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. 21, 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, E. Newcomb and L. Karpuska.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 10/7/02 WITH THE FOLLOWING CORRECTIONS: DONNA LATINCSICS WAS AWARDED THE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR A COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT ALSO AND SELECTMAN LEWIS REQUESTED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS GIVE A QUARTERLY REPORT.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Elaine Newcomb was present to discuss Connecticut Citizens Against Casinos and especially casinos in the Quiet Corner. She handed out an information packet. There are concerns all over Connecticut about casinos. We are sparsely populated and do not have deep pockets. Mrs. Newcomb would like the Board to familiarize themselves with this. Several other town Board of Selectmen have made statements against casinos. Mrs. Newcomb believes this area will be the weak link. There has been discussion about revoking Casino Night so that it is not an open door through which casinos can get in. She asked the Board to do whatever they can to preserve the nature of the area where we live. There are severe impacts on education, there is heavy recruitment from other countries and that
has led to the need to have English as a second language for 28 other languages. There is the need for cheaper housing; we do not have the social services or educational services or transportation available. We are vulnerable. Elaine commented that many Boards are writing letters also and asked the Board if they would be willing to study and discuss this? The Board agreed. Selectman Lewis commented that he has a lot of concerns. Elaine commented that from a public safety point of view there is entertainment, drinking and a lot of serious implications. We can’t look at ourselves as individuals in this part of the state. It is difficult to image the impact on a lot of levels, if the town next to us is vulnerable, then we are vulnerable. Elaine commented that she would be happy to help in any way. First Selectman Patton commented that they would put this on a future agenda.
Chris Demers was present to discuss the Willington Information in the Reminder. The communication sub-
committee talked about asking the local businesses for donations to help defray the cost of this but they felt that it should come from the Board. Chris commented that he is on the fence about this; he thought he might do a letter. He does not know if it is something that should come from government. First Selectman Patton commented that it is better if it comes from the committee. The Board agreed.
REGULAR MEETING -2- OCT. 21, 2002
Selectman Lewis asked if any heard of the group, Wiz Kids? They were starting up an informational newspaper that was paid for by advertisers and readers, maybe they could be contacted. First Selectman Patton commented that Tolland, Columbia and Hampton have monthly newsletters. Chris commented that he will write a letter.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
VILLAGE HILL ROAD BRIDGE
Selectman Lewis commented that the bridge looks good. Selectman Eldredge commented that it is unbelievable. First Selectman Patton commented that they are putting the rebar in on Saturday. If the weather holds they will pour in November and we may be able to pave before winter. They are on schedule.
SCENIC ROAD ORDINANCE
First Selectman Patton commented that he is waiting to get a copy of the response from the PZC attorney regarding this. Selectman Lewis commented that he would like to see it go through the Board of Selectmen, it is a better way of doing it. First Selectman Patton commented that our consensus was that, we could do something binding upon the Board and not go through PZC and an ordinance. Chris Demers commented that it looks like there is something we can do. First Selectman Patton commented that we could call it the Road Improvement Review Committee and have a public hearing, the public hearing has worked out other times and it is manageable. S. Cobb asked if there were any particular roads? First Selectman Patton comment that the ordinance is a vehicle, it does not identify roads, it tells
you that you can’t change anything. Residents could petition PZC if we had an ordinance, we do not have one. We are thinking of doing something else, if we were doing any big changes we would hold a public hearing and invite the residents. Selectman Eldredge commented that we could develop a vehicle to handle this, Selectman Lewis agreed. First Selectman Patton commented that the public hearing gives you a chance to speak and to understand the reason behind the design. Chris asked if there was a timetable for this and was told not yet.
PARAMEDIC SERVICE AGREEMENT
First Selectman Patton commented that he talked to Chris Gentile of the billing company for Willington Fire Dept. #1. This agreement reflects the meeting with the Windham Council of Government and Windham Hospital. Selectman Eldredge commented that it is a pretty well written agreement, we definite need this service. Selectman Lewis commented that there is at least a $200 difference involved without this. S. Cobb commented that it could be up to $800 involved. With the agreement Windham Hospital knows it will get paid. Selectman Lewis commented that we pay out between $15,000 & $16,000 a year but the Town collects from the insurance not the Fire Dept., is that correct? First Selectman Patton commented that the Fire Dept. has the agreement with the billing agent, the billing
agent deposits the check in the bank and the Town transfers it out. The Town administers that particular account and from that account we pay for fire equipment and paramedic fees. Selectman Lewis commented that it is working and we are bringing in enough to pay for these services. Stuart commented that we must keep in mind that the net revenue may go down over the next 4 years, Medicare has restructured their rates and the portion that they want to pay is going to go down. Stuart asked that the contract not be retroactive back to July 2002. October 1, 2002 was agreed upon.
SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO ACCEPT THE PARAMEDIC SERVICE AGREEMENT AS PRESENTED, WITH THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF OCTOBER 1, 2002.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
REGULAR MEETING -3- OCT. 21, 2002
APPOINTMENTS
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO RE-APPOINT BRUCE HICE TO THE BUILDING CODE BOARD OF APPEALS, TERM EFFECTIVE 1/4/02 TO 1/4/07.
Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
PUBLIC WORKS
First Selectman Patton reported that they are cutting, patching, curbing and doing aprons. The boulders on Mirtl Road are done; he asked that they put reflectors there also. First Selectman Patton commented that he found out that we do not get aid for that portion of the road. Selectman Eldredge asked if it is abandoned? First Selectman Patton commented that we can close the road to all traffic but we can’t discriminate. Selectman Eldredge asked if we are legally responsible? First Selectman responded yes, if that makes sense, but we might need it for future traffic patterns. Selectman Lewis commented that Public Works goes back to 5 days next week.
TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $5.45 TO LAURA GILBERT.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
GOOD & WELFARE
First Selectman Patton commented that the 275th Anniversary Committee is holding a Cruise Night at the Town Green on Saturday, Oct. 26th from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. and a Harvest Service in conjunction with the Federation Church, on Sunday, Oct. 27th at 2:30 P.M. at the Church on Route 74. Day light savings time ends on Sunday, Oct. 27rh.
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:37 P.M.
Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary
| 
