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. 6, 2006
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 Patton & Lewis, L. Nicholls, K. Acimovic and residents. First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 1/17/06.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON& LEWIS) 0 NO
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 1/25/06.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON& LEWIS) 0 NO
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 2/1//06.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON& LEWIS) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK - No one.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn Nicholls reported that they are cutting brush. They need to finish the permanent work to get reimbursed by FEMA, they must pay for everything first and then get reimbursed from the bills. Anything not finished they have 18 months to do and they get a percentage of the estimates. This includes everything related to the flood. Discussion on the Hall School sidewalk followed. The State is okay with the new plan; the area in front of the school will not be filled in. The bid package will be prepared as soon as possible and awarded for work to be done after school gets out. This will be done by advertisement. Discussion followed on where the money for the emergency work will come from. $48,000 has already been spend out of the Public Works budget. We will have to
go to the Board of Finance and then Town Meeting to appropriate money from the General Fund to be reimbursed by FEMA. The first Town Meeting will be for the $48,000 and then in May or June go for an adjustment.
REGULAR MEETING -2- FEB. 6, 2006
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADD C.I.P. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT TO THE AGENDA.
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
APPOINTMENTS
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPOINT BRIAN SEMPREBON AS A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS TO FILL A VACANCY, TERM IMMEDIATE TO DECEMBER 31, 2007.
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPOINT NORMAN GRAY FROM ALTERNATE TO REGULAR MEMBER OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION TO FILL A VACANCY, TERM IMMEDIATE TO THE NEXT MUNICIPAL ELECTION.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPOINT TYLER MILLIX TO THE C.I.P. COMMITTEE, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
GREENWAY RESOLUTION
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
RESOLUTION TO ENDORSE WILLINGTON’S PARTICIPATION IN THE NOMINATION OF THE FENTON RIVER GREENWAY AS A STATE GREENWAY
WHEREAS The Fenton River, its tributaries, riparian corridors, and associated open spaces provide significant benefit to our communities, including surface and groundwater drinking water protection, angling, hunting, trapping and kayaking opportunities, wildlife habitat, connections to hiking trails, and protection of our landscape and cultural heritage; and
WHEREAS The Town of Willington is actively engaged in protection of open space along the watercourses and/or adjacent to other open space along the watercourses, including acquisition and conservation of large parcels such as the Fenton-Ruby Park and Wildlife Preserve, the Drobney Sanctuary, the Talmadge and North properties; and
WHEREAS Significant additional lands along these watercourses are owned by other public and private entities, including the University of Connecticut, Connecticut Forest and Parks Association and the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, for the sake of open space preservation or conservation; and
REGULAR MEETING -3- FEB. 6, 2006
WHEREAS The Blue-Blazed Nipmuck Trail and Fenton-Ruby Park and Drobney Sanctuary trail systems run along part of the Fenton River in Willington, providing ready public access to the recreational opportunities along the River; and
WHEREAS Our new Plan of Conservation and Development, effective February 2006,
contains the following objectives: 1) “The Town should work regionally to protect natural and cultural resources”; 2) “The Town should expand water-based recreation opportunities as long as they are consistent with other resource protection requirements”; and 3) “The Town should identify and establish greenways that link open space within Willington, as well as with adjoining communities”; and
WHEREAS The Naubesatuck Watershed Council is engaged in preparation of materials for the Fenton River and its tributaries to be recognized as a Connecticut State Greenway; and
WHEREAS Application packages are also in preparation by the Naubesatuck Watershed Council for the Mount Hope River Greenway, and by The Nature Conservancy for the Natchaug River Greenway, both of which will connect with the proposed Fenton River Greenway, and which will connect with additional greenways across the State and beyond;
THEREFORE, NOW BE IT RESOLVED by the Willington Board of Selectmen to hereby support the concept of working regionally to link and protect open space and natural resources by endorsing Willington’s participation in the nomination of the Fenton River Greenway as a designated state greenway; and
FURTHER RESOLVE to authorize the Conservation Commission to commit to the following project which will further the goal of the greenway to link and extend existing trails and other public access points: Work with the University of Connecticut and Connecticut Forest and Parks Association to develop a loop trail on the Talmadge and North property parcels that intersects with the Nipmuck Trail to offer more hiking options and improve access to the Fenton River for fishing and passive recreation.
Adoption Date: February 6, 2006
Signed by: Willington Board of Selectmen
TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $58.62 TO ROBERT ANDERSON.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE TAX REFUNDS OF $172.95, $104.11 AND $62.42 TO GMAC.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $1,746.42 TO THOMAS SEERY.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
REGULAR MEETING -4- FEB. 6, 2006
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $50.79 TO SUBARU AUTO LEASING LTD.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $20.84 TO VW CREDIT LEASING LTD.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $7.91 TO DONALD SMITH.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Lewis reported that Postal worker C. Santor helped an elderly person who fell. He tries to bring something good to each meeting. Selectman Lewis asked about the Grant Administrator. First Selectman Eldredge commented that he is having a meeting on Wed. regarding this. Selectman Lewis commented that the school looked into new wells for Hall School and looked at bringing water from Tolland. The Board should have the reports from Lenard Engineering and Birmingham Utilities. First Selectman Eldredge commented that Birmingham Utilities is bringing water across the river on its own. Selectman Lewis commented that we need more information, where are they coming from with the 12” main? Selectman Patton asked what is BU’s growth plan? The school does not
require a 12” main, how will it affect the Town of Willington? Where does it go from here? First Selectman Eldredge commented that if we do not get the STEAP grant they will not bring it up to Rt. 32. BU approached Lyon Manor and others on this. Selectman Lewis commented that this could be the best solution for the Town but the Board must look at it. Is it the best solution, will it help Willington in the long run, is it going to damage Willington in the long run? What is the long-term affect of doing this? Is it going to create a much easier development, is it going to create a better situation for commercial development, is it going to create a better situation for cluster housing all over the place? We need to look at it. Selectman
Lewis commented he would like to have them come to a meeting. We can’t have a corporation dictating what is best for the Town. First Selectman Eldredge commented maybe we can get Public Health also. Selectman Patton commented that the state wants everyone to have public water and sewers. First Selectman Eldredge commented the state is very much in favor of bringing public water to Hall School. Selectman Lewis commented we must do what is best for the Town, get all the facts together and let the people know what is going on. First Selectman Eldredge commented if we do not get the STEAP grant we would have to seek other funding or it will not happen. Selectman Patton asked would it be $300,000 to extend the main to the school? First Selectman Eldredge commented
that’s correct. The school would like to see public water in the school. If it does not happen it could cost $185,000 for us to do the work. Selectman Lewis commented even if the STEAP grant is approved, is this good for the Town? First Selectman Eldredge commented we will ask BU and the State Public Health to come to the next Board meeting. Selectman Lewis commented we need to know the impact on the Town. Can they require that you do not drill a well within a mile without permission from BU? Selectman Patton commented these are issues we need to know about regardless of the STEAP grant. First Selectman Eldredge commented he will ask BU and Public Health to come to the next meeting. Selectman Patton commented that we should know what we are getting ourselves into.
REGULAR MEETING -5- FEB. 6, 2006
CONTINUATION OF REVIEW BOARD CIP REQUESTS
Discussion continued on the review of the Board CIP requests.
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:40 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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