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BOARD OF SELECTMEN 5-19-08

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                                                                                                           MAY 19, 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 CHARETTE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 5-5/08.  
Selectman Palmer seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE)    0  NO

SELECTMAN PALMER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 5-7-08
Selectman Charette seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE)    0  NO

PRESENT TO SPEAK
Kim & Shawn Kowalyshyn, of Lindsey Lane, were present to discuss an issue with a car hauler in the road. Kim commented it is unsightly and unsafe.  They would like the owners of the car hauler to put it on their own property.  We do not want to encourage parking in the road.  The school Superintendent called but they did not remove it.  The hauler is not there in the winter only from April to Sept. If everyone parked in the road it would be a mess.  Lynn commented at the moment she does not have jurisdiction, it is not there during plowing or sweeping.  Shawn Kowalyshyn commented it is a permanent parking spot.  Mark Makuch commented the State Police might be able to ticket it because the road does not have legal parking spaces.  Tyler Miller commented it could be ticketed for public safety.  First Selectman Eldredge commented we will investigate and let you know.

Mark Makuch commented he is a member of the Board of Education but is not here in that capacity.  He would like the Board of Selectmen to consider not bringing water to Center School.  We did a study that listed fixes and any of them are cheaper.  Mark commented he is concerned about the number of grants open in Town.  When you get a grant you must do things to a level that you would not do if you do it yourself.  I think we could fix it ourselves cheaper.  I understand that the project is not completely planned and we are obligating ourselves.  I think we should take care of it ourselves.  First Selectman Eldredge commented we have been awarded that grant; it will go to Center School and end there.  Mark commented he hates to see the grant go to something we do not need.  Bob Wiecenski asked if you bring it to the school must you tie into the school before any one else can tie in?  That was the way it was at Hall School.  First Selectman Eldredge commented I do not think you need to put it in Center School.  Discussion on this followed.  Selectman Charette commented I did not approve going for this grant, we do not need it.  Now we are saying we are going to go to Center School to get water to the Town Office Building and the Fire Dept.  First Selectman Eldredge commented it was to go up to Center
School.  John Patton asked do we need to go to Town meeting?  First Selectman Eldredge replied yes.  Tyler Millix asked what if the Board of Education and the Fire Dept does not want to hook up, the Fire Dept. is on record that they don’t want it, can they both refuse to hook up to the line.  First Selectman Eldredge replied yes.  
REGULAR MEETING                                          -2-                                                                 MAY 19, 2008

Tyler commented if that is the case then you have a line going up there that is going to do nothing.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that could be, there is nothing to force them to hook up.  John Patton commented we are putting a pipe in the ground to nowhere for no apparent reason.  First Selectman Eldredge commented we are putting the pipe up to the school property and anyone along that area could hook up to it.  The reason is to bring it to the school property.  

John Patton asked about money coming out of the Willington Fire Dept. #1’s budget.  Chief Tyler Millix commented we were never asked or notified. Discussion on this followed.  First Selectman Eldredge commented you have my assurance that will not happen again.

John Patton asked what is your chip sealing plan?  First Selectman Eldredge commented to get a price first, I will not spend more than what we have budgeted for chip sealing.  If some roads have to go 6 or 7 years some will not get done.  Further discussion on this followed.  

John Patton asked about the snow removal budget and how the $180,000 was arrived at.  Discussion on this followed.
 
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.

PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn commented they are sweeping, mowing and getting ready for Memorial Day and Willington Day and trying to grade roads.  Lynn commented I am getting a lot of letters from the First Selectman and Selectman Palmer with requests for different records of storms, sanding, sweeping, etc.  Lynn presented a large binder with records in it and said they are available at her office and Mr. Palmer should call her to set up a time to come and look through them.  Discussion on this followed.  Selectman Charette commented I understand we made a change at the Transfer Station, are we going to discuss this at a Board Meeting?  First Selectman Eldredge commented we investigated something and I asked you guys to report back to me.  Selectman Charette commented we never said this is what would be done.  I don’t know that it is the best thing for the First Selectman to supervise 2 people.  If we had something in the Finance Dept. you would not supervise 2 people out of that department.  Further discussion on this followed.  First Selectman Eldredge asked Selectman Charette would you feel better if we had a motion on this?  Selectman Charette replied yes.
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED THAT THE TRANSFER STATION OPERATOR AND ASSISTANT TRANSFER STATION OPERATOR REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE FIRST SELECTMAN BEGINNING ON MAY 24, 2008.
Selectman Palmer seconded the motion.
VOTE:  2 YES (ELDREDGE & PALMER)  1 NO (CHARETTE)

CONSERVATION COMMISSION – KNOWLTON PROPERTY
Kathy Demers was here to discuss this property with the Board.  Kathy commented we did appraisals and the family accepted our offer of $625,000.  The Board of Finance has done a resolution in support; we have $400,000 towards the purchase and are trying to get a grant.  We need a Board of Selectmen’s resolution in support of the project for the grant application; the purchase would be based on receiving the grant, which could be up to 60%.  First Selectman Eldredge commented we are having a meeting with our attorney on Wed. 5/21/08 at 9:00 A.M. to draft a purchase agreement.  

FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:
REGULAR MEETING                                          -3-                                                                 MAY 19, 2008

RESOLVED:  THAT THE WILLINGTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN INTENDS TO SUPPORT AND TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTION TO APPROPRIATE UP TO $400,000 FROM THE GENERAL RESERVE FUND BALANCE FOR PURCHASE OF THE 134 +/- ACRES KNOWLTON PROPERTY.  ANY APPROPRIATION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO TOWN MEETING OR REFERENDUM APPROVAL AND ANY AND ALL TERMS OF THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN AND THE SELLERS.
Selectman Palmer seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE)    0  NO

CONSERVATION COMMISSION – PECK’S MILL PARCEL
The Conservation Commission is pursuing the development of a canoe/kayak landing and picnic area on the Town-owned land containing the historic Peck’s Mill site.  Access would be from the water only.
SELECTMAN PALMER MOVED THAT WE GRANT THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION RESPONSIBILITY AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PECK’S MILL PARCEL.
Selectman Charette seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE)    0  NO

CONSERVATION COMMISSION – WILLINGTON HEIGHTS
The Conservation Commission is seeking approval to manage one of the parcels designated as open space in the subdivision.  The Recreation Commission is also seeking approval to do something on that parcel.  Discussion on this followed.
SELECTMAN PALMER MOVED THAT WE AUTHORIZE THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION TEMPORARY MANAGEMENT OF THE OPEN SPACE PARCEL CONDITIONAL ON PZC APPROVALS OF A PLAN, LEAVING IT OPEN FOR THE RECREATION COMMISSION TO PRESENT THEIR PLAN TO PZC.  
Selectman Charette seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE)    0  NO

TAX REFUND
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPROVE A TAX REFUND OF $699.29 TO JASON DeANGELIS.
Selectman Charette seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE)    0  NO

GOOD & WELFARE
Lynn Nicholls commented Wendy Knight does so much work for Willington Day, I wish her luck.  The Cemetery Association does a good job.  Thank you letters will be sent.  A Memorial Day Parade reminder was given to all.

FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:51 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

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