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 MAY 3, 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. Donahue, S. & J. Lewis, R. Tulis and T. Vonasek. First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 4/18/04.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Ted Vonasek was present to follow up on the land owned by the Town on Village Hill Rd. He is requesting that No Parking signs be placed there. Mr. Vonasek pulled over there to help a lady with directions. The grandson of the neighbor across the street came out yelling at him to get off his property. Mr. Vonasek went back to take pictures of the vehicles parked there and the No Trespassing sign and the grandfather came out yelling at him. They have since moved the vehicles. First Selectman Eldredge commented that we would get signs up.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
First Selectman Eldredge commented that we received a letter asking us to sign up to be included as a filing party to an Amicus Brief to support the State and the Town of Kent in the Schaghticoke Tribal Acknowledgment Petition Appeal. They will appeal the BIA Schaghticoke Tribal Recognition decision. It will not cost the Town of Willington anything. The Board agreed to be included in this.
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED THAT THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN SUPPORT THE AMICUS BRIEF AGAINST THE BIA SCHAGHTICOKE TRIBAL RECOGNITION.
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
NORTH PROPERTY
Dan Donahue was present to discuss the North property and the outcome of the UCONN meeting regarding this property. Dan reported that the meeting on Fri. was with the UCONN President, Vice President and other high ranking officials. The case was made for UCONN to accept the Nocross offer (Norcross would purchase the North property and donate it to the University in exchange for a conservation easement on the North property and the UCONN property next to it) and take the offer to the Board of Trustees. It appears that the President is not willing to go to the Trustees since the restrictions would be permanent.
REGULAR MEETING -2- MAY 3, 2004
Dan commented that he does not have anything in writing right now but it appears the President would be willing to talk about a permanent restriction on the North property and an easement on UCONN property for between 40 and 60 years. After that it is uncertain what would happen. That leaves a lot of questions open. The Town of Willington must decide if they are willing to wait another 3 months or so to hear from UCONN. Dan commented that the Town must consider the short and long-term maintenance and there are options to explore after you decide if you want to wait. Selectman Patton commented that after what you reported, as far as he is concerned that is a no. We need to come to an agreement. We could log the property and make four 20 acre lots. Dan commented that he
understands and he does not think Norcross likes what UCONN is offering, he agrees that this is probably a dead end. Dan commented that there is way to look at that land and it could serve for the library. You could sell the front and keep the back for timber, timber companies are always looking for timber, and this would also satisfy Mr. North’s wishes. Dan would like to discuss some options. Selectman Patton commented that he would be happy to work with Dan on this. First Selectman Eldredge commented that that would be fine. Selectman Blessington commented that he is concerned about going to another bureaucracy that could take another 3 years, he agrees with Selectman Patton’s first assessment but we can talk about options. Dan commented that there are more scenarios that can bring in more revenue for the library than selling 4 lots. You could sell 4 home sites and retain the back land and over the long term it would be a
steady income. First Selectman Eldredge commented that we will try to develop scenarios, Dan and Selectman Patton will work together and put numbers together.
APPOINTMENTS
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO RE-APPOINT THE FOLLOWING TO THE INLAND/WETLANDS COMMISSION: KENNETH METZLER AND FRANK DIRRIGL AS REGULAR MEMBERS, TERMS EFFECTIVE MAY 16, 2004 TO MAY 16, 2007 AND SARA CALVERT AS AN ALTERNATE MEMBER, TERM EFFECTIVE MAY 16, 2004 TO MAY 16, 2007.
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPOINT KATHLEEN PACHOLSKI AS AN ALTERNATE MEMBER OF THE INLAND/WETLANDS COMMISSION, TO FILL A VACANCY, TERM EFFECTIVE MAY 16, 2004 TO MAY 16, 2007.
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON) 1 ABSTAIN (PATTON) 0 NO
PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn Nicholls commented that the sweeper is ready and the grader is good. We will start sweeping on Tues. if the crew shows up. We are 75% mowed, we aerated the Town Green and are ready to fertilize. Some street signs were taken down and moved all around. Lynn let the State Police and the Fire Dept. know that there was no street signs on many of the roads. First Selectman Eldredge commented that there was about $700.00 worth of damage at Fenton Ruby Park over the weekend. Lynn reported that the beaver dam is a problem. Lynn also reported that there is a Willington resident that has a trash collection business card; on Fri. afternoon she followed him from Mansfield to his home in Willington with a full truck of trash. She told the Transfer Station Operator to watch for him on
Sat. and he did show up at the Transfer Station. Members of the Solid Waste Advisory Com. were there and talked to the person with the trash. All the trash looked like an apartment or a barn had been cleaned out. A letter will be sent to this person. Lynn commented that we are trying to stay on top of everything. First Selectman Eldredge asked if there was anything from CL&P on Ketches Bridge? Lynn commented that they said next week and she talked to Karl Acimovic about the bids.
REGULAR MEETING -3- MAY 3, 2004
Selectman Patton asked what is going on with the drug testing. First Selectman Eldredge commented that we sent letters that we would pay for 2 employees to get their CDL licenses but the employees have not responded yet. Lynn commented that she was shocked that not all of the municipal employees driving town vehicles were under the drug testing. Selectman Patton commented that nothing was mentioned about CDL in the letter. Lynn commented that we have 3 CDL licensed employees and 3 without CDL. Only the ones with CDL are given the drug tests the others are not. They should all be part of the random drug testing. We were looking at options and safety, Lynn talked to the shop steward and the union talked to the First Selectman. Selectman Patton commented that he knew nothing of
this. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he handled it with the union but nothing has been done yet.
TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $250.27 TO PATRICIA TOSTI.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
GOOD & WELFARE
First Selectman Eldredge reported that on Sat. he received calls from 3 residents regarding the Golden Eagle. He went by to look at it and saw 50 to 70 people walking around with bottles and cups. He then went to Troop C and asked them to go there to evaluate. They went there and said they felt that there was no violation of State statutes; it was on the Golden Eagle property. They did make people move some vehicles from other private property. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he talked to central dispatch about drinking outside the café and was told you would have to know what their permit said. Ralph Tulis asked if First Selectman Eldredge knew if the beer came from the bar or did they bring it with them? Selectman Patton commented that she has always said they
bring it from home. Selectman Blessington commented that he didn’t thing bars allowed you to bring your own drinks. That’s why they were outside. Selectman Patton suggested that First Selectman Eldredge call the Liquor Commission. Selectman Blessington commented that that’s not our only option. Ralph Tulis commented that the PZC approval is not for outside seating, he is not sure if she is allowed to serve outside, he is not sure she is allowed to bring in beer to consume outside. Selectman Blessington commented that we could pursue the Liquor Commission and the legality of the permit. Selectman Patton commented that the Liquor Commission holds a permit hearing and people can complain at that also. Selectman Blessington asked if the zoning requirements regarding liquor refer back to State statute, if she is in violation of State laws is she in violation of PZC? First Selectman Eldredge commented that we will get a
legal opinion on violation of the permit. Selectman Blessington commented that if she is, we can send a letter to the Zoning agent and the Liquor Commission. Ralph commented that the Town must wait for the State to take action first. Selectman Blessington commented that at least the letters will be on record. First Selectman Eldredge commented that we will get the legal opinion and have the letters sent and he will find out if Troop C has a record of Saturday’s incident. First Selectman Eldredge reminded everyone about the Referendum tomorrow.
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:00 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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