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. 19, 2002
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING 6:30 P. M.
First Selectman Patton called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Eldredge & Lewis, W. Beebe, Lou Bessette, M. Ellis, D. Ennis, M. Harnad, D. Palumbo, M. Pinatti,
A. St. Louis, D. & S. Swart and E. Taimen.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 2/4/022.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Al St. Louis, Chairman of Planning & Zoning, was present to recommend the 2 candidates for appointment to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
APPOINTMENTS
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPOINT DOMENICO PALUMBO AS AN ALTERNATE MEMBER OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATE TO 12/18/02.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPOINT MATTHEW ELLIS AS AN ALTERNATE MEMBER OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATE TO 12/18/04.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPOINT MICHELLE THARP AS AN ALTERNATE MEMBER OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATE TO 12/18/04.
Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPOINT THE FOLLOWING TO THE SPEED CONTROL COMMITTEE: SELECTMAN ELDREDGE, AS ACTING CHAIR; LOU BESSETTE, CHRIS DEMERS, DAVE ENNIS, GEORGE HOAGLAND AND PAT LAVORATO.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
C. Demers asked what was expected of them. First Selectman Patton commented that there is a problem with speeding in town; in other communities they have used speed humps. We need to look at this and see if they will work in Willington and what policy we need, the cost and criteria for placement. The committee would also look at other alternatives. We run radar some times and now that Troop C is better staffed that may help. Mansfield has speed humps but it moves traffic and speeders to different roads. Selectman Lewis commented that you should check into speed signs also, a lot of information is needed. First Selectman Patton commented that you should look at speed humps first and then others. We are willing to try different things. First Selectman Patton commented
that he would try to get someone from emergency services to be on the committee.
The next appointments were for the Recreation Commission. First Selectman Patton commented that we will give you a copy of the ordinance. Basically your charge will be to set policy and run the Recreation Department, to interface with the community, be representatives of the community on how to deal with the recreational needs of the town. You will work together through the Recreation Department and the staff. You will be working with everything from budgets to fees, to programs and personnel, if people need to be hired and fired you have the authority; the Assistant Director is a union member. E. Taimen commented that it is more than an advisory board. First Selectman Patton said yes, the Commission sets the policy, will discuss what programs are needed, you can expand and plan for the
future. The River Road Recreation Committee is looking at some long range, big undertakings. E. Taimen asked how does this work with the Board of Education fields? First Selectman Patton commented that the gym and the lower soccer field is scheduled and maintained through the school. Selectman Eldredge commented that the only field we have control over is the one in back of the Town Office Building. E. Taimen commented that our job is to sell the Board of Education on what needs to be done. First Selectman Patton commented that you need to sell the Board of Education and the Board of Finance on what needs to be done; create a long-term plan on what needs to be done and how it needs to be done and work cooperatively. We do this now with Public Works, they cooperate with the school by mowing and fertilizing the fields. You will be an advocate for recreation needs and you will need to do a balancing act with the budgetary constraints. The Board of Finance said the Town will
supply money for administration of programs but the programs must be self-sufficient. You can look for grants and work with the other programs like Little League and Soccer. First Selectman Patton commented that a lot depends on how much of an active interest you take in it. Mike and Glenn have experience and can offer a lot of information and direction. You all have a lot of knowledge about the community. Selectman Lewis commented that a lot of things could be done by the paid personnel.
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPOINT THE FOLLOWING TO THE RECREATION COMMISSION, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: GREGORY BLESSING AND COLLEEN SWART, TERMS TO EXPIRE 12/15/03; JOSEPH COLANGELO AND MICHAEL PINATTI, TERMS TO EXPIRE 12/15/04 AND MICHAEL HARNAD, EDWARD TAIMEN AND STEVEN SWART, TERMS TO EXPIRE 12/15/05 AND TO APPOINT MICHAEL HARNAD AS ACTING CHAIR.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (PATTON & LEWIS) 1 ABSTAIN (ELDREDGE) 0 NO
REGULAR MEETING -3- FEB. 19, 2002
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPOINT ROBERT MANASKIE AS A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS, TO FILL THE VACANCY CREATED BY THE RESIGNATION OF NORMAN POTVIN, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATE TO 12/31/02.
Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
PUBLIC WORKS
Wes Beebe commented that 3 trucks had to plow. They are cutting brush on Daleville Rd. The power and phone poles on Mason Road have been moved. They hope to start sweeping in 3 weeks, as long as there is no snow. First Selectman Patton commented that he met with Wes and Karl Acimovic regarding the bridges in town. Most are in fair condition and just need routine maintenance. The Polster Rd. bridge needs painting; Daleville School Road and Lohse Road bridges need some work. Ketches Road bridge needs to be replaced. Karl Acimovic is checking into that. First Selectman Patton commented that he recommends that we not make it a Federal Bridge project. Selectman Eldredge commented that we could do one like the Clint Eldredge Rd. bridge. First Selectman Patton commented
that we hope we can do that. Wes Beebe commented that we need to see what Karl comes up with and how big we want to make it. First Selectman Patton commented that we also need to see if we want to design it for 25 years or 100 years. We need to look at 3 pipes under Liska. Al
St. Louis commented that there is a drainage problem on Potter School Road. The State was supposed to maintain the swail there. First Selectman Patton commented that we will be working on Village Hill Road, the drainage from Pinecrest to the last driveway, it will be done after the bridge. Selectman Lewis asked about the permit for the drainage on Latham Road? Wes commented that they are working on it. First Selectman Patton commented that Karl surveyed Moose Meadow Road and will do the design. We need to work on Y Road, widen part of it and change the intersection of Y & 320. Wes reported that he looked at Hockla Farms Road and it is not a lot of work. We need to have Karl sketch it and go to PZC. We will make it passable and put some pavement in, the rest will be
gravel. First Selectman Patton commented that it makes sense to do this, it saves paying the attorney. First Selectman Patton commented that Mirtl Road is back in the School Board’s lap. Wes and Karl will look at the Town property, it is only 2/10 mile in but gets them off Rt. 320, and there is no other place. Or we can punch through about 600/800 feet. Selectman Eldredge commented that he thought we should go through. Wes commented that there is the safety reason also, emergency services. Selectman Lewis commented that if we went through it would change the charter of the road. Wes and Karl will look at the options for the next meeting. First Selectman Patton asked the Board what they want to do with Fisher Hill Road; do we want to fix it? The DOT will not do anything. Selectman Eldredge asked if the work is to be done on Town property and was told no it would be on Route 32 but it should not be a tremendous
amount of work. It will require some digging to see what needs to be done. Wes commented that the State might help a little. First Selectman Patton commented that Karl recommended a cut back of 10’ from the edge of the road. Wes commented that we need to talk to the homeowners and take out some trees. First Selectman Patton commented that we will look into this.
CCM – PERODEAU V. HARTFORD
SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED THAT THE TOWN CONTRIBUTE $200.00 FOR SUPPORT OF CCM’S AMICUS CURIAE INTERVENTION IN PERODEAU V. CITY OF HARTFORD.
First Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
CCM – SPEARS v. GARCIA
This will be discussed at the next meeting.
TAX REFUND
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $234.81 TO LINDA P. NEELLY.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Lewis commented that we hit on a lot of good and necessary things to look at in Town. First Selectman Patton commented that the Study Circles are going very well; a lot of positives came out of it. Some want to continue in other areas. The Master Town Plan goes beyond the Plan of Conservation and Development; education, economic development, public works; a look at the entire community. We might do Study Circles for that. A nice feature is people on it will talk to friends and tell them about it; it has been a very positive experience and hopefully that will continue tapping into good volunteers. A big issue is how do we communicate in Town. First Selectman Patton commented that he will try to do something like the Fraz Report in the Reminder. The notice boards are
important and we need to use the web more. Some people are still finding the old site; this has been cancelled but is still out there, we will try to get it off and forwarded to the proper one. First Selectman Patton commented that Shannon Bourbeau , Youth & Family Services, has applied, with Mansfield and Ashford for a grant for Senior Home Assistance. A staff member would go in and check on the homebound elderly; they would work out of here. The idea is to use the Community Action Agency as a conduit to do more of these things. They are starting to work on grants to pay for the administrative salary, which will lessen the cost for the Town. Shannon was able to obtain an intern from Eastern Connecticut to run the camp, she will oversee it. Shannon has been made aware of a possible sizable donation to Youth Services. It is all starting to bear fruit. First Selectman Patton reported that we got the go-ahead to use program income
for the Senior Center; we will put together the bid package for the architect to do the design work. We can start that process so that when the grant comes in from the Small Cities we are ready. Selectman Eldredge asked if the grant was written? First Selectman Patton commented that it is written but not submitted, we are finishing getting the back up data, it will be submitted by March 1st. There are 2 grants, $500,000 from Small Cities and
$150,000 from DSS. Tony Guglielmo and Mike have sent a joint letter and are calling the Commissioner in support of this. The Small Town Assistance Act, $500,000, did not make it this month, maybe in March. The Housing Authority reports that they have new numbers for the site work and they are more optimistic. The Center will be about $600,000. Selectman Lewis asked if a sprinkler system is needed for the Housing and was told yes. First Selectman Patton commented that he would like to start up the Rehap Program again. Selectman Lewis commented that there are different ways to administer it; there is a need for it. First Selectman Patton reported that he has talked to a dozen or so companies for rates on the leasing of the Fire trucks. The best rate is 4.27%, 20
payments over 10 years at approximately $71,000.00 per year. Selectman Lewis asked if there is an out clause and was told yes.
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED THAT WE WORK WITH FIRST SOURCE CAPITAL FOR THE 2 FIRE TRUCKS, WITH A SEMIANNUAL RATE OF 4.27%.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:19 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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