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. 18, 2003
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, G. Byram, T. Millix and T. Snyder. First Selectman Patton led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 2/3/03.
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 Selectman’s office.
FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Garnett Byram and Tom Snyder were here for the Willington Hill Fire Dept. and Tyler Millix for Willington Fire Dept. #1. First Selectman Patton commented that once a quarter we ask the Fire Depts. to come so we can discuss any issues they have or we have. Tom Snyder commented that everything is going smooth and is quiet; no one mentioned anything for me to bring up. Do you have anything for us? First Selectman Patton commented that after the last meeting there was a glow, is that being kept alive? Tyler Millix replied yes. First Selectman Patton commented that at the last meeting we talked about a Fire Commission, I would ask you to pick 1 person from each department. This will be a 5-person committee, 2 from the Fire Depts. 1 from the Board of Selectmen, 1 from the Board of
Finance and 1 from the general public. Tyler commented that it would be nice if the civilian knew something about the Fire Depts. Selectman Eldredge commented that this commission would be to develop an ordinance. Tyler asked if it goes from the commission to the Selectmen? First Selectman Patton replied yes and then depending on the ordinance, to Town Meeting. We are looking for the committee to set up the structure, what the duties would be and how everyone would interact. Tom asked if this was to put it in place? First Selectman Patton commented the committee would make recommendations on how to put it in place, or not, they could say this doesn’t make sense. Tom asked what is the time frame? First Selectman Patton commented that they would appoint the committee at the next meeting. Tyler asked if it is strictly Fire Commission related? First Selectman Patton yes, how to implement a Fire Commission. Tyler
commented that the Fire Commission must have authority and carry some weight. Selectman Eldredge commented that the authority will be a real challenge. Tyler commented that they would have to have some type of control over the Fire Depts. obviously abiding by what is already in place statutorily with operations and the officers.
REGULAR MEETING -2- FEB. 18, 2003
You have to walk a fine line but it can work. Tyler commented that he would hate to see people put time into it and have nothing happen. Selectman Eldredge commented that if you come up with the conclusion that it would be in the best interest not to have a Fire Commission, than you should come back to the Board with that recommendation. First Selectman Patton commented that there would have to be overwhelming evidence that it should not be done. Selectman Lewis commented that he is not involved with the Fire Depts. but he would not like to see it fall apart. He has talked to both departments and believes it can be done; it is good for the Town. Selectman Lewis commented that when there was a bomb threat at FedEx, he couldn’t find anything out from the Fire Depts. the First
Selectman didn’t know anything either. People look to the Board for answers. Selectman Eldredge asked if the Fire Depts. responded to that situation. Tom said no, we were informed that it was taken care of. Tyler commented that the scare is not our business, if it blows up then it is our business. Selectman Lewis commented that the Board should know. First Selectman Patton commented that when you have a heighten sense of alert and the news cameras there we should be notified; people call us and want to know. Tom commented that when people call us he refers them to the state police. Selectman Lewis commented that when we had the ice storm we got everyone together, we need communication. Selectman Eldredge commented that people do expect us to know about things. Selectman Lewis commented that if anything of serious consequence happens, he feels good with the Fire Depts. involved. Tyler commented that it is a fine
line between Fire Depts. and State Police issues. The news stations have access to the State Police radio. First Selectman Patton commented that we have a good relationship with the State Police. Garnett asked how to get hold of First Selectman Patton in an emergency and was told to call the First Selectman’s cell phone and was given the number. Tyler commented that their truck is due in around the end of April and asked what the contract increase for the Town employees was. First Selectman Patton commented that it is 3%. Tyler asked about the C.I.P. committee and meetings. First Selectman Patton commented that they have had a couple of meetings, there have been some minor updates and some things were taken out. We need to maintain the equipment and property; we don’t want to gut the program. There has been some talk of buying property from the Historic Society for the Town, the piece on the corner of Rts. 74 &
320, it is a good location. First Selectman Patton commented that we will go over the names if you give them to us by the next meeting. Tyler commented that he will be on the committee for Willington #1. The next quarterly meeting will be June 3, 2003, then the 1st. Monday in Sept. and Dec. so on.
TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $1,235.11 TO FIRST AMERICAN REAL ESTATE TAX SERVICE.
Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $1,315.22 TO FIRST AMERICAN REAL ESTATE TAX SERVICE.
Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $62.13 TO FORD MOTOR CREDIT CO.
Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
REGULAR MEETING -3- FEB. 18, 2003
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $112.36 TO FORD MOTOR CREDIT CO.
Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $103.01 TO TRANSAMERICA REAL ESTATE SERVICE.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
PUBLIC WORKS
First Selectman Patton commented that they have been dealing with snow and more snow and now need to push it back. Selectman Eldredge commented that they did a heck of a job. First Selectman Patton commented that they kept up with it and now need to clean up. Selectman Lewis commented that we might get more. First Selectman Patton commented that we are out of snow money. Tyler asked what do you do? Selectman Eldredge replied that we swap around the Public Works budget. First Selectman Patton commented that he is going to the Board of Finance to talk about a snow fund reserve, so what we do not spend stays there, we would put in $125,000 each year. We will be up to $160,000 this year; we have no idea what the winters will be like. Selectman Lewis commented that it is a
good idea. First Selectman Patton commented that it makes sense; left over money would stay in the fund. Selectman Eldredge asked how is the salt and sand? First Selectman Patton commented that the salt is okay but the sand is hard to get. Tyler asked what type of contract we have for fuel oil? First Selectman Patton responded 1 year. Tyler asked if the Fire Departments could be put on that?
First Selectman Patton replied yes but the price will going up.
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Eldredge commented that Millie Marco is in the Mansfield Rehabilitation Center. Tyler mentioned that Fred Brink and Walter Dann were in the hospital. Selectman Lewis commented that our road crew is the greatest. Selectman Eldredge commented that they did a fine job. Selectman Lewis commented that having the fire departments here talking is great. Tyler commented that they received a $27,000 grant from FEMA and a DEP grant for their dry hydrant program; they are also applying for EMS grants. First Selectman Patton commented that he appreciates their efforts doing that. Tyler commented that they will apply for a 2nd. round with FEMA. Tom commented that they would also.
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:35 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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