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BOARD OF SELECTMEN 1-3-05
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                                                                                                           JAN. 3, 2005
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, M. Grant, S. & J. Lewis, M. Ogden and L. Worthington.  First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 12/20/04.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON)    0  NO

PRESENT TO SPEAK
Jack Lewis commented that the 2 meetings in a row the agenda was not posted on the Internet.  It is almost impossible to know about meetings if they are not posted.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that we discussed that the last time, the 1:00 PM meeting was on the 9th. it was posted under the meeting calendar, but was not e-mailed.  Selectman Blessington commented that we owe an apology for that.  Mr. Lewis thanked Selectman Blessington and commented to First Selectman Eldredge that you blame everyone who works for you for things that go wrong, I think the buck stops with you.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that it certainly does but Mary does the e-mail, she hit close instead of send and that’s the reason it didn’t get sent.  If you want me to accept the responsibility for it I certainly do, it was just a secretary oversight, it wasn’t done on purpose.  Mr. Lewis commented about the Tax Collector’s position; we have an ordinance that says the Collector must be certified, are we still actively seeking a Certified Tax Collector?  First Selectman Eldredge commented that they interview people who were certified and did not find them acceptable, we have an Acting Tax Collector, we agreed to keep her while she becomes certified.  Mr. Lewis commented that takes 3 years.  First Selectman Eldredge replied correct, we will have an Acting Tax Collector for 3 years.  Mr. Lewis commented don’t you think that is skirting the ordinance, perhaps you should change the ordinance.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that he thinks the ordinance is good; we should have that certification for a Tax Collector.  Right now there is a problem with re-certification of all Tax Collectors, the State law says they must be re-certified after 5 years but the State never developed any way to do that.  Mr. Lewis commented that the Acting Tax Collector has never been certified or to classes.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that is correct.  Mr. Lewis commented that could be a loophole if there was a lawsuit.  The previous Tax Collector collected 99. %, any new one is going to drop down but if they have had classes and certification they will have more knowledge of what they are doing.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that actually the previous Tax Collector was not certified since there is no way of re-certifying anyone.  Selectman Patton commented that’s silly, the State says your certification expires after 5 years and then says there is no mechanism to become re-certified and then to say the last Tax Collector wasn’t certified either, even though she had 19 years experience
as a Tax Collector and has passed courses and has been certified.  That’s a silly argument.  The fact is that we interviewed one person that was certified.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that only one certified person applied for the job.  Selectman Patton commented that’s because the salary was cut for the position, so no one wanted the position.  Mr. Lewis commented that if 3 people from 3 average households do not pay their taxes,
you have lost more than what you are saving by not paying a Certified Tax Collector.  You should change the ordinance.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that we have every confidence in the Acting Tax Collector and that opinion was shared by a Tax Collector who conducted the interviews with us.  Lynn Nicholls asked if an assistant has been hired.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that someone was offered the position and we
REGULAR MEETING                                           -2-                                                                JAN. 3, 2005

are waiting to hear from her.  Michael Grant asked if it wouldn’t be smart to raise the salary of these people so they won’t leave.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that will happen.  Mr. Grant commented that he had another issue to discuss; he has a problem with the Supervisor of Public Works.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that he would ask Mr. Grant to meet with him in his office to discuss this.  Lynn Nicholls commented that she doesn’t mind discussing it now.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that he would rather have this in his office and told Mr. Grant that if Ms. Nicholls has offended you in some way we will try to find a remedy.  
  
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.

PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn Nicholls commented today is the first Mon. in 4 weeks that we didn’t have to plow snow.  
We actually got to grade and clean catch basins and do some drainage work and get back on schedule.  Selectman Patton asked what did we decide about Ketches Road Bridge?  First Selectman Eldredge commented that he talked to Karl Acimovic about this.  If we start looking for State/Federal funding it would take 5 years.  We are not sure that we can go 5 years even with a fix so we have been talking about doing the fix for the structural support and move the bridge 2 years out on CIP where we could accumulate more LOCIP funding and Karl will try to revamp what work could be done with Public Works and hold it close to the $180,000 we have appropriated now.  Selectman Patton commented that some design has been done, why don’t we go for State money.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that State design is different and it would take 5 years.  Selectman Patton commented that he thinks it will still cost between $250,000 and $300,000.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that we will try to have Public Works do as much as possible.  Selectman Patton commented that maybe that money could be better spent elsewhere.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that Karl does not think we can wait 5 years to do the bridge.  Selectman Patton commented that we are going to be putting in a road from Liska Road anyway so what is the worse thing that could happen if you close that bridge?
First Selectman Eldredge commented that would be only when the campground was closed until we get the project completed, we weren’t improving Liska Road to the fact that we would be bringing campers in.  Selectman Patton commented if we are going to spend $250,000-$300,000 of Town money or $1million of State/Federal money I would rather spend the State money.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that it might be good to consider opening up Liska a lot more than we planned.  Lynn Nicholls commented that she talked to Karl about that, one thing is the neighbors there and the other is getting RVs up the hill and for emergency vehicles to get in there faster.  For Public Works to try to do it with everything else is hard, this year we didn’t get to a lot of road work, we spent a lot of time on different projects, we don’t have a 20 man crew.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that the point is, like Selectman Patton brought up, if you open it up you can use it to support the campground.  We can investigate that and talk to Karl; we need to do the fix.  Selectman Patton commented that he thought we were going to do the fix in the fall.  First Selectman Eldredge asked Lynn if Karl got the design to her to review.  Lynn commented that she has it and is reviewing for time and materials.  Selectman Patton commented that he rather get State money for this, you can get waivers for a one-lane bridge.  
First Selectman Eldredge asked about problems we would have opening up Liska?  Selectman Patton commented that you only need to go to the bridge.  You should apply for ISTEA since you will be looking at 2
years anyway.  That road is only used 6 months of the year.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that we will need the landowners’ permission.  Selectman Patton asked if some time we could have Karl Acimovic come to
a meeting to talk about all the projects?  Lynn commented that Karl is looking over all the projects with her.  Selectman Patton asked what are we going to do with Ketches Road Bridge?  First Selectman Eldredge commented that the main thing is if we could wait and do it ourselves, we could go for State funding but Karl says it will not go 5 years even with a fix.  Selectman Patton commented we could repair it again, band aide it for a few years to get to the 5 years and use the local money for something else.  A discussion on the Village Hill Road Bridge followed; delays on that were due to finding historic items there.  First Selectman Eldredge

REGULAR MEETING                                           -3-                                                             JAN. 3, 2005

commented that we should discuss this with Karl and we could initiate getting the funding to do it.  We will have to change the design.  Selectman Patton commented that you might have to get a design firm.
   
APPOINTMENTS
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPOINT MICHELLE OGDEN AS AN ALTERNATE MEMBER OF THE WILLINGTON HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION TO FILL A VACANCY, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATE TO JANUARY 1, 2006.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON)    0  NO

FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO RE-APPOINT ERNIE KUCKO TO THE BUILDING CODE BOARD OF APPEALS, TERM EFFECTIVE 1/4/05 TO 1/4/07.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON)    0  NO

SET DATE FOR TOWN MEETING
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO HOLD A TOWN MEETING ON JANUARY 12, 2005 AT 7:00 PM AT THE TOWN HALL TO ACCEPT PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS ON MIHALIAK ROAD #2 AND TO ACCEPT, FOR A $1,000.00 CONVEYANCE FEE, 4.933 ACRES ON ROUTE 32 ADJACENT TO RIVER ROAD RECREATION AREA FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR OPEN SPACE AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON)    0  NO

CCM AMICUS CURIAE INTERVENTION – KELO V. NEW LONDON
First Selectman Eldredge commented that CCM is asking us to join in their Amicus Curiae intervention – Kelo v. New London.
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED THAT WE DO NOT SUPPORT CCM IN THIS CASE.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
Selectman Blessington commented that we should send a letter to them opposing what they are doing.
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION TO READ THAT WE SEND A LETTER TO CCM THAT WE OPPOSE THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THIS.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON)    0  NO

GOOD & WELFARE  - None

SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:21 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON)    0  NO

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary


Board of Selectmen
860-487-3100

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