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 DEC. 15, 2003
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING 6:30 P. M.
First Selectman Eldredge called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Blessington & Patton, L. Nicholls, F. Grimason, P.Grimason, T. Radell, M. Bilodeau, J. Lewis, S. Lewis, M. Dinallo, R. Hisey, A. St. Louis, D. Woodworth, T. Millex
First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 12/1/03 and 12/11/03.
Selectman Patton said minutes of 12/11/03 should explain the reason for going into executive session.
Selectman Eldredge agreed that the minutes should show that the board went to executive session to discuss public safety.
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 12/11/03 WITH CORRECTIONS.
Selectman Blessington withdrew his motion and seconded Selectman Patton’s motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 12/1/03 AS WRITTEN.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Frank Grimason spoke about his land on Krivanec road, which he had divided into two lots and gave one lot to his son. The land had been placed into open space. When he got his tax bill his bill had gone. He spoke to the assessor and she said when he gave the land to his son it was change of use and he should have reapplied for open space. He was told at that time that he didn’t have to reapply because it wasn’t change of use. And they have been taxed as open space for ten years. He spoke to Ron Olsen at the State and he said it was up to the discretion of the Assessor to change it. He said he couldn’t tell the assessor to do it though. He also spoke to Steve Lesinsky and he also agreed that the Assessor could change it as the town made the error. He put it back into open space but the Assessor wants to
put the land on another ten-year conveyance and he doesn’t feel this is correct. Selectman Eldredge said that they would talk to the Assessor.
Tony Radell, of 103 Willington Hill Road, was present to speak about the reevaluation. He said his assessment went up about 50% and if the mill rate stays the same his taxes will go up about 50%. He wondered anyone know if the mill rate will go down? Selectman Eldredge said he expected the mill rate would go down. John Patton said that the grand list probably went up around 30% so if his assessment went up 50% his taxes will go up. Selectman Eldredge said the reassessment is based on sales and that everyone should check their card for errors.
Ralph Hisey spoke and said he did not think the town explained well what the reason for the assessment, to equalize the property values. In the future the town should explain the purpose, the methods, and how it applies to the grand list.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
CONSULTING AGREEMENT OF EILEEN MILLER
Selectman Eldredge said that the town attorney feels that Eileen Miller should have liability insurance. The cost of the 180-day contract is $15,600.00, from November 24 for 180 days, and she also billed hourly for October and November, which was another $3000.00. The overall agreement will cost $18,600.00 Selectman Eldredge asked for a motion to authorize the first selectman to enter into this contract with Eileen Miller.
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
SENIOR CENTER
The first billing has been received. Eileen has been on the job and they are about 2 weeks behind. They just finished the clearing and are about to start on the sediment pool. Selectman Eldredge says the senior center is on budget and no change orders have been accepted as yet.
SELECTMAN PATTON asked about Lucerne and Village Hill Road. Selectman Eldredge said he had not heard back from Carol Briggs. Selectman Patton wanted to know what her direction would be. Selectman Eldredge said she was going to research it as to whether it belongs to the Town and if it could be sold. Selectman Patton asked if she was going to do a title search. Selectman Eldredge said yes. Selectman Patton asked if she was going to do it or if a title company would do it. Selectman Patton said a title search is not what is needed. Selectman Eldredge said we have to make up a title for the property. Selectman Patton we needed a survey not a title search and Karl would need to do it. Selectman Eldredge said when the town attorney feels confident that we can sell it then we will go from there.
Selectman Patton asked if the Hokla Farms Road property for the turn around had an 8-24 review. Selectman Eldredge has sent it to Planning and Zoning for review. Selectman Patton said we are acquiring the land and wondered if the town meeting was valid since the 8-24 review had not been done previously. Selectman Eldredge asked why it wasn’t done when you were First Selectman and the agreements were drawn up. Selectman Patton said there is a certain point when you go there and he didn’t have anything to go with at the time. Selectman Blessington said you voted with the rest of us to send it to town meeting why wasn’t it brought up then. Selectman Patton said it only came to his attention at the town meeting when Al St. Louis brought it up at the town meeting. Selectman Blessington said we would have to
ask the lawyer about it. Al St. Louis said he thought Selectman Eldredge had received memos about the 8-24. Selectman Eldredge said he received a memo stating what the 8-24 was. Mr. St. Louis said that when the town acquires, purchases, or conveys land it has to have an 8-24 review and if the town meeting is the final stage then it has to go for review before the town meeting. Selectman Eldredge will ask the attorney.
PLANNING & ZONING ALTERNATE
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPOINT MATTHEW DINALLO TO THE POSITION OF PLANNING & ZONING ALTERNATE, WHICH WILL BECOME VACANT ON DECEMBER 18, 2003 UPON THE EXPIRATION OF THE TERM CURRENTLY FILLED BY WILLIAM GOODALE.
Selectman Eldredge seconded.
Selectman Patton asked if the policy was changing on getting recommendations from the board for positions. Selectman Blessington said they are not asking for recommendations. Selectman Patton said he must have missed the meeting where the policy was changed. Selectman Blessington said this was the meeting where the policy was changing. Selectman Patton asked for a clarification of the policy and if the boards were going to be informed that they would not be asked for recommendations. Selectman Eldredge said it could be done either way. Selectman Patton said he had no problem with Matt Dinallo.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
Selectman Blessington asked that in the future could the agenda include the name, board, and position that is being filled. Selectman Eldredge and Selectman Patton agreed.
Tyler Millex asked about the position filled last meeting on the Solid Waste Advisory Commission; the position must be filled by a Selectman. Selectman Eldredge said John Sahi had given his resignation as of today and someone from the Board of Selectman would take the position.
WATER QUALITY AT WILLINGTON HILL FIRE COMPANY
The water tests from the well at Willington Hill Fire Company are back and coliform contamination in the water. They are posting signs. This happens occasionally, as it is a hand dug well.
Selectman Patton said that he had read that Eagleville is responding to mutual aid for Willington Hill Fire instead of Willington Fire #1. Tyler Millex said he interpreted the letter to say that during the day Monday through Friday Willington #1 will respond to Willington Hill district for mutual aid; the remainder of the time Eagleville will respond for mutual aid to the right side of route 74 and Willington #1 will respond to the left side of Route 74. Selectman Eldredge said he had not seen the letter and wanted to know whom it was from. Tyler Millex said it was from Chief Ed D’Agata. Selectman Patton wanted to know if it could be looked into because there are paid people at Willington #1 and they cannot respond to his house. Tyler Millex said both departments are free to make their own policy. Selectman
Blessington wanted to see a copy of the letter and invite both departments to the next Board of Selectman’s meeting.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Selectman Eldredge said Mrs. Pat Wright has expressed an interest in filling the alternate position on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Selectman Blessington said there would also be two regular positions open as Carl Csiki is leaving as of the first of January and Dick Claus’s appointment expires the end of December. Selectman Blessington suggested that they should invite Mrs. Wright to the next Board of Selectman meeting to discuss the matter with her and also send a letter to vice-chairman Rick Maloney and invite a representative to the next Board of Selectman meeting.
BOARD OF FINANCE
Selectman Patton said that the letter to the Board of Finance should read $18.82 per diem increase until the check is cut. Selectman Eldredge will correct it. Selectman Patton also said the motion should ask for an appropriation not a transfer. Selectman Blessington asked if the amount asked for would be enough. Selectman Eldredge said Finance had checked the figures but he would have them double check it. Selectman Eldredge said the court costs had been resolved and was now $700.00. Selectman Patton suggested the total appropriation should be increased to $102,000. Selectman Eldredge said they would wait to call for the town meeting until after this goes to the Board of Finance.
PUBLIC WORKS
Selectman Eldredge said Lynn Nicholls would not be at the meeting as she was resting after clearing the roads from the last storm. The crew lost the use of one truck during the storm as the sander on Jeff Semelrock’s truck broke. Selectman Patton asked about the interviews being held for the position of Transfer Station Operator. Selectman Patton asked if he could be allowed to look at the applications. Selectman Eldredge said he was not involving himself in the process and he thought Selectman Patton had received the applications. Selectman Patton said no. Selectman Eldredge said he had left it up to Lynn Nicholls and Selectman Blessington to do the interviews.
Selectman Patton wanted to know the status of grievances. Selectman Eldredge said per Helene, there had been no date set for arbitration. Selectman Patton said a letter had been sent asking that a date be set up for arbitration. Selectman Eldredge said he had not seen such a letter.
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Patton asked for the status of Selectman Eldredge’s insurance. Selectman Eldredge said he has paid it. Selectman Eldredge said he had discussed it with Finance. They said he had paid a portion of it when he was still working at the Transfer Station and he has now paid the remainder of December. Selectman Eldredge said that you can’t cover your own health insurance, it is too expensive. Selectman Eldredge said one elected official can by into the insurance at 30/70, why couldn’t others as it is a necessity. Selectman Patton asked if Selectman Eldredge wanted to change this for this term. Selectman Eldredge said he wanted the same option as other elected official to buy into the insurance. Selectman Patton said the job of First Selectman was never meant to be a full time job and to be
their sole source of income. Selectman Eldredge disagreed. Selectman Blessington asked if only the rich could hold this job. Selectman Eldredge asked why only one elected official could buy into the health insurance at 30/70. Selectman Patton said there is no difference between allowing the buy in and giving yourself a $12,000 a year raise and there is nothing hidden about the benefits of the job. Selectman Blessington asked why one elected official in town who has this deal. Selectman Patton said the Town Clerk is the most responsible job in town making sure that records are correct and is considered to be full time job and that is why in many towns the position is appointed. The mistakes that could be made aren’t going to show up immediately but will show up years from now when the land records are wrong. They are responsible that your records and files are correct. Selectman Patton said that he was willing to discuss the matter as it may effect the next term, but if
Selectman Eldredge wanted to change it during this term, he had the votes on the board to do it. Selectman Eldredge said he would not do that, it would be unethical even though he had the votes; he is just asking Selectman Patton and Selectman Blessington to consider it.
Selectman Patton asked about the Freedom of Information complaint against the Recreation Department. Selectman Eldredge said the attorney stated this should not be discussed at the Board of Selectman’s meeting. Selectman Patton wanted to know if the town attorney would be representing the Recreation Department at the hearing on January 9. Selectman Eldredge said an attorney would represent them.
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:35 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Pam McCormick
Acting Secretary
| 
