BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting June 6, 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 May 16, 2011 as written.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
No one.
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 – connection has been completed. We will now determine if we should go ahead with the connection to the Town Office Building and working to determine how to charge the Board of Education for water usage.
*River Road Athletic Complex – the project has been completed. The ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Saturday. It was well attended and was a beautiful day. The Recreation Commission will be raising funds to purchase benches around the complex. The cost for a bench is $300 and they already have 4 families in line to purchase the benches. If there is extra money, they plan to replenish fund 12.
*EECBG Grant – we are ready to get started. We received a quote for a Clerk of the Works to oversee the project.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to add an item G to the agenda under new business titled: “Clerk of the Works proposal”
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
*Senior Housing Phase III Senior Cottages – We have received a DECD pre development loan.
*Turnpike Road Extension – After reviewing with Lynn and the Town Engineer, it was decided that the best thing to do is to re-bid the project. Public Works will handle some of the aspects of the project.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to add item H to the agenda under new business titled: “Turnpike Road Extension bid update.”
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No
*Performance Contracting – the RFQ has been completed and we will go out to bid soon.
*Old Town Hall Renovations – we are collecting names of the architects that specialize in historic restoration.
*Appointments for Boards and Commissions – We have found several volunteers and will continue to keep looking by getting the word out on the vacancies. The new Willingotn Word has a list of vacancies on the back page.
Public Works:
Lynn said the sweeper has been fixed and will be going back on the road tomorrow. In the meantime they have been working on prepping Halls Pond as well as roadside mowing and sight lines. She also said that she was disappointed when she heard we were under tornado warnings and the kids were still outside playing ball. She said it is important when you hear a warning, you need to heed caution. Selectman Millix said it is hard to understand when we have a warning, even when the sun is out, however a tornado can come on in an instant. Lynn said she was impressed with how quickly our emergency people went up north to help out.
Old Business:
First Selectman Mailhos was hoping to have a draft application filled out to review, however it is not ready yet. We are going to apply for improvements to Turnpike Road. Ashford’s First Selectman is also drafting up a letter of support.
New Business:
- Request for partial payment on a HUD lien
We have received a partial payment on a HUD lien. The lien is from 1995. The agreement states that it shall be paid in full upon sale of the property. Because we are only receiving a portion of the payment, and the property is not being sold, it must be approved by the Board. The Attorney has also reviewed and does not see a problem with accepting partial payment.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to accept a check in the amount of $4,200 from a taxpayer on volume 120 pg. 770as partial payment for a 1995 rehabilitation loan with a remaining balance of $1,800.00.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
- Proclamation – Federated Church 100th anniversary
First Selectman Mailhos moved to adopt the following Proclamation:
IN RECOGNITION OF 100 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON
WHEREAS, The Congregational, or Town Church, has existed from 1727 to 1728, or soon after the incorporation of the Town;
WHEREAS, the Congregational Church and American Baptist Church federated on June 12, 1911;
WHEREAS, the Federated Church of Willington dedicates itself to reaching the community with love and compassion;
WHEREAS, the doors and hearts are always open to everyone, no matter what age or background;
WHEREAS, the Federated Church of Willington has sponsored several community events, including the Willington Flea Market for 48 continuous years;
WHEREAS, the Federated Church of Willington has been a faithful partner to the Town of Willington by helping countless residents in need in a variety of ways;
NOW, THEREFORE, I Christina Beebe Mailhos, First Selectman of the Town of Willington, in recognition of the good work of the Federated Church of Willington over the past 100 years, do hereby congratulate the Federated Church of Willington on their 100th anniversary.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the Town of Willington, County of Tolland, State of CT this 6th day of June, 2011,
Christina Beebe Mailhos
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
- Insurance renewal Town and BOE
First Selectman Mailhos asked our insurance agent to go out to bid on the workers compensation and liability insurance. The agent said we won’t be able to do any better than last year and we are still getting a good rate. The agent was having trouble getting three bids from participating companies. Selectman Blessington it would not hurt to go out to bid. Selectman Millix concurred. It is well worth getting a few quotes.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to add item I to the agenda called Next Board of Selectmen Meeting schedule.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
- Proposed Cell Tower – CT Siting Council
The CT Siting Council will hold a Public Hearing on July 12th at the Willington Public Library from 3PM-5PM and from 7PM-9PM regarding a proposed cell tower. First Selectman Mailhos asked the other Selectmen if they want to form an opinion. Selectman Millix said if anyone has a personal opinion they should voice it at the Public Hearing.
The final RFP has been typed up and is ready to send off once the dates are revised. Selectman Blessington said he is skeptical about the idea of hiring people telling us how to save money by saving energy by spending money on their services. The buildings that the RFP will cover are the schools, Town Office Building and Public Works. The document will be sent out through a consultant.
- Town Office Building Optimization and Efficiency Planning
First Selectman Mailhos said she discussed shifting some of the lower level offices to the upper level at a staff meeting last week. She began thinking about it when looking at water damage in the lower level which was caused from the roof line last year. The floor in the lower level conference room needs to be fixed, but cannot start that project until the roof is done. Since we need to make repairs, she thought it would be a good idea to make the changes which would make this building more efficient, like putting all employees who interact with residents on the same floor. She then came across minutes from the former “Space Committee”, who had discussions on the same idea in 2005. Selectman Blessington was on the committee at the time. They were looking at ideas of use for the space
once the seniors moved to the new senior center. He said cost was a major factor. At the time we weren’t going to gain a lot by moving the offices around. First Selectman Mailhos said we have to fix the roof in this building as well as many other repairs. Mark Palmer suggested there might be damage on the drywall in the lower level, as well as the cracks in the Superintendent’s office which might cause a weight/support issue. First Selectman Mailhos said we have so many different issues in this building. She feels it is irresponsible to not look at addressing the problems it is like we are waiting for something bad to happen so we have to fix it and that is not a good plan. She would like to put the committee back together and go from there. The concerns back then were much different than they are now. She will reconstitute the committee.
- Clerk of the Works Proposal
At our last meeting, we discussed the possibility of someone overlooking the project to make sure things go on schedule. Ralph Tulis has sent in a proposal. The proposal is for continual observation connected with the EECBG Energy Efficiency Improvements for the Town Office Building. Selectman Millix asked him to resubmit his quote with a cap or a fixed price in the event the project runs longer than expected.
Selectman Blessington moved to accept Ralph Tulis’ proposal at the pre-calculated hourly rate basis of $50 per hour to be capped at $4,000 and not to exceed 80 man hours.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
H. Turnpike Road Extension bid update
First Selectman Mailhos moved to reject all bids at this time and will be working on re-scoping the project to be re-bid.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
I. Board of Selectmen Meeting schedule
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Hall School graduation is on Monday, June 20 at 6:30, which conflicts with the next regular BOS meeting. Selectman Blessington has a relative graduating and has to be there. First Selectman Mailhos also plans to attend. Discussion was held on the date to reschedule; which will be Tuesday, June 21, at 6:30 P.M.
Good & Welfare:
First Selectman Mailhos shared the article in the Journal Inquirer about the ground breaking at E.O. Smith track a few weeks ago.
The Library is doing their $10,000 challenge again this year. The generous family who has donated before is offering to match the funds that are raised. Some news should be coming out soon.
Willington Day was a great success again this year. First Selectman Mailhos thanked Jennifer Jeffreys for her hard work on a fun filled day had by all.
The Memorial Day parade was rained out on Monday morning. The Ceremony was held inside the Old Town Hall. First Selectman Mailhos thanked Lynn for coming out on her day off to replace the flag that was taken down from the inclement weather.
The decoration of the graves was held at 2:00 PM. John Wojtina played taps; it was a very nice ceremony.
First Selectman Mailhos asked Selectman Millix to speak about the tornadoes that hit Massachusetts. He said he was sent through his job at Tolland County Dispatch where he sent up five engines to Monson on Wednesday night. They were requested to go up there as a communication effort. They sent an additional five engines the following day. They were sent up there to check houses for people and deploy water and to find anyone who needed attention. They set up base at the Monson Fire House until the National Guard took over late Thursday afternoon.
First Selectman Mailhos said that we have adopted Monson as our “sister Town”. We put out a public notice with a list of collection items that the residents need. We will send the Fire Department up to Monson tomorrow with the items we have collected. We will keep sending the items as they come in. Thank you to all residents who have donated to help out.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 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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