BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting November 1, 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 and residents. First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Blessington motioned to approve the minutes of October 18, 2010 as written.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington motioned to approve the minutes of October 25, 2010 as written.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Jim Poole said that Spak Road was mowed last Friday, and asked for a list of the the roads that have still not been mowed yet this year. First Selectman Mailhos said she could not answer that at the moment, and Lynn was home sick. Lynn did mention to her that the crew had already mowed it once back in June. First Selectman Mailhos said we will check the work records and get back to him with the date. He has submitted a letter to Chairman Schoppmann of the Board of Finance as well as the Board of Selectmen. He read the letter to the Board and offered several suggestions for the Town to save money in the next fiscal year which included the elimination of Town positions, privatizing the Public Works Department, hiring a consultant to consider fire safety apparatus,
consolidation of the Town Offices supply purchases, halting computer equipment purchases; stopping involvement with WINCOG and eliminating Chip Sealing for 2011-2012. He has requested that this letter be incorporated in the minutes; however it will be available for review for anyone who requests it.
Mr. Poole then showed documentation to support his letter. Selectman Millix asked Mr. Poole believes that eliminating Town positions will not have an adverse effect on the services we provide to the taxpayers. Mr. Poole said he is just offering something to consider.
*Note: A copy of this letter with the corrected Mill Number and reference (supporting) information is attached to the meeting minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s Office. The original letter is filed in the Selectmen’s Office.
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 – We have received a cost estimate to finish up Phase II (which is the connection to Center School). We will wait for final approval from the Water Committee and the executed documentation from the State.
*River Road Complex – Site work has begun. The asphalt was laid on the basketball court, excavation has been done on the pavilion sight and we are in possession of the playscape materials. We will then have the volleyball court, basketball hoops walking path constructed, and erect the pavilion and playscape. Mr. Poole asked if cost of ownership has been budgeted for the complex. He does not want to end up with the same situation as E.O. Smith. Selectman Millix said we haven’t discussed long term maintenance of the facility; the project hasn’t been completed. First Selectman Mailhos said that we can expect revenue from renting the facility, but haven’t projected that yet or decided on fees.
*Low income home improvement grants – we currently have three applications in progress. $52,000 has been encumbered so far. The approval process is underway for the remaining applications.
*EECBG Grant – The EAC has decided to go back out to bid.
*Polster Bridge – We have received approval on the grant to fund the repairs which is estimated at $260,000. We will need to discuss the contingencies that are involved with the grant process with the Town Engineer.
*Turnpike Road – Phase I – Drainage on Turnpike Road will begin soon. The Survey work is being done and we plan to come to the Board of Selectmen for approval in the next few weeks.
*Chamber of Commerce – The Economic Development Commission has recommended that they join the Tolland County Chamber of Commerce. First Selectman Mailhos and Dave Charette, Chairman of the EDC will set up a meeting with the Director of the Tolland County Chamber.
* MIRMA Assessment – We received approval from the Board of Finance to pay ¼ of the assessment. First Selectman Mailhos attended a MIRMA board meeting last week, and received an update. The meeting coming up in December is to vote on Board Members.
*Personnel Policy Review – A meeting was held last week with all Department heads. First Selectman Mailhos is developing a draft for the Board of Selectmen to review with the suggestions that were provided.
*Fire Department / Ambulance Service Contracts – Both parties have agreed on the contract, and are now waiting for signatures on Draft #4.
Selectman Millix asked the status of the Senior Center and the water. First Selectman Mailhos said she is working on getting a representative from CT Water to go out to the Senior Center who will explain the process and notify the residents that the water is fine now.
Old business
- Energy Advisory Committee Update
First Selectman Mailhos attended the EAC meeting last week. The Committee reviewed the presentations that were held at the library a few weeks ago. The discussion entailed how to proceed and pursue opportunities for energy savings. Because there are so many different ways to go, we need to get a better understanding of the benefits of each path, in the meantime, the EAC has recommended we go out to bid and have the windows replaced with the Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant money. Selectman Blessington said that going with a consultant isn’t always necessary; sometimes their advice is obvious. Jim Poole said some of the information can get convoluted quickly. If a recommendation is made for a commitment for the Town to take; the key is that it needs to be what is best for the
Town. The EAC is made up of volunteers, who don’t necessarily have that expertise.
First Selectman Mailhos also stated that we have been watching the rates from different energy providers and plan to sign a new contract soon. We have been keeping track of them on a weekly basis, and the rates seem to drop every week. Our current contract ends in December.
- Willington Hill Fire Truck Advisory Committee Update
The Advisory Committee met last week and reviewed the bid package from Willington Hill Fire Department. The bid package included: specs that were sent to seven vendors; the bids received from those 7 vendors, a letter requesting the vendors to cut items out of the spec and new quotes with new prices from the 7 vendors. A lot of questions were asked. Al Ference, from the Board of Finance attended the meeting and said that he had some concerns with some of the second bids that came back. The same amount of equipment was removed from the bid spec, yet there was a significant difference in the amount that various vendors were able to come down in their pricing. It raised some questions. It was then brought to his attention that the apparatus they are looking to purchase will not fit in the fire house and that
the Department could be financing an addition to the fire house. First Selectman Mailhos said she asked Chief Snyder why the prices were so different; he said he had spoken with the vendors and was told the reason for the drop was because of a bundled safety package which included high end features. She also said that Chief Snyder plans to contact Chairman Schoppmann to request the Board of Finance put approval of the truck purchase on the agenda and possibly hold a special meeting. The Fire Department would like to move quickly. The price of the truck they would like will cost approximately $485,000 which is $10,000 over the approved CIP plan.
New Business:
- Discuss 2011-2012 Budget process
The Board of Finance will be sending out a letter to Department Heads soon. Chairman Schoppmann said the letter is done, and should be distributed at any time. The letter lays out the budget expectations, and does not request for any specific cuts but advocates concerns. First Selectman Mailhos also said that all of the Town Department Heads have been asked to submit their budget requests to the Business Manager by today. She has received about half of them and will draft the preliminary numbers. First Selectman Mailhos has requested that everyone be reasonable with their requests. She would like to see what it will cost to maintain services, as it is important to know as a starting point. We should have that number in a few days. We do not know what percentage number we are looking at
cutting. Chairman Schoppmann said he is predicting about a 7% reduction in spending. He has asked the budget writers to lay out scenarios and identify the services that will be impacted; evaluate cost versus loss of service. Selectman Blessington said last year we asked the Department Heads to be reasonable and come in with the best budget that they can. He is not sure that is the way to go about it this year. After reading the letter from Jim Poole, there is a lot to think about. Mr. Poole said his opinion of 7% is a lay-off. If you can’t do 7% you don’t deserve your jobs. Selectman Blessington said we may need to start from the top down; we may also have to inform the heads that we will not let them cut out muscle and leave the fat. We have people, who work for the Town; most do a good job, and cutting positions is last resort but he wouldn’t rule it out completely. It is up to the department heads to
find other ways to save money.
First Selectman Mailhos said we don’t know what the number is going to be until we know all of the variables. We should wait to see what comes in. We know that maintaining current services without cuts is not an option. Mr. Poole said after reviewing the CIP proposed requests, he cannot comprehend what people are saying they need [to spend] to keep their job running. They are not making the connection that the money is not there. First Selectman Mailhos also said that there are a lot of unknowns; the ECS, or what the new Governor is going to do; it is going to take some time. Selectman Millix asked Chairman Schoppmann what the definitive is. The only definitive he knows of is Region 19, the grand list, (determined in the beginning of October); the $144,000 we received from the Federal
Government (coming in for education across 27 months). We can also look at CIP again, and perhaps take some money out of there. Chairman Schoppmann said he doesn’t necessarily support it though. We need to look at what the taxpayers want and don’t want. Selectman Millix then asked if Chairman Schoppmann was aware of any reductions in aid coming to the Town. He said he hasn’t formally heard of anything, but probably won’t until the legislature gets in session – in June, and at that point the Referendum will be over. We need to let the taxpayers decide, and it is difficult to know what they are willing to pay for.
First Selectman Mailhos had sent a draft of a survey for the Board to review. She thought it would be a good mechanism for the residents to let us know what they think. She would like to put the survey on one page in the Willington Word. It would go out in December with a list of the services provided to the Townspeople and a short letter to describe it. She would also like to put a survey on the website. Selectman Blessington agrees with both suggestions. We need to find other ways to cut spending or perhaps find another way to pay for the things we need. The suggested survey would list each service and what is entailed. Some people might not know what services are offered. First Selectman Mailhos said the most interesting part of the survey will be to get
the comments from the Residents. The cost of putting a survey on line would not cost that much (around $30). Selectman Blessington said we need to keep in mind that we have a taxpayer revolt in progress (the upcoming Town Meeting); this might only be the beginning; the budget season may get ugly this year. The survey will go in the Willington Word and First Selectman Mailhos will look at getting a web survey going. We could also send out a press release through the paper.
Last year, a joint letter was sent out from First Selectman Mailhos, Chairmen Schoppman and Makuch for the Board of Education regarding the budget process that included meeting dates; First Selectman Mailhos would like to do the same this year to inform people who are interested in attending. In addition, a BOS budget workshop will be held next Monday at 6:30 P.M.
- Discuss upcoming Town Meeting
First Selectman Mailhos asked the other two Selectmen if they would be interested in putting forth a statement regarding the teacher’s contract. Selectman Blessington said he has sympathy for people opposing the contract but supports maintaining the contract as it stands, because it could end up costing the Town more money if it gets rejected and ends up going to arbitration. Selectman Millix concurs with Selectman Blessington. We are an individual Board and we can exercise our view points. It is a dangerous game to play with taxpayers dollars. We run the risk of this contract costing us more in the long run.
Selectman Millix moved to endorse the proposed ratified contract between the Willington Board of Education and Willington Education Association.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Discussion was held. First Selectman Mailhos said she thought about this and it is a bad gamble. We have a low mill rate and got the federal money (for education) and our taxes are not as high as nearby towns. It is not likely we are going to get a better deal with arbitration. She is also concerned about the unintended consequences. The Board of Education had the option to go to binding Arbitration, but weighed the pros and cons; and worked through the negotiations for several months. Selectman Blessington said the impetus is that the people believe teachers should have gotten a 0% increase. He does agree with that, but thinks they chose the wrong battle. He does not want it to be on record that he endorses the raise for the teachers. He wants it to say that this has been done and
therefore we should go through with it rather than take the risks associated with Arbitration. Selectman Millix agreed and said that the risks outweigh the current situation.
Selectman Millix withdrew his motion.
Selectman Blessington moved that the Board of Selectmen endorse the ratified contract between the Willington Board of Education and the Willington Education Association due to the risks associated with possible arbitration and possible unintended consequences.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $28.08 to Pamela Silvestri 36 Old Farms Road, Willington, CT 06279 based on the recommendation of the Board of Assessment Appeals.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Good & Welfare:
First Selectman Mailhos has received a letter from Charter Communications responding to a letter she had sent regarding the green lights on their utility boxes around Town. The lights are intrusive, and can distract drivers at night. Charter has been working with the First Selectman in Ashford, who had also sent a letter requesting a remedy for the lights to be dimmed. The letter states that Charter has set up a prototype in Ashford, which has been accepted by the Ashford Board of Selectmen. We can expect to see these new lights in Willington.
First Selectman Mailhos said that the date for the State of The Town meeting has been set for Wednesday, January 12, 2011. We picked a day that no other Board is meeting, so everyone will be available to meet. The idea of this meeting is to invite all Boards and Commissions as well as all Elected Officials to attend. She has requested that the Chairs of the Boards give a brief presentation to report on activities they are working on. The public is invited. Letters will be sent to the Chairs to invite them to this meeting.
After talking with the Tolland County Chamber of Commerce, First Selectman Mailhos found out that all of our neighboring Towns are starting to prepare for the International Sports Peace Summit that will be held at UCONN next June. They are expecting tens of thousands of people to visit this area. Selectman Millix said that he has been involved with the emergency services side, and it is expected to be quite large. Welcome bags will be handed out; and the Chamber is asking Economic Development members to provide content for the brochure that will be included in the bags. This includes listing our parks, trails; whatever a tourist would be interested in while staying in Storrs and nearby. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions that they would like to see in the brochure, please notify Robin.
Selectman Millix motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:49 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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