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. 19, 2008
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 Palmer & Charette, L. Nicholls, and residents. First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN CHARETTE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 2/4//08.
Selectman Palmer seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Recreation Commission members were present to ask the Board to revisit their motion of 2/4/08 approving the Board of Selectmen applying for a $350,000 STEAP grant and the Recreation Commission applying for a $150,000 STEAP grant. They would like the Board to allow the Recreation Com. to apply for a $305,000 grant and the Board wait until next year to apply for a STEAP grant for the water for Center School. The Recreation Commission does not want 2 Town boards competing for the STEAP grant and they feel there is no immediate need to do the water at Center School, so it could wait and they would be able to finish the River Road Recreation area. Discussion followed on this. First Selectman Eldredge does not want to revisit the motion. The Recreation Commission feels the $350,000 STEAP grant the
Board is going for is not enough and will only bring the pipes to the school; if the Board waited they could apply for more and finish the water project completely next year. Selectman Charette would like to revisit the motion, he feels the Board did not have all the information on the Center School water at the last meeting, the BOE knew nothing about this, and they do not have the water in their 5-year plan. There is no violation against the school only a recommendation to go with public water. Birmingham Utilities and Lenard Engineering have recommended another well, which would satisfy the State and cost between $80,000 and $100,000. Why go with something more costly? First Selectman Eldredge commented this would also take care of the Town Office Building and the Fire Dept. if they hooked up to it. If the State said sprinklers were necessary at the school it would be easier to install them. Discussion followed on whether the water system was
in the CIP. Selectman Charette commented we have not talked about money to maintain and tie it in. The BOE should have some plan for this and they do not. Discussion followed on why the rush to get this done now. First Selectman Eldredge commented we are doing this now because the water at the Senior Housing is complete and has the capacity to do this and the Dept. of Public Health has always encouraged us to do this. The STEAP applications came in early and are due back the end of February, they are usually due in July. Karl Acimovic has gone over the estimates and believes $350,000 is enough. First Selectman Eldredge feels the Recreation Commission should apply for the $150,000 STEAP grant; they have a good chance of getting it. The State may want to give a something to each applicant. Selectman Palmer commented this is a good compromise. Discussion followed on whether it would be better for the Board to go for $500,000
to complete the water project instead of $350,000 and Recreation going for $150,000. Selectman Charette feels the Board should revisit the motion. Obviously the priority for the people of this Town, who
elected us to look out for their best interest, whether it is my best interest or not is immaterial, is to finish this project. I am going to make a motion that we do go ahead with the Recreation STEAP grant this year and put the water off until next year when we can evaluate all of the options and see what the cost are.
REGULAR MEETING -2- FEB. 19, 2008
SELECTMAN CHARETTE MOVED THAT WE PUT THE WATER SYSTEM OFF AND GO FORWARD WITH THE RECREATION STEAP GRANT TO COMPLETE THE RECREATION FIELDS, GIVE IT NO COMPETITION, LET IT STAND ON ITS OWN MERIT.
There was no second.
MOTION FAILS
Further discussion on whether the Recreation Commission would apply for a $150,000 grant followed. First Selectman Eldredge asked that they let him know by Friday morning. Questions about the CIP came up and Selectman Palmer commented it is an advisory committee. First Selectman Eldredge commented the Boards of Selectmen and Finance must approve the CIP plan.
John Patton was present to ask about page 3 of the CIP Plan regarding Public Works. How will this happen since you cut the budget, there is no chip sealing, no road maintenance and no more people. How will they do additional road maintenance? First Selectman Eldredge commented the same way we have done it before, Public Works is responsible for road maintenance. John Patton asked how when you cut their budget?
Mike Makuch, Chief of Willington Hill Fire Dept. commented the Fire Dept. was successful in getting another grant, they requested $30,000 for gear for both fire departments and received $29,000. It is a matching grant.
In 4 months they have received $150,000 in grants. Chief Makuch also commented he is asking that the timing of the 2 trucks be reconsidered. He feels it is irresponsible to wait to replace the 1981 truck; it is our most used truck. Discussion on when it could be ordered and when funds would be disbursed followed. Chief Makuch commented we could get the ball rolling in July 09, we do not have to have money until delivery, and there are different programs to pay. First Selectman Eldredge commented he does not want to change something the CIP
Committee did. Chief Makuch commented the leasing company is willing to give it in 09-10 and no payment until 11-12. The CIP recommends a 10-year lease but the more you stretch the lease the more you overlap. Chief Makuch commented we will continue to pursue grants to pay for the truck and for reconstruction and renovation of the fire department.
Jack Lewis commented I understand the drainage problems on Village Hill will not be addressed. First Selectman Eldredge commented I will not float a bond. Lynn Nicholls commented I do not understand how we will get it all done. We are handling sand piled up, rainstorms and ice and drainage is bad. First Selectman Eldredge commented we can address some of these issues. Jack Lewis commented there are union problems and vacation time; there is no way to do these jobs without a full crew. Selectman Palmer commented the Town of Ashford has the same union contract. Jack Lewis asked if Turnpike Road would get done? First Selectman Eldredge commented I will not float a bond. Selectman Palmer commented WINCOG might have some money. Jack Lewis commented one of the main
responsibilities of the Board of Selectmen is the maintenance of the roads.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn commented there are major icing and water problems, potholes and washouts. How do you think Public Works can do all the work? There is 2.5 months of sweeping and 1 month getting ready for chip sealing. First Selectman Eldredge commented I think we have to sit down and discuss this. Lynn commented last year the
Board, Karl Acimovic and I sat down and laid out the CIP, now a lot of that is out of CIP I don’t see how we can do it. First Selectman Eldredge commented we will do it with Public Works. First Selectman Eldredge asked are we ready to recycle and how is the new compactor? Lynn commented the shed is done but not the
REGULAR MEETING -3- FEB. 19, 2008
inside and the compactor is fine. Selectman Charette commented the oil is still milky, it needs to be cleaned out again. Lynn will check into this.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S BUDGET
First Selectman Eldredge commented nothing has changed since our workshops. The $2,980,068 represents an increase of 2.0%. The Board went over the final figures. Selectman Charette commented the number of students at Region 19 has gone down, 87% of that budget is compensation and 13% is for the kids. Discussion on Region 19 followed.
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED THAT WE APPROVE THE FISCAL 2008-2009 BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S BUDGET OF $2,980,068, AN INCREASE OF $57,285 (2.0%) OVER THE 07-08 BUDGET.
Selectman Palmer seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE) 0 NO
APPOINTMENTS
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPOINT MARC A. JEFFREYS AS A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, TERM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY TO 1/1/09.
Selectman Charette seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE) 0 NO
C.I.P.
First Selectman Eldredge commented the CIP Committee approved everything here; we should take their recommendation and approve it.
SELECTMAN PALMER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PLAN AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM COMMITTEE.
Selectman Charette seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE) 0 NO
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Palmer offered condolences to the Weigold family; both Isabel and Harold were stalwart members of the community.
SELECTMAN PALMER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:10 P.M.
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE) 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary
Board of Selectmen
860-487-3100
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