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. 17, 2006
OLD SENIOR CENTER 6:30 P. M.
First Selectman Eldredge called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Patton & Lewis, L. Nicholls, Attorney Harrington, residents and the reporter from the Chronicle. First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION AND INVITED ATTORNEY HARRINGTON, AT 6:31 P.M.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:18 P.M.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 1/5/06.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON& LEWIS) 0 NO
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 1/10/06.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON& LEWIS) 0 NO
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 1/11/06 WITH THE FOLLOWING ADDITION: WE ARE 2 MONTHS BEHIND ON THE 14-MONTH SCHEDULE.
WE NEED TO FINISH BY FEB. NOT APRIL.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON& LEWIS) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK – No one.
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADD SENIOR HOUSING PROJECT COMMITTEE TO THE AGENDA.
REGULAR MEETING -2- JAN. 17, 2006
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn Nicholls reported that they are trying to keep up with the storms and repairs. First Selectman Eldredge asked is everything working? Lynn replied yes right now, the biggest thing is trying to open up drains and keep up with the water runoffs and getting ready for tonight’s storm. We are doing everything we can. First Selectman Eldredge commented our roads were a lot better than other towns. Selectman Patton asked are there different types of calcium available, is there a non-corrosive one? Lynn commented we use liquid calcium but I never heard of a non-corrosive calcium. First Selectman Eldredge asked if all the trucks run calcium? Lynn commented yes except if there is a break down and we need a back up. Selectman Patton asked is there anything from FEMA? Lynn commented we have not heard yet, they were to set up a meeting.
SENIOR HOUSING PROJECT COMMITTEE
Selectman Patton commented that we need to have more of these meetings and have some sort of professional management for this project to make sure it gets done. First Selectman Eldredge commented we have ASHOW (Access Senior Housing of Willington) for the 32 units. Selectman Patton commented that he is talking about the Town commitment, the water system and drainage, in order to get done by the schedule. First Selectman Eldredge commented that the Board of Selectmen is responsible for the water system. Selectman Patton commented yes and you are not getting it done. First Selectman Eldredge commented I disagree with that. I think we have been working very avidly on it. Since July we drilled wells and got them tested, we are in the process of getting the final 1B sign off from DPUC, which
is imperative that we have before we go out to bid for the final design, which hopefully will be in a week or so. We are also going to the Board of Finance this week to ask that the HUD grant and the STEAP become available to spend on the water system. We have an advertisement in the newspaper for the Grant Administrator the Board of Finance requested. I really feel we have been working on it. We have a short turn around on getting it done to meet the dates and commitments but I think we have been working on it. Selectman Lewis commented that we are so far behind that if it slides any further behind, it won’t get done. Selectman Patton commented given the track record we are at now, I don’t have a lot of confidence in your management of these projects. First Selectman Eldredge commented thank you, I appreciate that. All 3 of us are sitting on these projects. Selectman Patton commented the fact that I had to threaten
to not approve a STEAP grant to get a meeting so that we would know how far we are behind doesn’t indicate to me that all 3 of us are managing the project. What it tells me is that you are managing this project and you will let us deal with it every once in awhile. That is not what I would call a good working relationship. Somebody who has experience needs to oversee this project. First Selectman Eldredge commented he thinks the 3 of us oversee this project. The schedule slip, if you look at the original commitment that was made by ASHOW when things were going to be done, it is several months behind right now. They were supposed to be at Inland/Wetlands in March and they went in Oct. or Nov. If you want to talk the water system alone, we have been making steady progress. What is critical that we did wrong in that period of time? Selectman Patton commented even optimistically we are 2 months behind; I am talking about our
commitment. You have $350,000 that we need to find somewhere, above and beyond the $250,000; I can understand going to the Board of Finance for the engineering but I am not sure what you are going to do trying to get the excess money because what are we going to do with it, what are we going to build? Engineering work is $50,000/$60,000 for the water system. First Selectman Eldredge said no the quotes were $25,000 to $30,000. Selectman Patton commented depending which quotes you took, some were at $50,000/$60,000.
REGULAR MEETING -3- JAN. 17, 2006
First Selectman Eldredge commented right now we have to get the design document out as quickly as possible. It is critical to get the 1B approval from DPUC. That has actually moved very fast. Once we get that we get the bid out for the engineering, talking to Karl when we do this, once we know the design, we will get a firm number on the cost. We will probably be short money from the $250,000 but that was money we went for after getting the commitment on HUD, to try to secure some money for the public water system. We probably will be going out for other funding. Selectman Patton commented by March 30, 2006 we have to have the funding in place. First Selectman Eldredge commented that we need a Town commitment for the water system and the drainage. Selectman Patton
commented which means we have to have the money for it. How are you going to commit to something that you don’t have money approved for? First Selectman Eldredge commented first of all we have to get a firm price and yes we will have to find out what other funds are available. The only place we could go without funding coming in from a grant is to the Board of Finance but we will have to go to them when we get a firm commitment on the price for the water system for that commitment. Selectman Patton commented we have a number, about $575,000/$600,00, we need to deal with that also you can’t say let the Board of Finance deal with it. The Board of Finance is not going to deal with it until you come with it, they aren’t going to do any research for you, they just want your recommendations. You are not going to be able to get a grant between now and March. This also must go to a Town Meeting. You have exactly 8 weeks to
find a grant, apply for it and receive approval. Do you think you can do that? First Selectman Eldredge commented of course not, the only one you have a chance on is the $200,000 grant for drainage, if that’s in place. Selectman Patton commented he is only talking about the water system. First Selectman Eldredge commented you are coming up with $350,000/$600,000 just on the water system, I don’t believe that’s totally accurate. Selectman Patton asked what did we agree to do at the last meeting? We agreed to do the water system and the fire control system. First Selectman Eldredge said yes, it was $536,000 and they said it was about 18% over what it is so it came out roughly over $400,000. Yes we need additional funding. What are you recommending? Selectman Patton commented appointing some body to run this project. First Selectman Eldredge commented we are going to pay someone to run the project,
what is wrong with us running the project? Selectman Patton commented we are not doing it. First Selectman Eldredge commented well then lets do it. If you want additional meetings I have no problem with that. Selectman Patton commented a little over a year ago we had to have a Town Meeting because we had to get this project done. First Selectman Eldredge commented that was the start. Selectman Lewis asked Selectman Patton do you have any locals that are experienced and willing to volunteer their time to help the project along? First Selectman Eldredge commented if you want to suggest someone to sit with us I have no problem with that. Is that what you would like to do bring additional people on the board? Lynn and Karl are on the board; Karl is the one that we have to coordinate this with to get this RFQ out to get a firm cost on the design and the building. If we hadn’t got the $45,000 from LOCIP that you fought me tooth
and nail on we wouldn’t have paid for the wells. Selectman Patton commented if you remember, I fought you because I wanted to understand why the numbers changed and that’s why I can’t believe we absolutely positively need to do this because the numbers I received 2 months ago are different from the numbers I received today. They were different and I wanted to understand why. Then we waited 5 months before we did the actual work. Selectman Lewis asked Selectman Patton for his recommendation or do you want a special meeting to do that? Selectman Patton commented when we have our meeting on Jan. 25th. First Selectman Eldredge commented bring a list of people that you want on the water commission or whatever you want to call it.
TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $10.38 TO JEFFREY SMITH.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
REGULAR MEETING -4- JAN. 17, 2006
PROCLAMATION – WEAR RED DAY FOR WOMEN
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE read the following proclamation:
PROCLAMATION - WEAR RED DAY FOR WOMEN
WHEREAS, diseases of the heart are the nation’s leading cause of death and stroke is the third leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability;
WHEREAS, cardiovascular disease (CVD) are the leading cause of death among women; and
WHEREAS, heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of more than half a million American women each year including nearly 6,300 Connecticut women – more than the next six causes of death combined, and nearly twice as many as all forms of cancer; and
WHEREAS, the cost of cardiovascular diseases and stroke in the US is estimated at $393.5 billion; and
WHEREAS, one in four females in the United States have some form of cardiovascular disease; and,
WHEREAS, 64 percent of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms of this disease; and
WHEREAS, February is designated as American Heart Month; and
WHEREAS, the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement encourages women to pay attention to their hearts and helps them live longer, stronger lives by reducing their risk for cardiovascular disease;
NOW, THEREFORE, I Michael L. Eldredge, First Selectman of the Town of Willington, in recognition of the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease and stroke, do hereby proclaim February 3, 2006, to be
“Wear Red Day For Women”
in Willington, Connecticut and urge all citizens to wear red in recognition of family friends and neighbors who have suffered from heart disease, and as a show of support to fight it. By increasing awareness of the risk factors for this devastating disease and taking actions to reduce them, we can save thousand of lives each.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and cause to be affixed the seal of Willington, CT this 17th. Day of January 2006.
Michael L. Eldredge
First Selectman
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE ABOVE PROCLAMATION.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Lewis commented when it comes to the agenda, the First Selectman recommends the agenda but
REGULAR MEETING -5- JAN. 17, 2006
the Board sets agendas. If the Board wants something added to the agenda or put on the agenda, that is a Board decision, not a First Selectman decision. Selectman Patton commented I go along with that, I do not want to keep fighting every time I want to put an agenda item on. Selectman Lewis commented that it is part of Robert’s Rules. Selectman Patton commented that he doesn’t think we should have to go to that, I think a simple request I would like this on the agenda should be okay, we will put it on the agenda, not I’ll think about it and maybe I’ll put it on. First Selectman Eldredge commented he suggested if we didn’t get it on you could discuss it under Good & Welfare. Selectman Patton commented I don’t understand why you continue to go to
this arguing to put things on the agenda, if one of the Selectmen wants to discuss an item then we discuss it. I don’t feel that I should have to spend hours of my day trying to get an item on the agenda, I think a simple call to Mary saying please add this to the agenda should be all that it takes. This Senior Housing Project Committee was part of a long list of agenda items I had to fight about; I don’t want to have to fight about agenda items. Work with the Board instead of always trying to overtly or covertly trying to subvert the Board. It makes every one of us miserable, just work with us. First Selectman Eldredge commented can I ask you guys the same thing? Selectman Patton commented I ‘d be happy to but if I have to continue to fight you to get information I don’t get a good feeling. First Selectman Eldredge commented I don’t think you have to fight to get information I would not withhold it from you if
I had it. Selectman Patton commented that sometimes when I ask for information I ask for a reason, you may not have it but I ask for it because I think we should have it. First Selectman Eldredge commented I will try to make every effort to get information you request. Selectman Patton asked what are you going to do at the Board of Finance, are you going to ask them for the $250,000, what exactly are you going to tell them it is for? First Selectman Eldredge commented we have the grants in place; we have to get the BOF recommendation for us to call a Town Meeting to be able to spend it on the project. Selectman Patton asked what exactly are you going to tell them we are spending it on? First Selectman Eldredge commented the design and construction of the water system. Selectman Patton asked could I make a suggestion? Right now we just go for the design because we don’t have enough money to construct. First Selectman
Eldredge commented the only reason I would like to consider the construction part is because some of that money has got to be used in the construction, for instance the EDI portion. This way we will have funds available to do the design and to pay for the design and some of the money will go towards the construction. Selectman Patton commented my question would be is this all the money we are going to need or where are we going to get the other money? First Selectman Eldredge commented the way I envision it is when we get a hard cost on what the reality is we will have to go back to the BOF to get funding to actually do the construction. Selectman Patton asked where would you expect that money to come from? First Selectman Eldredge commented I think we got a commitment that we have to do this. The Town made the commitment when we applied for the HUD 202 and the funds we have available now are not going to make it. Selectman Lewis commented
that Dave Berto is looking money. First Selectman Eldredge commented that’s correct, one of the things I wanted to discuss with him, we talked about a interconnection fee, what kind of money are we looking at. I am not clear about what kinds of money are available from HUD back to us. I also talked to the State as far as if we could use LOCIP funds to work on this project and they said that would be applicable. So there is various sources of funding we could consider. Selectman Patton commented that if you start taking LOCIP funds then there are other projects you must cancel. First Selectman Eldredge commented that is correct. Selectman Patton commented as long as you understand that, you will be canceling other projects to do this. First Selectman Eldredge commented that’s right but we really have this commitment of $4.6 million and I don’t see an option for the Town but to commit to it and we are going to have to
secure the funding. Selectman Patton commented a good question to ask is where is this money coming from and we should have answers for them. First Selectman Eldredge commented right now I am just asking them to commit these funds we have in place. Then we have money to do the design and probably part of the construction until we get hard costs. What else can we do except all the options, consider what this connection fee would be back to the Town and then we have to go to the BOF to ask for the money to build the project. Selectman Lewis commented that a
REGULAR MEETING -6- JAN. 17, 2006
nightmare could be without having the money in place and knowing where it is coming from, which should have been worked on last year, we could get part way through the project and have the Town say no. Selectman Patton commented that the way it was done you had to do it that way, there is no issue there. I have a problem if you have one project and you are going to ask for construction dollars for part of that project without knowing where the rest of the money is coming from. First Selectman Eldredge commented I think we have to get some funding in place so we have it to pay for the design. These are the funds we have in place. Selectman Patton commented I don’t disagree with you, design is different than construction. First Selectman Eldredge commented that’s correct and
we most likely will have to go back to the BOF for funding when we get a firm cost on what it will cost to construct and what we have left over.
Selectman Lewis commented that he doesn’t know if we have any more people going to Iraq or Afghanistan but if you running into anyone who has come back it would be nice to say thank you. No matter how your feelings are on it.
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:55 P.M.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary
Board of Selectmen
860-487-3100
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