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 August 2, 2004
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING 6:30 P. M.
The meeting was called to order by First Selectman Mike Eldredge at 6:30 p.m. In attendance were Selectmen Blessington & Patton, members of the Conservation Commission, Library Board and Library Building Committee, Adam Moore (Executive Director of CFPA), Dick Whitehouse (President of CFPA), L. Nicholls, Dan Donahue (Director of Land Protection and Stewardship for Norcross), Jim Harvey, S.& J. Lewis, R. Tulis and other members of the community.
First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Selectman Patton motioned to approve the minutes of July 19, 2004. Selectman Blessington seconded.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
CORRESPONDENCE
First Selectman Eldredge presented a letter from the AFSCME union regarding arbitration which is to be entered into the minutes of the Board of Selectmen. No vote was taken. In addition, a list of correspondence is available at the meeting and also in the Selectman’s office.
OLD BUSINESS
A. North Property--Selectman Patton presented a comprehensive report on the 80-acre Daniel North property now owned by the Town of Willington and appraised at $265,000 on our 2003 Grand List. The full report is available in the First Selectman’s office. He offered various options to the Board of Selectmen noting the advantages and disadvantages of each option. The options were to continue negotiations for a Conservation Sale, divide two lots into four large lots and then sell with development restrictions, and to divide two lots into four small lots and keep 70 acres in open space. Since conservation of land has been the goal of our community, Selectman Patton’s recommendation is that the Town of Willington pursue the option of going through with a
conservation sale with the Connecticut Forest and Parks Association and the Norcross Wildlife Foundation. This offer would be the timeliest for receiving money (requirement of the Library Board), preserves a valuable piece of real estate in our town, and carries out the wishes of the Townspeople as they expressed through the Study Circles. It also has the most positive long-term impact on the Town and its natural resources.
Dan Donahue gave a brief history of the Norcross Wildlife Foundation and stated that this is an unusual, unprecedented proposal. The Norcross committee wishes to conserve the North property and also would like to include UCONN, working together to have the Town achieve its land protection goals. This would be of no cost to the Town and be very noteworthy—a once in a lifetime opportunity. This is not usually in their practice. Dan has been working with Norcross and UCONN to sell the land into conservation since 2001. UCONN would not commit to a permanent easement of the land. CFPA would contribute resources of their own and Norcross would provide the no-interest loan.
First Selectman Eldredge asked CFPA their intention. Dick Whitehouse (President of CFPA) gave a brief history of his organization, an overview of the deal they had been working on with UCONN the past few years, and stated that he would purchase the land and turn it over to UCONN if there was an agreeable settlement. This way the land would stay conserved. The goal of CFPA would be to bring this to fruition soon so that the money could be applied to the Library Building Fund. We could have a memo of understanding for Norcross and the Town of Willington. The price would be $250,000. First Selectman Eldredge questioned if we would have to negotiate a price, however the $250,000 seems to be set. He explained that the Library Board has the opportunity to apply for a $500,000 grant and that
originally he wanted to sell the land on the open market but now likes the idea of the grant and the sale. This reaches two great goals and he recommends we start negotiations, work on the grant and go forward. He feels it satisfies Mr. North’s wishes and that Mr. North would be pleased.
Selectman Blessington asked if a survey was required. Adam Moore noted that a survey had not been required in the past but it not necessary, however it is a good idea. Discussion was held on the grant and whether we would have to go to a second referendum if we spent over $3M on the project.
Suzanne Chapman spoke for the Library Board—they just want the land to be sold and get as much as they can for the property. They are in the business to get a Library built and find it ludicrous that they cannot accept a gift. She is thrilled with the possibility of getting a grant—they can now put things back into the building that they had to give back.
Selectman Patton moved to proceed with negotiations with CFPA for a conservation sale of the North property subject to the Planning and Zoning and Town Meeting approval, and for the First Selectman to handle the negotiations. First Selectman Blessington seconded.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
Selectman Blessington asked if we were going to put a time limit on this—First Selectman Eldredge said that negotiations could start immediately. Selectman Blessington actually meant the timing of ending the negotiations and Selectman Patton noted that we could evaluate this after each meeting and change or withdraw the motion at that point if necessary.
Peter Andersen, Chairman of the Conservation Commission made a presentation, including the duties of the commission. The commission members are concerned about the disposition of the North property. They feel this large, forested parcel has significant natural resources and that it important to preserve it as open space. Peter reviewed the reasons: public recreation, drinking water protection, wildlife habitat protection, trout fishery, its rural character and its future value. There are two-acre lots all around it and they certainly don’t want lots going through it. They feel that preserving this parcel may be the key to preserving other tracts of land in the surrounding area. The full report is available in the First Selectman’s office.
Selectman Patton thanked Dan Donahue for all the work he did on the negotiations of this parcel.
Kathy Lisiewski asked if the parcel would be accessible to the public. Dick Whitehouse noted that it would, they would like to create a loop trail to get people out to enjoy nature.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Bids—Hockla Farms Road Construction
First Selectman Eldredge opened the bids for the boxing out of Hockla Farms Road.
Knight Construction $19,900
Hipsky Construction $ 9,100
First Selectman Mike Eldredge motioned to award the Hockla Farms Road construction to Hipsky Construction for a price of $9,100 and they know they have to do this project immediately.
Selectman Blessington seconded.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
B. Agenda Policy
Selectman Patton asked why the new agenda policy was instituted or if this was something the First Selectman wanted instituted, and what was the impetus?
First Selectman Eldredge said that it is good to have everything you want to speak about on the agenda—you can either vote or live with what he has requested. Selectman Blessington wishes this policy were not necessary but he believes that it is—the meetings are becoming mockeries. He believes Selectman Patton is just trying to stir up trouble by asking questions. When this memo first came out, Selectman Patton put many items on the agenda. Selectman Patton believes this policy is being made to prevent him from asking questions. First Selectman Eldredge and Selectman Blessington meet privately and have the right to do so. This is the only time Selectman Patton gets to ask questions and he’d like answers. He feels this is a way for the two other Selectmen to
keep him from getting information and asking questions. Selectman Patton is not happy that the purpose of this is to prevent him from asking questions unless he presents his questions in writing four days before each meeting. He feels this is ludicrous. The agenda is formed the Friday before the meeting and then picked up on the weekend. Taxpayers ask Selectman Patton what is going on with different issues. He feels the meeting is his opportunity to get information from the other Selectmen.
First Selectman Eldredge stated that Selectman Patton should submit his list the Thursday before each Selectman’s meeting but then can ask questions of the other two Selectmen at the meeting. This way they’ll be prepared to discuss these items. First Selectman Eldredge feels this is reasonable. He wants to know what is to be discussed ahead of time. The policy will be kept in effect.
C. Public Works
Lynn Nicholls, Public Works Director, reported that they are working on chip sealing, sweeping and crack seal projects. Flyers have been distributed for the roads that will be affected. Lou will be on vacation for two weeks so Lynn may have the Transfer Station crew help get ready for chip sealing and do some site-line work.
Due to the amount of rain there have been trees down and drainage run-off problems. Snowplows are going in for repairs one at a time. Lynn’s truck is going in for a repair because it is losing oil. The oil mounts and oil pan are rotted out. She as researched the situation and was hoping it would be recalled for the problem but it has not.
Ralph Tulis noted that we should work more on preventative maintenance—if sweeping were done more often in the Lohse Road area a hole would not have been created. If a better job were done we would not lose paved runoff. New asphalt burms and swales would cause this not to happen. Lynn commented that the problem was that the runoff area had not been cleaned out in over five years. When it was finally done, the situation was overcorrected. They are looking into other situations and addressing them individually.
The GASB (Government Accounting Standards Board) program is only ¼ complete but Lynn and Pam have been working on this continually as time avails. Selectman Patton explained that GASB is an inventory of all the town’s improvements and is a good tool to help in maintenance. Lynne noted that Elwood Jones kept good records of figures of costs of all maintenance. They are on the easy side of town now, but when they get to the other part of town, other records are not as current.
Lynn will check with Hipsky's to be sure they work at Hockla Farms Road as soon as possible.
D. Audit Report—Senior Center
First Selectman Eldredge reported that everything is all right with the financial management. This is from an audit from John Fauxbel’s office this month. One of the concerns is about hooking the public water system to the Senior Center. Mr. Fauxbel indicated that he received a notice from one of the selectmen that this was going to be done although the Town was previously told that DECD did not want this due to legalities of ownership.
Selectman Patton does not think we can have two water systems on one property—he doesn’t feel that the DPUC will allow it He feels that this is something we should be watch out for and that DECD was incorrect.
First Selectman Eldredge had met with John Fauxbel of DECD when evaluating cost changes for design flaws in the Senior Center foundations. First Selectman Eldredge had told Mr. Fauxbel at that time that he had rejected a proposed $75,000 cost change that would have put water storage under the Senior Center—a proposal that DECD had told the Town they did not want. The addition of $75,000 would have prevented the completion of the Senior Center.
Selectman Patton feels that what Mr. Fauxbel is saying that is if we develop a water and septic system, a public utility, we can’t hook the Senior Center to it, which makes no sense. First Selectman Eldredge added that this is because the 32-unit Senior Housing is not ours. The State Dept. of Economic and Community Development wants the Senior Center to stand alone. Selectman Patton noted that the letter from Mr. Fauxbel is saying, “If you were going to do these things, how would you handle it?” They aren’t closing the door on the subject, and it’s a good thing they’re not. He doesn’t feel that what they are asking us to do can be accomplished.
He logically can’t understand, if we have a public utility system that is monitored and regulated and controlled by a water company, why we can’t hook up the Senior Center to that system. This is one of the stated goals of the St/Ct Dept. of Public Health. First Selectman Eldredge doesn’t want to get into the legalities with them, and doesn’t want to give the impression that we don’t care what Mr. Fauxbel says, especially when we are involved with HUD 202 funding and the Senior Center can stand alone as the State wants. Ralph Tulis stated that it makes no sense from a public utility standpoint—not being able to hook up if you have a system down the street.
E. Additional Items on Agenda
· River Road Recreation—the grading is done for the soccer field, additional fill is coming in; Knight Construction will haul in materials for fill from Tolland. Karl Acimovic is working on the septic system. Selectman Patton asked that when doing the fill they work with Henry Becker (Putnam Welding) so that trucks are not traveling one way empty—this cuts down on the cost.
· Upcoming Union Negotiations--Selectman Patton suggested that negotiations should be considered when doing the budget in the spring. He recommends that First Selectman Eldredge consider having the two selectmen (Blessington and Patton) do the negotiations.
· Hockla Farms Road—the boxing out of Hockla Farms needs to be completed; the bid from Knight Construction fits into our budget.
· Kechkes Road Bridge Replacement, Design, Schedule and Cost Updates—Karl Acimovic will come to the August 16, 2004 meeting and update the board on the bridge. This has to go through Inland Wetlands and Zoning. Discussion was held as to whether it was on the Wetlands agenda.
· Senior Housing Water/Septic/Schedule/Costs Updates—In June, Selectman Patton had requested a written answer from Birmingham Utilities for what their design criteria was, and also what it incorporated. He asked if it included the 32 units, 54 units or the Town Office Building, or 54 plus the Town Office Building, or WHFD or Center School. First Selectman Eldredge noted that it only included the low cost housing and cottages.
· Latham Road Drainage—this is actually at the corner of Latham and Burt Latham—no resolution as yet, need to get permission from landowner.
· Redesign of Luchon Rd/Navratil Rd. intersection—engineering is scheduled in the near future. Karl Acimovic will update the board on this subject, Latham Road drainage and assorted other items on his list (Moose Meadow by the VFW, Schofield Rd. etc.)
· Hall School/Center School Water Systems—Connie Berglund reported to First Selectman Eldredge that Hall School will be getting a new well and that they will throttle back the old well. Selectman Patton commented that he would like to see the oil tank moved down. At Center School Connie Berglund noted that they would reactivate the old well. This gives them two water sources and takes care of the conditions of the State. Birmingham Utilities is being consulted on this subject.
· CHRO Complaints/Other Pending Litigation—First Selectman Eldredge gave a brief overview of each situation.
· Procedures for Appointments to Boards and Commissions—Selectman Patton feels appointments to each commission are handled differently depending on the board. Selectman Blessington stated that with the exception of elected boards, if a recommendation is received or if someone showed interest in becoming a member of a board, they would bring the person before the Board of Selectman and notify the Chairman of the Commission. He feels this is important for the separation of powers—in the past the person would go to the commission, the commission would write a letter to the Selectmen, then be anointed by the chairman of that commission which created
the opportunity of building an empire. Selectman Patton was confused by the separation of powers thing—it looked like all the power was going to the Selectmen and the potential member and the commission chairman were just to sit and listen. Now there will be no input from anyone else. First Selectman Eldredge will send a letter to all commissions on the procedure for appointment to a board.
· Senior Center Space Allocation—First Selectman Eldredge said there had not been any decision on this—the Registrars of Voters will be at the August 16, 2004 meeting to present their case. Selectman Patton suggested that a committee be formed to study reallocation of this space. He noted that the area is 2100 sq. feet; a committee could concentrate on the subject and find the best use for the space instead of having the board issue a decree. First Selectman Eldredge will think about the committee idea. He commented that if the Registrars don’t receive a waiver from the State and cannot use the Town Hall for the November
election, then the election would have to be held in the Senior Center area. Jim Harvey mentioned that the problem at the Town Hall is the handicapped ramp and we’ll have to find out about the ramp standards from the Registrars. Selectman Patton said that the problem is that the ramp is too long without a rest area. We could split the ramp but that could block off the door to the Historical Society and we could lose parking spots. They want a walkway into the building but it would have to be historically consistent.
· Accounting Supervisor v. Finance Director Position—First Selectman Eldredge said that this subject is still being discussed. Selectman Patton suggested that the Board of Education and Board of Finance should be included in this subject. Jim Harvey asked if this title change would affect the budget. It is for a title change only. First Selectman Eldredge stated that he would start with input from Connie Berglund, the Board of Finance and Terry Hoffman.
Selectman Patton commented that the Financial Consolidation Committee created this position. He would like to see that committee reformed. When the Financial Consolidation Committee met, they had discussed staying together after their initial project was complete to discuss common problems. He feels doing planning as a whole is needed again and would like this subject to be on the August 16, 2004 agenda. The committee created a good atmosphere of trust with the Town.
F. Good and Welfare -none
EXECUTIVE SESSION- none
Selectman Patton moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m. Selectman Blessington seconded.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Noyes
Acting Secretary
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