BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting May 18, 2009
Town Office Building – Lower Conference Room 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, Lynn Nicholls and residents. First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Palmer motioned to approve the minutes of 5/04/09.
Selectman Charette seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Eldredge, Palmer & Charette) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Kim and Shawn Kowalyshyn were present to voice concern about their neighbor parking their trailer on the road in front of their home on Lindsey Lane (The Kowalyshyn’s were here last year for the same issue). The concern is that the neighbors leave the trailer parked in the road for a week at a time; the road is not wide enough and there is barely enough room for emergency vehicles and the school bus to pass through the road. If they can keep parking on the street, then everyone else might feel that they can do the same. Mrs. Kowalyshyn also stated that it is an eye sore and they do not feel that they should have to look at a trailer from their front yard. First Selectman Eldredge stated that he would get in contact with the neighbor and ask them to park the trailer on their property.
Christine Psathas stated that the Town of Tolland will be going to a single stream recycling program as of July 1, and asked the Board to consider doing the same. The Single Stream recycling provides recycling for plastics number 1 to number 7. Right now we are able to recycle number 1 and number 2. First Selectman Eldredge stated that the Town will be involved with the Single Stream recycling with Willimantic Waste starting on July 1st. Ms. Psathas stated that it is probably the same program as Tolland. Ms. Psathas asked if the recycle program for drop offs, or just pick ups? First Selectman stated it was for all residents.
Ms. Psathas also asked the Board if they received the History Day results. Yes, they did, Selectman Palmer stated it was a wonderful record.
Ralph Tulis stated that he wanted to comment on item 6 B.
John Patton asked the status of the Ram Cronium building? First Selectman Eldredge stated that the Building Inspector sent a letter to the owner of the building. He has also spoken to the owner upon receipt of the letter, and the owner said that he would board the building up. First Selectman Eldredge also stated that he spoke with the Building Inspector just before tonight’s meeting to check the status of the situation, as he did not see anything done to the building as of last week. If the owner does not comply with the request, the Town will be responsible to take care of it. First Selectman Eldredge is hoping to have the owner comply to save the Town from having to board it up and to save cost.
Christina Mailhos complimented Teri Gareau on the baseball fields. She and Lynn have done a great job working together. A lot of people have commented on the improvements of the fields.
Christina was also at the meeting to represent the E.O. Smith High School 50th anniversary. There will be major events held next weekend. A community event will be held next Friday night including a picnic and an Alumni battle of the bands. All Town residents are encouraged to attend.
Correspondence:
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
Public Works:
Lynn Nicholls said that she was amazed with the Historical Society’s building on the common, in one weekend it has shaped up nicely. It looks great.
Lynn stated that from Route 74 North heading towards Parker Road is done sweeping. They started on the Senior Center. Teri and Lynn have been working on sprucing up different properties. They will be working with the Boy Scouts with planter, and all Mail boxes have been repaired. Public Works is getting caught up little by little.
Lynn submitted copies of the snow plow bid contract to the Board for review. Selectman Palmer suggested to take out the 4 hour minimum. There was discussion on this. First Selectman Eldredge asked Selectman Charette’s thoughts on removal of the verbiage, and with that of the back up vehicles. This wording has always been on the contract. Plow trucks need to be ready and available. Lynn said she would like to leave the wording in the contract as is. She said that they rarely run under the 4 hour time frame. Last year she started the punch of time clock, which has saved the Town money, as the contractors get paid once they start on the clock, not when they are called. First Selectman Eldredge said Lynn could check to see what other Town’s do in this situation. It should be in
conjunction with what the Union workers get, which is 3.5 hours. Lynn said we have been fortunate with back up vehicles in the past, where she would only lose an hour or less. There have not been many instances where a lot of time was lost due to break downs, or a new (back up) driver not knowing the correct route. First Selectman Eldredge stated that we should not accept a bid without a stand by. Selectman Palmer said to consolidate the second paragraph from the contract. Lynn will revise the contract, and return to the Board for approval.
Lynn also handed out copies of the new chipseal bid. Last year we paid $2.48 per gallon, and Gorman has quoted the same price as last year. It is .01 below State bid, which includes the chipper, roller and spreader. Selectman Palmer suggested to have a workshop to figure out the total mileage and the list of what roads to be done this year. First Selectman Eldredge also asked John Patton to supply a price for new stone.
First Selectman motioned to accept the chip seal bid from Gorman Group at $2.48 per gallon – the same price as 2008.
Selectman Palmer asked to perform the workshop first
Motion tabled.
Lynn will get the proposed routes for workshop discussion.
Lynn stated that it is time to get rid of the Suburban. It is to the point where she no longer wants to drive it, and has needed to be towed the last two times it was out. She suggested having it put up for bid. Selectman Charette said that there is no use in keeping it if we don’t use it. Selectman Palmer asked for a safety report on it. Lynn said she does not want it replaced; just wants to get rid of it.
New Business:
- Adopt Affirmative Action Plan for the Town of Willington. The Town of Willington will receive extra
points towards the application for the DECD Small Cities CDBG Grant with the adoption of this plan.
First Selectman Eldredge motioned to adopt the Affirmative Action Plan for the Town of Willington Connecticut as presented.
Selectman Palmer seconded the motion
Vote: 3 Yes (Eldredge, Palmer & Charette) 0 No.
- Senior and WYFSS Position –Discussion
The Town has decided to eliminate a position and go to 1 position through Access (WYFSS). First Selectman Eldredge has requested Access to keep one of the certain individuals; however Access has informed him that the Town cannot make that decision. Access is now looking to sign a new contract with the Town, and he has been hesitant to do so, because of this situation. The problem is that out of the 2 Access employees, one has done a tremendous job for the Town over the years, and the other employee is not up to expectations. The Town pays Access $43,000 per year for services rendered. Selectman Palmer feels that what we pay for is not all salary for the Access employees. John Patton is on the Access Board, and stated that the money pays for the salaries, benefits and cost of personnel. There is no overhead cost.
Access applies for grants to cover the cost of salaries. First Selectman Eldredge feels that if the Town advertises for the position, we may be able to find a competent worker and be able to choose who would fill that position. Ralph Tulis presented many questions, and there was discussion regarding overhead, training, and expenses. Selectman Palmer suggested that he would like to talk to both individuals and see how much they do with Access, and how much training they get from Access. Selectman Charette suggested that the portion of the cost could be a problem, and agreed to get more information.
The Town has received an amendment to the STEAP grant for the Town to be refunded $57,628.12 to the General Fund.
First Selectman Eldredge motioned to adopt the following resolution as follows:
RESOLVED, that Michael L. Eldredge, First Selectman, be, and hereby authorized to sign the agreement entitled:
“First Supplemental Agreement to the Original Agreement Dated October 11, 2007 between the State of Connecticut and the Town of Willington for the Design and Construction of the Old Farms Road Storm Drainage Upgrade” and a certification indicating the council adopts as its policy to support the nondiscrimination agreements and warranties required under the Connecticut General Statutes.
Adopted by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Willington, Connecticut this 18th Day of May, 2009.
Selectman Palmer Seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Eldredge, Palmer & Charette) 0 No.
First Selectman Eldredge motioned to refund $118.16 to Nissan Infinity, P.O. Box 650214, Dallas, TX. Reason being vehicle was sold.
Selectman Charette seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes(Eldredge, Palmer & Charette) 0 No.
Good & Welfare:
First Selectman Eldredge commended the 18 students from Hall School who placed first, second or third at the District History Day competition. Christine Psathas stated that seven of these students will be going on to the National Contest next month. Hall school has won more placements than any other school in the state. It was an outstanding job done by all. Results as follows:
The 18 Students from Hall School who placed first, second or third at the District History Day contest did very well at the Connecticut State History Day contest on Saturday. All of the students should be congratulated for the great job they did revising their projects for the contest. Seven students from our school will be going on to the National Contest next month. This is more than we have ever sent to Nationals and more than any other middle school at the state contest this year. Here are the awards our students won:
Vanessa Lusa received the first place medal for the Junior Historical Paper category for her paper, Mary McLeod Bethune: Actions and Legacies. Vanessa also received a special award for the Outstanding Entry in African American History sponsored by the John E. Rogers African American Cultural Center.
Colleen Tyler received the first place medal in the Junior Website category for Dr. Seuss: An Achievement in Children’s Literature. Colleen also received a special award for the Outstanding Entry in New England History, sponsored by the New England History Teacher’s Association.
Tristan Bock-Hughes received the first place medal in the Junior Individual Documentary category for Fidel Castro: Rebel Dictator.
Ethan Baker, Chris Raymond and Wei Jia Ma received first place medals in the Junior Group Documentary category for Huey Long: Champion for the Common Man.
Liam McLean received the first place medal in the Junior Individual Performance category for Mark Twain: America’s First Great Author. Liam also received a special award for the Outstanding Entry in Connecticut History, sponsored by The Society of the Descendants of the Founders of Hartford.
The Board of Selectmen will send congratulatory letters to these students.
Selectman Charette reiterated on how nice the Town grounds look, and how nice of a job Teri Gareau and Public Works has done. The ball fields look fantastic.
First Selectman Eldredge has received paperwork on Cadlerock properties, stating that it has been deeded to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Town of Willington, but will most likely go into Executive Session at a later date. The paperwork has been forwarded to the Town attorneys for review at this time.
First Selectman Eldredge motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:56 P.M.
Selectman Charette seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Eldredge, Palmer & Charette) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Robin H. Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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