson asked if we get the $500,000 without the rest will you get started. Mr. Wagner commented that the State wants to see evidence of commitment of the other $350,000. When asked how strong a, Mr. Wagner commented that if they say we have accepted your application that would be good. Mr. Wagner commented that they will apply to several places at once for the $500,000 but we need evidence of the other $350,000. First Selectman Patton commented that he talked to OPM, they have an application. It must go before the Bonding Commission and may be on the
agenda for the October meeting. They do not meet in Nov. so the next meeting would be in Dec. if we do not get the answer in Oct. It will be in Dec. Selectman Ennis asked if this agency would issue an okay on contingency? Mr. Wagner commented that every agency is different, once you award, no one wants to give it back. First Selectman Patton commented that they have applied for the $350,000 from OPM but not for the $500,000 yet. Mr. Wagner commented that they all have different time frames and qualifications. W. Gangaway commented that he is in favor of moving this forward, lets go for it. All others agree with Mr. Gangaway.
First Selectman Patton thanked everyone for attending and for their input and closed the Public Hearing at
7:49 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary
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