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 JAN. 5, 2004
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, D. Cutter, R. Maloney, A. Poole, T. Radell, T. Vonasek, P. Wright, N. Wilson, the Library Building Committee and townspeople. First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 12/15/03 WITH THE FOLLOWING CORRECTIONS: PAGE 1, LINE 2, PRESENT TO SPEAK SHOULD READ WHEN HE GOT HIS TAX BILL IT HAD GONE UP FROM $1,650 TO $56,000. PAGE 2, CONSULTING AGREEMENT OF E. MILLER, MOTION SHOULD READ: SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE FIRST SELECTMAN TO ENTER INTO THE CONTRACT WITH EILEEN MILLER. PAGE 3, LINE 1, WATER QUALITY AT WILLINGTON HILL FIRE CO. SHOULD READ THERE IS COLIFORM CONTAMINATION IN THE WATER. PAGE 3 ABOUT MUTUAL AID SHOULD HAVE HEADING MUTUAL AID.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 12/24/03.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Tony Radell, PZC chair, was present to discuss how the Board appoints people to Boards & Commissions. In the past, a person went to the meeting of the Board/Commission and then the Board/Com. wrote to the Board of Selectmen with a recommendation for appointment. At the last Board of Selectmen’s meeting this practice was changed and now a person is appointed without going to any Board/Com. meetings and without a recommendation from that Board/Com. Mr. Radell commented that they would like the opportunity to meet with the candidate before the appointment and asked the Board to go back to the old way of appointing or at least notify us before appointing and we would have the opportunity to go to your meeting. Selectman Blessington commented that in the past this was used to delay or block
nominations to boards, he agrees that we should notify you and but as far as sending people to your meeting it can be political. We will notify the board chairs. Selectman Patton commented to Mr. Radell that he is right; you should have the opportunity to talk to the candidate first. Mr. Radell commented that he would like notice before the PZC meeting so he could tell all the members and they can go to the meeting also. The Board agreed.
REGULAR MEETING -2- JAN. 5, 2004
Rick Maloney, ZBA vice chair, was present to report that the ZBA is recommending that Tom Smith and Norman Wilson be moved from alternate to regular positions and that Annmarie Poole and Patti Wright be appointed as alternates.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
LIBRARY BUILDING COMMITTEE
Dale Cutter, Architect for the new Library, and the Library Building Committee were present. Dale distributed a cost estimate and a function/area listing and made a presentation to the Board showing drawings of the new Library. The site is on the corner of Rt. 320 N & Rt. 74; it will be 12,000 square feet on two levels, costing about $2 million for construction and $300,000 for site development. The upper level will consist of the children’s section, adult section and reading room; the lower level will be a community room for about 120 people and unfinished room for future expansion. The handicap access will be through the main entrance, there will be an elevator and a stairway to the lower level. It will be a brick building, some wood shingles, fiberglass shingles on the roof and
pre-finished windows. There is parking for 40 cars. Selectman Patton asked if the trees would be cut down in the front and side so you could see the building? Mr. Cutter commented that they would be re-grading so trees will come down. Mr. Cutter commented that they are talking to Sue Yorgensen, Zoning Agent, regarding the R80 zone; they want to work on an amendment for educational/government use. This can take time so we want to keep everything going while we pursue this. Selectman Blessington asked about wetlands. Mr. Cutter commented that they have been flagged, we took the wetlands into account, and we are almost ready to go to the Inlands/Wetlands Com.. How far do we need to go in the zoning process before the referendum? Selectman Patton commented that we wanted to get to the point where you feel comfortable with the numbers to go to referendum; we never intended to get zoning approval before referendum. Selectman
Blessington commented that we would like to see at least pre-approval from PZC & IWC before referendum. First Selectman Eldredge asked what would be the big stumbling block? Selectman Patton commented that if we get IWC approval first they would want all the drainage and septic first. Mr. Cutter commented that the anticipated flow is less then for a house; going for IWC approval first will require a lot more, we would be happy to make an informal presentation to them. Selectman Patton commented that we have to feel comfortable to get the approval to build. Mr. Cutter commented that we might need a detention basin. Selectman Patton commented that you should assume you do. Mr. Cutter commented that these drawings have been given to our estimator to check the figures. We are coming up with a better budget estimate, then do the design for heating etc. and get back to he estimator so we will be comfortable going to the Town.
First Selectman Eldredge commented that he thinks we can then go to the Town. Selectman Patton asked if we want to go to referendum before IWC or after? First Selectman Eldredge commented that he would like to reach the point where they are comfortable with the numbers. Selectman Blessington asked if IWC can express their opinion, basically say they will approve that footprint? Mr. Cutter commented that there is an approval of intent. Selectman Blessington commented that is what he would be looking for from IWC, you do not want IWC to say you can’t do it. Selectman Patton commented that you have to meet the PZC requirements and that is what we are doing, IWC has a lot more latitude and discretion along with authority, they are an agent of the State but he does not see anything in here that says you won’t be able to do it. IWC will probably ask for a detention basin to slow it down, the construction itself is outside
of the wetlands; the increased flow will impact, if you can slow it down before it gets to the wetlands they shouldn’t care. It will require a lot of engineering, more work and additional expensive. First Selectman Eldredge asked couldn’t they do a cursory review? Selectman Patton commented that the agent could do that and say yes it makes some sense but do you want to put in an application? First Selectman Eldredge replied he didn’t think so, just some kind of a review by them. Selectman Patton commented that you could do a pre-application, not approval. First Selectman Eldredge commented that at that
REGULAR MEETING -3- JAN. 5, 2004
point he would feel comfortable and we could bring it to the Town. Selectman Patton commented that he would feel very comfortable bring it to the Town before we go through all the engineering and get the actual approval. Making a presentation to IWC is not a bad idea. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he wants to be comfortable that $3million is going to be the total expense. Mr. Cutter commented that a lot of the figures are predictable except the bonding expense might be a little more but we have built in a contingency in each category. Selectman Patton commented that legal and bonding are a bit low and short-term notes plus the interest could be $20,000/25,000. Suzanne Chapman commented that we are being very careful about spending. We want to spend as little as possible
to get to the point where we can do informal presentations to talk about the referendum and get to where the Town says yes you can build it; we do not want to go to great lengths on engineers. PZC & IWC will only act on a formal application. First Selectman Eldredge commented that they could look at it and comment on it and give a vote of confidence. Suzanne commented that we would like to get to that point without pulling out all stops.
VILLAGE HILL RD./LUCERNE DR.
First Selectman Eldredge commented that we have looked over the deeds; he has contacted the Selectmen from 1993 and talked to them about this. Former Selectman Csiki believes the Town gave that property to Joe Halchek. The Town Engineer, Karl Acimovic, determined it is the Towns property. Tomorrow we will have a meeting with the Town Attorney. Selectman Patton commented that we never deeded it to J. Halchek; everything shows that the Town owns it. Mr. Vonasek commented that his deed says his land goes to Village Hill Road. Selectman Patton commented that this is a dilemma; we can’t just say J. Halchek owns that area; we would have to go to Town Meeting. In the Assessor’s records the Town owns it and that’s why he doesn’t pay taxes on it. If we decide
it is Halcheks then lets get a deed and give it to him; if we decide it is ours and we want to get rid of it, lets sell it. Lets not let this thing drag out. First Selectman Eldredge commented that the attorney will review it tomorrow and if it is agree that what they did in 1993 was give it to Halchek then there should be a deed. Selectman Blessington commented that we can argue this all night, lets get our legal opinion and let others get their legal opinion, if they want they can take it to court otherwise we can go with the opinion. A resident commented that the burden of proof is on J. Halchek. First Selectman Eldredge commented that in 1993 the Board thought they solved the problem. Tuesday we will look into this further.
APPOINTMENTS
First Selectman Eldredge commented that we did not hear from the Chairs of Economic Development and Historic District Commission regarding re-appointments so we will do them at the next meeting.
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVE TO APPOINT THOMAS SMITH AS A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS, TERM EFFECTIVE 12/31/03 TO 12/31/08 AND TO APPOINT NORMAN WILSON AS A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS, TERM EFFECTIVE 1/1/04 TO 12/31/04.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPOINT PATTI WRIGHT AS AN ALTERNATE ON THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS, TO REPLACE THOMAS SMITH, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATE TO 12/31/04.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
REGULAR MEETING -4- JAN. 5, 2004
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPOINT ANNEMARIE POOLE AS AN ALTERNATE ON THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS, TO REPLACE NORMAN WILSON, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATE TO 12/31/06.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn Nicholls, Supervisor of Public Works, reported that they are checking vehicles coming into the Transfer Station; out of town cars have been using it. When there is no snow they are mowing and trying to stay ahead of water runoff. They met with Karl Acimovic on the GASB. She is getting 2 more bids on the waste oil. They are finishing up sand delivery to the elderly and working on inventory. First Selectman Eldredge commented that Public Works is doing a tremendous job and Lynn, who is a new Public Works Supervisor, has a commendable record and I just want to thank her.
RESOLUTION REGARDING RESIGNATION OF GOVERNOR
Selectman Patton read the following: As public officials, we are given a public trust to use our offices honestly and for the betterment of the Town and its citizens. It is also incumbent upon us to speak out when, in our opinion, an elected official has breached that trust so egregiously that he or she must resign for the good of the Town or State. It is certainly the case when that person is the Governor of our good state. It is a sad day when we need to discuss such an issue but discuss it and decide we should. This personally distresses me as I voted four times for this man as Governor.
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Governor Rowland has violated the public trust he was given when elected as a constitutional officer of this State. In this past year, he paid nearly $9,000 to finish an ethics investigation of his use of vacation homes. He previously paid a $2,000 fine for taking “undervalued” concert tickets. He settled an Election Commission investigation into his use of the Republican Party credit card. No previous Governor has ever paid an ethics fine let alone two. He now admits to having work being done for free on his cottage after adamantly stating that he paid for the work. Not coming clean to begin with tells me he knew that what he was doing was wrong. He also repeatedly concealed the truth about his real estate partnerships with contractors who worked for the
State.
He lied when he said his office did not oversee the awarding of State contracts. His former Deputy Chief of Staff plead guilty to steering state contracts in exchange for kickbacks. Other members of the Governor’s inner circle have met similar fates.
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The Governor’s ability to lead and the people’s faith in him have been destroyed by the Governor’s own actions. He needs to spare the state the spectacle of impeachment, federal investigations, and ultimately state investigations and resign for the good of the State of Connecticut.
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SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION: ~
WHEREAS THE GOVERNOR HAS REPEATEDLY LIED, CONCEALED THE TRUTH, COMMITTED NUMEROUS ETHICAL VIOLATIONS AND ARGUABLY CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS.
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WHEREAS THE WILLINGTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN SEEK TO ENSURE A STABLE GOVERNMENT WHICH CAN FOCUS IN THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON THE DIFFICULT PROBLEMS AHEAD FOR THE STATE INSTEAD OF IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS, AND FEDERAL AND STATE INVESTIGATIONS CONCERNING THE GOVERNOR’S ACTIONS.
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REGULAR MEETING -5- JAN. 5, 2004
THE WILLINGTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN ASK THAT GOVERNOR ROWLAND RESIGN FROM HIS POSITION AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT FOR THE GOOD OF THE STATE, ITS MUNICIPALITIES AND ITS CITIZENS.
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FURTHERMORE, THE FIRST SELECTMAN SHALL NOTIFY OUR REPRESENTATIVES AND THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF OUR RESOLUTION.
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
Discussion on the resolution followed. First Selectman Eldredge commented that personally he does not support anyone that is crooked in government; I support his resignation but do not feel comfortable making this resolution for the people of Willington. Selectman Patton commented that we are speaking as a Board. Selectman Blessington commented that he has a problem with this because there is a method for handling this. Selectman Patton commented that we are elected officials in a leadership position and sometimes you have to take a position. Some of the townspeople present felt the Board was elected to represent them and could pass the resolution; other townspeople felt the board should not pass the resolution.
VOTE: YES 1 (PATTON) NO 2 (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON)
TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $190.94 TO GMAC.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
GOOD & WELFARE
First Selectman Eldredge commented that he went to Marianne Panciera’s wake. It was very sad; she is going to be sorely missed. She served on many committees; her passing will leave a mark on the community.
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:15 P.M.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary
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