BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting January 17, 2012
Town Office Building- Common Conference Room 6:30 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 6:34 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Littell & Blessington, Lynn Nicholls and residents. First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Blessington motioned to approve the minutes of January 9, 2012 as written.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to approve the minutes of January 3, 2012 with the following edit:
Last sentence in the second paragraph should read: A Town Meeting must be held to appropriate the LoCIP funds. (in place of): a Town meeting must be held to transfer the LoCIP funds back to the Public.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Joint Meeting minutes has been approved by Board of Education. The Board of Finance has been requested to approve or edit at their meeting tomorrow night.
Present to Speak:
No one was present to speak.
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:
*STEAP Grant – Water Connection to Town Office Building – we have received 8-24 approval from Planning and Zoning. We will now need to determine costs to connect the Willington Hill F.D.
*Facility Feasibility Study – a meeting was held last week and the plans were reviewed. Chairman Makuch will contact he consultant to discuss the changes that the committee would like to be made to have a final report.
*Develop long term chip seal plan – we will revise the plan that was made years ago,. Budget restrictions have made it impossible to follow; Lynn was directed to revise the list based on what roads have been done in recent years and what roads have not.
*Union Contract Negotiations – we will negotiate the Union Contract for 12-15 FY. The Union has sent a demand to negotiate letter; we will set up a preliminary meeting in executive session.
Public Works:
Lynn reported that the crews are still on brush clean up from Storm Alfred. They are working on Mihaliak Road, and should finish shortly. Selectman Littell asked if there is a deadline to shut off submittals to FEMA? Lynn said yes we have to document everything and take pictures. – Emergency work needs to be submitted in 72 hours; other work has a 180 day submission deadline. She added that Alfred hit before they were done with Irene.
First Selectman Mailhos added that the schools had our first 90 minute delay this morning. The crews had minor truck problems, but the busses ran OK this morning.
New Business:
First Selectman Mailhos welcomed Mr. Tom Treiber, who is interested in joining the Economic Development Commission. She received a letter from EDC, recommending Mr. Treiber’s appointment. Mr. Treiber stated that he has lived in Town for 44 years. He is retired and his wife is on the Board of Finance. He is interested in serving the Town and heard there is an opening on the EDC. He does not know much about Economic Development, but said it would be nice to fill some empty store fronts, which will also help the tax base. Selectman Blessington welcomed him and stated that we need a lot of help on that Commission. First Selectman Mailhos added that people are recognizing the need for healthy business in Town; EDC’s role in that is crucial.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to appoint Tom Treiber as a regular member of the Willington Economic Development Commission, effective immediately, expiring January 1, 2016.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos stated it might be a good idea to hold another joint meeting with the EDC, P&Z and the BOS, as there are new members on all of the Commissions.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $47.36 to Lauren Knoll, 87 Ruby Road; # 16 ; per the Board of Assessment Appeals.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
- Discussion of possible Ordinance regarding past due taxes
First Selectman Mailhos presented a sample Ordinance from another Town. She added that our Revenue Collector has been requesting to put this Ordinance in place for quite some time. Most towns in the state have an Ordinance similar to this one. The Ordinance states if you owe past due taxes in town, you will not be able to apply for a building or zoning permit, seek a Certificate of occupancy or excavation permits. It also states that if taxes are owed by a contractor for the Town; the Town can take the money that is owed in lieu of payment. She added that prior administrations have not been in favor of this. Lynn asked if adding any moneys owed to the Town (bills to residents – damages to Town Roads, etc.) can be added to the Ordinance. First Selectman Mailhos stated she thinks it would because eventually those debts become liens. Selectman Blessington asked if this has become a major problem in Town. First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Revenue Collector sees it as
enough of an issue. She works hard to get her collection numbers up. Also, the fact that 90% of the other Towns have this in place; it is probably a good idea. Selectman Blessington said he is not in favor of adding ordinances or regulations. If it were to solve a lot of problems, he would be in favor of it. He then gave an example if a resident is behind and owing taxes and their roof gets blown off by a storm, they would not be able to make the repairs needed to live in their home. It seems too unforgiving; there are other ways to go about collecting taxes. Selectman Littell suggested inviting the Revenue Collector to the next meeting to explain and perhaps modify the ordinance to make a better understanding and be friendlier to the residents. First Selectman Mailhos referenced the recent Tax Sales that were held a few months ago; are subjective. The Revenue Collector tries to communicate with the taxpayers who have fallen behind paying
their taxes. The properties that go up for the sale are from people who she has not able to contact for years. When a Tax Sale is held, the Town gets the interest incurred on top of the principal owed. Chief Millix stated the Town of Stafford lists their delinquent tax payers in the Reminder, thus promoting incentive to make payments. He added that the Ordinance should be limited to improvements or modifications; eliminating those on the payment plan. First Selectman Mailhos also added there might also be an impact on Planning and Zoning from an administrative perspective and she should run by them to see how they feel as well.
Good & Welfare:
First Selectman Mailhos stated we received a resignation letter from Dave Charette, Chairman of the Economic Development Commission. He is moving out of Town and will be missed greatly. She wishes him and his family well in their new home in Coventry.
First Selectman Mailhos congratulated Kelly Trueb, who has been selected to receive a Community Impact Award from the American Red Cross for her outstanding service to our Town during the freak snow storm that befell our State in October. She has been invited to attend a Heroes reception in March. First Selectman Mailhos said it is very well deserved.
Chief Millix stated that he emailed First Selectman Mailhos regarding Emergency Service contract between the Town and both Fire Departments. The contract clearly states that the Departments will present their budget preparations to the Board of Finance Chairman and the First Selectman; who will then present to the BOF. He said he did not catch it until today; and is wondering if there is time to do this. First Selectman Mailhos said that she was questioning that at the last BOS budget meeting. Chief Millix said it is much different today than in years past, where funding came from a simple grant to each department; based on an equation; awarded from the Board of Finance. First Selectman Mailhos said someone ultimately is responsible for how the Town receives all emergency services and that someone is the
Board of Selectmen. We should have more budget oversight. The way the requests come in now, it just goes through the Board of Finance. Chief Millix said he will wait to hear back from her as to what direction to go.
Selectman Blessington motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
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