BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting April 19, 2010
Town Office Building – Lower Level Conference Room 6:30 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectman Millix, Lynn Nicholls and residents. Selectman Blessington was absent. First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to approve the minutes of April 5, 2010 12:00 P.M. as written with the following corrections from Lynn Nicholls: it should read Public Works decreased from $40,000 by $5,000 for a total savings of $35,250 overall.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos, Millix) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to approve the minutes of April 7, 2010 with the following correction: The last sentence reads “The Selectmen agreed to leave it on the call, as it is possible it could be re-approved by the time the Town Meeting is held”. Should read The Selectmen agreed to leave it on the call, as it is possible it could be approved by the time the Town Meeting is held.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos, Millix) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to approve the minutes of April 15, 2010 as written.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos, Millix) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Matt Rains is going to build an 8 x 8 shed as part of an Eagle Scout Project, for Troop 82. The proposed shed will go by the raised flower beds in back of the Senior Center. It will be used for storing gaming equipment and gardening supplies. Mr. Rains said it should be done by early June. He will be asking for donations from Lowes, Chase, Willard’s and Home Depot for materials. He showed the Board the plans of the shed. First Selectman Mailhos thanked him for taking the lead on this.
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:
*EECBG Grant – The Town is in the process of submitting a revised application.
*River Road Complex – The Recreation Commission is preparing to go out to bid for the projects at the field.
*Senior Center Water System Treatment – chemicals are currently being injected to the water to control the Ph level. We should see results by early May.
*Kechkes Road Bridge – Asphalting is to be completed by tomorrow and the gates should be in by the end of the week.
*Town Attorney Transition – First Selectman Mailhos checked the status of outstanding issues/projects with the current Attorney. The new Attorney will be meeting with the Department Heads next week.
*Possible Logging Project – First Selectman Mailhos has been in contact with Dan Donahue to get a proposal going to look at some of Town owned properties. It may be time to have them logged. Jim Poole stated that timber sales are at an all time low.
*Budget planning – The Town Meeting is tomorrow night at 7PM at the Old Town Hall.
*CL&P Major Conversion – is slated for tomorrow. All businesses have been notified and residents should have gotten a postcard in the mail. Power will be out from 8:30 P.M. – 12:30P.M.
*PZC Notice of Violation – The Board of Selectmen requested that the gravel pit be converted to a reserve land zone at the last P&Z meeting. Next week Lynn, Karl and First Selectman Mailhos will meet with Susan to go over the plans.
*Senior Center Recreation Area – as of this afternoon, site work has been completed and the benches have been installed. We should obtain the letter of completion from P&Z.
Public Works:
Lynn said that the Senior Center recreation area is finished. Tomorrow the guys will be digging test holes for the Center School Water project. They will be digging 7 test holes for Anchor Engineering. Kechkes Road Bridge will be asphalted tomorrow and the gates should be done by the end of the week. Once the gates are up, they will be locked. The sweeper is back and they started sweeping last Wednesday.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to switch the New business items with the Old business items on the agenda.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote 2 Yes (Mailhos & Millix) 0 No.
New business
A. Energy Advisory Commission (EAC) Energy Audit Presentation
Ed Taiman, Chairman of the EAC brought the Board up to date with what the Commission has been working on. In February, an audit was done by Climate Partners to see which areas in the building were in need of energy updates. With the Town receiving an EECBG Grant, it made sense to perform the audit, to prioritize the areas in need of updating, as to get the most out of the money. Mr. Taiman said he was here with the auditors, and was astounded with the condition of the building. It is in horrible condition, and very challenged.
He paraphrased the findings from the audit report:
There were several square feet of “openings” to the outdoors through the second floor space over the main building, mechanical chases between the office areas on either side of the main building, and above the drop ceiling in the senior center. These openings range from small mechanical penetrations of approximately 1 square inch for wires, etc to thermal bypasses as large as 5 square feet. The building is over 300% “leakier” than it should be. Much of the building is not insulated at all. None of the ductwork in the unconditioned crawl spaces is sealed or insulated. The Hydronic Heating Pipes in the unconditioned crawl spaces are insulated, there is still considerable electric usage that can be attributed to other draws besides heating & cooling.
The EAC has recommended that the current Board of Selectmen amend the grant that has been submitted to reflect the recommendations on the audit to better conserve energy. He also stated that the audit did not even mention replacing the windows, which was on the original application. He also recommends we appoint someone to oversee the Town Office Building operations to save energy. Selectman Millix suggested that we could do some things right now to remedy some of the areas with the staff we have. The amended application is in the process of being re-submitted to OPM.
* A copy of the original audit can be found on the Town’s website.
B. Adopt Energy Resolution
Carol Springer, secretary of the EAC read the following resolution:
Willington Board of Selectmen resolves to support
20% Clean Energy by 2010
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WHEREAS, dependence on foreign sources of oil for electricity production weakens the ability of the United States to act independently and puts its security and economic stability in the hands of unfriendly, undemocratic and unstable governments; and
WHEREAS, producing electricity by burning fuels is the leading cause of industrial air pollution in the United States which can result in a variety of health risks to Willington residents - including cases of asthma, especially in children; and
WHEREAS, the economic impact of not using conservation strategies and alternative energy sources results in direct and indirect costs to Willington citizens.~ These costs include medical, lost days at work, increasing energy costs and harmful environmental impacts; and
WHEREAS, pollution from electricity production can be reduced in a cost-effective manner that enhances economic development by applying the currently available energy efficiency technologies and renewable energy programs that most CT towns have implemented to save money, create jobs and strengthen local economies; and
WHEREAS, clean energy resources – such as wind, solar and water – constantly replenish themselves, and if properly managed, will be available to serve our energy needs forever; and
WHEREAS, the 20% by 2010 campaign is a Connecticut not-for-profit initiative that seeks to have cities and towns obtain 20% of the electricity for municipal properties from clean, renewable energy sources by the year 2010, and
WHEREAS, by meeting the goals of 20% by 2010, Willington can begin to address the problems resulting from conventional power sources and receive the benefits associated with clean, renewable power sources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Willington commits to the goal of obtaining at least 20% of its municipal energy purchases from clean renewable energy resources by the end of the year 2010.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Willington’s Energy Advisory Committee (EAC) be tasked to research and make recommendations so that Willington can reach the 20% by 2010 goal. The EAC will investigate options for meeting that goal, including enrolling in the CTCleanEnergyOptions program, purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and/or on-site renewable energy installations, and will research funding opportunities.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Selectmen encourages all Willington residents and businesses to support clean energy and practice energy conservation and efficiency in their homes and offices.
Ms. Springer asked the Board of Selectmen to adopt the resolution, on the recommendation of the EAC to commit to become a clean energy community. If the Town commits, there are some energy grants available. Willington could earn points to qualify for energy systems. We get points for residential properties and more for businesses who commit. First Selectman Mailhos said if we switch to a more cost effective provider; and sign up for the grant, the Town could potentially save a lot of money each month on energy costs. Ralph Tulis gave a presentation of how much money the Town has spent on electricity from July 09-February – 10. He said we are averaging around $5,000 per month on electricity. This does not include the schools, WHFD, or what is being reimbursed by ACCESS. The library has the highest
usage. Selectman Millix asked why we aren’t on the same program as the schools. First Selectman Mailhos said this is because they shut down during the summer and they are able to go off the grid at points in the summer, as well as certain vacation breaks. This puts them in a different circumstance; which works out, as they need to test the generators periodically. First Selectman Mailhos said that she would like to have an electricity discussion being the topic at our next staff meeting to get suggestions from employees on how we can conserve. She would also like to invite Superintendent Harding to a Board meeting to discuss what the School is doing to see if there are lessons to learn.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to accept the resolution to support 20% clean energy by 2010.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos & Millix) 0 No.
C. Discussion – Code of Ethics Policy
First Selectman Mailhos said that the time we put this on the agenda, the State was asking us for our Code of Ethics policy, as it is a requirement for the DECD Small Cities Block Grant. We found out today, our Personnel Policy covers the employees and elected officials under the requirement.
D. Probate Court Decision
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to go into an agreement with Tolland, Mansfield and Coventry to form a new probate court, named the “Mansfield-Tolland Probate Court” which will be located at Tolland’s Hicks Memorial Municipal Center at 21 Tolland Green in Tolland.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Tolland Probate and Mansfield Probate Courts have now merged, and the final decision was to relocate Mansfield to Tolland. For us not much has changed; we are getting a much nicer/larger facility. The cost is a split between the four towns, based on grand list. The breakdown is as follows: Mansfield $4,297, Tolland: $5,625; Coventry: $4,243 Willington: $2,092. The cost is per year. We are currently paying over $5,000 per year.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos & Millix) 0 No.
E. Purchase Agreement & Bill of Sale for road maintenance debris
Selectman Millix motioned to table this discussion until we get more information from Planning and Zoning.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos & Millix) 0 No.
Old Business:
A. MIRMA update
There was an informational meeting last week that First Selectman Mailhos and Selectman Blessington attended. The meeting was over 3 hours. MIRMA board presented their take how Willington came to be assessed and fielded from affected Towns. We are still in the same situation that we were in before. First Selectman Mailhos would like to discuss further when Selectman Blessington returns to get his input. The deadline to pay 1/6th (approximately $20,000) is due by the end of July.
B. Bulky Waste Pamphlet review
Bulky Waste Policy Pamphlets have been modified to one third of a page (double sided). First Selectman Mailhos recommends that we have these printed out and send a mass mailing to residents along with a new dated bulky waste card. They will go out with the tax bills. Selectman Millix suggested changing the wording on the items to be put in the swap shed. The logistical issues will need to be worked out prior to sending out.
Jim Poole asked who will be enforcing the rules at the Transfer Station, and what happens if the rules are not enforced? First Selectman Mailhos said that the Transfer Station Operators will enforce the rules. Discussion was held on enforcing rules there. First Selectman Mailhos said that by installing cameras at the Transfer Station should help. She said that she thinks we need to do something, and to keep letting it slide is no longer an option.
Good & Welfare:
First Selectman Mailhos said that she wishes Selectman Blessington a speedy recovery.
Michael King recently earned his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. First Selectman attended his ceremony on Saturday. It was touching.
First Selectman Mailhos reminded everyone that this week is Work Zone Safety Week.
This week coming up is Spring Weekend at UCONN. Selectman Millix brought everyone up to date on “Willington Wednesday”. He said it looks like all of the nearby apartment complexes have hired police, dumpsters will be emptied. We should not have any issues. First Selectman Mailhos reminded everyone to be careful.
First Selectman Mailhos also wanted to let everyone know that the Board received word that the FOI complaint from last year was dismissed by the hearing officer. Oral Argument opportunities will be in May. We are hoping not to incur any fees.
Thank you to J.J. Mottes for the benches at the Senior Center and to Hipsky Construction for topsoil for the planters.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 P.M.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos & Millix) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin H. Campbell
Robin H. Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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