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 JUNE 21, 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, J. Andersen, S. Chapman D. Donahue, M. & D. Gankofskie S. & J. Lewis,
P. Keef, R. Tulis and N. Vogel. First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 6/17/04.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Registrars of Voters, Judy Andersen and Nancy Vogel were present to discuss using the old Senior Center for voting on August 10, 2004 if there is a primary. We do not meet the criteria for handicap at the Town Hall and have applied for a waiver for the Town Hall but have not heard anything on that yet. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he would like to try it once to see how it would be; this is a good opportunity to try it. Selectman Blessington commented that he likes the voting at the Town Hall but the primary would be a good time to try it and get the bugs out. Selectman Patton asked if the Town Office Building was inspected for accessibility? Judy commented that in order to use the Senior Center it would have to comply with handicap accessibility; the Registrars would have to
measure different things in the center and fill out a survey and send it in to the State for approval. First Selectman Eldredge asked what else would have to be done besides moving the machines? Nancy replied that cards would have to be sent to voters telling them where the polling place is. Selectman Patton asked how will the 75’ rule from the entrance apply? Judy commented that she spoke to Mansfield and they designate one entrance to the polling place and other business goes on as usual. Nancy commented that we are just looking at the primary now. Selectman Patton commented that he thought the lower lever would be better than the Senior Center and it has its own entrance. First Selectman Eldredge commented that that’s a good thought. Selectman Blessington asked if there was a certain date that they must designate the polling place by? Nancy replied July 9,2004, the primary is August 10, 2004.
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED THAT WE PROCEED WITH THE EVALUATION OF THE OLD SENIOR CENTER, IN THE TOWN OFFICE BUILDING, AS A POSSIBLE AREA TO HOLD THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ON AUGUST 10, 2004.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
Selectman Patton commented that we need to decide what we will do with that space, I think that having it for an election space is a waste of space, we have those 2 or 3 times a year. Nancy commented that there is no
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reason why that space couldn’t be used for other things too. Selectman Patton commented that his idea is to move all the Town offices upstairs so they are all on one level so when people come in they just need to go up stairs; make this an all purpose room, take the walls out and make this one big room, all the business would be upstairs you wouldn’t have this upstairs/downstairs thing. We must figure out what we want to do with the space upstairs. .
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
NORTH PROPERTY
Dan Donahue, of Norcross, commented that we had a meeting a couple of weeks ago about this property. People from the Board of Selectmen, Conservation Com. Joshua’s Trust and CT Forest & Parks Association were in attendance. At that time Norcross had not heard from UCONN regarding their proposal. There was universal agreement at the meeting that the North property should be conserved if possible and to try to keep UCONN interested. Norcross has since heard that UCONN does not want a permanent easement on their property and the president will not present the offer to the trustees unless there is a 40-60 year limit on the easement on their land. Norcross has a meeting the weekend of July 17th. They may have a legal problem accepting a limited easement. Dan
commented that we may be able to get an independent group to put up money for the North property. Dan suggested asking the Town Attorney if the Town can legally sell for less than it is worth, it is worth more now. Can you convey for less that fair market value? We need to have that answer as soon as possible. Dan commented that it might be possible to have a full easement on the North property and portions of the UCONN property. If the Town can’t wait we may be able to find another company to buy the property and hold it until things are worked out. First Selectman Eldredge commented that time is important, how long would it take to do that? Dan replied months. Selectman Blessington asked if Norcross would make a decision on July 17th? Dan replied yes they would make their decision then. Selectman Blessington commented that this has been going on for 3 years and every two months we are hoping that we
would have an answer next month. The amount offered might have been fair 3 years ago but right now it is ½ to 1/3 of the fair market value. Selectman Blessington commented that he wanted to read the original purpose of Mr. North’s gift into the record: “to make a charitable gift of unimproved land or the proceeds from the subsequent sale thereof, to the Town of Willington, a Connecticut municipality, for the use of the Willington Public Library Building Fund, in the memory of Ruth Chamberlain North.” Mr. North’s intention was that the Town sell the land and use the money for the library. Selectman Blessington commented that Norcross had the opportunity to purchase this property for 3 years and he does not see any organization doing it. He thinks we should take steps to put it on the market; Selectman Patton brought up breaking down the 2 separate lots into 4 lots. People want that size lots and will buy even with a
restriction on it that you can never divide it. Dan commented that July 17 is only a few weeks away and he would ask for that time to explore other options. Selectman Blessington commented that he appreciated all the work Dan has done but will Norcross offer more for the land? Dan commented that selling it for preservation is different and is generally less than fair market value but the Town benefits from that. Selectman Patton commented that we need to have answers when we go to Town Meeting. He is willing to work with Dan to investigate the possibilities; open space, 4 large lots or 4 building lots with the remainder staying with the Town. Selectman Blessington commented that if we decide to sell it will take time. I do not see that anything has changed since the last meeting, where do we cut it off. Dan commented that the planning process that Selectman Patton is talking about can be advantages to the Town and still draw UCONN in. There is momentum for that to happen.
It would be good to wait for Selectman Patton and I to look into it. First Selectman Eldredge read a letter from the Library Board of Directors recommending that the Town sell the North property as soon as possible if the Norcross Foundation is unable to purchase the property in the immediate future. First Selectman Eldredge commented that the Library Board needs the money
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for the project. Selectman Patton commented that he would like to see that in writing. We need to do our homework before selling and see what the impacts are; we have not done that yet. There is no money crises. Suzanne Chapman, Library Board Treasurer, commented that we are down to $100,000, we had to cut $200,00 from the building budget due to cost of steel, we are paying the bills until we go to bonding. Suzanne commented that she thinks 3 years ago we should have gotten these answers. We are going to go to bid and we do not know when we will get the money from the sale. We can pay for things until we do the short-term borrowing but we will use up all our investment. The person who donated the land is annoyed. We have a donation that would make a huge impact and we
don’t know when we will get it. Dave Gankofskie, Building Committee, commented that the point is that the question has been asked what are we doing with the land and there is no answer. Selectman Patton commented that he agrees but when we go to Town Meeting we need answers. Dave commented that you need to put a time limit on this. Dave Gankofskie commented that as a Board you must decide, I know you must have answers for the Town Meeting but we need the Town to go forward. First Selectman Eldredge asked Dan Donahue if we could have the answer to buy the property by August 2, 2004? Dan responded that we can have Norcross’ answer on if they will accept UCONN’s decision. Selectman Blessington commented that it has been 3 years; I would like to settle it by August 2nd. We would need to have a positive answer, it can’t drag on. Margaret Gankofskie commented that she is a personal friend of Dan
North and it is due in part to this friendship that Dan donated the property. He is 85 years old and he wants the property sold and the library to get the money; he doesn’t care if it is for open space or for houses. Selectman Patton commented that we need to investigate the options. Margaret commented that we need to pick one of these. Selectman Blessington commented that people would pay more for a 20-acre lot than for a 2-acre lot. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he thinks the best is the 4 lots with a caveat. Selectman Patton commented that we need to get and look at all the pros and cons of each option. First Selectman Eldredge commented that we will make an evaluation on this and make a final decision on August 2, 2004. Dan Donahue commented that he wants to apologize for the amount of time that has expired.
PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn Nicholls commented that they have been busy. Center School lines will be repainted while school is closed. All the lines are marked on Jared Sparks, Pinney Hill and Schofield Roads and we have finished sweeping half the Town. We are trying our best. Lynn met with K. Acimovic, Town Engineer, on Navratil Road; he is taking survey marks and will put together a couple of proposals. It is mostly neighborhood kids that are burning rubber all over Town. Selectman Patton asked what is the theory on the one pass sweeping? Lynn commented that it is working out on certain areas, others it is not. First Selectman Eldredge asked are you telling me you are not doing one pass sweeping? Lynn responded no, but sometimes we have to go back and do it again. First Selectman
Eldredge asked if the sweeper picks up on one pass? Lynn commented that it must be done at a certain speed, the operator was going to fast and she had to talk to him. If you slow down it works. Sometimes we have to use the loader to get up the large amounts first. Some of the roads have not been edged back in a while; we need to work on the roads. Selectman Patton asked about Hockla Farms Road. Lynn commented that she is meeting with Karl Acimovic, Susan Yorgensen and the logger. She had talked to the homeowner and got permission to cut the trees but now there is a problem with cutting down some trees. Selectman Patton asked if the trees were posted? First Selectman Eldredge replied no, we marked the trees. Selectman Patton commented that you have to post the trees and wait 10 days. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he didn’t realize that. Lynn commented that a gentleman talked about a stonewall but
he didn’t own the wall. First Selectman Eldredge commented that we determined that we did not cut on his property but we must solve the other neighbor’s problem. Susan Yorgensen looked at it and said there was no problem but to put up a silt fence. Selectman Patton asked if we are going to post the trees? Lynn commented that they are all down except for some that are blocked by an RV; if the trees fall they will hit the RV. CL&P will take down more trees. Selectman Patton asked if the staging is wider that 33’? Lynn commented that it is a little wider.
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First Selectman Eldredge commented that we will have to fix what we disturbed. Selectman Patton asked about the memo from the person who wants to be the Assistant Animal Control Officer. First Selectman Eldredge commented that that person is unable to assist during the week and was mostly interested in doing paper work. He is leaving the decision up to Dick Claus. Lynn commented that her secretary, Pam McCormack, has volunteered to help Dick.
GOOD & WELFARE
First Selectman Eldredge commented that he would like to cancel the July 6, 2004 meeting or reschedule. Selectman Patton commented that if anything requires attention we could call a special meeting. Selectman Patton commented that he read in the Board of Finance minutes that the letter from Terry Hoffman was signed Financial Manager, is that her title now? First Selectman Eldredge replied no but he is thinking of changing her title to Finance Director. Selectman Patton commented that if you are going to do that a Director gets paid about $20,000 more than we pay her. Selectman Patton also commented that the wording on the Board of Finance minutes regarding transfers was incomplete, the actual motions were not in the minutes. Attachments get lost; the auditors will want to see the
motions in the minutes. First Selectman Eldredge commented that they could change it at the next meeting. Selectman Patton asked if we want to reactivate what used to be called the Consolidation Committee? Members from the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, Board of Education, the Superintendent and Finance Department were on this committee. He feels there is a drifting apart between the Town and the Schools. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he doesn’t feel we need a consolidation committee. Selectman Patton commented that there is not a lot of communication between the Town and School, we do benefit from good spirit and cooperation, we get to share problems and solve them. Call the committee what ever you want and set a time, once a quarter or once a month to meet and discuss common issues. Selectman Patton commented that it is important; he will mention it to the Board of Finance and the Board of Education.
Selectman Patton commented that he got the memo from Birmingham Utilities. Selectman Patton asked First Selectman Eldredge to ask Birmingham what they are sizing it for? There is a similar facility in Ellington and it is costing $210,000. First Selectman Eldredge commented that they are sizing it for 32 low-income units. Selectman Patton commented that he assumed they would size it to the 32 units plus the other buildings that are going to be there. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he doesn’t believe they can; he talked to John Fauxbel and doesn’t believe that system could be tied into the other ones. The moderate income for senior housing cottages are not tied into the leased facility, like the senior center septic and water must stand-alone. If we use STEAP to support the water system for the senior housing there is a question on whether you could legally tie the same septic water system into the 3rd
phase moderate-income housing. Selectman Patton commented that we are not using CBDG funds so why would John Fauxbel be involved? Selectman Patton asked if we are using STEAP money why wouldn’t we size for 56 units why would we size for 32 units which would mean we would have to build another water system for the other one, that makes no sense. First Selectman Eldredge commented that first of all we finally reached an agreement that we can’t use CBDG funds. Selectman Patton agreed that was the general consensus. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he would ask Birmingham what they are sizing for.
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:11 P.M.
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
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