Town of Willington
BOARD OF SELECTMEN • 40 OLD FARMS ROAD • WILLINGTON, CONNECTICUT 06279 • (860) 487-3100 • FAX (860) 487-3103
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SPECIAL MEETING JULY 8, 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 6/16/08.
Selectman Palmer seconded the motion.
VOTE: 2 YES (PALMER & CHARETTE) 1 ABSTAIN (ELDREDGE) 0 NO
Lynn Nicholls commented they worked on site lines on Lohse Road, they did not set lines.
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Mike Makuch, Chief of Willington Hill Fire Dept. commented he needs to catch up on things for the Fire Dept.
First Selectman Eldredge asked Mike to get together with Lynn Nicholls regarding Liska Road.
Wilbur Gangaway was present to discuss the possibility of the Seniors getting a 15-passenger van; the Seniors would pay for it but would appreciate any help with insurance etc. Wilbur also commented on the need to expand the Senior Center. More people are joining the center; they had 106 people at the annual banquet. Wilbur commented they need some direction from the Board, where do they start, should they add this to the CIP? Who would initiate this, the Town or the Seniors? The options as to where they could expand are limited.
First Selectman Eldredge commented he would talk to Larry Wagner regarding funding. Wilbur commented we need to have an engineer and architect study, who would do it? First Selectman Eldredge commented once you had the money for the study you should do it. Wilbur commented we are getting more members, we have 206 now, we need to do something. There are 25-30 people for lunch every day and about 40 attend the meetings. Wilbur commented one reason we want a van is we can do some activities at night and it will help fill the gap for doctor appointments. We plan to have 3 drivers, the van does not have to be DOT registered and insurance is about $2,000/year.
John Patton was present to discuss the tax situation with the Senior Apartments. John commented there is a wide gap between what the Town wants and what the apartments want to pay for taxes. First Selectman Eldredge commented we went through our attorney and followed State Statues. John commented the apartments are low income, if you charge $45,000-50,000 it will eat up most of the income; there are expenses for heat, electricity, plowing, building management, etc. John commented he does not want to see both sides paying money to attorneys. The Town Meeting gave the Board the authority to abate the taxes, you could cut it to $20,000-30,000, it was never meant to be a moneymaker. First Selectman Eldredge commented the evaluation was done by CLT, they have done other HUD projects, and
because it was questioned by ASHOW
SPECIAL MEETING -2- JULY 8, 2008
we sent it to our attorney, everything was done correctly, next year it probably will be challenged but it is to late this year. Further discussion on this followed. First Selectman Eldredge commented we try to do it absolutely legal and fair and equitable. I think there is a misconception of what Mr. Berto presented. John commented that program can only support so much, look at it and meet with them to come up with an agreement; do not worry about the attorneys.
Mike Makuch commented we need trees trimmed all over town. He will give Lynn a list of roads. Mike commented the Hill Fire Dept. finished the fiscal year in the black. Mike asked is the road beyond the campground on Liska Road Town property? First Selectman Eldredge commented he does not know but will check on it. He planned to ask the landowner for permission to open it up to make it possible for emergency vehicles to pass. The bridge would be closed for 3-4 weeks. Lynn asked about the Fire Dept. grant for dry hydrants, since the equipment comes through Public Works does the grant reimburse Public Works or go into the general fund. Mike explained that they must spend the money and then send the bills in to get the grant. Mike commented we need to clean up and clarify
the dry hydrants procedure. Discussion on this followed.
Jim Poole was present to discuss Region 19’s plan to put the $8.3 million project on the ballot in Nov. Jim asked is the Board taking steps to get the information to the taxpayers so they can understand what it will cost them? Selectman Palmer commented they will not have real numbers until Sept. Jim commented the information they have on their website is wrong, they should remove it, and asked the Board to call Region 19 and ask to have it removed. Jim commented it sounds like it will be nothing much but when you add everything else in it is a lot. Selectman Palmer commented if it is on the Presidential ballot then every student at UCONN
can vote. Jim asked has the fire study kicked off yet? First Selectman Eldredge commented no. Mike Makuch commented we were waiting for the new fiscal year.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
PUBLIC WORKS
The Board and Lynn went over the proposed chip sealing trucking, sand & snow plowing bids. These will be sent to Town contractors. The words or designee were added after Public Works Director in each bid.
Lynn commented she is getting prices for trees for a bucket truck, a chipper and a groundman. Lynn commented this week she has only one employee for Wed. & Thurs. due to vacations. Selectman Charette asked can we ask that one of the guys at the Transfer Station remain outside to help residents and see that garbage goes in the right area? Both were in the shed the other day. First Selectman Eldredge commented he will talk to them. Selectman Charette commented in response to the letter regarding Ketches Road Bridge, we must make sure we notify them when we have a meeting regarding this.
CEMETERY ASSOCIATION INQUIRY/REQUEST
Tom Smith, of the Cemetery Association, and Carl Csiki had presented a letter to First Selectman Eldredge regarding land for use as a cemetery. Tom, Joe Philippe and John Patton were present to discuss this. Tom explained there is enough space now for 70 more years but they are looking to the future. They are looking at the open field on the west side of Moose Meadow Road. The Conservation Commission said that it is not part of the Fenton-Ruby Park. The Town owns the property but there are 3 deed restrictions. The Cemetery Association is a corporation and each plot is deeded over to the person who buys it. That may be prohibited by one of the restrictions. Discussion on this followed. First Selectman Eldredge commented he will submit this
SPECIAL MEETING -3- JULY 8, 2008
to the Town Attorney for answers. John Patton commented if the attorney says it can’t be done ask him about eminent domain. First Selectman Eldredge commented he is not in favor of eminent domain but will ask the Town Attorney if there is any possible way it can be done.
AWARD PROPANE CONTRACT
Three bids were received:
High Grade Gas Service, Inc. $2.31/gallon
Osterman Propane $0.259 over the Selkirk weekly average
Superior Energy, LLC $0.25 over the Selkirk delivered price.
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO ACCEPT THE HIGH GRADE GAS SERVICE PRICE OF $2.31/GALLON.
Selectman Charette seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE) 0 NO
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Palmer said thank you to Peter Anderson and Kathy Demers for working on the Knowlton property. Selectman Palmer commented he went to the breakfast for the workshops in the fall for the Natchaug watershed. The watershed is one of the purest in New England and has solid economic value. We may be looking at hydroelectric power. We need to get the community to support it. Selectman Palmer commented he went to all three Region 19 presentations and the July 1st meeting where they approved option C for the recreation fields. Option C added tennis courts at an additional cost of $400,000. There is some contention regarding who owns the tennis courts, Region 19 or the Town of Mansfield. There was some thing different at each presentation. The Ashford
meeting brought out the fact that the synthetic life of the covering is 8-10 years. The cost of option C replacement would be $750,000. Selectman Palmer commented he will do a memo on all this. The vote was 6 in favor, 2 opposed; there were 3 people not present. None of the money is reimbursable. First Selectman Eldredge commented the police have 2 suspects for the April 13th break in at the Town Office Building, 1 is a juvenile. Arrest warrants are being served for the August 07 break in.
SELECTMAN CHARETTE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:41 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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