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. 16, 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, J. Andersen, J. Blessington, C. Demers, N. Vogel and J. Lamb, reporter from the Chronicle.
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO ADD APPOINTMENTS TO THE AGENDA.
First Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 9/3/02.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Registrars of Voters, Judy Andersen and Nancy Vogel were present to discuss the waiver they obtained from the Secretary of State’s office for the Town Hall for the November election. The waiver was necessary because of the lack of a landing in the middle of the ramp, lack of a walkway to the entrance of the Town Hall and it was suggested that there be a parking space for handicap van. There is one handicap parking space, a 2nd. space for a van could be temporary for Election Day. Due to these things, the Town Clerk must print in her legal notice for the election that the polling place is inaccessible and give the phone numbers to call to request alternate arrangements. The Registrars feel that down the road we will have to look into a new polling place. The Registrars will also have
paper ballots available for a handicap person if they want. The top front step needs to be fixed and fluorescent tape put on each of the steps. There is a concern that the handrails are far over on the sides. The landing at the top of the ramp needs to be looked at and the door from the back of the Town Hall into the main hall must be removed for the day. The Board promised to take care of everything in time for Election Day.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
VILLAGE HILL ROAD BRIDGE
First Selectman Patton reported that they are still waiting for the steel, it is due next week. Selectman Eldredge asked if the drainage was done and was told not yet, it should be done this week. They are moving along but
the steel has delayed them. There have been a couple of change orders, not many and they should not add a lot to the fee. They hope to work on the deck the first week in October.
REGULAR MEETING -2- SEPT. 16, 2002
PERSONNEL HOURS
First Selectman Patton commented that we did not have the Assessor’s hours for the last meeting. She will work 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., Monday to Friday, what she has been doing all along.
SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE ASSESSOR’S HOURS.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
SCENIC ROAD ORDINANCE
Chris Demers presented the Board with a fact sheet regarding a Scenic Road Ordinance and commented that the ordinance is not meant to be restrictive, major changes must go to PZC. Selectman Lewis asked if a stonewall is near the road and you want to change it, or if you want to cut a tree on the roadway do you need permission? Chris said yes. First Selectman Patton asked if the Town had a road project and someone did not like it but we get approval from PZC, can that person appeal and was told yes. Selectman Lewis commented that we have a Dirt Road Plan in place. Chris commented that this could be like that. John Blessington asked if he wanted to cut down trees on his property would he have to go by this ordinance. Chris responded that it does not apply to private property.
John Blessington asked if he wanted to do something on the right of way would he have to go through PZC and was told yes. First Selectman Patton commented that developers would have to go through this also. John Blessington commented that he would worry about this ordinance. Selectman Lewis said he would also, he likes what this is trying to do but he would like another way of doing it. Selectman Eldredge suggested establishing a commission. Selectman Lewis commented that Ashford is looking into that. Chris Demers commented that some other towns use the PZC. John Blessington suggested that the Historic District Commission might be the one to do it. Discussion followed about methods of appeal. Selectman Eldredge commented that a Scenic Road Policy could be done like the Dirt Road Policy, it must go to the Board of Selectmen and a Public Hearing. Selectman Lewis commented that we could make this more informal and
property owner friendly. First Selectman Patton asked the Board if they wanted to see if it is to go to PZC, or can the Board of Selectmen create? We only do one or two projects a year, we had Public Hearings for Mirtl and Mason Roads and it worked out. First Selectman Patton commented that the Board of Selectmen has a responsibility to see to the good of the Town and we may have to widen a road or do other necessities. Selectman Eldredge commented that he thinks the Public Hearing is good. First Selectman Patton commented that the idea is for the Board to go through the process before we go to PZC. Selectman Lewis commented that if it can be created without another level of government, just the requirement of a Public Hearing that would be good. Selectman Eldredge commented that if people want the road designated scenic they could come to the Board of Selectmen. First Selectman Patton commented that if we want to change something in
the road we would hold a Public Hearing, we would send letters to everyone on the road. First Selectman Patton commented that he knows Chris is looking for protection of the roads. C. Demers commented that this is the only vehicle he knew about. Selectman Lewis commented that we might need to formalize a little more for the Board to do. First Selectman Patton commented that it would alleviate anyone’s concern about anyone doing anything on a scenic road. Selectman Eldredge commented that he would like to go more informal rather than through PZC. First Selectman Patton commented that we will have to see what the other vehicle is. It would have to be an ordinance in order to have teeth. We have to send it to the Town Attorney. The Board agreed.
PUBLIC WORKS
First Selectman Patton reported that Public Works is sweeping. They have a CHISA meeting on Wednesday. The Road Crew finished Polster Road Bridge painting; it was done by hand and was a big project. First Selectman Patton commented that he met with Wes Beebe, a UCONN professor and students at the Kechkes Road Bridge. They want to design the new one. We need to think about funding, whether it should be local or state. First Selectman Patton commented that if you use state money you are going to build a state bridge.
REGULAR MEETING -3- SEPT. 16, 2002
He recommends that we do the bridge ourselves, like Clint Eldredge Road Bridge. We could build a one lane bridge, alternate traffic, a little longer and stronger and to handle all weights. We need to think about if we want to build to the 100-year flood plan. First Selectman Patton also reported on the revamping of the Center School parking lot. They need more parking spaces and will go from the 42 existing spaces to 59 spaces. The ball field needs to be expanded, the fence moved so it will be 180’. The Board of Education wants to extend the sidewalk so they can bring the kids down the sidewalk to the buses on the side. We need to get this approved by the Board of Education and go to PZC. Selectman Lewis commented that that the Town Hall looks good but one door needs
to be painted and the Historical Society door needs a new screen. First Selectman Patton commented that there is a leak at the Town Hall and we will have to look into the roof.
TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $918.46 TO NATIONWIDE ADVANTAGE MORTGAGE CO.
Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
APPOINTMENTS
First Selectman Patton commented that Ned Beebe has resigned from the Economic Development Commission.
Mike Farina has been going to the EDC meetings but is unable to attend any Monday meetings of the Board of Selectmen.
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPOINT MICHAEL FARINA TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, TO FILL THE VACANCY CREATED BY THE RESIGNATION OF NED BEEBE, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND TO EXPIRE 1/1/05.
Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
GOOD & WELFARE
First Selectman Patton commented that Troop C had to cancel the softball game with the Fire Departments so Willington Fire Dept. #1 played Willington Hill Fire Dept. They played a 7-inning game; the score was 22-1 in favor the Willington F.D.#1. The Kite Festival was great and enjoyable. First Selectman Patton commented that we could get some hay stacks and set that area up for winter sleigh riding, maybe set a generator up and do some night time sleigh riding also. The potluck supper and the band were great also. The next celebration for the 275th Anniversary is the parade on Oct. 5th. from Depot Rd. to Blair Rd. and ending at Hall School fields.
Selectman Eldredge commented that medical radiation waist was found in our trash again. DEP was called out. DEP may change the regulations on handling this. A lot of transfer stations in the state are having the same problems, it has happened 83 times in the state. Selectman Lewis commented that the schools want to have their own safety committee, they do not want to be involved in the Towns, but they will give us a liaison. Selectman Lewis commented that he would recommend that the Fire Departments report to the Board, with updates, on a quarterly basis. The Board agreed. First Selectman Patton will write to them. First Selectman Patton commented that the 3,000 gallon tanker for the Willington Hill Fire Dept. should be here in a couple of weeks.
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:18 P.M.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary
| 
