BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting March 1, 2010
Town Office Building – Common 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, residents and Willington Girl Scouts. First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance with the Flag held by the Girl Scouts along with the Girl Scout Flag.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to move item 7A up to the next item on the agenda.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
A. Girl Scout Proclamation
First Selectman Mailhos read the following Girl Scout Week Proclamation:
WHEREAS, March 12, marks the 98th anniversary of Girl Scouts of the USA, founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia; and,
WHEREAS, throughout its distinguished history, Girl Scouting has inspired millions of girls and women with the highest ideals of courage, confidence, and character; and,
WHEREAS, through the Girl Scout leadership experience girls develop the skills and lessons that will serve them a lifetime so that they may contribute to their communities; and,
WHEREAS, Girl Scouting takes an active role in increasing girls’ awareness of the opportunities available to them today in math, science, sports, technology and other fields that can expand their horizons; and,
WHEREAS, more than 3 million current Girl Scout members nationwide will be celebrating 98 years of this American tradition, with nearly 50 million women who are former Girl Scouts and living proof of the impact of this amazing Movement;
NOW, THEREFORE, I Christina Mailhos by virtue of the authority vested in me as First Selectman of the Town of Willington, do hereby applaud the commitment Girl Scouting has made to support the leadership development of America’s girls and proudly proclaim the week of March 7, 2010, as Girl Scout Week.
Christina B. Mailhos
First Selectman,
Town of Willington
First Selectman Mailhos said as a former Willington Girl Scout and current Leader; she is proud and excited to do this today. The Girl and Boy Scouts continue to do good things to serve this Town.
Approval of Minutes:
Robin Campbell asked to make a change to the regular minutes of February 16, 2010, to read, “First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag held by Selectman Millix’s daughter, Molly.
Selectman Blessington motioned to accept the regular minutes of February 1, 2010 as amended. Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Dennis Ross wants to know why the Board changed the rules at the dump without a Selectmen’s vote. He also asked how the rules can be changed arbitrarily.
Correspondence:
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
First Selectman Status Report
First Selectman Mailhos went over the updated report:
*River Road Complex – First Selectman Mailhos met with the Town Attorney and the Department of Labor. It has been determined that the labor portion of the project will not meet the prevailing wage threshold. The Recreation Commission is preparing to move forward and go out to bid.
*Water System Treatment – Programming should have been done and inspected this week. We should hear from CT Water once it has been done. We will communicate with the residents to inform them when the new system is up and running.
*Budget Planning – The Board of Finance has asked for further reductions; another budget workshop will need to be held.
*Probate Court Planning – The committee will reconvene on March 15 and a final decision on the location of the court should be made at that time.
*Appointments for Boards and Commissions – First Selectman Mailhos has sent a public notice on the web and will submit an article in the March issue of Horizons magazine.
*Pump Station Damage – First Selectman Mailhos plans to appeal the rejection letter, and is enlisting the help of Mike Eldredge, who has offered to help with the appeal process.
*Transfer Station Policy Review – First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Board needs to look into the current practices, policies and enforcement. She would like to have a pamphlet made up that explains all of the rules and regulations. She will also hold a Special Board of Selectmen meeting at the Transfer station.
Public Works:
Lynn said that Public Works is keeping up with the nuisance storms. The last rain storm created a lot of washouts of roads, and this year the frost heaves are more prolific than in years past.
New Business:
B. Discussion of Swap shed for building materials.
Lynn has brought up the idea of building an additional swap shed dedicated for storing building materials; 2x4’s nails, sheetrock, left over shingles, etc. This could potentially reduce our bulky waste. We have also received a flyer from Pepsi, who has offered volunteers to help out with projects for various Towns. We have sent the request back with what we are looking to do. If we could get some residents to donate materials, we could have it done fairly quickly. First Selectman Mailhos has spoken with Susan in Planning and Zoning, and has begun the permit process. The proposed structure would be a three sided 25 x 30 shed. First Selectman Mailhos will move forward with the next steps.
C. C.I.P. Plan
Selectman Millix motioned to accept the CIP Plan as presented by the CIP Committee.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
D. Budget discussion
Another Budget meeting will need to be held, as discussed in the First Selectman Status Report.
E. Municipal Interlocal Risk Management Agency
Selectman Blessington said we have a mess – a bill that creates a mess because we have not budgeted to pay in excess of $100,000. First Selectman Mailhos said that the total bill is currently at $120,000. Selectman Blessington gave a brief explanation of MIRMA: – it is a worker’s compensation insurance. Insurance Companies usually don’t like to deal with worker’s compensation, so consortium of Towns got together and created an entity called Connecticut Interlocal Insurance Agency – CIRMA. CIRMA would be the go to guys to insure the Towns for workers compensation. In 2002, another firm was formed to compete with CIRMA, called Municipal Interlocal Risk Management Agency – MIRMA. Willington was one of the first Towns to sign up for MIRMA. We
have been a member since 2002, and have renewed our contract with them every year. MIRMA is in debt for about $9.7 million. They cannot meet their claim obligations and are operating on a deficit and need to recover their money; they have done a one time assessment on each of the 65 Towns involved. MIRMA has been poorly run, and there is definitely a conflict of interest because John Patton is one of the board members of MIRMA. We went many years without being able to get quotes from CIRMA. He has contacted CIRMA to see why they hadn’t offered quotes in the past few years, and they said because Mr. Patton was on the Board of Selectmen at the time, they felt that there was no need to bid because they would not have gotten the contract.
Lisa Marco, from the Board of Finance asked what if the Town suffers a loss, or what if there is a claim in the meantime? How do we pay for it?
Mark Palmer said if he had known if there was a deficit with MIRMA, last year, he would have never signed it, but nobody brought the issue to the Board of Selectmen at the time. Mr. Patton said that everybody was always invited to MIRMA board meetings, the Insurance Agents knew about it, and CIRMA made sure that everyone was made aware of it.
George Debski said he knows we have a problem, and what are the possible solutions? Why is everything being directed to John? We have an elected Board who ought to come up with a list of solutions. Lisa Marco said it is odd that you are asking John Patton for direction and then attacking him. It is wrong. You can’t have it both ways. It is uncomfortable for her as a taxpayer, and a resident – it is awful.
Selectman Blessington said he would like to discuss the issuse with the Town Attorney. Selectman Millix disagreed, and said that it would cost too much money to bring the attorney up to speed, as they would have to research it, and it could take time – which we are being billed per hour. First Selectman Mailhos said that we are already over budget with the Attorney’s fees.
John Patton gave a synopsis of the breakdown of how the assessment was made on what the Town owes. This is due to claims, the reserves, and what has been paid out. Claims can still come in from 2 years ago; others we are still paying on. Assessments are based upon fiscal years and projected losses based upon history of what was paid out.
Selectman Blessington said he has been researching the issue for over a week, and said he would like to contact the Attorney. First Selectman Mailhos said that she would rather speak with the other Towns who are already looking into this who have more resources, and better insight. We could benefit from the things that they are already leaning on this issue. Selectman Millix asked Selectman Blessington why we would contact the Attorney, as they don’t have any information on this, and could end up paying for the Attorney’s learning curve.
George Debski asked if an effort has been made to explore other options to get better deals on insurance. Selectman Millix agreed it is a good idea to get more than one quote. John Patton said that we are limited with Municipal workers’ compensation insurance. There is only CIRMA and MIRMA. Discussion was held on how we will pay for it, whether it is a lump sum or over the term of 5 years. Lisa Marco asked if we could get some insight from WinCog? First Selectman Mailhos agreed, and also suggested that she might contact COST. Selectman Millix agreed, rather than bringing the Town Attorney into it at this point; as CCM and COST probably has more knowledge on the subject than the Attorney.
Selectman Blessington asked to get the ball rolling with the Attorney. Selectman Millix suggested that First Selectman Mailhos should be the one to call the Attorney. First Selectman Mailhos reiterated that contacting the Attorney costs us $225 per hour, and it will not be a quick conversation. Selectman Millix said it could end up costing us over $1,000 just for the phone call alone. Selectman Blessington said if it could save us money it could be worth it. He is thinking of which Attorney he would be calling; it is one who is antagonistic towards Mr. Patton, and that may be what we need right now. There is a conflict of interest that is hurting the Town. We have kept a contract with MIRMA for years, which we should not have kept. Mr. Patton had to know that MIRMA was in trouble, and never
notified the Town. Selectman Millix said we need to research and have the information that we need before going before the Attorney; frankly, he is hesitant to have Selectman Blessington contact the Attorney in question of what would be discussed. Lisa Marco said that Selectman Blessington has more of an agenda to go after Mr. Patton, rather than to save the Town. Selectman Millix said we need to be deliberate in what we are doing before we go blowing money on the Attorney with nothing to go on. Selectman Blessington said he is upset with Mr. Patton and the problems that we are having and money we have spent – it could have been avoided if we hadn’t done business with his company all of those years. Mr Patton is on the board of directors; it is not his company. First Selectman Mailhos suggested giving her a few weeks, until the next meeting; to gather more information on this. If other Towns have already contacted their attorneys, they
might have some insight for us, and it might be to our advantage.
F. Tax refunds
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to refund $627.25 to Nancy Peterson; Nissan Infinity, LT; P.O. Box 690214; Dallas TX. Reason: refund credit for vehicle sold.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to refund $164.73 to Janet Walstedt; 391 Tolland Turnpike Willington; Refund credit for vehicle sold.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to refund $72.01 to Christine A. Soucy, 21 Hockla Farms Road, Willington. Reason: refund credit for vehicle sold.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Good & Welfare:
Mark Palmer said that the Governor’s 375th birthday kickoff meeting was a wonderful success. There were over 400 kids there.
Charlie Woodworth asked the status of the Route 74 Bridge. First Selectman Mailhos said that we just received information from Brian Hurlburt on that today. It is on hold, as there is no funding for the project at this time. The design process will begin in 2012.
First Selectman Mailhos adjourned the meeting with the gavel given to her from Iraq donated by David Tharp at 7:52 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin H. Campbell
Robin H. Campbell
Administrative Assistant
| 
