BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting March 5, 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, Willington Girl Scouts and residents. First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Girl Scout Promise with the Scouts.
Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Blessington motioned to approve the meeting minutes of February 21, 2012 with the following amendment: under the appointment of the Town Historian; referencing Elizabeth Weigold should be changed to Isabelle Weigold.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
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:
*Facility Feasibility Study – First Selectman Mailhos has sent a follow up email to Kaestle Boos. Chairman Mike Makuch has been trying to reach them.
*Performance Contracting – The Energy Advisory Committee presented the preliminary findings from the CCM energy audit. It was found that the schools had the largest number of energy opportunities from the audit. The next step will be to hold a joint meeting with the Board of Education, BOS and EAC to discuss options.
*Old Town Hall Renovations – We received 12 RFP’s for the project. The Board of Selectmen will review further.
*Senior Van – We are in the application process for this grant.
*Reapportionment Committee – The Board of Selectmen will be appointing members for this Committee at this meeting tonight.
*Union Contract Negotiations – meetings have been planned for the negotiations process.
Public Works:
Lynn reported that the FEMA paperwork from Tropical Storm Irene has finally been closed. The paperwork is still in progress from Storm Alfred.
New Business:
- Proclamation – Girl Scouts – year of the Girl
First Selectman Mailhos moved to adopt the following Proclamation:
Girl Scouts Centennial Proclamation - A Proclamation Declaring 2012 as the Year of the Girl and Celebrating 100 years of Girl Scouting
WHEREAS, March 12, 2012, marks the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, which began in 1912 when Savannah, GA native Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low gathered 18 girls to provide them the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually; and,
WHEREAS, 1912 was also the year in which Girl Scouting started in the state of Connecticut; and,
WHEREAS, for 100 years, Girl Scouting has helped build millions of girls and women of courage, confidence, and character who act to make the world a better place; and,
WHEREAS, the award winning Girl Scout Leadership Program helps girls discover themselves and their values, connect with others, and take action to make the world a better place; and,
WHEREAS, through the dedication, time, and talent of volunteers of different backgrounds, abilities, and areas of expertise, Girl Scouts of Connecticut offers the Girl Scout Program to over 46,500 girls in grades K-12 across the state of Connecticut; and,
WHEREAS, the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, requires girls to make a measurable and sustainable difference in their community, assess a need and design a solution, find the resources and support to make it happen, complete the project and also inspire others to sustain it;
WHEREAS, today, more than 50 million American women are Girl Scout alumnae, 3.3 million girls and adult volunteers are active members, and Girl Scouts is the largest member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, a global movement comprised of more than 10 million girls in 145 countries worldwide; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christina B. Mailhos by virtue of the authority vested in me as First Selectman of Willington, Connecticut do hereby applaud the Girl Scouts of the United States of America for their 100 years of leadership and expertise as the voice for and of girls, and, during Girl Scout Week, proudly proclaim 2012 as “Year of the Girl.”
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Mary Beth Wallett stated that she wanted to recognize and thank First Selectman Mailhos for all she does for our Town.
- Proclamation – Donate Life
First Selectman Mailhos stated we did this last year, thanks to Dianne Pallo, a Willington Resident, who requested that we fly the Donate Life flag as April is national “Donate Life Month”. Ms. Pallo lost her husband 10 years ago, and is a strong supporter of the Donate Life Organization. She was not able to attend the meeting, but asked that her personal mission be reflected: Once a person does make the decision that he/she would like to be a donor, to talk to their family about their wishes – that way the family already knows and they are not burdened with making that decision.
A flag rasing ceremony will be held on April 4th at 10AM at the Town Office Building. Representatives from Donate Life will be in attendance.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to adopt the following Proclamation:
National Donate Life Month Proclamation
WHEREAS, one of the most meaningful gifts that a human being can bestow upon another is the gift of life; and
WHEREAS, more than 106,000 men, women, and children await life-saving or life-enhancing organ transplant, of which over 3,100 reside in Connecticut; and
WHEREAS, the need for organ, eye and tissue donation grows daily as a new patient is added to the national waiting list for an organ transplant every 11 minutes; and
WHEREAS, the critical donor shortage remains a public health crisis as an average of 18 people die daily due to the lack of available organs; and
WHEREAS, organ, eye, and tissue donation can provide families the comfort of knowing the gift of donated organs and tissue endows another person with renewed hope for a healthy life; and
WHEREAS, donating life through organ, eye, and tissue donation is the ultimate act of generosity and kindness we County citizens can perform; and
WHEREAS, citizens of Tolland County have already registered their decision to Give the Gift of Life at LifeChoiceOPO.org; and DonateLifeNewEngland.org and
WHEREAS, Life Choice of Connecticut is the non-profit, community service organization dedicated to the recovery of high quality organs and tissues for transplantation therapy; and
WHEREAS, Tolland County supports Donate Life New England - Connecticut’s life-saving mission; and
Now Therefore, the Board of Selectmen in the Town of Willington hereby proclaim April 2012 as DONATE LIFE MONTH On this day, the 5th of March, 2012 - Willington Board of Selectmen
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
- Award Haying bids for Fenton Ruby Park
We received two bids. First Selectman Mailhos opened and read the following bids:
-Anita Mihaliak - Bid $350.00. They will fertilize the property 2 times during the course of the year (weather permitting) and will cut back brush to its current limits one time during the course of the year. Other plans for fields: They will try to cut the fields twice- weather and time permitting. They will also cut any trees that have come down in the fields.
-Vincent Sinosky – Bid $260.00. He will fertilize the property one time during the course of the year and cut back brush to its current limits one time during the course of the year (or as needed).
Other plans for fields: None; property will be used for haying only.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to award the three year haying contract to Anita Mihaliak for $350.00.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we weren’t sure what to expect when we went out to bid, and the response exceeded our expectations. A spreadsheet was made with the submissions. The quotes range from $9,500 and go as high as $24,915. First Selectman Mailhos asked Bob Shabot, President of the Historical Society if he would help the Board evaluate the submissions. President Shabot said he would be happy to help and suggested that a good first step is to have the Board to boil down the submissions that have completed projects similar in size to the Old Town Hall. His second suggestion is to get as many ideas and suggestions from the consultants when interviewing, which will enable the Town to get the most for the money.
The RFP Review will be tabled until the next meeting.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the BOS just held a short budget discussion at the special meeting prior to this meeting to review the outsourcing of the sweeping, asphalt prices and trash prices as these were all areas that the Board of Finance had questions about. Selectman Littell stated that he agrees with Selectman Blessington that it should be all or nothing for the outsourcing of sweeping. The trash is tracking higher than last year- we can justify that. The asphalt is a hard number to budget for, because we cannot get a fixed price.
First Selectman Mailhos asked Donna what other topics were discussed at the last BOF meeting. Donna said that the stipend positions were discussed. First Selectman Mailhos said we will be getting FEMA reimbursements from Irene, and most likely from Alfred as well. Part of the reimbursement is based on the number of volunteers we had during the incidents. She would like to make a recommendation to the Board of Finance that with this money, we create a special fund to support volunteers. A portion of the reimbursements from FEMA will go into that account, which will then reimburse the volunteers, purchase plaques or show some sort of appreciation for those who volunteer in times of need.
First Selectman Mailhos added that she knows that the Board of Finance was not in support of a facilities manager personnel position; however she feels that we need to have someone who is responsible for the maintenance and repairs.
Donna added that the BOF instructed her to base the Consulting Engineer line item on the projects rather than the average, reflecting a $4,000 decrease. She added that the pension funding should stay as is, because the employee funding is currently based on regular time, not including overtime.
Planning and Zoning has requested an increase to the Land Use secretaries hours, however the BOF has asked if anyone internally would be able to help out rather than increasing the hours. P&Z has also requested to fill the Assistant Zoning Agent position.
Lastly, Donna stated that she is looking into the option of bundling the utilities to get a fixed cost for the fuel, dumpsters and electricity to come directly under the Selectmen’s budget, rather than going through the Departments who have an operating surplus. (Library, Fire Departments, Recreation Commission). The grants would then be decreased by those amounts. Any savings would be returned to the General Fund, as opposed to Reserve Funds. Donna is working with the Auditor to make sure it is possible to do this, as they are Special Revenue Funds. First Selectman Mailhos stated that we have already begun bundling the dumpster and electricity charges to lower costs. Selectman Littell suggested looking how other Towns do it.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to appoint Robert Jellen as a Regular Member of the Region 19 Reapportionment Committee; effective immediately – expiring once the charge of the Committee has completed.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to appoint Timothy Nolan as a Regular Member of the Region 19 Reapportionment Committee; effective immediately – expiring once the charge of the Committee has completed.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to appoint Christine Psathas as a Regular Member of the Region 19 Reapportionment Committee; effective immediately – expiring once the charge of the Committee has completed.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington moved to appoint Christina Mailhos as a Regular Member of the Region 19 Reapportionment Committee; effective immediately – expiring once the charge of the Committee has completed.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos said we need to have a total of five members and need to appoint one more person.
Selectman Littell moved to appoint Selectman Blessington as a Regular Member of the Region 19 Reapportionment Committee; effective immediately – expiring once the charge of the Committee has completed.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell and Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Emergency Services Efficiency Committee will be meeting on Wednesday. Two people from out of Town have expressed interest in working with the Committee. However she would like to have them attend a meeting first.
Good & Welfare:
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we have a new liaison from Troop C; Commanding Officer John Albanese, who came in to meet with her last week. During their meeting, they discussed the cost of hiring a resident State Trooper. The approximate cost for Willington would be $70,000 per year and she asked the other Selectmen if they would like to look into it further. Discussion was held on our relationship with Troop C and the Town’s needs regarding public safety.
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 p.m.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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