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 MAY 16, 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, S. Chapman, S. Gifford, S. & J. Lewis, K. Lisiewski, P. Keefe, R. Passardi, J. Poole and R. Wiecenski. First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN BLESSINGTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 5/2/05 WITH THE FOLLOWING CORRECTION: UNDER PUBLIC WORKS, THAT THEY SHOULD BE FINISHED WITH THE NORTH END OF TOWN BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Mr. Poole asked about the Open Space Grant and was told that it was ready this evening and would be mailed out Tues. morning. Mr. Poole also asked about the status of the FEMA money. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he would check on that, he does not believe we received it yet.
Suzanne Chapman, Library Board member, commented that she wanted to thank the First Selectman and the Board for their support in the past and present for our budget, the library project and the grant.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
PUBLIC WORKS
First Selectman Eldredge commented that they are sweeping, they finished the north end and started Jared Sparks and are working their way to Mason Road. It is consuming all their time and they are running 2 trucks. It is going well. Selectman Patton commented that the budget for this year does not have much money left and I don’t see anything for Ketches Road Bridge that we were going to do this spring. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he thought the work has been done and Lynn is talking to them about the bill. Selectman Patton commented that we have $7,000 left in excessive of payroll until the end of June. How are we going to handle this, road maintenance, truck breakdowns, regular operations, etc? Are we going to get away with $7,000? First Selectman
Eldredge commented that we are going to try to; we are not spending anything we don’t have to. The next project is the Senior Housing drainage, we have the materials and we have $3,000 left over from the contract to buy materials. Selectman Patton commented that we appropriated an additional $100,000 for snow but there is only $90,000 there, is there a reason for that? We have $55,000 for snow
REGULAR MEETING -2- MAY 16, 2005
removal contractors, $5,000 for sand, $30,000 for salt and that’s it. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he would ask the Accounting Supervisor. Selectman Patton commented that wherever the $10,000 is, it would not help the $7,000. A lot of items are light and it will not get easier next year. We must look it over very carefully.
LIBRARY GRANT
First Selectman Eldredge commented that he spoke to Laurie Hall, Bond Counsel, and asked her if in her opinion we have authorization to spend over the $3,000,000 on the Library and she said no. Based on that opinion and the value engineering study that said it would cost $3,350,000 I will ask the Board of Finance to increase spending to $3.5M. We are not asking to increase the bonding, just the spending. I believe this is necessary and reminded the Board of Finance in my letter that if it comes in at $3.350M the bonding would be reduced to $2,850,000. S. Chapman asked for clarification on if the Bond Counsel said we could only bond or could only spend $3M. First Selectman Eldredge explained we could spend $3M. Selectman Patton commented that last summer it was Bond Counsel’s
opinion that if you get a grant you must appropriate it. We must go to the Board of Finance to ask for the appropriation of the $500,000. Discussion on the letter to the Board of Finance followed. Selectman Patton commented that the Board of Finance can appropriate or transfer money. In order to spend the $500,000 grant you must go for an appropriation to add it to the $3M that was previously approved at the referendum. You will have to ask to appropriate $500,000 to be reimbursed by the State Library Construction Grant for construction of the new Willington Public Library. This amount is in addition to the $3,000,000 approved previously. Mr. Poole asked if the project would cost $3.5M? First Selectman Eldredge commented that the projected cost now is $3,350,000.
HALL & CENTER SCHOOL WATER SYSTEM
First Selectman Eldredge commented that he met with Dr. Berglund today; she could not be here for this meeting but will come when she has a recommendation from the Dept. of Health and the facilities committee. Center School is estimated at $85,000 and we have $75,000 in CIP and there is a 69% reimbursement from the state for this and Dr. Berglund has another grant she must use by September that will help. At Hall School the estimate is for $215,000 and there is a 69% reimbursement from the state for this also, $23,000 in CIP and money from the grant but we would still be short. Selectman Patton commented that we have a $300,000 system for 2 schools. They will come to us looking for the money, we need to be involved, and it is not so easy to make up the shortfall, which could be $70,000. First
Selectman Eldredge commented that if they do not recommend that, and they go for the public water then the only thing they can do is go after the state grant for that. Selectman Patton commented that the public water system would be $608,000 and the reimbursement would be the same, we would have to come up with $200,000. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he did not know what that reimbursement would be on that. Dr. Berglund will present this when she gets the recommendations. Selectman Blessington asked if Dr. Berglund could make the next meeting? First Selectman Eldredge commented that he will ask her but she wants to wait for the recommendations, we are getting ahead of ourselves. Selectman Patton commented that he doesn’t know if we are getting ahead of ourselves, we may have to come up with $100,000, we still need to plan. First Selectman Eldredge commented that it will not be in next year’s budget; it will be the year
after. Selectman Patton asked where will it come from? Selectman Blessington asked if we should ask Dr. Berglund where it is going to come from? Selectman Patton commented that she doesn’t know. First Selectman Eldredge asked why she would not know about what she needs at the schools and the finances behind that? Selectman Patton commented because they think that is what the CIP is for and that the town is going to pay for it. That has been my point along; there is no money there to pay for it. You have to be involved in this more than just when the bill comes in. First Selectman Eldredge commented that we have until the 06-07 budget. Selectman Patton commented that you must look at it, see where the money is coming from and put it in CIP. First Selectman Eldredge commented lets wait until she comes in with
REGULAR MEETING -3- MAY 16, 2005
the recommendation. Selectman Patton asked did you think about running a pipe to Center School, then we don’t have to do 2 water systems? First Selectman Eldredge commented no, the estimated cost to redo the well and put in a storage tank doesn’t seem to far off. Selectman Patton commented that it would cost less to run a pipe, they wouldn’t need a storage tank or water system. First Selectman Eldredge commented that we only have the resources now to build the Senior Housing water system; there is no excess money to go beyond what we planned there.
WELL MONITORING AT TRANSFER STATION
First Selectman Eldredge commented that Fuss & O’Neill have been doing the monitoring for several years.
Their price for next year is $7,200 and we budgeted $7,500.
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED THAT WE CONTRACT WITH FUSS & O’NEILL FOR $7,200.00 FOR THE WELL MONITORING AT THE TRANSFER STATION.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
RESOLUTION FOR SENIOR HOUSING WATER SYSTEM
First Selectman Eldredge commented that we applied for a grant for $100,000 and received approval for $99,200. This is for the Senior Housing Water System and a resolution is needed authorizing the First Selectman to sign.
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED THAT THE WILLINGTON FIRST SELECTMAN BE AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE IN THE NAME AND ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON A FY2005 EDI-SPECIAL PROJECTS GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE WILLINGTON SENIOR HOUSING WATER SYSTEM.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
HAYING BIDS
First Selectman Eldredge commented that only 1 bid was received for this.
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO AWARD THE HAYING BID FOR THE FENTON RUBY PROPERTY TO K. & J. MAC DONALD FOR $25.00 AS PER THEIR BID.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOET: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
SIGNING OF UNION CONTRACT
First Selectman Eldredge thanked Selectman Patton and Selectman Blessington for their negotiations with the union. Selectman Patton highlighted different parts of the contract and commented that they did have to go to mediation but it is a good contract. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he would recuse himself from the vote.
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED THAT THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH LOCAL #1303-121 OF COUNCIL #4, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, FISCAL YEAR 2006-2009 AS PRESENTED.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
VOET: 2 YES (BLESSINGTON & PATTON) 0 NO
GOOD & WELFARE
First Selectman Eldredge commented that we have a 2nd addendum for the well bids. It covers 4 items, (1) it is 3 not 2 wells, (2) the operators yield test, (3) clarification on the placement of topsoil for access driveways to
REGULAR MEETING -4- MAY 16, 2005
the well sites and (4) well 1 must be included in the yield test. Selectman Patton asked how we would handle the water being off for 2 days at the Center. First Selectman Eldredge commented that the sprinkles will be off but there are smoke detectors there. We must check with the health dept. about people being there. We could do the yield test on Sat. Sun. & Mon. and close it or they could use the old senior center. Selectman Patton asked if it would be additional cost for Sat. & Sun? First Selectman Eldredge commented that we will have to look into that. Selectman Patton asked are we going to start the planning process for the old senior center? First Selectman Eldredge commented okay. Selectman Patton asked for it to be on the next agenda.
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:19 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
You have received this e-mail because you have subscribed to the Town of Willington’s E-mail bulletin feature. If you wish to remove your name from this list please visit www.willingtonct.org/subscriber.html to unsubscribe.
| 
