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Board of Selectmen Minutes 03/21/2011


BOARD OF SELECTMEN                     
                                                         Meeting Minutes                         
                                                
Regular Meeting                                                                         March 21, 2011
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 March 7, 2011 as written.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote:  3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington)    0 No.

Selectman Blessington motioned to approve the minutes of March 14, 2011 as written.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote:  3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington)    0 No.


Present to Speak:

Members from Girl Scout Troop 65014 were present to request permission to hold Town Wide Clean Up Day on Saturday April 23 from 9AM until 1PM.  Sierra Gareau, Natalie Valez, Mikaela Davies, Mina Varooqi, Liza Frassinelli and Samantha Wojtyna each explained that they picked this day to honor Earth Day. Residents are encouraged to adopt a road or a portion of a road and clean up the trash along the roadway.  Residents can pre-register (and select a road to adopt) in person at the Town Offices in the Parks & Rec Department or sign up at the Transfer Station on the day of the event.  Volunteers will receive a safety vest, a bamboo stick (to pick up the trash) gloves and 2 trash bags.  All participants will receive a ticket for an ice cream treat at Willington Day.   The Girl Scout also explained that their Troop is organizing this event to earn a Bronze award.  First Selectman Mailhos explained that the Girl Scouts are working on their first step towards a Gold award (which is equivalent to an Eagle Scout).  The Gold Award is extremely difficult to achieve.  This is a big accomplishment for these girls, who are 10 and 11 years old. She applauds their effort to help the Town and wishes them good luck.  

Jim Poole said he has been following the minutes regarding the Town Wide Survey and is disturbed to find that the Board of Selectmen are considering  redacting some of the comments.  He has contacted Tom Hennick at Freedom Of Information Commission and since there was no disclaimer placed on the survey material the FOI Commission suggests the Town to provide all of the data.  If the Town chooses to redact some content, Mr. Poole said he will be forced to put in a FOI request to get all of the comments.  First Selectman Mailhos said she also contacted the FOI Commission since the last meeting, and they gave her similar information.  There were very few comments that were picked to be redacted, and one of the comments was offensive, where she would not want children to read.  

Doug Roberts of Michalec Road wanted to bring the Board’s attention that he and the Board of Education have an agreement to use Mr. Robert’s driveway as a turn around for the bus.  The newer short bus is a longer style than before  and has become more difficult for the bus to turn around in his driveway, thus cracking the corner of his driveway as well as breaking some markers along the end.  He has been in contact with Superintendent Harding about the situation and he may have to rescind on the agreement as it is becoming a nuisance.  He has  asked what the other option would be if he rescinded before other arrangements are made.   Lynn said she is working on making a turn around at the end of the road, but will not be able to have it done until summertime.    Selectman Millix said that the Town should try to do whatever we can to correct the problem as Mr. Roberts has been gracious enough to let the Town use his driveway as a turnaround.   In the meantime this is something that will have to be worked out with the Board of Education.  

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 – DPH was at Center School on Friday.  They found a few minor things that needed attention, but have since been fixed.  The contractor is proceeding with the connection any day now.

*River Road Athletic Complex – the pavilion has been completed. The walking path will soon be underway now that the snow has melted.

*EECBG Grant – The bids came in.  The Energy Advisory Committee is vetting bids and will soon make a recommendation to the BOS of award.  It looks like the entire project will be able to be completed within budget of the Grant allotment.

*Burma Road Repair -  First Selectman Mailhos just added this item.  The Road had a severe washout as a result of the last rain storm a few weeks ago.   It is going to be a large scale project to do the repairs and is something that we will need to seek funding as well as approval from the Inland Wetlands Commission.  We will need to get equipment up there to begin repair soon.

*Building Inspector Job Opening – We received 7 applications. A Search Committee meeting was held earlier today.  We have chosen three candidates to interview as soon as possible.

Public Works:

Lynn said the crew has been working on the washouts from the flooding this past week as well as fixing many of the dirt roads around Town.  We have applied for FEMA reimbursement from the floods and will wait to hear back to see if we are approved.   Daleville Road (Forest Section) has been reopened.  Lynn said she was hoping to start sweeping this week, however due to the weather, she hopes to start sometime next week.

Old business

  • Budget discussion
First Selectman Mailhos asked Chairman Schoppmann to recap what happened two Thursday’s ago at the last Board of Finance meeting.    Chairman Schoppmann said the BOF decided that all non-union employees will not receive salary increases, they also decided that too much was cut out of the chip seal budget. The deduction was put back in that line item and the BOF has requested that the BOS find another line to deduct from.  He also stated that CIP was reduced by $30,000.  First Selectman Mailhos reiterated that any additional cuts to equal $50,000 means cutting at least one position.  In the meantime, the Assistant Zoning Agent has announced his retirement.  If we opt not to fill that position, we are looking at saving approximately $23,000.   Matt Ellis, Chairman of Planning and Zoning said last year nothing was going on, and we are labeled as a business-unfriendly Town, he said his fear is if the position is not filled,  timetables will be pushed out  and may create a backlog and things may take longer to get done, thus making us seem even more unfriendly.   Selectman Millix said we should wait to make a decision until we get all of the information we need.  Mike Makuch told the Board to look hard at what you are cutting.  The building Official position is minimal at 12 hours per week, Public Works is down one position. If we run too tight of a ship, it may sink.  We need to have people run the Town so things do not slip through the cracks.  Selectman Millix said we need to make some cuts and the bottom line is that we need to make the decision that will make the least amount of impact to the public.

New Business:

  • Preservation Grant – Town Clerk
Town Clerk, Donna Hardie requested permission to apply for a State Preservation grant in the amount of $3,500.  Funds will cover the cost of processing microfilm, copy on legal size archival paper minutes from Town meetings as well as Agendas and other minutes.  This includes printed and labeled binders to house the copies.

First Selectman Mailhos moved to approve to apply for a State Preservation Grant in the amount of $3,500.00 with designation to the Town Clerk as the applicant.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote:  3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.

  • Emergency Services Consolidation Exploratory Committee
First Selectman Mailhos said it was discussed at the last meeting of perhaps forming a committee to explore the current emergency services and see if any efficiencies can be made.  She is open to other suggestions of names of the Committee.  The charge of the committee would be to explore the feasibility and cost implications and make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance in the structure of emergency services for the Town of Willington.  The proposed membership would have 7 members:  2 from each Fire Department, (one being a Chief or Administrator), 1 BOF member, 2 members at large (with no ties to either department) and 2 people who know about fire services(not affiliated with either Department) and could be from out of Town.  

First Selectman Mailhos moved to form a committee called the Emergency Services Consolidation Exploratory Committee.  
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.

Selectman Blessington suggested that he would make one change, being that the people not being affiliated with the Departments should be a requirement that they are from out of Town.  That way there is no pressure in the decision making.  Also, he suggested that the Board of Selectmen appoint the Chairman, who should not be either of the Fire Chiefs.   Fran Raiola suggested taking the word “consolidation” out of the name, as he cautioned that it could be controversial.    Mike Makuch suggested naming the Committee:  Emergency Services Efficiency Committee.

First Selectman Mailhos concurred and withdrew the previous motion.

Motion withdrawn.


First Selectman Mailhos moved to form a committee named:  the Emergency Services Efficiency Committee.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote:  2 Yes (Mailhos & Blessington)  1 Abstain (Millix)

First Selectman Mailhos moved to have the Emergency Services Efficiency Committee have 7 (seven) members total:  2(two) people from each department (being a Chief and/or administrator) 1(one) Board of finance Member (Recommended by the BOF) 2 (two) members-at-large and 2(two) people from out of Town who with no affiliation with either department.  The Board of Selectmen will appoint the Chairperson of the Committee.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.  
Vote:  2 Yes (Mailhos & Blessington)  1 Abstain (Millix)

First Selectman Mailhos motioned to have the charge of the Committee be as follows:  To explore feasibility and cost implications and make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance regarding the structure of emergency services for the Town of Willington with recommendations due by December 31, 2011.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Mike Makuch said that seems like a short time frame.  First Selectman Mailhos said it should move pretty quickly as we have already had multiple studies done in the past and there is already data out there.  It doesn’t need to be a big drawn out project and is also something we would want to know going into budget season.  First Selectman Mailhos said that the response from this has been positive and people want us to look at it to see if we can save some money.  There are major sacrifices being made by a lot of people.  There has to be a way that both Departments will find that they may be able to save some money.   She has spoken with leaderships from both organizations and asked them to provide her with names of people to recommend being appointed to the committee.    
Vote:  2 Yes (Mailhos & Blessington)  1 Abstain (Millix)

  • Raising Donate Life Flag discussion
First Selectman Mailhos presented a letter she received from resident Diane Pallo, who is a member of Life Choice Donor Services.   She has requested permission to fly the “Donate Life” flag in Town as April is National Donate Life Month. Selectman Millix suggested to fly at Willington Fire Station #1 off of Route 32 for the entire month as there is a high traffic volume.  We will make arrangements to get the flag.

First Selectman Mailhos moved to fly the Donate Life Flag at the Route 32 Willington Fire Station for the month of April which is National Organ Donation Month.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote:  3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington)  0 No.

Good  & Welfare:

First Selectman Mailhos reminded everyone that Willington Day will be held on Saturday, May 28th (same as last year).  Changing the day to Saturday worked out well.   Letters have been sent to the local business and non-profit groups to book their booths as well as ads for the booklet.  She is looking for exciting themes this year.  Another new addition is a coloring contest going out through the schools to have kids draw and color the theme of “what I love about Willington Day”.  The flyers should go through the schools soon and can also be picked up at the Town Offices.  There will also be an art show to see the various entries at the event.  The 5K Road Race will be held that morning.  If anyone is interested in joining the Willington Day Committee, please contact Robin Campbell.

Selectman Blessington said he was looking for Conservation Commission minutes, and found they hadn’t been posted until 26 days after the meeting.  All Commissions and Boards should be sure to follow the regulations.

Selectman Blessington also reminded everyone that the Region 19 Public Hearing will be tomorrow night at 7PM.

Lastly, First Selectman Mailhos wanted to follow up on the Town Services Survey; she said she did get some information from the Freedom of Information Commission; it would be the same as if a publication allows people to post comments; and they have no control over the comments people make, however they might post a disclaimer ahead of time to reserve the right to redact any content that could be offensive.  She said she is leaning towards not redacting the comments from the survey  as long as we put a disclaimer on the content that the opinions are of the survey takers, not elected Officials.   Selectman Millix said we should have put a disclaimer, but will use it as a learning experience for next time we do a survey.
 
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:04P.M.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote:  3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington)    0 No.

Respectfully submitted,

Robin Campbell
Robin H. Campbell
Administrative Assistant