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 OCT. 7, 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, S. Cobb, C. Demers, T. Hoffman, D. Latincsics and J. Smith.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 9/16/02 WITH THE CORRECTION THAT THERE WAS ONLY 1 INCIDENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE AT THE TRANSFER STATION.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
First Selectman Patton introduced Jeff Smith, Director of Finance for Region 19, the Health District and the Town of Mansfield. He is here to present a Certificate of Achievement for a Comprehensive Financial Report for 2001. Jeff Smith commented that he is pleased to be here, he thinks that Mansfield and the Town of Willington are the only ones in this area, and in the State there may be 30 towns out of 169, that got this award. It reflects on the department and the elected officials. He is honored to be here on behalf of the Government Finance Officers Association to present this to Terese Hoffman, Accounting Supervisor. The award is to encourage and assist governments to prepare financial reports of the highest quality. It is the premier indicator of excellence in governmental
accounting and financial reporting. To earn this award you must conform to the program’s demanding criteria, which go well beyond the minimum requirements of accepted accounting principals. There is a very strict review board that goes over the submittals; the reward is the Certificate of Achievement. Mr. Smith commented that this is not the first time that Terese Hoffman has received this and it reflects the hard work, dedication and leadership by the Town’s elected officials. Mr. Smith commented that it is his privilege to present this award to Terese Hoffman. Terry thanked him and asked Donna Latincsics, Treasurer to take part in this award also. Terry commented that we work as a team; we do not accomplish anything unless we work together. First Selectman Patton commented that they put a lot of work into this. Jeff Smith commented that it is usually the towns with large staff that get this. Selectman Eldredge
commented that this is excellent.
Chris Demers was present to ask if the Board wanted to continue with the informational article in the Reminder.
He has talked to some of the businesses in Town and some are willing to help defray the cost. First Selectman Patton commented that we could have something on the bottom listing the sponsors.
REGULAR MEETING -2- OCT. 7, 2002
First Selectman Patton commented that perhaps the Solid Waste Advisory Committee would help with the cost, they want to start putting recycling information in there. It was decided to keep this in the Reminder until the end of the fiscal year. Chris commented that they would pursue local businesses for help.
Stuart Cobb, Willington Fire Dept. #1, commented that he read in the Board minutes that Selectman Lewis suggested that the Fire Departments give a monthly report to the Board. We encourage this and would like to see it go forward. First Selectman Patton commented that they would get a letter regarding this. Stuart commented that the school’s safety committee has requested some things of the Fire Dept. Stuart was told he should address that with the Board of Education. Stuart also reported that they do not feel there is much of an issue regarding a traffic light on Route 32. What they would like is some trees cleared; the Trask Rd. site line is very bad. First Selectman Patton asked when the new truck was coming and was told soon.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office. First Selectman Patton commented that he received a fax requesting us to sign on to an Amicus Brief that was filed to support the appeal of the towns of North Stonington, Preston, Ledyard and the State of Connecticut in the acknowledgement process of the Eastern and Paucatuck Eastern Pequot petitioners. They need this by Oct. 15th.
First Selectman Patton commented that he would give the Board a copy of the Windham Hospital contract. Stuart Cobb commented that the funding mechanism for paramedics is changing. Over the next 4 years or so Medicare is changing so they will only pay $50 for a paramedic, we will loose $100 a call and the hospitals are starting to refuse to subsidize the paramedic system. Windham has come in with a contract to raise the call rate up to $215-$250 per call, with a charge if you call and cancel. We also pay per capita. There have been 2 proposals to get a paramedic through Johnson Memorial Hospital. Both want $100,000 up front money but it is only split across Somers, Stafford, Union and half of Willington, that will be very high. How long ARM stays out of Rockville Hospital for
nothing remains to be seen. Things are changing; Windham is the first one to get it in writing for the higher rate per call. First Selectman Patton commented that they offer it free at first, get you used to it and then say they can’t fund it, you have to pay for it or do away with it. Stuart commented that Medicare will only pay one bill and right now it is a race to see which bill gets there first, if the fire department’s bill got paid by insurance, then the patient could be left with a $400 bill that the insurance will not pay for the paramedic. That’s when the Fire Dept. got the bundle billing where they pay the paramedic a flat rate and take the gamble that we would get something from the insurance company. If we do not sign on with Windham’s contract, they potentially could go back to charging the patient $400. Further discussion followed on this. The contract will be looked over.
VILLAGE HILL ROAD BRIDGE
First Selectman Patton reported that the steel was erected last Thursday and Friday, things are coming along, they are forming up, putting some footings in for the un-named tributary. He asked Gary Jones, Assistant Zoning Agent, if Inlands/Wetlands wanted to take a ride to look at it, they wanted a lot of the stream diverted. They should be finished with the steel and then will form the deck. Selectman Eldredge commented that the steel is not sitting on the bearing plates, do they do that after. First Selectman Patton replied yes.
FIXED ASSET POLICY
First Selectman Patton commented that he thought the Board of Selectmen should approve this. Department Heads need to approve certain things. Terry Hoffman handed out new copies of the policy with some changes.
The Board went over the changes. Terry commented that the policy would always be subject to revisions. It will be the responsibility of the Board of Finance to see that this is done. Selectman Eldredge commented that he is very impressed, it is a good tool.
REGULAR MEETING -3- OCT. 7, 2002
SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON FIXED ASSET POLICY AS PRESENTED AT THE 10/7/02 BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
PUBLIC WORKS
First Selectman Patton commented that they put the boulders on Mirtl Road; they are mowing and doing odds and ends. Selectman Lewis asked if the field on Moose Meadow Road was blocked and was told not yet. First Selectman Patton commented that the Road Crew did a great job cleaning up for the parade, they mowed, swept, hung flags, etc. We will hang the flags for holidays, not keep them up all the time. It will be special then. We will also have flags on Route 74.
TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $494.53 TO DANIEL & JEANNE CASTANGUAY.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $5.45 TO CHEN LIANG.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
GOOD & WELFARE
First Selectman Patton reported that we received a letter about the Connecticut Veterans Day Parade in Hartford. It will be on November 9th at 9:30 a.m. The letter will be sent to the V.F.W.
First Selectman Patton reported that Stephen Zaharias, an 8th grader at Hall School played with the National Team USA Soccer squad this past summer in Denmark, Sweden and England. He was the only boy from Connecticut to make the squad this year. The school, the CT Legislature, the CT Wolves, WAM United, Northeast United and the New England Revolution, has recognized him. Stephen took part in the 275th Anniversary Parade also. First Selectman Patton would like to send Stephen a letter, the Board agreed.
First Selectman Patton commented that the 275th Committee deserves a big round of thanks for their work on the parade. They worked very hard on it.
First Selectman Patton reported that E. O. Smith High School football is 4 & 0, they are doing quite well.
SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:44 P.M.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary
| 
