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 MAR. 17, 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, B. Bartholomew, J. Blessington, S. Cobb, T. Millix, J. Semmelrock and reporter J. Lamb from the Chronicle. First Selectman Patton led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 3/3/03 & 3/10/03.
Selectman Eldredge 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 COMMISSION STUDY COMMITTEE
First Selectman Patton commented that he put the following charge together for the study committee:
Charge for FIRE COMMISSION STUDY Committee
Because the Board of Selectmen desires to ensure a coordinated, effective emergency service within the Town, the Board hereby establishes a Fire Commission Study Committee. Due to the ever changing and expanding requirements of the Fire Departments and the increasing demands of our citizenry, the Board recognizes that it is time to form a commission whose sole duty is to oversee the preparedness of the emergency services departments.
The Fire Commission Study Committee will recommend the role and responsibilities of a Fire Commission for the Town of Willington. The committee will investigate applicable state laws and other Town’s Fire Commissions. It will consult with members of the emergency services in Town, Town officials and citizens. The recommendations from the committee will consist of the following:
1.) Charge of Fire Commission
2.) Authority of the Fire Commission
3.) Number of members of the commission
4.) Appointing authority of Commission members
5.) Qualifications of commission members
6.) Terms of office of commission members
REGULAR MEETING -2- MAR. 17, 2003
7.) Interaction of Fire Commission with Town’s Fire Departments
8.) Interaction of Fire Commission with Town Government
9.) Mechanism to establish Fire Commission
The Fire Commission Study Committee will consist of six members. The members will consist of the following:
(1) Representative from the Willington Fire Department #1
(1) Representative from the Willington Hill Fire Department
(1) Representative from the Board of Selectmen
(1) Representative from the Board of Finance
(2) Additional taxpayers of the Town of Willington
The committee will give a progress report to the Board of Selectmen, through the Selectmen representative, or other person of their choosing once a month, with the final report due at the first
Board of Selectmen’s meeting in August.
First Selectman Patton commented that someone brought up Butch Littell’s name to be on this study committee. He was chief of Willington Fire Dept. #1 at one time and is now a career firefighter. He grew up in town and is knowledgeable about the town and the fire departments. Selectman Lewis commented that he would be a good addition to the study committee. Tyler asked is there a timetable for this? First Selectman Patton commented that he does not want it dragged out, how about the beginning of August. A member from the Board of Finance has not been named yet. It was agreed that the final report would be due at the 1st meeting of the Board of Selectmen in August 2003.
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED THAT THE ABOVE CHARGE FOR THE FIRE COMMISSION STUDY COMMITTEE BE ACCEPTED AND THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE BE APPOINTED AT THIS TIME TO THE STUDY COMMITTEE:
WILLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT #1 – TYLER MILLIX
WILLINGTON HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT – TOM SNYDER
BOARD OF SELECTMEN – JACK LEWIS
TAX PAYER – BOB LISIEWSKI
A BOARD OF FINANCE MEMBER AND ANOTHER TAX PAYER TO BE NAMED LATER.
Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
Tyler asked if it was necessary to have a member from the Board of Finance? First Selectman Patton commented that it is good to have the money people on board. The Board of Finance approves $350,000 a year for the fire departments; it is good to see what they would be comfortable with. Selectman Eldredge commented that you want it to represent both departments and eventually have one budget. First Selectman Patton replied yes, the fire departments would go to the Fire Commission and that commission would go to the Board of Finance. The Fire Commission would also check on training and equipment. Tyler commented that this is something to help get both departments together. First Selectman Patton commented that he sees that the requirements for fire departments are growing more and
more each year; hours needed for courses are growing each year. It is getting complex and we need a commission to see how we are doing. We have a lot of dedicated people. Selectman Eldredge asked if now you must sit down and check everything yourselves? Tyler commented yes, every day. Stuart Cobb commented that we have pages and pages of regulations.
REGULAR MEETING -3- MAR. 17, 2003
First Selectman Patton commented that this is a real positive thing. Tyler commented that it could relieve some of the burdens from the chiefs.
BUDGET
First Selectman Patton gave revised copies of the budget to the Board and commented that the Board of Finance received the same copies. The Board of Finance had reduced some items but brought it back when we submitted a .78%. The Board of Finance accepted it as presented, with the caveat that they have the right to change their mind.
TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $433.01 TO CHASE MANHATTAN MORTGAGE CORP.
Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $233.73 TO FORD MOTOR CREDIT CO.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $248.79 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 $377.69 TO UB VEHICLE LSG. INC. AGENT.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
PUBLIC WORKS
First Selectman Patton commented that we finished with the last storm last week. Stuart asked if we were going
to get any money from FEMA? First Selectman commented that we may get around $30,000. First Selectman Patton reported that the Solid Waste Advisory Committee met Saturday and voted to amend the Transfer Station Ordinance striking Section 4, paragraph (4). This will abandon the idea of allowing haulers to go to the Transfer Station. If people contract with private haulers, the haulers will go directly to Preston. Residents will still be able to go to the Transfer Station. Other towns do this; Columbia was the latest one to do it. People that use haulers may have an increase from $16.00 per month to $19.00. Given the cost of running the Transfer Station it could be a savings of $40,000. Selectman Lewis commented that the overall majority of people go directly to the
Transfer Station. First Selectman Patton commented that approximately 345 residents use curbside pickup and 45 dumpsters. Originally, having haulers go to the Transfer Station was temporary to smooth over the transition from a landfill to a transfer station. It is an issue we have to face sooner or later. First Selectman Patton commented that we will have to have a Town Meeting to do this and there are 2 other items, the Treasurer’s Ordinance and to convey a piece of property that may or may not belong to the Town to Jeff Passardi. Jeff thinks the Town owns it, we don’t know but we will convey it, it is .12 or .13 acres. Selectman Lewis asked if this was being done to clean things up for him? First Selectman Patton replied yes and Jeff paid the legal fees for the research. We will put all three on one Town Meeting.
REGULAR MEETING -4 MAR. 17, 2003
The Board will have a special meeting to set the Town Meeting date. First Selectman Patton commented that SWAC considered Selectman Eldredge’s suggestion to eliminate dumpsters only and save $28,000 but decided to go with no haulers at all. Selectman Lewis commented that this could bring the general government to 0%. First Selectman Patton commented that there is a piece of property on Village Hill Road and Lucerne Drive, across from Halcheks, that is the site of some concern. The Halcheks are using it for parking, the neighbors complain and the Town is in the middle. The Town owns the property next to the wall, at some point we gave Joe Halchek the road and he gave it back to the Town. Selectman Eldredge commented that Joe Halchek said he gave the Town the new road property and
the Town gave him the old road. First Selectman Patton commented that it seems like we gave him that portion and he gave it back to us, no one can figure it out. First Selectman Patton would like Karl Acimovic, the Town Engineer, to get a definite survey. Selectman Lewis asked how big is it and was told about ½ acre, the Town has it down as worth $20,000. First Selectman Patton commented that it would be good to do a survey, then someone could buy it, no one pays taxes on it. First Selectman Patton commented that we are trying to working out something on Hockla Farms Road. The last time we were going to try to put in the road from Daleville and split the cost, first it was $110,000 and then $80,000. Talking to the owner again, we could continue the road at the same width to a 50x50 turn-a-round instead of going all the way through and build to our specs. Selectman Eldredge asked if that would give him access to his property?
First Selectman Patton replied yes and we need to clear one pipe. Karl Acimovic is looking at it. First Selectman Patton commented that he does not want to make a big project of it, do it so emergency vehicles and buses can get up there. Selectman Lewis asked if there is enough land to do that? First Selectman Patton commented that the owner will deed over the property. Selectman Lewis asked was it both sides of the road? First Selectman Patton replied yes and we will split the cost. First Selectman Patton commented that all roads, especially dirt roads, are horrible. Village Hill Bridge will start back up soon. Stuart asked if the Board of Finance minutes and CIP minutes could be put on the Internet. First Selectman Patton commented that he would look into it.
GOOD & WELFARE
First Selectman Patton commented that hopefully our troops will be safe.
FIRST SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED THAT WE SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT AND OUR TROOPS IN DEALING WITH THE IRAQIS.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (PATTON, ELDREDGE & LEWIS) 0 NO
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:40 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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