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 FEB. 4, 2002
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING 6:30 P. M.
First Selectman Patton called the meeting to order at 6:33 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Eldredge & Lewis, J. Blessington, G. Byram, R. Claus, Jr., W. Gangaway, D. Hardie, R. & W. Knight,
T. Millix, V. Pelletier, J. Philippi, A. & G. St. Louis, J. Semmelrock, P. Stanish, R. Tulis, H. & I. Weigold and reporter from the Chronicle.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 1/22/02.
Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Members from both Fire Departments were present to discuss the Public Hearing set for Wed. night. R. Claus, Jr. asked what was expected of them for the Public Hearing? First Selectman Patton commented that at a Public Hearing you get input from the people. You will let them know what we are buying and how we are paying for it. Present what you did for the Board of Finance. R. Claus commented that it would be hard to do at the Town Hall. First Selectman Patton commented that they could bring copies to hand out. People who are interested in the truck will be there, they want to know who, what, when and where. First Selectman Patton commented that he has not seen any real opposition to it. T. Millix asked what the time line is if everything goes well? First
Selectman Patton said about 2 weeks. T. Millix asked if the have to both be done at the same time? R. Knight commented that it must be ordered and it will be 6 weeks before you need any money. T. Millix commented that we do not want to hold up Willington Hill Fire Dept. but we don’t want to be rushed into ordering either. First Selectman Patton commented that you will not. R. Claus commented that their price is good for at least 30 days. They will bring prints to the Public Hearing. R. Knight asked what do we do after the Public Hearing. First Selectman Patton commented that we get the best deal with the finance company; we want to get a lock on the leasing company for the best rate. By February 19th we will have the leasing company and make a recommendation to the Board. We can order after that meeting. The Board agreed. Selectman Eldredge asked is it possible that some years the Town will have to
kick in money to cover the lease? First Selectman Patton commented that originally it was that the Town would pay the full lease, now the fund is paying $55,000 and the Town is budgeting $17,000 for it. Selectman Eldredge asked about equipment that is needed in the future? First Selectman Patton commented that that it will go through C.I.P. It is impossible for the Fire Departments to pay for things out of their operating budget. The life of a truck is about 30 years. A. St. Louis asked when the ambulance would be replaced and was told 2006. First Selectman Patton commented that that’s one of the reasons we put the C.I.P. together, you need to do replacements, we would like to build the reserves to $1 million.
REGULAR MEETING -2- FEB. 4, 2002
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
W. Gangaway asked about the Senior Center. First Selectman Patton commented that the applications are being done for submittal to the Department of Social Services for $150,000. O.P.M. says that maybe next month our request will be put on the agenda, no one has received any money yet. There is $20 million for the program and they are under that cap with all requests. W. Gangaway also asked about the Transportation Committee. First Selectman Patton commented that we need to upgrade the brochure. He is going to give it to Shannon Bourbeau, Director of Community Council.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
First Selectman Patton commented that the Recreation Ordinance says the Recreation Commission should have 7 members. We need to find 7 people to bring to the Board to be appointed. Selectman Eldredge commented that that should conclude the problems.
SAFETY COMMITTEE
Selectman Lewis commented that he will set up a meeting of the Safety Committee this week. The Board of Education will have their own committee. First Selectman Patton reported that we had a visit from O.S.H.A. nothing much was found wrong. We need to have a written evacuation plan; some extension cords need to be removed. Public Works needs a written policy for enclosed space. He was very complimentary about Public Works, took some pictures to show how things should be done. Selectman Eldredge commented that we need to have new employees trained in enclosed space.
SPEED CONTROL COMMITTEE
First Selectman Patton commented that we discussed the issue of speed control on Town roads. Do we want speed humps? they are disruptive. First Selectman Patton read a proposed charge for the Speed Hump Task Force. The task force shall identify and catalog the benefits, drawbacks and costs associated with the installation of speed humps in Willington. The task force shall make a recommendation concerning whether speed humps should be installed. If the task force makes a positive recommendation, then it should forward a policy to the Town for the method and criteria of determining where placement should be made. The task force should look to other towns for their “best practices” in dealing with this issue. The task force shall report their findings to the Board of
Selectmen by September 1, 2001. A representative from the task force shall report monthly to the Board of Selectmen at their first monthly meeting. Selectman Eldredge will chair the task force. The Board of Selectmen will appoint other interested members. First Selectman Patton commented that we have a tremendous call for them. Selectman Eldredge asked if they would look at anything else. First Selectman Patton commented that they could expand to alternatives. Selectman Eldredge commented that we need someone from Public Works, the Fire Departments and 4 or 5 people from the community on the committee. He has talked to Marty Berliner, of Mansfield, who was opposed to speed humps originally; he said they are very effective. It is really a pandora’s box. We need to get the consensus of the townspeople; a lot of then want this and a lot do not. Speeding is really a problem. Selectman Lewis
commented that constables have no backup or support unless you have a resident trooper. You also need a lock up, constables alone is not the answer. First Selectman Patton commented that if we do this we need a policy for it. Selectman Eldredge commented that the primary roads are the roads with the most speeding. R. Tulis commented that speed dips are an option and less of a problem for the plows. First Selectman Patton commented that snow and ice and rain can collect in them.
REGULAR MEETING -3- FEB. 4, 2002
APPOINTMENTS
First Selectman Patton commented that a group of people has volunteered to be on a committee to celebrate the Town’s 275th Anniversary. He thanked them for coming and agreeing to be on the committee. We want it to be appropriate to mark the anniversary with special events and celebrations. Donna Hardie commented that it is also the 275th anniversary of the Congregational Church. It is also the 60th anniversary of Willington Fire Dept. #1 and the 50th anniversary of Willington Hill Fire Dept. First Selectman Patton commented that the first task is to set up a meeting and see what resources and money is needed. First Selectman Patton commented that we really appreciate the committee doing this; it is a nice tie in with the Fire Departments also.
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPOINT THE FOLLOWING TO THE 275TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION COMMITTEE: VIVIAN CARLSON, CARLTON CSIKI, DONNA HARDIE, WENDY KNIGHT, VAL PELLETIER, JOE PHILIPPI, PAM STANISH, GAY ST. LOUIS, ISABEL WEIGOLD, MIKE MAKUCH FROM WILLINGTON HILL FIRE DEPT. AND A MEMBER OF WILLINGTON FIRE DEPT. #1 AND TO APPOINT DONNA HARDIE AS ACTING CHAIRMAN.
Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $119.25 TO AMERICAN HONDA FINANCE.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE &LEWIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $977.59 TO MICHAEL A. WALSH.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
PUBLIC WORKS
First Selectman Patton commented that a lot of trees and brush are being cut on Daleville and Jared Sparks Roads. CL&P and SNET are doing work on Mason Road and then we can go back there. We are looking at Hockla Farms Road, the question is whether it is public or not. The previous agreement never happened, it was never officially abandoned; is it discontinued depends on facts and history. First Selectman Patton commented that the thought is to cut back some trees and move some rocks and finish the road through so you can travel it. J. Semmelrock said like Ketches Road and First Selectman Patton replied yes, make it like it was and be done with it, it cost too much on attorney fees. Selectman Eldredge commented that you will have to keep it up, how long would it be? First
Selectman Patton commented it would be about 1000’, we would clear and remove rocks, take care of steep grades, need millings or cold mix. There are 2 houses there now and they need legal access, we do not want it fixed only to the driveway, there would be no way to turn around. It is easier to punch it through and be done with it, it needs to get done. Selectman Eldredge asked about Mirtl Road. First Selectman Patton commented that we need to get Karl Acimovic to check it out. He is looking at Fisher Hill now. Selectman Lewis asked if it was possible to do a turn-around on Town property and was told maybe. Children would not be dropped off on Rt. 320 then. First Selectman Patton commented that the Village Hill Road Bridge is being re-designed. The State approved the cost of $17,000 for A N Engineers for the re-design. The preliminary design might be done next Monday.
REGULAR MEETING -4- FEB. 4, 2002
GOOD & WELFARE - None
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:35 P.M.
Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary
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