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BOARD OF SELECTMEN 2-22-05
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                                                                                                           FEB. 22, 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:  Selectman Blessington, L. Nicholls, C. Demers, L. & R. Hisey, P. Latincsics S. & J. Lewis and E. Taimen.  Selectman Patton was absent.  First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 2/7/05.
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE:  2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON)    0  NO

SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 2/14/05.
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE:  2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON)    0  NO

PRESENT TO SPEAK
Ed Taimen, Chairman of the Solid Waste Advisory Commission, was present to discuss the sticker system at the Transfer Station.  It has been many years since the stickers were changed.  Also there is a need for a cardboard compactor since many people try to place cardboard in the bin while someone is using the backhoe to compress the cardboard, it is a dangerous situation.  The SWAC would like to recommend that the sticker system be changed.  They would like to have new stickers issued at $10.00 for 5 years.  They recommend that the Town do a general mailing to taxpayers.  The applications for the stickers and the money would be taken care of at the Town Office Building, 1 sticker per taxpayer.  They are trying to computerize the records.  Money from this could perhaps go to purchase a cardboard compactor but regardless of that they strongly recommend the new sticker system, it is a modest fee.  First Selectman Eldredge asked Ed to send a proposal in writing to the Board.  Selectman Blessington asked what if someone sells the vehicle?  Ed commented that they could bring proof of the sale.  Ed commented that they could put together a possible mailing.  Selectman Blessington commented that he is not sure he agrees but would like to see a proposal.  If you changed the stickers every 2 years you could keep a better handle on it.  Ed commented that it creates a lot of work, this way we can computerize it.  Lynn Nicholls commented that the employees at the Transfer Station started checking licenses and stickers very carefully; sometimes small businesses bring up lots of trash.  On a Sunday afternoon out of towners try to get in.  Ed commented that SWAC believes issuing new stickers for $10 for 5 years is a reasonable thing to do.  Rob Hisey commented that they might consider having a movable card for vehicles; sometimes you have to borrow a pick up truck.  Ed replied that you could have your sticker or bulky waste card and license; most of the other policies can stay the same.

REGULAR MEETING                                         -2-                                                                  FEB. 22, 2005

Peter Latincsics was present to ask about the state grant for the Library.  He asked if that was being applied to reduce the cost that the Town approved or as the library sees fit?  First Selectman Eldredge commented that the grant must be used for construction.  If the bid comes in at $3,125,000 then $500,000 of that cost will come out of the grant.  Peter asked if that means that if the Library costs $2.5 million, ½ million comes from the grant?  First Selectman Eldredge commented that’s correct but it could reduce the bond issue at the end.  Peter asked how will the proceeds of the North property be applied?  First Selectman Eldredge commented that it will be used for operation of the Library.  Peter commented that he was also here for CIP.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that the Board will have a special meeting next week on CIP.  Peter asked if that will disrupt the schedule getting the CIP to the Board of Finance.  First Selectman Eldredge replied no he has talked to the Chairman of the Board of Finance.

Kathy Demers, of the Conservation Commission, commented on an event that they held at the Town Office Building at 7:00 P.M. on Fri. 2/18/05.  38 people attended and because it was dark many commented that they had a hard time finding the Town Office Building, some drove right by it; the lighting in the front is very poor.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that they would look into it.

Rob Hisey asked who controls the Library budget, how much is spent on the Library?  The Town authorized spending up to $3 million.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that is correct but with the grant we will have to go to the Board of Finance and then Town Meeting to ask for approval for additional spending, to spend up to $3,500,000 because that will be the total money available, we will not necessarily spend all that money.  When we get the actual bid it could come in at $3 million or $3,250,000.  Lynn Nicholls commented that a lot of things needed to be included.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that things were cut to keep it at $3 million.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that when it came in over budget they cut things and the architect is designing to the cuts.  At a Board of Selectmen’s meeting the budget was discussed and he was authorized to design up to approximately $3,200,000.  The engineered septic system added more on to the budget, as did the detention system.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that right now we cannot spend more than $3 million, now that the grant is available we must go to the Board of Finance and Town Meeting and ask to spend over the $3 million.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that you would not be costing the Library at $3.5 million but we still need permission to spend that additional $500,000.  It doesn’t mean that the cost of the Library is going to be $3.5 million; it means that if it came in over $3 million it would be absorbed by the construction grant and whatever is left would be the bond issue, maybe $2.750 million.  The Library is not adding on to increase the cost to $3.5.  Rob asked is it to late to change the property?  First Selectman Eldredge and Selectman Blessington replied yes.  Selectman Blessington commented that we have done a lot of work on the property, he doesn’t think we should back out now.  It has been almost a year since the referendum and the cost of steel and concrete has increased rather steeply.  I am hoping we can get this library done quickly because steel and concrete are not coming down and we hope to break ground this spring.  Rob Hisey commented that he has heard a lot about conflict of interest but he will wait to discuss this until Selectman Patton is here.

CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.

PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn Nicholls commented that besides snowstorms and maintenance on vehicles we have been trying to cut brush.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that we have been getting a lot of compliments on how things are being done.


REGULAR MEETING                                         -3-                                                                  FEB. 22, 2005


SET DATE FOR TOWN MEETING
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO HOLD A TOWN MEETING AT THE TOWN HALL AT 7:00 P.M. ON MARCH 2, 1005 FOR THE FOLLOWING:
ITEM I
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Finance, will authorize the expenditure of $45,000 from Capital Projects  - LOCIP – Wells for Senior Housing Water System to be reimbursed by LOCIP for the purpose of providing 3 water wells for the development of the Senior Housing Water System.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
First Selectman Eldredge commented that we are constructing a public water system for the 32-unit Senior Housing complex.  As of right now there is $250,000 available for the design and construction of this water system, $100,000 appropriation from the Federal government and $150,000 from a STEAP grant.  However, in two consecutive meetings with 2 different water companies and along with discussions with David Berto, who is running the project, we have been told that it is almost marginal that we can design and construct the water system for $250,000.  So we looked for another source of funding; the biggest thing you have to do before you design the water system is that you must know the wells’ output capacity and clarity.  First Selectman Eldredge commented he asked the state if we could use LOCIP to do these 3 wells and they gave approval.  I then went to the Board of Finance for approval.  This is imperative because we have 18 months to have people in the Senior Housing; it is a very tight schedule with HUD funding.  The other part of the infrastructure is the septic system for the 32 units.  Under HUD appropriations you can use HUD money to use the septic system because it is tied directly into that project.  You cannot use HUD money for the water system because it will supply not only the 32 units but it will supply the cottages in the next phase.  Therefore, the monies for the water system cannot be portions of the construction funding you get from HUD.  That’s why we are going about it this way.  We might just squeak by with the $250,000; if we don’t, the only thing we can do is, as Dave Berto suggested, make a charge back when you hook up the 32 units.  We are hoping the $250,000 will be able to do the water system, that’s why we are going to the people for this approval.
VOTE:  2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON)    0  NO

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
First Selectman Eldredge commented that we will not be able to do this now since Selectman Patton is not here but we will have a special meeting next week.

FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO ADD RESOLUTION FOR LIBRARY GRANT TO THE AGENDA.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE:  2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON)    0  NO

FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:

RESOLVED, THAT THE WILLINGTON FIRST SELECTMAN IS EMPOWERED TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER IN THE NAME AND ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON A CERTAIN CONTRACT WITH THE CONNECTICUT STATE LIBRARY, STATE OF CONNECTICUT, FOR A STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION GRANT
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE:  2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON)    0  NO

REGULAR MEETING                                         -4-                                                                  FEB. 22, 2005

GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Blessington commented that he had been asked about putting yellow lines on all roads.  Lynn Nicholls commented that once you put lines on a road it changes the speed limit.  Rob Hisey commented that you have the liability factor and you must maintain them.

SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:11 P.M.
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE:  2 YES (ELDREDGE & BLESSINGTON)    0  NO

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Secretary


Board of Selectmen
860-487-3100

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