BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting January 4, 2010
Town Office Building – Lower Conference Room 6:30 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Millix & Blessington, Lynn Nicholls and residents. First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Blessington motioned to approve the minutes of December 21, 2009 as written.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington motioned to approve the minutes of December 23, 2009 as written.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Millix motioned to approve the minutes of December 28, 2009 as written.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the joint meeting minutes should be held for approval until the Board of Education has a chance to make comments and/or changes on the minutes.
Present to Speak:
John Patton made a few comments on the last regular Board of Selectmen meeting. He thanked the Board of Selectmen for attempting to cease the litigation and put it behind them. He is also happy to see that the current Board of Selectmen will be attending a Freedom of Information Session. He commented on Selectman Blessington’s tirade from the last meeting and stated that he has never been afraid to stand up for his principles, and felt that the former Board of Selectmen violated the Freedom of Information Act, and said instead of admitting error, they decided to obligate the town and spend over $10,000 to pursue the personal vengeance because he questioned their actions. Mr. Patton said that Selectman Blessington will have his wish because the Town Council has continued to file additional legal briefs, and has
not withdrawn the Town from the suit; they will go to court on Thursday, January 7.
Selectman Blessington said that he is happy to hear that it will be settled one way or another.
Correspondence:
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
Public Works:
Lynn said the Crew had a long weekend from the ongoing snow. She thanked her Crew for keeping up with the weather. She has put out a plea to anyone who will be using Town facilities or committees using any public facility, to make her aware of what will be open. Please either call Public Works at (860) 684-9313 or email Publicworks.wil@gmail.com or the Selectmen’s office rcampbell@willingtonct.org so Public Works can adapt their schedules, and shovel/plow for the events. If she can be notified/emailed on Monday for a head’s up for the week, would be helpful.
Old business
A. Discusion of Town’s failure to adopt Wildnerness Way at the 12/22 Town Meeting.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that it appears that this is an unprecedented action for Willington and other Towns as well. A builder has built a road per as the specifications of the Town, and it was not accepted. Sue Yorgensen was asked to discuss the situation. She stated that the Builder has done what he was supposed to do per the Town’s regulations. Discussion was then held on what to do to get to the next step. Selectman Blessington said that he has a problem with calling another Town Meeting right after the last one was held. It is not setting the right precedence. If Mr. Crossen wants to petition to go to Town meeting, then we will need to go to Town Meeting. Calling another Town meeting to overturn the previous outcome is wrong. Selectman Millix said that he was not
at the Town Meeting, but he felt that there were many questions left unanswered, and had they had more information at the meeting, people may have voted differently. The Builder has spent a lot of money to get the road done, people are living up there, and new houses are being built. Selectman Millix then said that is the responsibility of the Board of Selectman to call another meeting and have someone there to answer the questions; it is in good faith and we should not make Mr. Crossen jump through any more hoops than he has to get his road accepted he has spent a lot of money on this, and has followed the Towns specifications. Jim Poole stated that if the Board chooses to move forward and call another meeting, it is a slap in the face to the constitutes of the Town, who voted no at the Town Meeting. It is not the Board of Selectmen’s job to make Mr. Crossen’s life easier; the constitutes of the Town voted and said no. Mark Palmer
said that the majority of the vote, almost unanimously voted no. Selectman Blessington and Millix asked if it is shot down again at Town Meeting, what happens? Sue Yorgensen said it could be settled in court. The general consensus was not to call another Town Meeting. First Selectman Mailhos said she thinks the fair thing to do is to have Mr. Crossen ask to petition, it is a good compromise for everyone.
New Business:
A. First Selectman Status Report
First Selectman Mailhos presented an updated Status Report, which has the litigation information taken off. She plans to update it every few weeks. Selectman Millix asked of the status for the water treatment system at the Senior Center. First Selectman Mailhos said that she has been in contact with CT Water, and they are waiting for a special part to come in.
B. Recommendation of Appointments & C Appointments
First Selectman Mailhos said that the Inland Wetlands Watercourse Commission has recommended Evan Brand to be appointed to the commission. Mr. Brand was present. He graduated from UCONN this past spring with a major in Natural Resource Management and Engineering, with concentration of fisheries and wildlife. He would like to be more active in his town. He has lived in Willington since he was 4 years old.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to Appoint Evan Brand as a regular Member for the Inland Wetlands Watercourse Commission - effective immediately – expiring May 16, 2012.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to Re-Appoint Marc Jeffreys as a regular Member–Willington Historic District Commission- effective immediately – expiring January 1, 2015.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to appoint Mark Drobney as a regular member for the Inland Wetlands Watercourse Commission – effective immediately – expiring May 16, 2010.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
D. Discussion of shutting down the Old Town Hall for winter season
First Selectman Mailhos said that as she was going through the budget for next year, she realized that the current budget was decreased in anticipation of closing the Old Town Hall between December through March. Obviously, it was not closed in December. Discussion was held as to whether we close it down January through March, or just January and February. The assumption was made if we close it down, we would save 800 gallons of oil. Jim Poole said that he sat on the Board of Finance and an analysis was done and run by the Board of Selectmen several times – the savings would be real if the OTH was closed down. He said it was part of the budget, and we really have no choice, but to shut it down. Mark Palmer said that there was no vote to shut it down, but Jim Poole said that the budget was voted on with the
understanding that the building would be shut down, thus meaning it was voted on at the budget referendum. Shirley Ernst said that she and her husband use the building twice per week; they do not use the lights or need the heat on. They have gone in there some days and it is very warm in there. They have requested to keep it open, or at least just let them use the floor space. There are many people who use the building for various reasons. Discussion was held to see if there is a way to keep the temperature at a constant 55º as well as options to protect the building for heat loss. First Selectman Mailhos said that she would be happy to make a few exceptions for those who have already booked the building, however, anyone who calls now should be advised that~it is closed for special events until the end of March. Groups using the building for exercise (like Karate, Fencing, Dancing) may not have a problem with the reduced temperature and
should~feel free to use the building if they wish.~ If that isn't suitable for them, we need to work with them to find an alternate space. Town Meetings will be moved to the Town Office Building. Details will need to be worked out, but we can work through them, and relocate those who are booked to use it on a regular basis if they need a heated facility.
E. Call Town Meeting
As per item 6 A. there will be no call of the Town Meeting.
F. Tax refunds
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to issue a tax refund to Michelle West, GMAC Louisville PPC, P.O. Box 9001951; Louisville, KY 40290-1951; for $598.11 Reason – Refund credit for vehicle sold or destroyed.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to issue a tax refund to CAB East, LLC 260Interstate Drive, Atlanta, GA 30339 for $76.31. Reason – Refund credit for vehicle sold or destroyed.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to add another item to the agenda –
Safety and Facility Committee Charge
Selectman seconded the motion
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to change the Charge of Safety and Facilities Committee: To assess the status of Willington's municipal buildings in terms of~safety and infrastructure.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No
G. Proposal of Board of Selectmen goals and workshop
First Selectman Mailhos asked the other Selectman to get together in a workshop to discuss their goals for 2010. A meeting will be set up.
Good & Welfare:
Lynn said that she had forgotten to mention this back in November and wanted to thank Kathy Demers; a resident in Mansfield, who works at UCONN; Burger King & Dunkin Donuts at TA, and the Sunoco station on Route 32 for the buckets that were donated to the seniors to hold winter sand.
First Selectman Mailhos congratulated John Mindek on his recent Eagle Scout award of honor that happened last Wednesday. He joins the ranks of his 2 older brothers and his father as Eagle Scouts.
Also, the Boy Scouts, Troop 82 will be holding a blood drive on Thursday, January 7, from 1 – 5:45 PM.
Lastly, First Selectman Mailhos said that she has received some good news from the Tax Collector. Revenue collections are up slightly from this time last year, and they expect the bulk of the remainder to come in at the end of this month. A friendly reminder to all residents who have not paid their taxes are encouraged to do so.
Mr. Wiecienski asked about the investigation – why the lawsuit is still being pursued if the Board of Selectmen voted to cease further litigation from the previous meeting. First Selectman Mailhos said that the individuals involved have decided to pursue on their own behalf. The Town will not be paying for it. Discussion was held as if the Town would indemnify the case.
Selectman Blessington motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:34 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin H. Campbell
Robin H. Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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