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 JULY 19, 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, R. Claus, T. Millix and R. Tulis. L. Nicholls arrived later. First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 6/21/04.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK - No one.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
ACCESS AGREEMENT
First Selectman Eldredge commented that the Town has been asked to enter into an agreement with The Access Agency to apply for a 3 million dollar Lead Hazard Control Grant. Selectman Patton recused himself.
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ACCESS AGENCY, INC. AND THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON WHEREBY THE ACCESS AGENCY WILL IMPLEMENT A LEAD HAZARD CONTROL GRANT PROGRAM FOR WILLINGTON AND OTHER PARTICIPATING TOWNS.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON) 0 NO
APPOINTMENTS
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO RE-APPOINT NICOLE LINTEREUR AS THE ASSESSOR FOR THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON, TERM EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004 TO JUNE 30, 2006.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO RE-APPOINT SHIRLEY STANISH AS A MEMBER OF THE WILLINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY, TERM EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2004 TO AUGUST 1, 2009.
REGULAR MEETING -2- JULY 19, 2004
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
INSURANCE AWARDS
First Selectman Eldredge explained that bids were requested from CIRMA, Metrogard & MIRMA.
CIRMA did not submit a quote. Metrogard responded that they felt they could not compete with the expiring numbers. MIRMA’s quote was: Workers’ Compensation - $49,280.00, Property, Auto & Liability - $57,013.00 and Extended Employment Practices - $398.00 for a total of $106,691.00.
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED THAT THE BOARD ACCEPT MIRMA’S BID FOR
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION - $49,280.00, PROPERTY, AUTO & LIABILITY - $57,013.00 AND EXTENDED EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES - $398.00 FOR A TOTAL OF $106,691.00.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON) 1 ABSTAIN (PATTON)
PUBLIC WORKS
First Selectman Eldredge commented that a big tree came down on Meadow Lane this morning. Sweeping continues and they are going back to Hockla Farms Road. Selectman Patton asked if the one pass sweeping worked out better? First Selectman Eldredge commented that yes the speed of the vehicle was the answer.
SENIOR CENTER
First Selectman Eldredge commented that by the end of July the Senior Center should be finished inside and we should get a CO, it could open early August. The additional cost of commercial kitchen equipment, $23,322, has been approved by the State. This includes an under counter dishwasher, refrigerator, electric range and a commercial hood, the hood has a special exhaust fan and cost $15,399. Some of the items are in stock and the others will take 3-4 weeks for installation.
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Patton commented that the STEAP grant is for the water system and the septic. What is the water system supplying? First Selectman Eldredge commented that it is supplying the 32 units and 6 cottages. The STEAP application mentioned that we need to do the sewer system also; if money was not expended on the water system we can use it on the sewer system. Selectman Patton commented that he thought that if there was money left over from STEAP for the water system that it was going to the recreation fields. First Selectman Eldredge commented that when we did the STEAP letter we looked at $500,000/$600,000 for the septic system. If the water system comes under, I want to use the rest plus a $500,000 grant for the septic system. If we do not get HUD funding we will not get the
STEAP money. First Selectman Patton commented that other people think that money left over from the water system would go to the recreation fields. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he would talk to Mike Harnard, Chair. of the Rec. Com. tomorrow. Selectman Patton asked what other grant? First Selectman Eldredge commented that Rob Simmons office asked us about any projects that would need grant funding and we asked for $500,000 for the septic system to support senior housing. Selectman Patton asked where are we on Hockla Farms Road and the trees, is it resolved? First Selectman Eldredge commented that there are 7 trees in contention that may or may not be on her property, we are working on the resolution of that. Selectman Patton asked if the union arbitration was coming up? First Selectman Eldredge replied no, I reached an agreement with the union on that. Selectman Patton asked for a synopsis of the agreement. First
Selectman Eldredge commented that the first one was about the Transfer Station Operator, when we hired a new Operator we hired by the union contract so it was dropped. The second one basically says that we recognize that we do need another person in Public Works and we will try to make
REGULAR MEETING -3- JULY 19, 2004
that happen in the next budget session, no guarantees, to replace the position that wasn’t filled. Selectman Patton asked First Selectman Eldredge if he saw any problem with him being on leave of absence from the union, negotiating with the union? First Selectman Eldredge replied no he didn’t. Selectman Patton commented that you filed one of the grievances. First Selectman Eldredge replied yes and it was dropped. Selectman Patton commented that you negotiated with yourself. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he negotiated as the First Selectman of the Town; I am not a member of the union. Selectman Patton commented that you were and you will be, you have taken a leave of absence from the union and you see no issue with negotiating with the union. First
Selectman Eldredge commented that he does not see any issue with negotiating; I am not a member of the union. Selectman Patton commented especially the grievance you filed against the Town, you negotiated that one. First Selectman Eldredge commented that there was no negotiating to do on that one, they dropped it because when I hired the person I hired per the union contract. Selectman Patton commented that you really didn’t, you changed what the Selectmen did. You don’t see the fact that you were a union member, took a leave of absence, you are again going to be a member of the union and go back to Public Works. First Selectman Eldredge commented if that in fact happens, if there is an opening to go back anywhere. Selectman Patton commented that you have to make the assumption that that’s where you are going to go or maybe you are going to be First Selectman until you retire. There’s a point where you have to say,
wait a minute, I was a union member, I’m going to be a union member and I’m negotiating with the union I was a member of; there’s an issue there, there’s a problem, you should have a problem with that. First Selectman
Eldredge commented that he does not have a problem with that; he thinks he is being completely fair to the Town. Selectman Patton commented that he can see that Selectman Blessington thinks it is perfectly fine. Selectman Blessington asked Selectman Patton under the circumstances who do you think should have negotiated? Selectman Patton commented that he would feel comfortable if Selectman Blessington did it. Selectman Blessington commented that if First Selectman Eldredge feels that he has to negotiate that, we could look at this and say is the results of this way out of line? Selectman Patton commented yes part of it is because we were never asked what our opinions were as Selectmen; never even discussed, never mentioned, never asked; maybe you were asked at your meetings, I was never
asked, it was never discussed at the Board of Selectmen at any of the meetings I can recall. Selectman Blessington asked Selectman Patton did he ask? This should have gone to executive session, the questions about the union negotiations. Selectman Patton commented yes it probably should have, it’s too late now. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he can remember negotiating when I sat on the union; none of what we negotiated went to the Board of Selectmen for approval, not even the contracts. Selectman Patton commented that of course the contracts go to the Board of Selectmen for approval. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he would have to check that, he does not remember going for approval or if other Selectmen were involved in negotiation. Selectman Patton commented yes there was and they always went to the Board of Selectmen for approval. You were a member and you are negotiating with your union. It is beyond
belief that you are sitting there saying no big deal and your cohort says okay, if it was me, if I was a union member and I was negotiating Selectman Blessington would have a problem. That’s not the way it works, either you have a conflict or you don’t have a conflict. First Selectman Eldredge commented that we negotiated an agreement that prevented us from going to arbitration, when you read the agreement I doubt you will have a problem, I think it is best for the Town. Selectman Patton asked if there was a position available next year, maybe it will start in December. First Selectman Eldredge commented that you know I wouldn’t do that. Selectman Patton asked how does he know that, what you said was that next year we are going to try to put something in the budget and maybe start in December or January. First Selectman Eldredge asked Selectman Patton if he really thought he would do something like that? Selectman Patton
commented that he does not know but the point of the matter is that it begs the question, which is why you shouldn’t be negotiating it, that’s the point. First Selectman Eldredge commented that we negotiated the fact that we will fill a vacancy that needs to be filled in Public Works. Selectman Patton commented that it begs the question are you negotiating for yourself or are you negotiating for the Town?
REGULAR MEETING -4- JULY 19, 2004
First Selectman Eldredge replied negotiating for the Town, I am not negotiating for myself whether you think I’m unscrupulous or what, I am not. Selectman Patton commented that it is all in appearance. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he didn’t even consider that. Selectman Patton commented that well you should have considered how it looked.
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
| 
