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. 2, 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, R. Knight, J. & S. Lewis, T. Millix and T. Vonasek. First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 1/20/04.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Ted Vonasek was present to ask the Board about the status of the property on Village Hill and Lucerne Roads. First Selectman Eldredge commented that they would make a statement under old business.
Tyler Millix asked if his e-mail about contacting him was received and was told yes. Tyler asked that the phone numbers on the e-mail be used to contact him not the Firehouse number.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
OLD BUSINESS
First Selectman Eldredge commented that regarding the land issue on Village Hill and Lucerne Roads we believe the property belongs to the Town and we will maintain the property. Mr. Vonasek asked if it would be possible to put no parking signs there? First Selectman Eldredge replied yes. Mr. Vonasek commented that there was a tri-axel there for 5 days, sometimes there is a backhoe; these should not have been there. Mr. Vonasek asked if the State Police will enforce this if someone parks there? Selectman Blessington commented that the Town would tow with the help of the State Police. Mr. Vonasek asked if he should call the State Police if he saw cars parked there and was told yes. Lynn Nichols asked if we are going to notify people about this and was told yes.
APPOINTMENTS
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPOINT MICHELLE THARP, FROM ALTERNATE TO FILL A VACANCY, AS A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY TO NOVEMBER 1, 2005.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
REGULAR MEETING -2- FEB. 2, 2004
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPOINT MICHAEL ELDREDGE, TO FILL A VACANCY, AS A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY TO NOVEMBER 7, 2006.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
Selectman Patton asked First Selectman Eldredge if he had an issue that when he is finished as First Selectman he is hoping to go back to the Transfer Station? First Selectman Eldredge replied no, there may not be an opening there to go to. Selectman Patton commented that he advises that Selectman Blessington take the position. Selectman Blessington commented that they meet on Saturday mornings and he works Saturdays. Selectman Patton commented that he resigned from the position but then said he would be willing to be put back on but the appointment was kept off 2 meetings until now.
VOTE: 1 YES (BLESSINGTON) 1 NO (PATTON) 1 ABSTAIN (ELDREDGE) Motion fails.
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPOINT JOHN SAHI, TO FILL A VACANCY, AS A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY TO NOVEMBER 7, 2006.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn Nicholls, Supervisor of Public Works, commented that SWAC would like to have someone sort the peanuts; we need someone there who knows what the Town is supposed to be doing. First Selectman Eldredge commented that any changes are to be brought to the Board. Tyler Millix commented that SWAC is not empowered to make decisions. Lynn commented that we are trying to keep up with the floods, ice and frozen sand. First Selectman Eldredge asked Lynn if she would need more sand? Lynn commented that it will be close. Selectman Blessington asked if they are having a problem making the quorum for SWAC? Tyler commented no we always had a quorum. Selectman Blessington commented that maybe we can put Selectman Patton on it at the next meeting. Selectman Patton asked what is
the status of the grievances? First Selectman Eldredge commented that the union representative is no longer there. One grievance was withdrawn without prejudice but the other grievance is still active, it will not be heard for a while. Selectman Patton asked which grievance was dropped? First Selectman Eldredge commented that it was the one regarding the Transfer Station and 4 days. Selectman Patton asked if the change back to the way it had been was done at a Board meeting? First Selectman Eldredge commented that he hired the person per the union contract. Selectman Patton commented that the Board made the change and you changed it back as the First Selectman. First Selectman Eldredge commented that there is nothing to change back. The contract is specific to the terms of employment of the Transfer Station Operator. Selectman Patton commented that he is trying to keep up with things, they change and he does not know when. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he has
not heard anything on the other grievance and we don’t know who the union representative is. Selectman Patton asked if First Selectman Eldredge had gotten hold of the mediator? First Selectman Eldredge replied no, he will ask the union president if they have been in contact.
EXTENSION OF WILLIMANTIC WASTE CONTRACT
First Selectman Eldredge commented that he would like permission from the Board to extend the current contract with Willimantic Waste for an additional 2 years. Selectman Patton asked if SWAC recommended this. First Selectman Eldredge commented that they did not have a quorum at the last meeting. This agreement would guarantee the price for the next 5 years. Selectman Patton asked what we own? First Selectman Eldredge commented that we own the compactor not the containers. Tyler Millix commented that he thought that at the meeting before last SWAC discussed putting it out to bid.
REGULAR MEETING -3- FEB. 2, 2004
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED THAT THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH WILLIMANTIC WASTE PAPER COMPANY FOR AN ADDITIONAL 2 YEARS AS PER THEIR PROPOSAL.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
First Selectman Eldredge commented that American Ref-Fuel has approached us about extending their contract. Selectman Patton asked if we are going to bring our bulky waste only to Willimantic and not Manchester? First Selectman Eldredge commented that Manchester said you must remove all electronics before bringing it. We do not have to do that for Willimantic, it is one less cost. Selectman Patton commented that originally we wanted to do some of our own hauling. Tyler Millix commented that we are still exploring that, still fact finding.
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Patton asked about the time line for the new library. M. Bowen commented that the request for approval for 8-24 is going to PZC Tuesday and a resolution must then go to the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and then Town Meeting to set a date for referendum.
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 6:57 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary
| 
