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 MAY 5, 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, N. Bailey, K. Boyle, S. Cobb, B. Cortese, C. Demers, D. & M. Gankofskie, S. Gifford,
K. Lisiewski, R. Passardi and J. & P. Phillips
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Selectman Lewis commented that on page 1 at the bottom the name should be Lisa Jordan, not Janton.
SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 4/21/03 AS CORRECTED.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Neighbors from the Lohse Road area were present to discuss the Akita dogs. Red Phillips asked if there was an answer from the State Dog Warden or CCM about vicious dogs? First Selectman Patton replied that he just got something from CCM. Red asked what are the conditions for breeding? First Selectman Patton replied that there are regulations for kennels, nothing about breeding. Red asked if copies of complaints from April 2001 to current date were kept? First Selectman Patton commented that the Dog Warden keeps copies just so long, now we are getting copies of his logs. Patti Phillips asked if they could get copies of the tickets for the Lohse Road dogs? First Selectman Patton said yes. Red asked about whether the dogs that bit Sue Janton last year were quarantined as
the Dog Warden said they would be. She was never told anything about it. First Selectman Patton commented that he would ask Dick about it. Red asked if the Town trained the Dog Warden? First Selectman Patton commented that he has been the Dog Warden for 15 years and has gone to different courses. Red asked if the Town has any law regarding roaming and nuisance dogs beyond the State Statutes and was told no. Patti asked if we could have an ordinance and how do we do that? Red commented that what is in place must be enforced. Beate Cortese asked First Selectman Patton if he had talked to the owners? First Selectman Patton commented that he did not but the Dog Warden and the State Trooper did. B. Cortese commented that they are dangerous dogs. Red commented that this has changed all our lives, a trooper told us to walk with a stick and a bottle of ammonia. Keith Boyle commented that the owners offered no apology
or sympathy. First Selectman Patton commented that typically a ticket solves the problem. Beate commented that a letter from the First Selectman would point them in the right direction. First Selectman Patton commented that he would be happy to write to them. Selectman Eldredge commented that we should have the town attorney look at it, our attorney writing to the owners might make a difference. Patti commented that everyone says we need documentation and history. Selectman Eldredge commented that it is scary to have to wait for another incident. First Selectman Patton commented that if they are sued for the dog, their insurance company will drop them if they do not get rid of the dog.
REGULAR MEETING -2- MAY 5, 2003
First Selectman Patton commented that he understands the frustration; there is nothing we can do preemptive. Nancy Bailey gave the Board some information she researched on dangerous dogs. First Selectman Patton commented that if you see dogs out on the road call Dick Claus and file a complaint and he will give the owners a ticket. Beate commented that we need to have it on record that you wrote to them. Red commented that the Dog Warden must document everything. Patti commented that 2 weeks before the incident 3 of us called about the dogs worrying the goat. First Selectman Patton commented that we will put pressure on the owners; this is not a good situation. Call if you see the dogs on the road. Beate asked if it would be helpful to collect statements from everyone who had
trouble? First Selectman Patton commented that it is a good idea. Dave Gankofskie commented that dogs bit 3 kids in his neighborhood, it became a civil suit and that was the end of the dogs. Patti commented that you have a 3-year window after a bite. Discussion on an ordinance followed, this will be put together and the town attorney will look it over. First Selectman Patton commented that we have never experienced a situation like this before.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office. CCM is requesting funding for lawsuits against the State for Pilot and Town Aid Road grants. The Board decided against this.
NEW LIBRARY
Library Building Committee members Dave Gankofskie, Sue Gifford, Kathy Lisiewski and Roby Passardi
Were here to discuss the use of an owner’s representative with the Board. Dave Gankofskie reported that they interviewed 2 companies and they were surprised with the costs. Dave commented that he is willing to volunteer to be the owner’s representative if you want. Selectman Lewis commented that you are extremely reputable and there is the trust factor there. Dave commented that we looked at many libraries and talked to them, none of them had owner’s representatives. Roby asked if we have this owner’s rep. does it come out of library money or bond money? First Selectman Patton commented that it is all commingled. Selectman Eldredge asked if the building committee would rather not have the owner’s rep? Dave commented that not the majority.
Selectman Lewis asked Dave if he would have the time to do this. Dave commented that he has a full time job but I make my own schedule, I will put it in my schedule, I will volunteer my time to the Town. At construction time we could hire a clerk of the works, what would that cost? First Selectman Patton commented that it could end up costing $40,000/45,000; you need to document everything, could you be clerk of the works? Dave replied yes. At this time we need the architect and we need the owner’s rep. to do that. We interviewed owner’s reps. and made a recommendation to the Library Board, the cost is $24,000 to do part of the job. Dave is not certain that we need the owner’s rep. Kathy Lisiewski commented that an owner’s rep. is new, the State never heard of them being used. Dave commented that we only asked them to price half of the job, not the construction phase. The first part would deal with
the architect and design phase. The architect is working for the Town. First Selectman Patton commented that that is questionable, they work for themselves. Selectman Lewis commented that the clerk of the works is limited. First Selectman Patton commented that they make sure the contractor adheres to the specifications, not interpret the specifications. The idea of the owner’s rep. is to help determine some of the specifications, to make sure they make sense and do the job you want to do; which should be the job of the architect. Dave commented that the 2 architects we are looking at are library builders and reputable. Dave commented that he could build the Town a library that they want. First Selectman Patton commented that his concern is that he wants to have someone there who can oversee and understand what the architect is doing and if something does go wrong that there is someone there to say wait a minute the Town didn’t cause this, there is a flaw in the design.
Dave commented that when you get to the design phase and need some value engineering done on what they have drawn, I am at a point that I can get that done for us.
REGULAR MEETING -3- MAY 5, 2003
First Selectman Patton commented that if you hire the owner’s rep. it should be for the whole thing, from soup to nuts. If you feel really strong that you can handle it and want to go the traditional route, I am leery of it but you have the capability to do it. My question is do you want to spend the time to do it? Dave commented that if he felt he could not be at the job every day, then we could hire a clerk of the works, for the paper work and to have another pair of eyes when they are building it. First Selectman Patton commented that we have to make sure that the contractor follows all the regulations that we must follow as a municipality. Dave volunteered to be the owner’s rep. through the design phase. Discussion on the State grant followed. The application must
be in by August 29, 2003 but there will be no money available for at least 2 years. If the grant is approved you must build to OPM specifications and you cannot start ground breaking until the money is available. The size of the library would have to be 14000 to 15000 square feet if we apply for the grant. If we do not go for the grant we could build somewhere between 10,000 and 12,500 square feet. First Selectman Patton commented that he thought we should build to our requirements not OPM’s, if you get approval for the bonding in November you can start anytime. You could design the building with 2 levels and only open one to start; it saves on maintenance. The bond money will not create a swing it is in the C.I.P. We could build for the actual need, not what OPM says, build structurally sound, to last for a long time. The question of who spends the money first came up, the library would spend the money first. Margaret
Gankofskie asked about the Mason Road property. First Selectman Patton commented that the stock market hurt that. He will call Dan Donahue to get an update. First Selectman Patton commented select your architect. Dave commented that we will build a good building.
REMINDER
Chris Demers was here to discuss continuing the From Willington article in the Reminder. We are paid up to June, if we prepay again it will cost $207/month for 8 months. Selectman Lewis commented that someone who does a magazine style publication, paid for by advertising, wants to come to a Board meeting to discuss this with the Board. One town saved $10,000 on school mailings by using the publication. She will come before the Board. The Board will look at both for the new fiscal year.
APPOINTMENTS
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO REAPPOINT THE FOLLOWING: GAY ST. LOUIS AS THE WILLINGTON MUNICIPAL REVENUE COLLECTOR, TERM EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2003 TO MAY 1, 2007; GREGORY BLESSING, LEON KOUYOUMJIAN AND DAVID SCHREIBER AS REGULAR MEMBERS OF THE WILLINGTON INLAND WETLANDS & WATERCOURSES COMMISSION, TERMS EFFECTIVE MAY 16, 2003 TO MAY 16, 2006.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
PUBLIC WORKS
First Selectman Patton reported that the ribbon cutting for the Village Hill Road Bridge will be on Monday, May 12, 2003 at 3:00 P.M. Former First Selectman Roger Perry will cut the ribbon. The road crew will be sweeping until mid to late June. An advertisement went in the papers for the Supervisor of Public Works. Selectman Eldredge asked if there was anything about education requirements. First Selectman Patton commented that the job description would have that in it. Selectman Eldredge wants the ad to go in a public works magazine also. Selectman Lewis commented that experience, knowledge and background are important.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT – EHHD
First Selectman Patton commented that Eastern Highlands Health District wants to know if we would be a Matters of the Heart Partner. It is a cardiovascular Health Policy and Environmental Change Program.
REGULAR MEETING -4- MAY 5, 2003
Selectman Lewis asked if there is a cost involved? First Selectman Patton commented not money but maybe time.
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED THAT THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON ENTER INTO THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT TO BE A MATTERS OF THE HEART PARTNER.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
UNION GRIEVANCE
First Selectman Patton commented that Helene Shay, Union Representative, has asked for an extension of time on this. It will be on the next agenda.
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Lewis commented that 3 of our military people overseas are home, glad to see them home. Selectman Eldredge commented that Al DeCicco is in Johnson Memorial Rehab. Center. Selectman Lewis commented that Lloyd Boisseau and Fred Tomasko passed away.
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:44 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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