BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting May 3, 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: Selectmen Millix & Blessington, Lynn Nicholls and residents. First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Blessington said he will abstain from approval of the minutes, however under the MIRMA discussion, the deadline to pay them is actually July 1, rather than the end of July.
Selectman Millix motioned to approve the minutes of April 19, 2010 with correction. under MIRMA “the deadline to pay 1/6th (approximately $20,000) is due by July 1st”.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos, Millix) 1 Abstain (Blessington)
Present to Speak:
Jim Poole asked the status of the Willington Municipal Facility Study, which the Town allocated $20,000 for last year. He said he hasn’t seen anything from the study as of yet. The original plan was to have it done within a year, and we are several months past. First Selectman Mailhos said that completion is pending as WHFD still needs to submit a final assessment. Selectman Millix said that he talked to Chief Makuch regarding the study, and Chief Makuch said he would like to finish it up. First Selectman Mailhos will contact the Chair of the Committee to check status.
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 – we have resubmitted the revised grant, and have been awarded. We will call a Town Meeting to appropriate the funds and will go out to bid. First Selectman Mailhos has contacted Larry Wagner and Ed Taimen to work together on the project.
*Kechkes Road Bridge – Lynn said the bridge is 98% complete. Putnam Welding has completed their part of the contract.
*Budget Planning – Budget Referendum is tomorrow. First Selectman Mailhos reminded everyone to get out and vote tomorrow.
*PZC Notice of violation – First Selectman Mailhos has met with Karl Acimovic and Lynn to rework the site. The only place we can properly store the debris at this time is at 4 of the sand and gravel pits in Town. We have sent out 4 RFP’s and received 2 back. BOS will be opening bids from gravel pits in Willington for storage options under New Business. This is a temporary plan until we have the violation corrected.
Public Works:
Lynn said that they are grading roads, doing roadside mowing, and doing anything that does not cause debris.
She also wanted to make everyone aware that we had a few emergencies last Thursday, where a few trees were down. Jared Sparks was closed and blocked by the church and where DOT closed the road caused some confusion. She said it wouldn’t hurt to schedule a meeting of the Emergency Management Team. We should look at the equipment we have, what we need and review our current Emergency plan.
Old business
A. MIRMA update
First Selectman Mailhos said that she tabled the discussion at the last meeting to get input from Selectman Blessington. Selectman Blessington said that he attended the MIRMA meeting in Rocky Hill. He said MIRMA is saying shut up and pay the bill. He would like to run some questions through our Town Attorney. Selectman Blessington handed out a list of 6 questions he would like to have the Attorney review and possibly answer. He said he doesn’t like the way it was done. The Town cannot find a copy of the original signed contract, and he is not sure one even exists. Selectman Millix asked if we, MIRMA, and Penny Hanley & Howley cannot produce the contract, should we be exempt from paying? The question was also asked if we need to go to Town Meeting to transfer funds to pay the
installment payment. John Patton said it would be considered a transfer; The Board of Finance has the authority to pay bills. First Selectman Mailhos will draft a letter to the Attorney, and will copy the Selectmen. We will keep on the agenda until we get it resolved.
New Business:
A. Open Street Sweeping Storage bids
First Selectman Mailhos opened the 2 bids that were received:
1. Becker Construction – submittal of no bid, but an offer to be of assistance if no other options were available.
2. DeSiato Sand and Gravel - $250.00 per week @ unlimited hours of operation at Route 32 pit.
Selectman Blessington asked if we have an alternative. First Selectman Mailhos said we do not. She checked with the State to see if we can use their pit, but because of their permit from the DEP, they are not permitted to allow debris from towns are anyone. We cannot dump in residential areas.
First Selectman Mailhos said that until we get our special permit for the old pit, we need to put the sweepings somewhere. This could take up to two months or more. We cannot sweep until we have a place to dump the debris. Also, Inlands Wetlands is asking us to hurry along with sweeping, as the debris is washing into wetlands.
Selectman Blessington motioned to accept the DeSiato bid at $250.00 per week for the sweepings.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Selectman Millix said this is a waste of money at its worst, and is ridiculous. We should try to work with Wetlands and Planning and Zoning to move things along. We will be wasting money for no reason. Selectman Blessington agreed with Selectman Millix, but we are dealing with a bureaucracy. Selectman Millix said we should delay sweeping 60 days. We should work as fast as we can to get the issue resolved as quickly as possible. This should entice everyone to work to a common good. First Selectman Mailhos said that there are many things that need to happen before we get approval. Maps need to be drawn, the lot needs to be surveyed, water testing, drawing that shows exactly what materials will be stored, and how much will be there. It will take some time. John Patton said that the Town
could end up saving money in the long run by reusing the material.
Selectman Blessington asked what happens if we don’t approve this tonight – what are our alternatives? First Selectman Mailhos said we don’t sweep. Selectman Millix said it is a bad situation that we unfortunately adopted.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos & Blessington) 1 No (Millix)
Motion passes.
B. Adopt Resolution – Conservation Commission – Knowlton Property
First Selectman Mailhos read the following resolution on behalf of the Conservation Commission, which needs to be adopted for legal purposes:
First Selectman Mailhos read the resolution:
RESOLVED, that Christina B. Mailhos, First Selectman of the Town of Willington be and hereby is authorized to execute on behalf of the Town of Willington, an Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Agreement and a Conservation and Public Recreation Easement and Agreement with the State of Connecticut for financial assistance to acquire permanent interest in land known as the Knowlton Parcel, Willington OSWA 359, and to manage said land as open space pursuant to Section 7-131d of the Connecticut General Statutes.
BE IT FURTHER KNOWN that Christina B. Mailhos was elected and her term of office began on November 16, 2009 and will continue until November 22, 2011. As the First Selectman, Christina B. Mailhos serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the Town of Willington and is duly authorized to enter into agreements and contracts on behalf of the Town of Willington.
Dated at Willington Connecticut this 3rd Day of May, 2010.
Selectman Millix motioned to adopt the resolution
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
C. Call Town Meeting – Appropriation of funds for EECBG grant
First Selectman Mailhos motioned the call of the meeting:
TOWN OF WILLINGTON
NOTICE AND WARNING
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
The electors of the Town of Willington and all persons who are entitled to vote in Town Meeting on the matters mentioned in the following warning are hereby warned and notified to meet in Town Meeting at the TOWN HALL at 11 COMMON ROAD in Willington on May 18, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. for the following purposes:
ITEM I
To see if the townspeople on the recommendation of the Board of Finance will authorize the appropriation of $42,776 from the American Reinvestment & Recovery Act Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant for the purpose as specified in the Grant application.
Dated at Willington
this 3rd day of May, 2010
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to add item D to the agenda: Appointments:
D. Appointments
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to Appoint Laurel Millix - Regular Member – Housing Authority – effective immediately – expiring August 1, 2012.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Good & Welfare:
First Selectman Mailhos thanked Jim Poole for his 5 years of dedication to the Economic Development Commission as Chairman. He has stepped down, and Dave Charette is the newly elected Chair. She also wishes Dave well in his newly elected position.
First Selectman Mailhos thanked Teri Gareau for beautifying the Town Office Building fields and landscaping. Also the Girl Scout Troop 60514 for purchasing plants that have been planted around the building.
First Selectman Mailhos thanked Clem Langlois of Tolland and his crew for helping out with the landscaping of the ball fields, as part of their mutual agreement.
This week is Town Clerk Week. Stop by to see them while you are here to vote. They have special prizes.
First Selectman Mailhos told Selectman Blessington she is glad he is back. He said he was glad to be back and he is feeling better.
Selectman Blessington motioned to go into executive session at 8:09 P.M.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington motioned to come out of executive session at 8:42 P.M.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington)
Selectman Blessington motioned to have First Selectman Mailhos represent the Town of Willington at the FOI hearing in May 12, 2010 on the matter regarding Docket # FIC 2009-321.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:43 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin H. Campbell
Robin H. Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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