BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting November 15, 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 Millix motioned to approve the minutes of November 1, 2010 as written.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington motioned to approve the minutes of November 4, 2010 as written.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Millix motioned to approve the minutes of November 8, 2010 as written.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
John Patton said he wanted to bring to the Board’s attention that a list of people who signed the petition is being circulated around Town. He alleged that the title is misleading, as it states “Contract Rejection Petition Circulars and Signers”. The document, which was endorsed by the Democratic Town Committee, was apparently sent out to intimidate people and is outraged. Mark Palmer clarified that he was the one who typed up the list; and was only to be seen by members of the Democratic Town Committee. The reason for the endorsement was that he was following the request of the First Selectman at the last regular meeting when she said she would not like to see any mail regarding the referendum being distributed without being endorsed. Selectman Millix said that there is really nothing the Board of
Selectmen can do in this situation. Mr. Patton then said that the endorsement on the bottom and the fact that someone brought it to him indicates that it was indeed distributed. Selectman Blessington stated that he got one as well and agreed with Mr. Patton; there is a creepiness factor here and the document should not have been distributed. First Selectman Mailhos concurred that the heading on the paper is misleading. She clarified that the 212 people who signed the second petition were signing to move the vote to a referendum. She then said that there are many reasons why people would sign a petition, and she cautioned when they sign something like that, it then becomes a public document. The vote is over; these people are our friends and neighbors and we need to move on.
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 are waiting for final approval to be signed off from the Attorney General’s Office, which we have been told could take 30 days. Senator Gugliemo has offered to help expedite this. Once we get the executed document, we will be able to proceed.
*Knowlton Property – We are still waiting for word on the official closing date. We have been told by the Attorney’s office that we can expect to close by the end of the year.
*Polster Bridge – We have received approval on a grant for funding the bridge repairs – estimated at $260,000. We need to discuss the next steps with the Town Engineer. Selectman Millix said that a resident has requested that the orange guardrails be removed when it comes time to repair the bridge. The orange color degrades the appearance.
*Equipment Purchases – new on the list. We will be going to reverse auction to purchase a new truck for Lynn.
* Fire Department / Ambulance Service Contracts – The contract has been completed and is waiting for signatures on the final draft, which is #5.
Selectman Blessington asked if we had found anyone to be appointed on the Building Board of Appeals. First Selectman Mailhos said that she has a list of names but has not formally met with any of the people yet. She will send out another public email for those boards that still have vacancies.
Public Works:
Lynn said that the Crew is still brush cutting and cleaning culverts along the chip seal route. They are also getting the trucks ready for winter weather. Tomorrow they will be working with DOT on Depot Road to fix the railroad. First Selectman Mailhos asked if the storm drain cleaning has been done. Lynn said it has and the Consulting Company will be in tomorrow at 6AM to test the material.
Lynn asked to put a reminder out that MIDNEROC is now closed for the season. She said someone has left over 20 cans of paint at the gate over the weekend.
Old business
- Review Board of Selectmen Goals
It has been a year since this Board of Selectmen has been in office. First Selectman Mailhos read the list of Goals that were made on January 19, 2010 and reviewed at the May 17, 2010 BOS regular meeting.
- Projects: do not start new projects - focus on finishing projects that are already started including:
- River Road Recreation Complex - In progress and near completion.
- Senior Cottages – still in progress.
- Water filtration at Senior Center – the issue has been fixed and completed..
- Windows at the Town Office Building – we will proceed to go out to bid again on this project very soon.
- Center School Water – still in progress- almost complete..
- Review and update personnel and administrative policy – After meeting with Department Heads, a draft is in progress and will be sent to the head’s for review.
- Review contracts from oil to legal to look for cost savings and efficiency – We have gone out to bid for everything that we could over $5,000. We just locked in on electricity pricing and got a lower rate.
- Put together a maintenance plan for the municipal buildings – There is no committee on this as of yet.
- Increase public awareness that Willington supports business development and growth by working together with PZC, EDC, residents and business - A joint meeting was held with Planning and Zoning as well as the Economic Development Committee in June. The EDC has just signed on with the Tolland County Chamber of Commerce and will be working with other Towns to improve on ways to attract business.
Selectman Blessington referenced the meeting minutes from the IWWC back in September. It seemed like the support [for Loves Travel Center] was very weak, and it looked as if the IWWC was looking for any excuse in the world to deny the application. It was written that approval of the permit would go with the land and not the owner, thus automatic rejection if another business were to take over that spot. Mr. Patton concurred with Selectman Blessington.
New Business:
First Selectman Mailhos presented the final results: 161 Yes to 643 No – a total of 804 votes. First Selectman Mailhos reflected on the entire process from when the Board received the first petition (of 25 signatures to reject the contract). The contract is the largest line item in the budget for the next three years. She stated it was a learning process for all of us. Mr. Palmer said that the November 3rd Town Meeting went well, and it was one of the nicer meetings, rather than the regular bickering back and forth. It is a step in the right direction. First Selectman Mailhos said 804 people came out to vote, it was a great turnout considering the short notice. She thanked the Registrars for mobilizing so quickly and the voters for coming out.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Peter Andersen as a regular member on the Conservation Commission, effective December 1, 2010, expiring December 1, 2013.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Paul Pribula as a regular member on the Conservation Commission, effective December 1, 2010, expiring December 1, 2013
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Robert Bloom as an alternate member on the Conservation Commission, effective December 1, 2010, expiring December 1, 2013
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Mark Masinda as a regular member on the Zoning Board of Appeals, effective December 31, 2010, expiring December 31, 2015.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
- Proposed Cell Tower Discussion
We have received a letter in regards to a proposed tower facility with 2 suggested sites. A meeting will be held on December 3rd to look at both sites. The 2 proposed sights are on Route 74 and the other on Old South Willington Road. Since they are only looking to erect one facility, they are looking for a recommendation of preference for the site. First Selectman Mailhos said if anyone is interested in going to the meeting, to notify Robin for the time and place of the meeting.
Good & Welfare:
First Selectman Mailhos thanked everyone who went out to vote on Election Day. Congratulations to Senator Gugliemo and Representative Hurlburt on their re-election.
Thank you to Alyssa Bailey for hosting Alyssa’s Coat Closet at the Old Town Hall November 5th through the 7th. 295 coats were donated and she handed out 115 coats at the event.
First Selectman Mailhos is looking for volunteers to be on a Sign Committee. The Committee will determine how many signs are needed, where they will go, and will work with Planning & Zoning and the DOT to get the signs in place. So far, the VFW has purchased a sign and it is ready to go. The Committee can use the sign as a prototype. Selectman Millix offered to be on the committee. Dominic Brescia and Lynn Nicholls have also offered to be on as well.
First Selectman Mailhos wanted to note that the BOS had their first budget workshop last week, and will be having several meetings over the next few months.
Lynn Nicholls asked how the Food Drive went. First Selectman Mailhos said it went well. Over 5,000 food items were donated. The Boy Scouts worked throughout the day on Saturday, bringing in and organizing the food. The Girl Scouts will come in next week to prepare 40 boxes to go to Willington families for the holidays.
Robin Campbell thanked Christine Psathas for making a donation to the Open Space Fund a few weeks ago.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:23 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Robin H. Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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