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BOARD OF SELECTMEN 10-16-06
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                                                                                                           OCT. 16, 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 9/21/06 AND 9/25/06.  
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE:  2 YES (PATTON& LEWIS)   1 ABSTAIN (ELDREDGE)     0  NO

SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 10/2/06  
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE:  2 YES (ELDREDGE & LEWIS)   1 ABSTAIN (PATTON)     0  NO

SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 10/5/06  
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON& LEWIS)   0  NO

SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 10/11/06
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON& LEWIS)   0  NO

PRESENT TO SPEAK
Donna Cook read a letter to the Board requesting that they take immediate action to have a moratorium on issuing permits to all adult stores in Town.  During the moratorium the Board should examine the impact of such stores on the Town and issue legally restrictive ordinances in order to protect the community.  She implored the Board to act decisively and in the best interest of our town and children.  Donna also handed the Board letters from her and her husband asking the same thing and attaching a 4/06 letter to PZC.  First Selectman Eldredge commented he is not sure about a moratorium on something PZC issued but he will consult with our attorney.  Discussion on a moratorium followed.  Selectman Patton commented he has heard of Planning & Zoning doing moratoriums.  Donna commented she understands an ordinance can be retroactive, she would rather see that they not start.  Discussion followed on the stipulation and if it was signed yet and what the Town would be responsible for it we had a retroactive ordinance.  First Select Eldredge commented he will check with the attorney.

Ned Beebe, Commander of the VFW, was present to discuss use of municipal buildings by various Town groups (VFW, Historical Society, Garden Club, etc.).  The Town is covered by insurance and these groups do

REGULAR MEETING                                          -2-                                                                 OCT. 16, 2006

not understand why they must provide insurance to the Town.  First Selectman Eldredge commented our attorney is sending a letter.  Our insurance agent said we must have insurance from organizations.  Ray Gantick commented I can’t understand this.  We just built a brand new library with the belief that the meeting rooms there were going to be able to be used by the civic organizations in this Town.  Other towns do not do this.  You are telling people of Willington if you belong to an organization you have no place to meet.  What are we paying taxes for if we can’t meet in our own buildings.  Diane Walters of the Garden Club and Bob Shabot of the Historical Society both spoke on the same subject, the need to be able to use municipal buildings in Town for their meetings.  Selectman Patton commented out attorney and insurance agent jobs are to protect the Town but there is also a business decision that we as a Town can make.  If something happens the Town’s interest is insured, there is no exclusionary policy.  It is getting to the point now where it is so burdensome that these organizations can’t meet, maybe our business decision needs to be that we will let them meet and we will take that risk.  I don’t discount what our attorney and our insurance company is saying but we need to say what makes sense; these people are trying to do something good and what they are asking is not a lot.  Our insurance company does cover them so there is no reason we can’t allow them, as long as they are not making money off it.  First Selectman Eldredge commented one of the things the attorney wanted to make clear is that if something happened you gentlemen can be sued personally, the main reason for you to have insurance is to protect the officers of an organization.  The attorney is writing a letter regarding this; we have a letter from our insurance agent also.  Maybe we could have the attorney draft a waiver.  Selectman Patton commented that this is a business decision not an insurance decision; the insurance company is to protect the Town’s interest.  That’s why it is a business decision, do we as a board say we are willing to take this risk to further the interest of helping the organizations and residents in Town to have a place to meet.  At this point, it is silly to have all these buildings, as you correctly pointed out, and nobody can meet there.  It doesn’t make sense.  From an attorney’s point of view or insurance, you will get the same advice all the time.  We need to look at this and say do we want to do this, realizing that maybe somebody will get hurt but we have to make a decision.  I would rather go that way, with the understanding that a civic organization or a resident of the Town that is conducting meetings be allowed to use the buildings.  First Selectman Eldredge agreed, however what I am being told by the attorney is that if something happened yes the Town has insurance but the organization could be sued, understand that.  Selectman Patton commented most people have homeowners insurance that will protect them.  Selectman Lewis commented that this started years ago with CIRMA, they told us not to let people use the buildings without additional insurance.  The Senior Center might have some restrictions because of federal funding, the funding may not allow for this.  Ray Gantick asked when will we know?  Selectman Patton commented we will have to write some sort of policy for the buildings, we could have it done by the next meeting.  First Selectman Eldredge commented our attorney is drafting a letter.  Selectman Patton commented he is there to limit our exposure.  We want people to use the buildings.  Ned Beebe commented any civic group can rent the Fire Dept. for a meeting for $10.00.  Selectman Patton commented we could talk to the legislative about allowing municipalities to fall under the recreation statue.  First Selectman Eldredge commented we as a Board can vote to let you use it and the risk is to the Town.  

Donna Latincsics, Business Manager, and Annemarie Poole, Treasurer, were present to go over revenues and expenditures with the Board.  Selectman Patton asked Annemarie how are things going?  Do you have a handle on things since July?  Annemarie replied some days yes and some days no.  First Selectman Eldredge commented Annemarie is doing an excellent job; everything is right on the money.  Annemarie said thank you.  Selectman Patton asked is there anything we will fall short on.  Annemarie commented no everything looks good.  Donna then went over some other line items.  The Town Hall and Consulting Engineers may fall short but there will be money in other line items to cover them.  Selectman Patton asked is there anything else that may be short by the end of the year.  Donna replied not now.  

REGULAR MEETING                                          -3-                                                                 OCT. 16, 2006

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

PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn commented we finished sweeping the chip sealing route, we are cutting brush and getting snowplows ready.  She wants to grade roads and replace signs early in November.  Selectman Patton asked is the tractor  ready?  Lynn commented they are waiting for a cable.  The Dog Warden’s van needs drums and a steering pad and should be ready Tuesday.

DRAINAGE BIDS
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO REJECT ALL DRAINAGE BIDS DUE TO INADVERTENT ERROR OF NOT PUTTING QUANTITY OF ROCK REMOVAL IN AND TO RE-BID.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS)    0  NO

APPOINTMENTS
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPOINT DANIEL DRISCOLL AS AN ALTERNATE MEMBER OF THE INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY TO 5/16/07.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS)    0  NO

FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO RE-APPOINT THE FOLLOWING TO THE SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION:  MICHAEL PINATTI, JOHN SAHI AND EDWARD TAIMEN
AS REGULAR MEMBERS; AND PETER THOMSEN AS AN ALTERNATE MEMBER.  ALL TERMS EFFECTIVE 11/7/06 TO 11/7/08.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS)    0  NO

TAX REFUNDS
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $239.65 TO D.L. PETERSON TRUST.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS)    0  NO

FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $9.13 TO DOROTHY OR WILLIAM LUCKEY.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS)    0  NO

GOOD & WELFARE  
Selectman Lewis commented Carol Larson passed her certification and is now a certified Tax Collector – Congratulations.  First Selectman Eldredge commented she does an excellent job and is dedicated and sincere.  Selectman Patton commented we had a letter from the attorney regarding the property on Village Street.  I would not get excited about the consent letter.  I talked to DEP, there is some contamination from chrome but it can’t be fixed without taking the building down.  The septic is done so it is just a part of the north foundation.  
REGULAR MEETING                                          -4-                                                                 OCT. 16, 2006

First Selectman Eldredge asked Selectman Patton to call the attorney.  If the DEP consent order is not satisfied and we owned it we would be responsible.  Selectman Patton commented if you sell it at a tax sale it is sold as is.  First Selectman Eldredge commented if no one bids higher than the Town you bought it.

SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:39 P.M.
Selectman Patton 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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