BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting June 21, 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 moved to approve the minutes of June 7, 2010 as submitted.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Millix moved to approve the minutes of June 14, 2010 as written.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
No one.
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:
*Center School Water Project – is going out to bid this week.
*River Road Complex – The shed has been moved and the Recreation Commission has started to go out to bid for the playscape. Other projects will follow.
*Senior Housing Phase III – they are looking to seek a DECD pre development loan. They will then apply for a grant to pay back the loan.
*MIRMA Assessment – The Board has agreed to enter into the agreement with various Towns for litigation. We just received the agreement this week. Donna has encumbered the first payment.
Selectman Blessington asked what is going on with the bidding of various projects. We are going out to bid for the janitorial services and insurance. A special meeting will be scheduled next Monday to award.
Public Works:
Lynn said we are about ¾ done sweeping. They are roadside mowing and doing various road maintenance tasks.
Old business
A. Status of Old Town Pit
First Selectman Mailhos had discussed the project at the last Board of Finance meeting and sent out a budget associated with the changes that need to be made to seek a land zone change. It is expected to cost approximately $11,600 for the site plan and development work. (This includes all of the steps that any business coming in to Town would need to follow to get approval). Once approved, we will need an additional $8,000 for landscaping, signage, etc. First Selectman Mailhos suggested that we absorb some of the cost from the operating budget. Also, she would like to transfer some money from the capitol project funds, which are left over from when the library was built. She needs to check with the Library board to make sure they have not appropriated any of the money. She hopes that the zoning
board will move as quickly as possible.
B. Building fee increase proposal
First Selectman Mailhos moved to increase the current building fee from $10 per thousand to $12 per thousand and additionally propose that we increase the minimum building permit fee to $35.00 effective July 1, 2010.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Discussion was held. Selectman Blessington said that he doesn’t think we should increase the fees, and has not changed his mind since the last meeting. Selectman Millix said the adjustment should be made to at least cover the increase associated with the State fees, and there are no compelling reasons why we should go up an additional $2.00. He agrees with Selectman Blessington. First Selectman Mailhos said that we may have decreased revenue next year and she sees this as a way to offset the deficit. Inflation is making everything go up, and it would make sense to charge the people that are using the department, rather than have all taxpayers across the board pay.
Vote: 1 Yes (Mailhos) 2 No (Millix & Blessington)
Motion fails.
New Business:
A. Tax refunds
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund credit for a sold vehicle to Kathleen E. Pepin, 42 Laurel Drive, Willington for $28.44.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes. (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund an excess payment to James S. Wright, P.O Box 252 Somers, CT 06071 for $21.12.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes. (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
B. Open and award propane bids
First Selectman Mailhos opened the 2 bids received:
High Grade Gas Service: .21 over supply point.
Superior Energy, LLC: fixed margin of .17 over the Selkirk landed price with an additional hazmat fee of $9.99 per delivery.
There was no elucidation between the two bids received. We will call the submitting companies and will get clarification and will formally award at a special Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday, June 28th.
Good & Welfare:
Mark Palmer reported to the Board that he attended the Rail Summit on June 15th in Palmer. The idea is to increase more rail and freight traffic, which could be a long term benefit for Willington in the future. It is something worth supporting, and does not cost us anything. If Towns along the corridor support it, there could potentially be more State support. We should also look into adding extended rail service to our POCD. The next step is a formal working group. First Selectman Mailhos thanked Mr. Palmer for attending to represent Willington.
First Selectman Mailhos informed everyone that she has received a response from Charter Communications (from a letter that she had sent to them regarding the intrusive lights – this was brought to her attention from a concerned resident.) Charter has responded to inform us that they are working on the green lights and will look into dimming them so they are not so distracting.
The Senior Center had their annual meeting and they have installed new officers.
Last week there were many graduations. First Selectman Mailhos attended the 3rd grade, the 8th grade and the E.O. Smith Graduation ceremonies. She wishes all graduates good luck in their future endeavors. The scholarship committee will be handing out 15 scholarships to recent High School Graduates tomorrow night. We have a great talent pool in Willington.
Selectman Millix said that the house on Village Hill is down. The owners plan to rebuild. We wish them luck.
Selectman Millix moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 P.M.
Selectman Blessington 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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