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 APR. 3, 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 and residents. First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 3/16/06.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON& LEWIS) 0 NO
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 3/20/06.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON& LEWIS) 0 NO
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 3/30/06.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON& LEWIS) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
John Sahi, Director of Recreation, was present to discuss the River Road Recreation Area bid package with the Board. Selectman Patton asked what will you have when this is done? Mr. Sahi commented grass seed on the ball field. We will still have mounds of gravel. Discussion followed on what was going to happen with the gravel piles. Mr. Sahi commented that there are some areas that are not filled in yet. The need to take the gravel and bring an area up to grade must be included in the bid package. This will be brought to Karl Acimovic’s attention to see what he thinks. The bids will go out including this. First Selectman Eldredge commented that this bid is to complete the ball field, 2 water lines and drainage.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn Nicholls commented that they are geared up for sweeping. They used the $75,000 from FEMA on the gravel roads. First Selectman Eldredge asked about the bid for oil. Lynn commented that she needs to measure the Fire Departments and the schools. She does not have prices for chip sealing yet. Lynn asked if we had to get 3 bids for the equipment if we use State bids? We do not have to get other bids. Selectman Patton commented that if all the equipment is going to be leased together we need to coordinate everything. You
REGULAR MEETING -2- APR. 3, 2006
should get together with Donna Latincsics soon; we need to figure out what we need for cash. Discussion followed on trading in vehicles or having an auction. There are many things that could be auctioned; this may be the best way to go. First Selectman Eldredge asked do we go competitive bids with the banks for leasing. Selectman Patton replied yes.
RESOLUTION FOR MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING – DEM & HLS & TOWN
First Selectman Eldredge commented that the Department of Emergency Management & Homeland Security need a resolution for a memorandum of understanding between them and the Town pertaining to Federal Homeland Security Grant funding.
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION FOR THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE DEPT. OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT & HOMELAND SECURITY AND THE TOWN, PERTAINING TO FEDERAL HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT FUNDING.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
RESOLVED:
THAT THE FIRST SELECTMAN, MICHAEL L. ELDREDGE, BE AND HEREBY IS AUTHORIZED TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN IN EXECUTING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HOMELAND SECURITY, FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE FY 2004 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM.
TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $7.60 TO EDITH R. JEMIOLA LIVING TRUST
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $31.61 TO JOHN MICKELSON, JR.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
First Selectman Eldredge recused himself from the following:
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $489.22 TO MICHAEL J. ELDREDGE & STEPHANIE J. BALDWIN.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (PATTON & LEWIS) 0 NO
HIRE TOWN ATTORNEY
Selectman Patton commented that the interviews with the 3 firms were all good; they all brought something to the table. I would be happy to go with Halloran & Sage for $155.00 per hour with the lead attorney. The firm has been around for many years and they have 90 attorneys. First Selectman Eldredge commented I have been very pleased with Murtha Cullina. The fact that they are proposing to reduce their rate to $175.00 per hour is a good sign they want to stay with the Town and their lead attorney would be C. Olson instead of M. Zizka. The
REGULAR MEETING -3- APR. 3, 2006
Assessor and the Town Clerk support them. One of the things I appreciate about them is that they reduce the bill when they can. The rate was $200.00 per hour but we paid $184.00 over the year. If they continue to do that and we use C. Olson instead of M. Zizka, based on $175.00 per hour it would be $161.00 per hour. Selectman Lewis commented he liked all three but Halloran & Sage came in at $155.00 per hour. I am uncomfortable when someone bids one thing, Murtha Cullina, and comes into the interview with a lower price. I asked all 3 firms the same question that was asked a while ago of one of Murtha Cullina's attorneys and even the lead partner with Murtha Cullina came up with a different answer than his other attorney. I think we should go with the low bid. First
Selectman Eldredge commented that the response time for Murtha Cullina was usually within ½ hour. Selectman Patton commented that he was also concerned about a firm lowering their rate during the interview process.
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED THAT WE ACCEPT HALLORAN & SAGE’S PROPOSAL TO BE THE NEW TOWN ATTORNEY.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (PATTON & LEWIS) 1 NO (ELDREDGE)
Selectman Patton commented for the record, they are not only reasonable, they brought in 3 very knowledgeable attorneys for the interview, the lead attorney has many years in municipal law and will be an asset to the Town.
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Lewis thanked Lynn Nicholls for fixing the flags at the Town Green, a lot of people notice them and I tell them it is a reminder to support our troops. People appreciate it.
Selectman Patton commented that he was asked if Halloran & Sage ever worked for him or his family. The answer is absolutely not. I don’t know how that rumor started. We never had any financial dealings with Halloran & Sage. I met Attorney Losee, of Halloran & Sage, when I was chairman of Economic Development and Attorney Zizka was suing the Town. Attorney Losee represented RPS and asked me, as chairman of Economic Development to testify and he also worked with Attorney Branse who was representing the Town of Willington.
SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:16 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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