BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting December 20, 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 motioned to approve the minutes of December 6, 2010 as written.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Millix motioned to approve the minutes of December 13, 2010 with the following correction: at the end of the third paragraph, add: “the training and education line item was reduced” before the line: “because we host many of these programs”
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
No comments.
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 connection from the road into the school has been completed; the final hookup is planned for school vacation, which is next week. We are hoping to have it on line by January.
*River Road Complex – The playscape and pavilion are in the construction phase. The next steps will be to spread the mulch and cut the walking path. The volleyball courts will be the remaining steps.
*Knowlton Property – The closing on the property will be this week (Wednesday or Thursday) or the first week in January. We are still waiting for the final date from the attorney.
*Storm water Pollution Plan – The Town Engineer has presented a pre-application plan to the Inland Wetlands Watercourse Commission; a formal application will then be prepared to present to the Board.
*Turnpike Road – Phase I – Survey work is being done and the Town Engineer has presented a pre-application plan to IWWC ; a formal application is being prepared for the presentation to the Board.
* Water Quality at Senior Housing/ Senior Center – ASHOW did their own testing and had similar results to CT Water. The copper problem appears to be fixed. ASHOW will send a letter to Willington Woods residents and First Selectman Mailhos has requested that CT Water send a letter as well as visit the residents to spread the news.
*MIRMA Assessment – First Selectman Mailhos went to the MIRMA Board meeting today and the vote for Board Members was tabled until the new assessment numbers come in January 20th, 2011.
*Equipment Purchases – We held a Public Hearing last week. Donna Latincsics has drafted an RFP to finance the lease payments for the fire truck, dump truck and pick up truck and it will go out ASAP.
*Fire Dept. /Ambulance Service Contracts – Both Fire Departments and the Board of Finance have given approval and/or signed the contract.
Public Works:
Lynn said she was happy to have skipped a major storm over the weekend. The crew continues to brush cut as well as helping out at the River Road Athletic Complex.
Old business
- Emergency Services Contract
First Selectman Mailhos said that both Fire Departments have signed the agreement. She is looking for approval from the Board of Selectmen to sign it.
Selectman Blessington moved to have the First Selectman be authorized to sign the Property Use and Fire Services Agreement Between the Town of Willington and The Willington Fire Department, Inc. #1 and the Willington Hill Fire Department.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
First Selectman Mailhos said we ended up with one contract, which looked like it was not going to happen at one point, but both Departments worked together and came to an understanding. She is happy that both Departments have the same arrangements going forward. A better understanding of the Emergency Services Fund was the result of everyone’s input and hard work.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos & Blessington) 1 Abstain (Millix)
New Business:
- “Welcome to Willington” Sign discussion
First Selectman Mailhos presented a sample of a sign that she would like to put in major throughways coming into Town, much like those we see in Mansfield, Stafford and Tolland and other surrounding Towns. The prototype sign displayed is similar to the one that is located by the TA Truck Stop on Route 320, but is smaller in dimension, which is within legal planning and zoning regulation size. The signs will include a post and a plaque of whatever business or organization who sponsors it. The cost of a sign package is about $375.00 but would not be paid for by taxpayers.. We are going to create a committee who will find organizations who would be willing to purchase and be the responsible stewards of them. The committee will also work with the DOT for placement of the signs and a maintenance
plan for the signs. Selectman Millix said his only concern would be the longevity of the vinyl stickers on the signs with the elements and snow plowing of slushy snow. He also said we need to find a few more people for the committee and will need to find someone to head up the meeting, as he just cannot afford the time to Chair the committee.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to create a Welcome to Willington Sign Committee that will research, develop and execute a plan for the welcome signs at Town entry points.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to appoint Tyler Millix as a Regular Member of the Willington Sign Committee –effective December 20, 2010 – expiring upon completion of the charge of the committee.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to appoint Dominic Brescia as a Regular Member of the Willington Sign Committee –effective December 20, 2010 – expiring upon completion of the charge of the committee.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to appoint Robin McBreairty as a Regular Member of the Willington Sign Committee –effective December 20, 2010 – expiring upon completion of the charge of the committee.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to appoint David Charette as a Regular Member of the Willington Sign Committee – effective December 20, 2010 – expiring upon completion of the charge of the committee.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Joseph Colangelo as a Regular Member of the Willington Parks and Recreation Commission, effective December 15, 2010 expiring December 15, 2013
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Mike Pinatti as a Regular Member of the Willington Parks and Recreation Commission, effective December 15, 2010 expiring December 15, 2013
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Anyone else interested in serving on the Committee should contact the Selectmen’s office.
- Town of Willington Facebook account
Some other Towns have begun to activate Facebook accounts and the Willington Public Library has set one up as well. They have had success thus far. Facebook is the new way to communicate with many people. First Selectman Mailhos would like to post events and meetings (as we already do on the public notices) on the account as a soft launch to see how it goes. Selectman Millix said his work has an account and they have an administrator that controls the comments that are posted on the account. First Selectman Mailhos said that we currently can’t access facebook due to the limitations with being on the same network as the school system, and will see if we can somehow activate an account. She would like to have Robin Campbell be the administrator. Selectman Blessington said it is a good
idea and it is a good way to communicate with the younger crowd.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to add RFP Lease for financing three trucks to the agenda
- RFP Lease for financing three trucks
First Selectman Mailhos got an email from Donna who was looking into leasing options for the three trucks; (Fire Truck, Dump Truck and Public Works Pick up Truck) however we don’t need the money for the fire truck for another 9 months. The question was to see if it would be advantageous to get the loan now and pre pay it, or just lease the two Public Works vehicles and take the remainder when the Fire Truck is ready. Donna thought there would be savings, however Chairman Schoppmann does not agree with the savings. He explained the math with borrowing the full amount up front versus getting two separate leases. It ends up to be a wash either way it is done. First Selectman Mailhos said we need the money for the Pick Up and Dump Truck ASAP as long as we don’t lose money, we should do it. She also
asked Donna to add a no pre-payment penalty in the RFP and to get a break down of pricing separately and bundled.
Selectman Millix moved to have the Town of Willington Business Manager engage in an RFP process to get leasing prices separately and bundled for the three trucks for a total amount of $615,000.00.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Good & Welfare:
First Selectman Mailhos went to a CCM Legislative Committee meeting last week. She will forward the documentation from the meeting to the other Selectmen as well as Chairman Schoppmann.
First Selectman Mailhos thanked the West Family for putting the lights on the tree on the green as they do every year.
She also thanked Bill Bilyak for leading the community build at the River Road Athletic Complex playscape.
Reminder: The State of the Town meeting will be held on January 12, 2011 at 6:30 PM in the Community Room of the Library. We’ve had many RSVP’s. Senator Gugliemo and Representative Hurlburt will be there as well.
Lastly, First Selectman Mailhos wished everyone happy holidays!
Selectman Blessington motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 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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