BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting September 7, 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:
The Joint meeting minutes are still pending as the other committees have not met yet to review.
Selectman Blessington motioned to approve the minutes of August 16, 2010 as written.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Peter Latincsics said he was trying to find some information on the upcoming referendum for Region 19 Athletic Field renovation online, and could not find anything. He asked if we could put some information on our Town website to notify everyone of the vote. First Selectman Mailhos stated that we need to get the formal information from Mansfield, which should be soon. A notification is going out via the Willington Word and we will also put the information on the Town calendar. Mr. Latincsics also asked if Superintendent Silva of Region 19 will be available to meet prior to the Referendum. First Selectman Mailhos stated that the PTA has arranged a meeting on Tuesday, September 14th at 7:00 PM. We will send a public notice about that meeting at the Library as well.
Lastly, Mr. Latincsics asked if we have vehicle specs for the reverse auction yet. First Selectman Mailhos said that she plans to attend a Reverse Auction workshop to understand the process before we pursue that avenue. In the meantime, Lynn has worked up the specs for the Public Works truck and it will be discussed later in the meeting.
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 – The trench work has been completed. Some final testing will need to be done, and they also plan to pave the road by the end of this week or next week. First Selectman Mailhos said we chose to go with the natural compaction process rather than temporary paving, which saved $30,000. She consulted with Karl Acimovic, our Town Engineer to confirm which process would be best, and he confirmed.
*Facility Feasibility Study – The Committee met on August 30, and there will be a report forthcoming from based on that meeting.
*River Road Complex – We currently have 3 bids out for this project. The soils materials bid was due today and Phase II is due on Friday. We will have a public bid opening on Friday, September 10, at 1:30 PM for both bids. The Recreation Commission will meet early next week to make recommendations for awarding the bids. The picnic pavilion bid is due on September 21.
*EECBG Grant – We had a pre-bid walk through last week. The bids are due back by September 16th. The bids will before the Energy Advisory Committee who will then review and make recommendations.
*Senior Housing Phase III – We are still waiting for word on the DECD pre-development loan.
*Polster Bridge – We applied for a grant to do the needed repairs. We should hear whether it has been awarded in the next few weeks. In the meantime, Karl and Lynn are planning some work to prevent further scouring under the bridge.
*Planning & Zoning Notice of Violation – This project will be removed from the list at the next meeting. We received approval for the material storage area. Once the Planning and Zoning Committee receives the final map from the Town Engineer, we can start storing material there. Lynn will be looking into prices for concrete blocks to make storage areas for the material per the site plan.
* MIRMA – We received an update, which was forwarded to the parties involved. We should start thinking of ways of how we will pay the first quarter that is due.
* Personnel Policy Review – First Selectman Mailhos has received some suggestions for revisions, and a meeting will be held in a few weeks to discuss.
*Building Board of Appeals – According to State Statutes, we need to have an appointed Building Board of Appeals, so there is a venue to go above the Building Inspector in the event of a dispute. First Selectman Mailhos will make a list of possible board members and will contact them to see if there is any interest in serving.
*Pump Station Damage – we got a second letter of denial. We will contact John Scanlon at CL&P to get input from him.
Public Works:
Lynn said Friday Hurricane Earl came and went with no problems; however we were geared up and prepared. It ended up being a nice quiet weekend. The Crew is shimming and asphalt overlay of the chip seal route. Cisar is done and we are planning to start chip sealing around the 15th through the 20th of this month. It could only take 2 days, but it depends on the weather. First Selectman Mailhos said we plan to be proactive and send out a communication to those affected by the chip sealing with what to expect and why it is being done. Lynn said we will also add information about culvert cleaning and easements, because sometimes the crews need to go on people’s properties to get to them. They are also working on roadside mowing and sight lines.
Old business
Upon discussion at the last regular meeting, it was decided to wait and see if we had any information on the parcel of land being offered to us. Selectman Millix said it was a useless piece of land. Selectman Blessington said it is 1/7th of an acre, there is no reason the Town should be interested in purchasing it, and therefore having to maintain it.
Selectman Blessington moved to have the First Selectman send a letter to the DOT to decline the purchase of the property.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
New Business:
A. Discussion – Clinical Social Worker – Independent Contractor Proposal
A Clinical Social Worker in Town has sent us a proposal offering to provide Clinical Social Services to our residents, with a request to use an office in the Town Office Building. The reason for the request is she is currently visiting clients in their homes, and it is not a professional setting. In many surrounding Towns, Clinical Social Workers are subsidized. Tara Martin, Director of Youth and Family Social Services suggested that it is a good way to expand our Social Services Department without incurring cost to the Town. Rather than being paid by the Town, she would charge clients through their insurance.
Selectman Blessington said on the business side it is not fair to offer free office space, which will subsidize her business. We have not had requests from other business in Town requesting to use office space. Selectman Millix said this could also create a perception that this person is working for the Town. First Selectman Mailhos will send a letter to respectfully decline the offer at this time.
B. Tax Refunds
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $32.57 to Aidan J. Mcgennis, 96 Metcalf Road; Tolland, CT for a refund credit of a sold vehicle.
Selectman Milix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) ) No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $63.42 to Yuayne Zhang; 27 Georgetown Drive; Apt. 12; Framingham, MA for a refund credit of a vehicle registered in another state.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) ) No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $327.35 to Lyon Financial Services; 1450 Channel Parkway; Marshall, MN for a refund credit of a sold vehicle.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) ) No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $8.42 to Karen Smalley; 83 Luchon Road, Willington, CT for an excess payment.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) ) No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $98.77 to Michael or Tracy Brunette, 87 Ruby Road; Willington, CT for a refund credit of a sold vehicle.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) ) No.
Lynn said she has checked the State bid for a new dump truck. In 2006, the cost of a chasse was $63,340. This year it is currently at $73,897, clarifying that this is for the chasse only. The total cost for the Truck, body, sander, calcium tank, plow is between $137,00 and $140,000. We have reserved $125 from CIP, and it looks like we could get between $15,000-$20, back on the truck when we sell it, so we would be within budget. First Selectman would like to look into the reverse auction. Selectman Millix asked Lynn if she could wait until First Selectman Mailhos has gotten the information on the reverse auction before we move forward. Lynn said we can wait, but we need to keep in mind that it could take up to 5 months to obtain the truck. Mr. Latincsics suggested putting the dump truck
and the pick up truck out as a package, and perhaps we could get a really good deal. Lynn said that some Public Works Departments in a few Towns were not happy with the reverse auction process, as they were not involved in the purchase, and the trucks were not within their specs. Selectman Millix said we should be on the same page with what we plan to purchase.
- Proclamation – Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma Awareness Month
First Selectman Mailhos moved to adopt the following proclamation to adopt September as Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma Awaness Month:
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER
AS LEUKEMIA, LYMPHOMA & MYELOMA AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, blood cancers currently afflict more than 912,000 Americans with an nearly 140,000 new cases diagnosed each year, and
WHEREAS, leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma will kill an estimated 53,000 people in the United States this year, and
WHEREAS, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), through voluntary contributions, is dedicated to finding cures for these diseases through research efforts and the support for those that suffer from them, and
WHEREAS, LLS maintains an office in Wilton and Meriden to support patients with these diseases and their family members in State of Connecticut, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Willington is similarly committed to the eradication of these diseases and supports the treatment of its citizens that suffer from them, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Willington encourages private efforts to enhance research funding and education programs that address these diseases,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Willington as well as the State of Connecticut joins with LLS in designating the month of September 2010 as Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma Awareness Month to enhance the understanding of blood related cancers and to encourage participation in voluntary activities to support education programs and the funding of research programs to find a cure for them.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Good & Welfare:
The Wishes On Wheels Convoy will be coming to Willington on September 19th. The convoy starts at the Fed Ex Terminal – go up I84 into Manchester, and back to Fed-Ex. First Selectman Mailhos has contacted the people involved and offered to send out a public notice, as well as offer any help from our office. Lynn will inquire to see if it is possible to put one of our trucks in the convoy.
First Selectman Mailhos said she has looked into getting some “Welcome to Willington” signs, such as the ones you see in Tolland, Stafford and Ashford. She has received a sample, which is similar to the one at the Truck Stop, (a bit smaller) on Route 320, with a price quote. The signs would be placed in various spots in Town, about 9 total. She has had offers from some local families, business and the VFW to donate 4 of the signs, and plans to discuss further at a future BOS meeting. It would be nice to add to Town without incurring cost to Taxpayers.
Peter Latincsics asked if we could invest in some new “vote today” signs. First Selectman Mailhos said she would contact the Registrar’s office.
The Flea Market is this Saturday, from 9AM-3PM.
First Selectman Mailhos congratulated the Board of Education on their CMT Scores. The scores will be discussed in detail at the next Board of Education meeting.
Selectman Blessington motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 P.M.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Robin H. Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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