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 August 5, 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.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Selectman Eldredge moved to approve the minutes, as written, of 7/22/02. Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK- no one
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the First Selectman’s office.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Village Hill Road Bridge—First Selectman Patton reported that the second payment had been signed off on and that the steel has been pushed off to the first week of September. Selectman Eldredge asked about a short section of concrete, which runs parallel to the main abutment—First Selectman Patton noted that it would be filled in at a later date. Selectman Lewis asked if the South side of the road was to be widened—First Selectman Patton verified that widening would take place. Selectman Eldredge noted that progress is being made and things were ahead of schedule. He asked if the engineer was always on-site. First Selectman Patton noted that the engineer was indeed on-site.
B. Personnel Policy—First Selectman Patton led the discussion on possible changes to the personnel policy. Selectman Lewis did not have any changes. First Selectman Patton wanted a change regarding criminal activity, however was advised to leave out that section from the policy. Selectman Eldredge would like to see “employees” go back to its original definition.
First Selectman Patton noted that elected officials are officers of a town corporation, as if on the Board of Directors for the State. In that case, these representatives are not referred to as employees. An elected official has the job of overseeing the town. There is a distinction between an employee who works for the town as an entity (corporation), and the others who are the officers of the town. He noted that as elected officials, we have no protection as an employee—we can’t go to the State and say we were laid off just because we lose an election. The state differentiates—if elected, you have more responsibility than an employee—you are reporting to a corporation. There is no COBRA, comp time, vacation, sick time, no timekeeping at all, or any enforcement
mechanism for these. The elected officials are officials whether they take a wage or not.
Selectman Lewis noted that elected officials have more obligations—on call 24 hours a day. This is a different position than a regular employee. The Board of Selectmen would not be above the rules or regulations just because they are management.
Selectman Eldredge would prefer to not change the wording from the way it has always been—the Board of Selectmen would still have more of an obligation to the town. He stated that if a person is elected, they don’t have to follow the employee policy and he feels there is a loophole that we are leaving open. He would like the wording the same as in 1991 when the last policy was written, where there was no mention of elected or appointed. In that policy, elected officials were employees; after approval of the personnel policy nothing will apply to elected officials and they will not have the same obligations as the employees. Elected officials have more responsibility than someone who goes home after working eight hours.
First Selectman Patton checked on the maternity leave clause. The State standard is different than the Federal standard. The State standard only applies to private employees—we now comply with Federal. The law does not apply to us as a municipality.
First Selectman Patton moved to approve the Town of Willington Rules and Policies and to adopt them. Selectman Lewis seconded. VOTE: 2 YES (PATTON, LEWIS) 1 NO (ELDREDGE).
Selectman Eldredge asked if there would be a summary of core hours that the Board of Selectmen would have to approve. First Selectman Patton noted that there would be a summary.
First Selectman Patton motioned to add #C under Old Business—Mirtl Rd. Selectman Eldredge seconded. VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE, LEWIS) 0 NO.
C. First Selectman Patton reviewed Karl Acimovic’s Mirtl Road diagrams with the board. Diagram #1 detailed a cul-de-sac—the board reviewed the number of feet to be cut out and the various grades. Diagram #2 is less intrusive—it diagramed a hammerhead turnaround. Someone has recently purchased land at the end of Mirtl Road, so it would depend where they would like to put their driveway. The board does not want to hold them up. The new owners have only been approached through their attorney. Karl Acimovic will review the plans with the bus company. Blasting will only go down a couple feet so that should not bother anyone. First Selectman Patton and Selectman Eldredge are both leaning toward the less intrusive design, however
Mr. Patton likes the idea of a cul-de-sac. The hammerhead turnaround will be less expensive. Selectman Eldredge noted that we have to get going on this project since school will start soon.
Selectman Lewis asked if the area will be gravel or paved as he is concerned about the cost—First Selectman Patton said it would be gravel for now. Selectman Eldredge is concerned about the people who live right there. First Selectman Patton will send a copy of the diagram to the new people and noted that the neighbors don’t really want to road to go through. He felt they would also approve of the hammerhead design. He also, is worried about the cost. This will be a good portion of the Public Works budget. He would like to have an informal meeting on August 14th followed by a Board of Selectmen’s meeting. First Selectman Patton will send out a letter—we can either do this or put the road through. He asked the other board members if they wanted to
abandon the other portion of that road. If we abandon these old roads there is a liability problem. Selectman Eldredge suggests that we find out which way we are going with this decision first.
NEW BUSINESS
Appointments
First Selectman Patton motioned to reappoint Katharine Brody to the Northeast CT Visitors District until June 30, 2005. Selectman Lewis seconded. VOTE: all yes (PATTON, ELDREDGE, LEWIS). O NO.
First Selectman Patton motioned to reappoint Assessor Nicole Lintereur. Her term would be from July 1, 2002 until June 30, 2004. Selectman Lewis seconded. VOTE: (PATTON, ELDREDGE, LEWIS). O NO.
The Selectmen noted that Ms. Lintereur does her job well and is excellent with the taxpayers.
Public Works
First Selectman Patton reported for Public Works. Curbing is being worked on as are the pothole repairs (Marco Road area).
SWAC Recommendation
The Solid Waste Advisory Commission recommended that we change the definition of term “load”. It was moved to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that a load be defined as up to 20 yards of refuse. The subject had come up when fees went up from $25 to $50 for a compacted load.
Selectman Eldredge suggested that the number of yards be a bit under 20 but First Selectman Patton would like to stick with the SWAC recommendation. It became effective in July and Tobacco Valley hasn’t renewed as yet. When they renew their fee will be $50 each time. These will be new guidelines under their permit as they did not want to pay for two tipping fees.
First Selectman Patton moved to adopt the Transfer Station Operating Plan and in the tip fee section change to $50 per load with load being defined as one drop of up to 20 yards of refuse as determined by the Transfer Station Operator. Selectman Lewis seconded. VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE, LEWIS). O NO.
Tax Refunds
First Selectman John Patton motioned to approve a tax refund of $19.35 for John and Joanne Sugros on the 10/1/01 list, #55097, vehicle sold June, 02. Selectman Lewis seconded. VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE, LEWIS). O NO.
First Selectman John Patton motioned to approve a tax refund of $25.34 for Marvelle Tomasko on the 10/1/01 list, #55253, vehicle sold January, 02. Selectman Eldredge seconded. VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE, LEWIS). O NO.
First Selectman John Patton moves to add insurance #E under New Business. Selectman Lewis seconded.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE, LEWIS). O NO.
Insurance
First Selectman Patton attended a meeting today with Marty Guyer, our insurance representative who has been doing rebids for our health insurance. We would have a 22% increase with Connecticare. The four bidders were Connecticare, Cigna, Anthem Blue Cross and Aetna. He will get copies of the bids for the other selectmen. He recommends Cigna—there would be a change in prescription out-of-pocket expense. Instead of a $5 (generic), 5 (name brand), 10 (formulatary) the amounts would change to $5/10/20. The Superintendent of Schools will submit the plan to the union.
Mr. Patton noted that Anthem Blue Cross is most comparable to Connecticare, possibly a bit less for an office visit and costs approximately 10% less. He does not know what the Board of Education will do.
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Lewis asked if the repainting of the Town Hall would be starting soon and First Selectman Patton noted that the painting would start soon. In addition, he asked about the sound system for the Town Hall, and if the surround-sound at the school was portable. First Selectman Patton noted that the system at the school is not portable and asked Selectman Lewis to look into the situation—grants, cost, etc.
Selectman Lewis congratulated the new Miss Willington and the runners-up. First Selectman Patton
mentioned that he received good comments about the television segment with Scot Haney (WFSB) visiting the Town Office Building.
SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:04P.M.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Noyes
Acting Secretary
| 
