BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting August 1, 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 Millix motioned to approve the minutes of July 18, 2011 as written.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Doug Roberts of Michalec Road asked the status of cutting the trees along the road to make it wider. He has a child who walks the road to get to the bus stop. Because the road is already narrow, they have even more trouble in the winter as the roads are even narrower. Stafford and Willington busses both travel that road as well, causing a dangerous situation when a child is walking down the road.
Lynn said she had met with the Town Engineer and are working up plans that need to go before Planning and Zoning. P&Z is requiring the full set of plans with all phases of work to be done before approval of issuing bond money for road improvements. The improvements include cutting trees, pulling the stumps, drainage and widening the road. Selectman Millix said there is a safety issue which he feels should not have to go before Planning and Zoning as it will take too much time. Selectman Blessington agreed and said bureaucracy takes precedence over all and safety is not an issue to them until the proper paperwork has been filled out. Selectman Millix asked First Selectman Mailhos to open a line of communication with the Zoning Agent to expedite the issue so the trees can at least be cut down to alleviate the
safety issue.
Correspondence:
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
Selectman Millix asked about a letter that came in regarding invasive vines. First Selectman Mailhos said she was going to mention it under good and welfare. A concerned resident sent a letter advising that there are enveloping vines along the roads and are suffocating trees and other vegetation throughout Connecticut. The letter was also sent to Governor Malloy.
First Selectman Status Report
First Selectman Mailhos went over the updated report:
*Performance Contract- The Energy Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday to open and review the proposals that were received.
*EECBG Grant – The window project will start as early as this coming Saturday.
Public Works:
Lynn said the crew finished sweeping today and will now work on shimming along the chip seal route. Chip Sealing should begin in a few weeks and she is hoping to finish before school starts.
- Open Box Culvert Installation for Turnpike Road Extension
We received 4 bids:
Putnam Welding and Equipment Repair, Inc. Total Bid: $27,650
Knight and Sons Construction Corp. Total Bid: $32,400
D & V Morin Construction Company Inc. Total Bid: $89,800
HM&E Company, LLC Total Bid: $42,116
*Note: A complete breakdown of the quoted item numbers are attached to the minutes filed with the Town Clerk.
Lynn will check for Bid Bonds and will review with the Town Engineer. They will then make a recommendation of award to the Board of Selectmen.
- Open bids for truck rental for chip sealing
We received 2 bids:
D’Agata Brothers: Supply 1 truck at $85.00 per hour.
Knight and Sons Construction Corp: Supply 5 trucks at $85.00 per hour.
Lynn will review and make a recommendation to award at the next regular meeting.
New Business:
- Knowlton Property Management Authority to Conservation Commission
Kathy Demers, Vice-Chairman of the Conservation Commission was present. The Conservation Commission is requesting to have authority granted to manage the Knowlton Property. The purpose would be to assist the Town to honor the easement and manage the property for passive recreation, natural resource and open space protection. They are also looking into connecting the spur trail that is on the Talmadge property and connect it to the Nipmuck Trail along the Knowlton Property.
The Conservation Commission currently has management authority of the Fenton-Ruby Park, as well as the Talmadge Tract. Selectman Blessington asked Ms. Demers if they were using a consultant. She said they did use one for the Fenton Ruby Park and was on a 10 year plan. This year it is up. Looking forward they are considering another management plan to inventory the Fenton Ruby, Talmadge and the Knowlotn Properties. The cost was $4,000 10 years ago. If they plan to do again, they will go out to bid. There are only 4 companies in the State that do that type of work.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to delegate the supervision and management of the Town of Willington Knowlton Property to the Willington Conservation Commission.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
We received 4 bids:
Provencher Cleaning Services - $1,041.00 per month, $15,000 per year. $65.00 to clean the common room each occurrence.
Heather Roy - $300 weekly plus tax, $1,200 per month. No additional charge to clean the common room
Fluff & Dust - $210.00 per week, $840.00 per month. Did not specify for the common room
Erin’s Cleaning Service - $2,000 per month, $24,000 per year. $200 charge to clean the common room each occurrence.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to award the custodial contract to Fluff and Dust for the amount of $210.00 per week.
Selectman Millix seconded the motion.
First Selectman Mailhos said we will request for Fluff and Dust to specify the charge to clean the common room.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington)
- Willington Equestrian Riding Academy discussion
Selectman Blessington had requested to put this item on the agenda. He introduced Ruth Gilman, the owner of Willington Hills Equestrian Academy, who was also present. He said he got in a lot of trouble a few months back when he said he wanted to tackle the perception that Willington is unfriendly to business. Right now we have a business owner here whose riding academy collapsed from the weight of the snow this past winter. First she ran into problems with Planning and Zoning due to an acreage problem, which was settled. Selectman Blessington said Ms. Gilman has done everything the Town has expected of her, however she still cannot get a building permit to build the same building she had. Selectman Blessington said the Willington Building Inspector will not issue the permit until a list of
things has been addressed. The crux of the issue is that the building needs to have 60 feet of clearance for fire apparatus to access the building. There is an area in the rear of the building that does not comply. Jim Rupert, Willington Building Inspector was present and said he reviewed the plans and it appears that the design architect made assumptions on the plans which were incorrect. In Connecticut, there are code requirements that need to be met with that type of building classification. He suggested that the Gilman’s make the architect aware of the mistake that was made on the plans and perhaps the architect can offer other solutions to remedy the problem. He said in addition to that they also have other options: They can go before the State Building code of Appeals, and a last resort option would be to apply for a code modification through the State. Selectman Blessington said that will take too long.
He doesn’t want to have the business owners wait for two or three years, as they will be out of business by then. They have expenses going out and no money coming in. He then asked what we are going to do. First Selectman Mailhos said what we are not going to do is ask our Building Inspector to look the other way and not follow the code and she hoped that is not what Selectman Blessington was suggesting. Mr. Rupert said he would like nothing more than to see them back in business and they still have other options to pursue. Ms. Gilman said she would contact her architect to discuss the next steps. The Board and Building Inspector offered to help expedite in whatever way necessary.
Good & Welfare:
First Selectman Mailhos said we have been notified by Connecticut DOT that we will be getting rumble strips on the Willington section of I-84.
Selectman Millix saw a young teen sitting in the audience, who was taking notes and inquired why he was in attendance. Ben Hipsky is working on a Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge for Boy Scouts. One of the tasks is to attend a public meeting. First Selectman Mailhos asked him if he learned anything new today. His mom said he is working towards his Eagle Scout project.
Selectman Blessington motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:44P.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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