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. 1, 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: Selectman Blessington, L. Nicholls, N. Bailey, S. Chapman, S. Daras, G. Debsi, S. Gifford, L. & R. Hisey, P. Latincsics,
S. & J. Lewis, K. Lisiewski, P. Keefe, R. Knight, R. Passardi and G. Prusak. Selectman Patton was absent. First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 2/17/04.
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK – No one.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
WILLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE INTRODUCED THE FOLLOWING MOTION.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
(a) That the Board of Selectmen hereby designates for submission to the voters at referendum to be held March 30, 2004 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., in the manner provided by Section 7-7 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, Revision of 1958, as amended, the following resolution for consideration as set forth below, at a Town Meeting to be held March 16, 2004.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Town of Willington appropriate $3,000,000 for the construction of an approximately 18,740 square foot, two-story public library building and related site improvements. The appropriation may be spent for design and construction costs, materials, architect’s fees, engineering fees, legal fees, net interest on borrowings and other financing costs, and other expenses related to the project.
(ii) That the Town issue its serial bond or notes, in an amount not to exceed THREE MILLION DOLLARS ($3,000,000) to finance the appropriation for the project. The bonds or notes shall be issued pursuant to Sections 7-369 and 10-289 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, Revision of 1958, as amended, and any other enabling acts. The bonds or notes shall be secured by the irrevocable pledge of the full faith and credit of the Town of Willington. The bonds or notes may be issued in one or more series, and any series may be sold as a single issue or consolidated with any other
REGULAR MEETING -2- MAR. 1, 2004
bonds or notes of the Town. The Treasurer shall keep a record of the bonds or notes. The Selectmen, or a majority of them, and the Treasurer of the Town shall sign the bonds or notes by their manual or facsimile signatures. The bonds or notes shall bear the seal of the Town or a facsimile of the seal. The law firm of Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP is designated as bond counsel to approve the legality of the bonds or notes. The Selectmen, or a majority of them, and the Treasurer are authorized to determine the amount, date, interest rates, maturities, form and other details of the bond or notes; to designate a bank or trust company to be certifying bank, registrar, transfer agent and paying agent for the bonds or notes; to sell the bonds or notes at public or private sale; to deliver the
bonds or notes; and to perform all other acts which are necessary or appropriate to issue the bonds or notes.
(iii) That the Town issue and renew its temporary notes from time to time in anticipation of the receipt of the proceeds from the sale of the bonds or notes and the receipt of State grants for the project. The amount of the notes outstanding at any time shall not exceed THREE MILLION DOLLARS ($3,000,000). The notes shall be issued pursuant to Section 7-378 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, Revision of 1958, as amended, and shall be secured by the irrevocable pledge of the full faith and credit of the Town. The Town shall comply with the provisions of Section 7-378a of the General Statutes if the notes do not mature within the time permitted by said Section 7-378. The Selectmen, or a majority of them, and the Treasurer are authorized to determine the
amounts, dates, interest rates, maturities, form, and other details of the notes; to sell the notes at public or private sale; to execute and deliver the notes; and to perform all other acts which are necessary or appropriate to issue the notes.
(iv) That the Town hereby declares its official intent under Federal Income Tax Regulation Section 1.150-2 that project costs may be paid from temporary advances of available funds and that (except to the extent reimbursed from grant moneys) the Town reasonably expects to reimburse any such advances from the proceeds of borrowings in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of the amount of borrowing authorized for the project. The Selectmen, or a majority of them, and the Treasurer are authorized to amend such declaration of official intent as they deem necessary or advisable and to bind the Town pursuant to such representations and covenants as they deem necessary or advisable in order to maintain the continued exemption from federal income taxation of interest on the
bonds or notes authorized by this resolution if issued on a tax-exempt basis, including covenants to pay rebates of investment earnings to the United States in future years.
(v) That the Selectmen, or a majority of them, and the Treasurer are authorized to make representations and enter into written agreements for the benefit of the holders of the bonds or notes to provide secondary market disclosure information, which agreements may include such terms as they deem advisable or appropriate in order to comply with applicable laws or rules pertaining to the sale or purchase of such bonds or notes.
(vi) That the Selectmen, or a majority of them, and the Treasurer are authorized to approve agreements with third parties to provide for certain assurances with respect to the payment of a portion of the principal and interest on such bonds or notes.
(vii) That the Board of Selectmen, the Treasurer and other proper officers of the Town are authorized to take any other action which is necessary or desirable to enable the Town to complete said project and to issue bonds or notes to finance the aforesaid appropriation.
(b) That the aforesaid resolution shall be placed upon voting machines under the following heading:
“SHALL THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON APPROPRIATE $3,000,000 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN APPROXIMATELY 18,740 SQUARE FOOT, TWO-STORY PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDING AND RELATED SITE IMPROVEMENTS AND AUTHORIZE THE ISSUE OF BONDS AND NOTES IN THE SAME AMOUNT TO DEFRAY SAID APPROPRIATION?”
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Voters approving said resolution will vote “Yes” and those opposing said resolution shall vote “No”. Electors and other people qualified to vote in town meetings who are not electors will vote at the following polling places:
Town Hall
11 Common Road
Willington, Connecticut 06279
Absentee ballots will be available from the Town Clerk’s office.
VOTE: 2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON) 0 NO
The resolution was approved 2 votes in favor and 0 votes opposed.
Selectman Blessington commented that this moves the March 16th Town Meeting to Referendum on March 30, 2004.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
First Selectman Eldredge commented that we have new members on the CIP Committee along with some veterans. It is really a good job; Terry Hoffman worked hard with us and helped us. This is very complicated. Selectman Patton can’t be here tonight but he reviewed it and found one thing missing. We added this as an amendment. First Selectman Eldredge then went through the different pages of the report. In summary, there are a total of 36 project requests; table 1 is a summary listing of all recommended requests. The primary goal is to maintain a steady level of net capital expenditures at around $555,000. Over the last few years this has been reduced to $520,000. The biggest part of the capital expenditures budget is repayment of long-term debt. Bond payments
for the Moose Meadow Road Bridge continue until FY 05, bond payments for the Fenton-Ruby Park, the landfill capping and ADA renovations continue until FY10. The biggest fiscal impact planned next will be the building of a Town library if approved. Bond payments for the library are projected to begin in FY07 and continue for 20 years. This bond payment along with other debt payments will use a major portion of the $520,000. This will leave the available spending balance between $55,000 and $95,000 for a few years until other bonding debt obligations are met. The CIP committee met with the Town’s emergency services regarding space, equipment and stations. All agreed the first priority was protective clothing, roof repair and replacement of the ambulance. They concluded that any major additions or new stations would not be advisable for 10 years but the committee recommends the purchase of desirable property when it becomes available. The Fire Dept. had money in CIP for
equipment and they are requesting that the money go to land purchase. The committee also recommends the Town continue maintenance of the schools and replacement of public works road equipment. Public Works had money in CIP to replace a truck and refurbish another truck but asked that it be used for a loader instead. Table 2 is looking at general fund spending from 06 to 09. Terry Hoffman, Accounting Supervisor, commented that there are different funding sources available; one is the general fund, there is also LOCIP fund and reserve fund. The General Fund of $520,000 is obligated to meet debts first. Because of the overlapping of the library bonding with the bonds we already have there will be 4 lean years. There will not be a lot of funds available for other capital projects, but that is just the general fund, there are other funds available. There are the LOCIP funds, which are pretty restrictive; the reserve fund is money that has
been put away for future projects. The reserve fund has been built up over the years to $898,000, so there will be funds available in those lean years to match to the general fund for other projects. Even though we have 4 lean years in the general fund capital expenditures we do have other funds available. R. Hisey asked if we start out with a balance of $275,000 and based on a library bond obligation we will drop down and have 4 lean years and we will be back to the other balance. Terry Hoffman commented that if you take the $520,000 and
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pay off all the debts in those 4 years, after 4 years 2 bonds drop off and will have been paid in full and it will leave a lot more available cash for other projects. Basically we have 4 leans years but we do have extra put away in the reserve for those years so we will be able to stay even. R. Shabot asked where is the additional money coming from to bump up the reserve fund? Terry commented that we put money in over several years; for the last 2 years we put in $1 85,000 for each year and next year before the debt becomes available on the library we will put in $320,000. Terry commented that if we keep this $520,000 flat every year and meet these obligations there will be no affect on the tax mill rate. Mr. Shabot asked about anticipated growth rate for projects. First Selectman
Eldredge commented that there is no inflation rates added, projects would have to be quoted in that year’s dollars. Terry commented that all the requests are in, we have looked at every thing that we think we might need over the next 5-6 years; something could come up obviously. First Selectman Eldredge commented that then you would have to make adjustments. S. Chapman commented that you built the reserve fund up so we have money for emergencies. Terry replied yes, by the end of 07 it will be up to $828,000. The cost of running the Town will go up regardless of weather the library is built or not but there will be the operating expense of the library down the line. P. Latincsics commented that during the 4 lean years while there is money in the reserve, it is a reserve and we will not be seeking or promoting large-scale CIP projects. Terry commented that the CIP projects that are addressed would be to maintain our assets not to
increase or have new assets
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED THAT WE ACCEPT THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AS PRESENTED BY THE COMMITTEE, WITH THE AMENDMENT IN TABLE 3 THAT SHOWS THE ADDITIONAL LOCIP FUNDING, AND PASS THIS ON TO THE BOARD OF FINANCE.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON) 0 NO
Terry Hoffman explained that the money in the amendment is encumbered but not spent.
PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn Nicholls, Supervisor of Public Works, commented that they have started the GASB, they are brush cutting on the roads that will be chip sealed and they are doing inventory at Public Works. Brian and Jeff Hansen passed the certification for the Transfer Station. First Selectman Eldredge asked if Lynn was meeting with Karl Acimovic regarding Hockla Farms Road? Lynn replied yes.
TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $10.66 TO WILLIAM CHAPMAN.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $836.64 TO COUNTRYWIDE TAX SERVICE.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $1,803.31 TO ALLEN & AMY D’AGATA.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON) 0 NO
REGULAR MEETING -5- MAR. 1, 2004
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $1,555.35 TO TRANSAMERICA REAL ESTATE SERVICE.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON) 0 NO
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Blessington commented that he was here one Monday morning and people are trying to get and he saw people driving by slowly. He thinks it might be better to go back to the 9 AM to 2 PM & 6 PM to 8 PM hours. This will be discussed at the next meeting.
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:14 P.M.
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary
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