Skip Navigation
This table is used for column layout.
 
BOARD OF SELECTMEN 2-4-08
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. 4, 2008
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 Palmer & Charette, L. Nicholls, and residents.  First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN PALMER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 1/22/08.  
Selectman Charette seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE)    0  NO

PRESENT TO SPEAK
Mike Pinatti, of the Recreation Commission, was present to discuss the Recreation Commission applying for a STEAP grant.  We have the numbers and outline ready and just need a signature and your wiliness to submit.  
First Selectman Eldredge commented we will discuss this under item 7.

Mike Makuch, Chief of Willington Hill Fire Department, was present to discuss the Fire Department’s CIP request.  He is concerned about the Fire Departments request for a fire truck purchase.  It was pushed back one year.  Discussion followed on when it was scheduled for ordering, delivery and payment.  Chief Makuch commented we are requesting the Board to restore it to where it was.  First Selectman Eldredge commented there is a CIP meeting tomorrow night and they hope to reach a conclusion.   

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

PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn Nicholls commented we are brush cutting, sanding and filling in potholes.  The new 55-gallon container for waste oil is in use now.  Selectman Charette asked is the compactor working?  Lynn responded yes.

TRANSFER STATION STICKERS
Ed Taimen, Solid Waste Advisory Commission, was here about the Transfer Station stickers that SWAC advised charging a fee for.  Selectman Palmer commented he thinks we could issue the stickers with a nominal charge of $10 for residents, no charge for seniors.  First Selectman Eldredge commented I think we should not charge.  Discussion followed on where the new stickers would be issued, the Transfer Station or the Town Office Building.  There would be only one sticker per household.  Selectman Charette commented we need to have a nominal fee; it will be time consuming to do at first.  Discussion followed about bulky waste and how to handle that.  Stickers will be done first.  First Selectman Eldredge commented he does not support fees.
REGULAR MEETING                                          -2-                                                                FEB. 4, 2008

SELECTMAN CHARETTE MOVED THAT WE ISSUE TRANSFER STATION STICKERS FROM THE TOWN OFFICE BUILDING AND CHARGE A $5.00 STICKER FEE, 65 AND OLDER NO FEE.
Selectman Palmer seconded the motion.
VOTE:  2 YES (PALMER & CHARETTE)  1 NO (ELDREDGE)  

STEAP GRANT DISCUSSION
First Selectman Eldredge commented there is $500,000 available in a STEAP grant.  Recreation would like to put in for a STEAP grant and I would like to put in for a STEAP grant to bring public water to Center School.  The public water would be for the Town Office Building, the Fire Dept. and Center School.  John Patton commented that is not in the CIP, it should be in the CIP.  The Recreation Commission has Town approval for River Road Recreation; they have a good plan.  It is not the time to bring water to Center School.  The time has come to finish the recreation project; there is support from the community.  Discussion on this followed.  Joe Colangelo commented we have put a lot of money into this and it should be finished.  Chief Makuch commented he would like to see the money go to recreation this year.  First Selectman Eldredge commented there is no guarantee you will get it.  Joe Colangelo asked is there anything wrong with the school water now?  First Selectman Eldredge responded no.  I think we should put in two STEAP applications.  John Patton commented you could put in an application for the water next year, before you need it.  There is no consent order for the school; the water at the T.O.B. and the Fire Department works.  If you put in a request for water you could wipe out the other grant request.  Discussion on this followed.  First Selectman Eldredge commented he feels strongly about the water.  Joe Colangelo commented if you put in for that we could lose ours.  John Patton commented you have an ongoing project at recreation, you are creating one to bring water to the school, and there is no reason for that today.  Selectman Palmer commented the recreation field is a long-term project.  John Patton commented it is a 10-year plan and it has been 10 years.  It is a viable project vs. a protect that is brought up tonight, the water is not on the CIP; nothing has been submitted on the water to CIP, the recreation area has been ongoing.  First Selectman Eldredge commented we can put in 2 applications.  Joe Colangelo asked why can’t we wait a year on the water?  All the things on the application are needed at the recreation area.  Selectman Charette commented I like getting the recreation fields finished, we have been doing a little bit at a time, I believe the water project will have to be added on but not right now.  Stuart Cobb asked has the Board of Education requested you to apply for the STEAP grant.  First Selectman Eldredge responded no.  Stuart Cobb commented you will shoot yourself in the foot.  Selectman Charette agreed, it gets us off the back of CIP and we can do everything that was envisioned.  First Selectman Eldredge commented my personal feeling is it is important to bring water to Center School.  Selectman Palmer asked why didn’t you put in for the whole grant?  Stuart Cobb commented you do not aim for the highest the first time.  Mike Pinatti commented we do not want to be greedy, we could easily spend the whole $500,000, if you ask for the basic necessities you may get it.  Further discussion followed.  Selectman Palmer commented the success of the grant is on how well the grant is written.  John Patton commented if you have a project with plans and where it is going to go and you have all of the permits in place you can go forward as soon as money becomes available.  First Selectman Eldredge commented we would have Karl Acimovic do the grant for the water.  John Patton commented the Board of Education has not asked for it, the State has not asked for it.  First Selectman Eldredge commented the capacities were designed to do this.  Joe Colangelo commented they will still be there next year.  Discussion on the wells at Center School followed.  Bob Wiecenski commented lets finish one project before we start another, lets help them out.  First Selectman Eldredge commented we should go for two.  Selectman Palmer commented go for $500,000 each for water and recreation.  First Selectman Eldredge commented he suggest $350,000 for the water and the remainder, $150,000, for recreation.  Al Ference commented the recreation grant will not stand a chance against the water, if the State calls you will tell them go for the water, the recreation grant is doomed.  Selectman Palmer commented he would like a breakdown of what each item will cost.  John Patton commented you have a detail sheet in the package.  Selectman Charette commented I think we should get the
REGULAR MEETING                                          -3-                                                                FEB. 4, 2008

recreation area done.  We need to plan for the water.  The recreation area can be finished, people do not want to see it go on any longer, I do not think we should put in for 2 grants at the same time, we will shoot ourselves in the foot.  We have to compete against the rest of the State we shouldn’t compete against each other.  We do not have anyone telling us to bring water to the school now.  John Patton commented we were going to do the senior cottages first.  First Selectman Eldredge commented both projects impact us, do $350,000 and $150,000 and do both.  Discussion followed on applying for $100,000 only for engineering fees for the water and recreation could get the rest.  First Selectman Eldredge commented he does not know if you can do that.
SELECTMAN CHARETTE MOVED THAT THE BOARD APPLY FOR A TOTAL OF $405,000, $100,000 FOR ENGINEERING FOR THE WATER AND $305,000 FOR RECREATION.
There was no second.
MOTION FAILS

FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED WE APPLY FOR 2 GRANTS; $350,000 FOR THE WATER PROJECT AND $150,000 FOR THE RECREATION PROJECT.
Selectman Palmer seconded the motion.
VOTE:  2 YES (ELDREDGE & PALMER)  1 NO (CHARETTE)

FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO ADD TAX REFUNDS TO THE AGENDA.
Selectman Charette seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE)    0  NO

FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $102.60 TO STELLA ARENDARCZYK.
Selectman Palmer seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE)    0  NO

GOOD & WELFARE  - None

FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:48 P.M.
Selectman Palmer seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE)    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.