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 JULY 21, 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 7/8/08 WITH THE FOLLOWING CORRECTIONS: PAGE 2:DELETE THE WORDS OR DESIGNEE WERE ADDED AFTER PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR IN EACH BID. REPLACE WITH ON THE BID FORMS THE WORD “DIRECTOR” IS TO BE CHANGED TO “SUPERVISOR” AND “ROAD CREW FORMAN OR DESIGNEE” IS TO BE ADDED. PAGE 3: GOOD AND WELFARE: SELECTMAN PALMER SAID THANK YOU TO PETER ANDERSON AND KATHY DEMERS FOR THEIR WORK ON THE KNOWLTON PROPERTY GRANT APPLICATION TO THE CT DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. SELECTMAN PALMER COMMENTED HE WENT TO THE BREAKFAST FOR THE NATCHAUG WATERSHED BASIN KICKOFF BREAKFAST IN EASTFORD. THE WATERSHED IS ONE OF THE PUREST IN NEW ENGLAND. THE WATERSHED RESOURCES ARE IMPORTANT TO THE REGION’S ECONOMY.
ONE RESOURCE THAT MAY BE IMPORTANT IN THE FUTURE IS HYDROELECTRIC POWER. THE WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP WILL BE CONDUCTING WORKSHOPS IN THE FALL THAT WILL DEVELOP AN ACTION PLAN FOR THE REGION. HOPEFULLY THE COMMUNITY WILL SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROCESS.
Discussion on the title for the head of Public Works followed. The job description says Supervisor, her paycheck says Director and she has been known as Public Works Director. Unless something can be found where it was changed the title will be Public Works Supervisor.
Selectman Charette seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE) 0 NO
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Wilbur Gangway commented he discussed the expansion of the Senior Center and obtaining a van for the center at the last Board meeting. He presented a letter to the Board regarding the expansion of the Senior Center. They now have 209 members; for lunch they have about 12-15 people and about 40 people for the monthly meeting. They need to move the furniture for any activities they have. When the cottages are finished they expect about 30 more people at least will join. The only way to expand seems to be toward the parking lot; the kitchen needs to be expanded also. Wilbur commented we would like to get someone to tell us what is feasible.
They were over capacity for their annual banquet. Mike Makuch suggested they talk to the Fire Marshall about a different set up until the expansion.
REGULAR MEETING -2- JULY 21, 2008
Tyler Millix, Chief of Willington #1, commented they could be tacked on to the feasibility study for both fire dept. Everyone thought this was a good idea and it will be looked into.
Mike Makuch, Chief of Willington Hill Fire Dept., commented he read an advertisement for MidNEROC that they are going to be accepting commercial waste. That changes what they did at this location, it was household only. The fire depts. and the Fire Marshal need to know all this. First Selectman Eldredge commented we were not notified about this, he will call Tim Wentzell about it.
CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn gave the Board 3 bids for tree cutting, 2 men, a bucket truck and chipper.
COUNTRY LANDSCAPES $ 95.00/HR.
LINDON TREE SVC. 100.00/HR.
TENNETT TREE SVC. 110.00/HR.
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO AWARD THE TREE CUTTING CONTRACT, BASED ON PRICE, TO COUNTRY LANDSCAPES & TREE, LLC AT $95.00 AN HOUR.
Selectman Charette seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE) 0 NO
Lynn gave the Board a breakdown of the cost of employees’ uniforms. Lynn commented there is a problem with site lines and poison ivy and asked the Board what they want to do about it. Lynn will get the cost of the chemical the State uses and who does the spraying. Lynn will also check with a person in Stafford who does this and get the cost. First Selectman Eldredge asked Lynn to check on what would we need if we do it ourselves as far as precautions and license. Lynn commented sweeping should be finished by Tues of next week.
SELECTMAN PALMER MOVED TO ADD ENGINEER SERVICES TO THE AGENDA UNDER PUBLIC WORKS.
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE) 0 NO
Selectman Palmer commented the Town Engineer is working on many things from the Land Use Dept. and other depts. in Town. The Standard Details needs updating also. The list includes Kechkes Road bridge plans and bid package, plans for storage behind MidNEROC, gravel pit reclamation, cross culvert replacement on different roads, drainage projects, Center School water main, fire depts. expansions, River Road Athletic Complex and many more. Selectman Palmer asked should we look for supplemental help? First Selectman Eldredge commented he will talk to Karl. Selectman Charette asked Lynn how did you make out walking Liska Road with Karl? Lynn commented there are a couple of trees we need to look at closer. We will need a D8 for a couple of days, the fire depts. wants to make sure the
ambulance can get through; we need to clear a 12’ x 12’ area. Mike Makuch commented it does not need as much attention as we thought; I think you should bring in a contractor and equipment instead of the Town crew. First Selectman Eldredge commented we need to go to Inlands/Wetlands and PZC. Lynn commented we need a schedule to open the road. Discussion followed on scheduling this work and awarding the contract. It will probably start next year. John Patton asked is Ketches a
Town road from Moose Meadow to Jared Sparks? I would like a letter stating that. First Selectman Eldredge commented we are under the assumption that Ketches Road is, I would say it is a legal road to Jared Sparks, to
the best of my knowledge it is a Town road. John Patton commented I just want a letter. First Selectman Eldredge asked do you know of any document that would show that it was closed? John commented I do not know. First Selectman Eldredge commented we cannot find any records that it was closed or abandoned. John
REGULAR MEETING -3- JULY 21, 2008
commented if it is open I want everyone to recognize that, including Inlands/Wetlands and PZC, it is a Town Road. Lynn commented the tax bills that went out did not list the Public Works Dept. The catch basin people will come in the first week of August. It would be easier for them to tie up to a fire hydrant rather than the water truck. Can we do that, it is a lot quicker to use the hydrant. Discussion on this followed. Mike Makuch commented the Town of Mansfield has this arrangement with trained people. Lynn commented they tie up to the hydrants in most of the other towns. First Selectman Eldredge commented we will look into it and check if the operator is trained.
DEPUTY FIRE MARSHAL
First Selectman Eldredge explained that Stuart Cobb, for personal reasons, no longer wants to be Deputy Fire Marshall.
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO UN-APPOINT STUART COBB AS DEPUTY FIRE MARSHAL, DUE TO PERSONAL REASONS.
Selectman Charette seconded the motion.
VOTE: 3 YES (ELDREDGE, PALMER & CHARETTE) 0 NO
Selectman Charette thanked Stuart for all his work and commented we appreciate it.
Stuart commented he would always be available for assistance if needed.
RESOLUTION – STEAP GRANT – CENTER SCHOOL WATER SYSTEM
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:
RESOLVED THAT MICHAEL ELDREDGE, FIRST SELECTMAN, IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE, EXECUTE AND APPROVE ON BEHALF OF THIS CORPORATION, ANY AND ALL CONTRACTS OR AMENDMENTS THEREOF WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO EXTEND A WATER LINE FROM THE WILLINGTON SENIOR HOUSING COMPLEX/SENIOR CENTER TO THE CENTER SCHOOL PROPERTY LINE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW 2600-FOOT WATER MAIN ON OLD FARMS RD. WHICH WILL REPLACE AGING AND INSUFFICIENT WELL SUPPLIES AT THE TOWN OFFICE BUILDING & THE WILLINGTON HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Selectman Palmer seconded the motion.
Selectman Charette commented I do not support this project. We have had numerous people speak out against it, we never had anyone come and speak for it. We are bringing water to the school property but the school is not interested in hooking up to it and I am not sure that the fire dept. is either. Selectman Palmer commented Ashford is looking for a back up water system for their school and they are looking at a $360,000 price tag. Selectman Charette commented we don’t have to do everything Ashford does, we were not required to get a back up system. Mike Makuch commented it certainly is an advantage for the fire dept. to have a water system
but our need is not pressing and while not denying the advantage, it seems there are more pressing matters and the will of the townspeople, who we get our money from, did not seem to be supporting it. We can’t take a position against it, it has its advantages, but we are not requesting it. First Selectman Eldredge commented we went after the grant, we got the grant. I have always supported the project. Selectman Charette commented this is only getting the line up there, we have to hook up and the hook up is an additional cost that has to be paid for some how. The will of the people is important, they put us here and they have come out against this. Stuart Cobb asked does this have to go to Town Meeting to accept the grant? Selectman Palmer commented to spend the money it
must go to Town Meeting. First Selectman Eldredge commented we have to go to Board of
Finance and then Town Meeting. John Patton commented when the State is facing multi multi million dollar deficits this is an absolute waste. It doesn’t need to be done; it is a hole in the ground going nowhere, just an excuse to spend money. The question was asked why couldn’t they just drill a well at the school? Discussion
REGULAR MEETING -4- JULY 21, 2008
on this followed. Selectman Palmer commented the water system at the Senior Housing was designed to do this. First Selectman Eldredge commented it was designed to do this and that is why we went for this grant. Selectman Charette commented to answer this gentleman’s question, couldn’t another well be drilled that would suffice, the answer is yes. First Selectman Eldredge commented this will only bring it to the school, not hook it up. You could do another evaluation, the cost to drill another well and compare that to the price of hooking up. Whatever you do on school property you will get a 60% reimbursement from the State. Selectman Palmer commented in Jan. 06 Selectman Patton made the motion for the Senior Housing. John Patton commented yes I did because
I did not want to box myself into a corner if we needed to do that. If we don’t need to do it and there is no reason to do it; just because you have the capability to do something doesn’t mean you should do it. There is an option to fracture the well, why don’t we do that, that is a couple of thousand dollars but we would rather spend $350,000 to bring a pipe up there that the school says they don’t want. Selectman Palmer commented Connie wanted it, EPA wanted it. John commented there are no violations there. First Selectman Eldredge commented I have never heard anyone from the BOE side say that they totally do not want public water up there. Mark Makuch spoke against it as a citizen; he made it very clear he was not speaking for the BOE. First Selectman Eldredge commented once you get up there you can do an evaluation. John Patton commented why would you spend $350,000 first? First Selectman Eldredge
commented if we have the appropriation from the State and it is not Town money being used why wouldn’t we use the State appropriation to bring that up there? John commented because it is still taxpayer money. It makes no sense if we have a perfectly good well and we may have a second perfectly good well, why would you want something that you have to maintain forever? First Selectman Eldredge commented we have a lot of problems with this place, the filters and testing, we eliminate that. I have always supported this project, when we designed the water system it was always planned to bring the system up to the school. John Patton commented yes if it was needed it would be available, if you don’t need it why bring it up? First Selectman Eldredge commented if it didn’t need water why did we design it into the system. Selectman Palmer commented it is an $850,000 system, if we didn’t need it why did we spend $850,000 on
it. John Patton commented you do not close your options. You don’t have to spend $350,000 to put a pipe at the top of the road. Discussion followed on the size of the pipe and getting fire hydrants, it should be able to supply the fire hydrants. Bob Wiecenski asked will we have to pay another $850 a year for the fire hydrant? First Selectman Eldredge commented the hydrant will belong to the Town. Bob commented he would like to know what it cost us now for the water at Hall School. First Selectman Eldredge commented that is public knowledge you would have to ask the Finance Dept. Bob commented we need to know the difference in cost from a well and a water system. First Selectman Eldredge commented the new system at Hall School is a benefit to the school, money well spent, it was a good project.
VOTE: 2 YES (ELDREDGE & PALMER) 1 NO (CHARETTE)
GOOD & WELFARE
Selectman Palmer commented he went to the July 10th presentation by Jeff Smith in Ashford; it was basically the same as the November presentation. Mr. Smith is looking to make a presentation in Willington. There was nothing much new and he did not get into a lot of specifics.
SELECTMAN CHARETTE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:54 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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