BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting February 21, 2012
Town Office Building- Common 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 Littell & Blessington, Lynn Nicholls and residents. First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Blessington motioned to approve the meeting minutes of February 6, 2012 at 5:00 P.M. as written.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Littell motioned to approve the minutes of February 6, 2012 6:30 P.M. meeting as written.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington motioned to approve the special minutes of February 13, 2012 as written.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Christine Psathas stated that she attended the recent documentary, “The City Dark”; a film concerning light pollution, co-sponsored by the Willington, Ashford and Mansfield Conservation Commissions. She wished to thank our Commission because the film was great and enlightening. First Selectman Mailhos inquired about the documentary – as she is interested in seeing it but was unable to attend. Also, Ms. Psathas requested to have future Board of Selectmen agendas clarify which positions will be appointed and voted on at the meetings to make the public aware. By doing so might generate interest in attending meetings. First Selectman Mailhos stated that we should be able to do that, however, sometimes we receive requests at the last minute and in many cases it is after the agenda has
been posted.
Correspondence:
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
First Selectman Mailhos updated the Board on a recent letter sent from Region 19. The letter states that some of the regional schools are in need of reapportionment. It appears that Mansfield is under-represented on the Region 19 Board. She is waiting for more information. The letter did state that Willington will need to appoint five people (by the end of this month) to serve on the committee and at least two need to already be on the Region 19 Committee. The Board will meet and whatever is decided will then be voted on at a referendum.
First Selectman Status Report
First Selectman Mailhos went over the updated report:
*STEAP Grant – Water Connection to Fire Department – The outside survey has been completed and the engineering portion is moving forward. There is approximately $6,000 remaining from the grant.
*Senior Housing Phase III – Senior Housing Cottages – the Board of Selectmen met with the Housing Authority last week and worked out some of the details. The Housing Authority needs to re work the maps on the lease line. First Selectman Mailhos has also been working on other details with the Town Attorney, the Assessor to understand how they structured the plans and to understand how other Towns do it.
*Performance Contracting – the Energy Advisory Committee will hold a regular meeting tomorrow night, and CCM will present their findings from the preliminary survey that was done in the fall.
*Old Town Hall Renovations – the site walk was held today for perspective Historical Engineers and the bids are due back by March 1st. Interviews and evaluations will then be held.
*Senior Van – it looks like we have a good chance at receiving grant funds for a new handicapped accessible van. The grant would cover 80% of the cost of the van which holds 12 passengers and 2 wheel – chairs. Ideally, the seniors would use funds from the sale of the older van to cover the remaining costs.
*Union Contract Negotiations – ongoing.
Public Works:
Lynn reported that the crews have been teaming up with DOT to cut brush along Mihaliak Road. They have also been grading and performing regular maintenance.
First Selectman Mailhos noted she went to a WINCOG meeting with surrounding Towns earlier today. Discussions were held about ideas on sharing regional public works equipment. The State will pay half if each Town can figure out how to share the resources. One of the pieces of equipment is a trailer that can be towed by a dump truck and recycles asphalt in small areas. This would replace the cold patch material that the crews use now, that does not last for very long. Details still need to be worked out.
Old Business:
- Discussion of possible Ordinance regarding past due taxes
First Selectman Mailhos said we will leave this under old business until we come to a decision. The Tax Collector sent additional information (examples of Towns who have provisions for emergency repairs) which addressed the other Selectmen’s concerns. Selectman Blessington said he is flat out against it. We also received an email from the Tax Collector in Tolland, where the Ordinance reads: The Tax Collector shall attest on all building permit applications that taxes, sewer usage fees and sewer assessments are all paid in full for the subject property before the building permit can be issued. This provision may be waived by the Town Manager if the building project is necessary to ensure the health and welfare of the occupants of the building. The Tolland Revenue Collector
also stated the point is if someone can afford an addition to their home, a shed or a new pool and they do not pay his or her taxes, the rest of the Town is supporting that person. Additionally, they are borrowing money for improvement from the Town (at a very high rate of interest) for the work. In many cases, the improvement also increases the assessment. If someone cannot or will not pay taxes on what they already own the Town should not enable them to increase the value of the property and the size of the debt. Selectman Littell stated that was a good point. First Selectman Mailhos agreed. Selectman Blessington stated he still sees no reason for this ordinance. We have a very good collection rate in this town. First Selectman Mailhos agreed and added that she has asked for our Revenue Collector to quantify how much money we have lost as a result of not having this ordinance, and so far, she has not been able to do so. She also added
that the taxes that are not collected accruing interest and the Town gets the money eventually. She does not think we are suffering from not having this Ordinance in place. Selectman Littell suggested tracking the building permits that come in and determine if there are taxes owed for a three month period – that way we will have an idea if it is worth it for us to pursue. First Selectman Mailhos stated that is a good idea – the Revenue Collector has been trying to pass this ordinance for quite some time, and she would like to give this a fair evaluation before making a hasty decision. She added that we want to be able to give our Revenue Collector all the tools she needs to be able to keep her collection rate up. We will revisit this in three months and will invite the Tolland Revenue Collector to come to the meeting to discuss further.
- Housing Authority discussion of Town support for Senior Cottages
First Selectman Mailhos stated this was discussed under the status report.
New Business:
First Selectman Mailhos moved to appoint Joe Froehlich as the Town of Willington Historian, effective immediately with no expiration date.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that Mr. Froehlich contacted her after reading the article in the Reminder about the Historian vacancy in Town. He came in last week and met with her, and she feels he will be a good fit for this position. She then asked Mr. Froehlich to tell the Board about himself.
Mr. Froehlich stated he has lived in Town for about ten years. He has been in law enforcement for over thirty two years and said he has an innate curiosity and a strong interest in history. He added he feels this is an opportunity to serve the Town as a volunteer. He has begun reading the book, “Modernization in a New England Town” and “A Glimpse of Willington’s Past”. He has also contacted the President of the Historical
Society (Robert Shabot). He looks forward to the challenge. Selectman Blessington stated that we are excited about this and added that Mr. Froehlich has some pretty big foot prints to fill (referencing Elizabeth Weigold). He added that he is happy to have someone fill this position. First Selectman Mailhos stated that there is also a deputy position that is also vacant and someone has come forward with interest in filling that position as well. First Selectman Mailhos will be in contact with her.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
- Proclamation – Read Across America Day
First Selectman Mailhos read the following Proclamation:
NEA’s Read across America Proclamation
WHEREAS, the citizens of Willington, Connecticut stand firmly committed to promoting reading as the catalyst for our students’ future academic success, their preparation for America’s jobs of the future, and their ability to compete in a global economy; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Willington has provided significant leadership in the area of community involvement in the education of our youth, grounded in the principle that educational investment is key to the community’s well-being and long-term quality of life; and
WHEREAS, “NEA’s Read Across America,” a national celebration of Dr. Seuss’s 108th birthday on March 2, 2012, sponsored by the National Education Association, promotes reading and adult involvement in the education of our community’s students;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Willington calls on the citizens of Connecticut to assure that every child is in a safe place reading together with a caring adult on March 2, 2012;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body enthusiastically endorses “NEA’s Read Across America” and recommits our community to engage in programs and activities to make America’s children the best readers in the world.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to endorse the Proclamation
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that Center Elementary School is holding Read Across America Day has asked the Board members to read to the students on March 2nd. Selectman Littell suggested to do this more often for the Town. First Selectman Mailhos added we will also hold a “no TV week” coming up in April. Different groups in Town will sponsor activities on each night of that week to give the kids something to do, other than watch TV.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
- Board of Finance presentation
First Selectman Mailhos stated the Board of Selectmen’s budget was presented at the Board of Finance meeting last Thursday until 10:45 PM. She added that she is not sure that it went well. A lot of questions were asked. The BOF also came up with some suggestions. One of the questions was what would we gain by outsourcing sweeping? First Selectman Mailhos stated that Lynn is working on a man hour report to figure out how long it took to sweep last year. She added that some of the BOF members did not think stipends were necessary (for Facility Maintenance, Webmaster and Shelter Manager), however she feels they are. Discussions continue each Thursday night during budget season.
Good & Welfare:
First Selectman Mailhos thanked Mr. Froehlich for volunteering for the Historian position.
First Selectman Mailhos 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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