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. 15, 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. Brown, P. Latincsics and J. Lewis. First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 3/1/04, WITH THE FOLLOWING CORRECTIONS: PAGE 4, LINE 5, SHOULD BE $185,000, LINE 6 SHOULD BE $300,000 AND UNDER GOOD & WELFARE, LINE 1, SHOULD READ GET IN, NOT GET AND.
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON) 1 ABSTAIN (PATTON) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK – No one.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
First Selectman Eldredge commented that we have received the membership request for dues from the CT Council of Small Towns. Last year was our first year with them and they charged us half price, $412.50. The full price is $825.00 but they will charge us $618.75 for our second year. The Board agreed it was worthwhile to renew our membership.
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED THAT WE RENEW OUR MEMBERSHIP WITH THE CONNECTICUT COUNCIL OF SMALL TOWNS FOR 2004/05 FOR $618.75.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
OLD BUSINESS
First Selectman Eldredge commented that regarding the Senior Center the following is done: the piping is in, the catch basins are in, the storm water retention area and the access road to parking is complete; the foundation footings should be done by the end of the week. Everything is ready for Hockla Farms Road but we are waiting for the deed and the check. The check was scheduled to be here by 2/15/04 so everything will be kicked back about 30 days.
APPOINTMENTS
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPOINT PATTI WRIGHT FROM ALTERNATE MEMBER TO REGULAR MEMBER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS, TO FILL A VACANCY, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY TO DECEMBER 31, 2007.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
REGULAR MEETING -2- MAR. 15, 2004
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPOINT LYNN NICHOLLS AS THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON’S TREE WARDEN EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY TO NOVEMBER 2005.
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
Selectman Patton commented that the Tree Warden needs to be certified and acts as a judge during a dispute over a tree and is usually the First Selectman. The Public Works Supervisor usually makes recommendations regarding the trimming or removal of a tree. If the Public Works Supervisor was the Tree Warden, a homeowner would have no one else to go to in time of a dispute and would think they were not getting a fair deal. First Selectman Eldredge commented that the point is well taken and makes sense. Selectman Patton commented that it might never happen but it could.
VOTE: 3 NO (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPOINT FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE AS THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON’S TREE WARDEN EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY TO NOVEMBER 2005.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPOINT DONALD BROWN AS AN ALTERNATE MEMBER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS, TO FILL A VACANCY, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY TO DECEMBER 31, 2004.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn Nichols commented that we will be going out to bid for oil and it is going up. They are working on brush, culverts and the sweeper. They are getting ready for the storm; the sand is okay. They are also working on GASB. First Selectman Eldredge commented that Lynn has prints for the Kechkes Road Bridge and must coordinate with CL&P. Lynn asked if there was a form for people to sign for when we are working on their property? Selectman Patton commented that Karl Acimovic or the Town Attorney might have a temporary easement. Lynn commented that SNET & CL&P need preliminary prints. Selectman Patton asked how wide the road is? Lynn replied that it is a 2-rod road. First Selectman Eldredge commented that CL&P has the right to move poles from one
side to the other. Lynn commented that it seems that they can take down trees whenever they want. Selectman Patton commented that they need to contact the Tree Warden. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he has a meeting with CL&P coming up. Lynn reported that the white T marks on Lohse Road are aerial surveys.
TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $215.98 TO JOSEPH SWATIK & PATRICIA AMIDON.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $222.09 TO JOSEPH SWATIK & PATRICIA AMIDON.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $234.72 TO JOSEPH SWATIK & PATRICIA AMIDON.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
REGULAR MEETING -3- MAR. 15, 2004
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Patton commented that he looked over the CIP report for mechanics content and didn’t see Rt. 320 & Hancock Road in it, is it gone? First Selectman Eldredge replied yes. Selectman Patton asked what about the ball fields on Rt. 32? First Selectman Eldredge commented that a portion is in CIP and a portion in the Parks & Recreation Fund. Selectman Patton commented that we have no money to finish the project because the National Guard can’t do it so it went to Knights. First Selectman Eldredge commented that the Recreation Com. came to the CIP Com. at the last meeting when the CIP was ready to go to the Board of Selectmen. There will be $19,000 left and they are thinking of trying to do the well, the electric tube for the well and an irrigation system for
the grass. They are also investigating money from the state for recreation fields. Selectman Patton asked about STEAP money? First Selectman Eldredge commented that there is no money there, but if STEAP does get funded they will apply. Selectman Patton commented that my concern is that there is no money in there. First Selectman Eldredge commented that they did not respond to the CIP request and it went to the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Patton asked if the Board of Finance approved it yet? First Selectman Eldredge replied no. Selectman Patton commented that if they do not then they could be added. Selectman Patton asked about Hancock Road. First Selectman Eldredge commented that it is not there now. Lynn asked about this problem and was told about it. Selectman Patton commented that the State thinks it does not have to be done. First Selectman Eldredge commented that that funding has been diverted. Discussion followed about the roads, the fact that you can only
chip seal for so long and the need to redo so many from scratch and the possibility of bonding in the future for roads. While the GASB report is being done roads will be assessed. Peter Latincsics reported that Region 19 is having a budget overview on March 16th. and that we are facing a 15% increase in our portion of the budget. He also wanted to know if anyone had checked the statistics that are reported for Willington. As far as the Board knows we do not check but they do not believe that Region 19 is trying to skew the numbers. The Board of Selectmen will be holding a Town Meeting on March 16th. and are unable to attend the Region 19 meeting. The Board of Finance did send a letter to Region 19 asking them to reduce the budget. Selectman Patton commented that at the last meeting you talked about the hours at the Town Office Building. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he checked with the employees and we
can’t find a better plan. It took the Blue Book 2 years to catch up with the hours the last time. Selectman Patton commented that there is a couple of things you could do, some towns close one day a week. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he did not like the idea of closing one day a week. Selectman Blessington commented that it is best to keep it, I threw an idea out and it was not well received so I am withdrawing it. First Selectman Eldredge commented that each department, each appointed official has a defined work schedule, the days and the hours and he just wants to stay with them. He wants to see them by their actual committed schedules. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he thought about it and talked to most of the people, they are very satisfied with the way it is. There are pros and cons to closing the building one day but he doesn’t feel that we should have a day of the week when people can’t come in here
to conduct business. Selectman Patton asked about the roof at the Town Hall, do you have money in the budget to do that? First Selectman Eldredge commented that he is looking for money to do that.
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:44 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary
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