BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting April 2, 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:
First Selectman Mailhos motioned to approve the minutes of March 19, 2012 with the following edit:
*under Good and Welfare – Selectman Littell said he talked to the Assistant Town Clerk.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington motioned to approve the minutes of March 26, 2012 as written.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos &Blessington) 0 No. 1 Abstain (Littell)
Present to Speak:
Senator Tony Guglielmo stood and presented a citation to Kelly Trueb who was recently honored at an American Red Cross Community Hero Breakfast Celebration. Senator Guglielmo was not able to attend the breakfast, due to a short session at the capitol. The General Assembly drafted a citation, which he read and presented to Ms. Trueb. The Citation acknowledging her Community Impact Award and thanked her for hr her community service during the October snowstorm.
Senator Guglielmo stated that the October storm was not a good thing to happen, but it was enlightening to see the spirit and a lot of volunteers helping their neighbors all around us. Ms. Trueb added that she counted 109 volunteers who helped out at the shelter.
First Selectman Mailhos asked Senator Guglielmo to tell the Board what is happening in Hartford. He stated that the Senate is finalizing their budget, but he feels that there needs to be more effort put into cutting further. He added that he feels the budget they have right now is not sustainable. He went on to say that the Municipalities have done a much better job to keep their budgets down. Lastly he said that we (Connecticut) have the second worst long term funding planning in the country.
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:
*Old Town Hall Renovations – Interviews were completed last week. The Board of Selectmen and the Committee will review the short list of candidates later in this meeting.
*Turnpike Road – Phase I – The plans have been submitted to IWWC and P&Z for review. We will then go into the approval process, if the plans are acceptable.
Public Works:
Lynn reported that the crews will begin sweeping tomorrow morning. They will focus on Town parking lots first. Tree cleanup is almost finished - they have one road left to do. Public Works has also received some phone calls from the last minutes posting asking for Residents to call if they have any hanging branches. Lastly, they have begun to fill potholes on Turnpike Road. Selectman Littell informed Lynn that there is a pot hole in the parking lot at Willington Fire Department #1.
New Business:
- Resolution – Central Corridor Rail Passenger Service
First Selectman Mailhos read and moved to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, undue reliance upon particular modes of passenger transportation and the neglect of others leads to inefficiencies, delays and wasteful allocation of resources; and
WHEREAS, a modern national passenger train system is an essential element of a truly balanced transportation plan; and
WHEREAS, the low level or absence of passenger train service in certain areas of New England (including the Town of Willington) has resulted in an unbalanced transportation system in those areas, contributing to traffic congestion, air pollution, wasteful expenditures, and growth control problems; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Willington is gravely concerned with the disruption to this community caused by the aforesaid traffic congestion, air pollution, wasteful expenditures, and growth control problems; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of The Town of Willington believe that comprehensive Intermodal transportation planning is necessary to resolve the aforesaid problems and that involvement at the local, state and regional levels is necessary to the preparation and implementation of such planning; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of the Town of Willington believe that passenger train service is a necessary part of any comprehensive Intermodal transportation system:
NOW, THEREFORE, be it hereby resolved by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Willington in the State of Connecticut that:
1. It is and shall continue to be the policy of this municipality to take all actions necessary to support the commencement and/or/expansion of passenger train service in and to this municipality and other areas of Connecticut
- This municipality supports the efforts of The Central Corridor Rail Coalition and The Palmer Rail Coalition to achieve the commencement and/or expansion of passenger rail service to the aforesaid areas.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we received this resolution and have been asked to adopt it to support the rail service that goes through Towns from New London all the way up to Vermont. We already signed on to an official support of the service, through WINCOG a few months ago (although only the larger Towns with depots are mentioned). She added that the train used to stop in Town, and no longer does so. Because we do not have a depot, the resolution does not obligate us to anything other than support of the idea of it. She added that the reason of support for the railway would be to reduce traffic as well as transportation for college students. Selectman Blessington stated that he doesn’t see how it will be successful, as it is easier to just drive as opposed to waiting for the next train to come by.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that this is a casual resolution to support the passenger rail trail line that would travel through Willington.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund a credit of $80.24 to Ally financial (Formerly known as GMAC), Louisville, KY for a sold vehicle.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $38.28 to Terrance Foster, Wethersfield, CT 06109 for an excess payment
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $112.12 to Honda Lease Trust, Holyoke MA for a refund for a sold vehicle.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $20.73 to Chase Auto Finance Corp; Columbus, OH for a refund credit for a sold vehicle.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
- Review Old Town Hall Preliminary Needs Assessment bids
First Selectman Mailhos said that she has checked the references for all of the Firms. We did not have any negative feedback. They all are also registered as Historical Architects and all were within budget.
The board went through their rating worksheets with the Town Engineer; Karl Acimovic and President of the Historical Society; Robert Shabot. Discussion was held on everyone’s choices from the interviews.
First Selectman Mailhos clarified that because the Town will be using grant money that will used outside of the approved spending, we still need to go to Town Meeting to appropriate the Historical Preservation Technical Assistant Grant money for this project. We can award the project, pending funding. We will tie this in with the Annual budget meeting which will be on April 24th.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to award the project for a Capital Needs Assessment to The Architects for $13,500, pending funding. Half to be paid for by the HPTAG grant and other half has been appropriated by the Board of Finance.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
- Award Irrigation Well bids – River Road Athletic Complex
We received one bid. First Selectman Mailhos opened and read the bid received:
LaFramboise of Thompson CT - $11,250
Alternate 1 - $12.00 per foot
Alternate 2 - $15.00 per foot
Alternate 3 - $3,600 lump sum for yield test – (covering 36 hours according to Sec.19-13-250 of public health code)
First Selectman Mailhos moved to award the irrigation well project to LaFramboise for $11,250.00 as per their bid.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Selectman Littell asked if this was part of the budget. Teri Gareau, Director of Parks and Recreation stated that received a quote for a little over $9,000 three years ago for the well. She added that $30,000 was appropriated from CIP from 08-09; the well was one of the items that was approved at the time.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
- Finalize Budget for 2012-2013
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Board of Finance will hold a Public Hearing next Tuesday. While they will be looking at the bottom line for each Department, First Selectman Mailhos would like to clarify the Selectmen’s budget to go with the cuts that were made by BOF.
The first item that was cut was the stipend line item. The original request was for $6,000; consisting of $2,000 each for Building Maintenance, Shelter Coordinator and Webmaster. Selectman Littell stated that there is a chance that the shelter may not be opened again or at least for a while. He added that the Building Maintenance and Webmaster positions are necessary; perhaps we should split the amount between the two of those items.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to make two stipends of $1,500 each for the Facilities Manager and Webmaster, totaling $3,000. This reduces the department code 0111-127; Town Stipend Position to $3,000; decreasing the Selectmen’s Department budget expenditures to $102,833.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Selectman Littell added that the residents most likely don’t know that there is no one here to take care of the facilities. Getting the word out about it should not hold up the budget.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Discussion was held on Town Counsel line item. The BOF used a rolling average on Legal services. They also took into consideration that the Union negotiations were not going to be included in next year’s budget.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to drop line item 0141-0311 from $25,000 to $18,500.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to eliminate line item 0311-431; Road Sweeping, decreasing the Public Works budget by $50,000.00.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos clarified the asphalt ratio as per the request for the Board of Finance. The budget is set for $40,000 for asphalt, $16,000 for stone and $8,000 for crack seal. Last year the way numbers worked out differently (we did not use as much stone). The price of asphalt is going up; and these particular roads will need more shimming.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to change the breakdown for asphalt as follows: stone: budget will be: $14,000; Asphalt; budget will be: $44,000 Crack seal budget will be: $6,000. The bottom number will remain the same.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to reduce line item 0351-527; Trash Removal from $120,000 to $110,000; reducing the overall Transfer Station line item from $250,195 to $240,195.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Lastly, First Selectman Mailhos updated the Selectmen on the salt issue. We are required to make a minimum purchase of road salt in the 11-12 fiscal year as per our contract. For the first time ever, we did not purchase the required amount of salt, because of the mild winter that we have experienced. We need to purchase the remainder of our required minimum, which is $13,000. We have made a plan for storing the salt over the summer and accept delivery. She added that the BOF was under the impression that the $13,000 was going to go back into the General Reserve Fund but has made them aware of this change. The good news is that we will not need to purchase as much salt going into next fiscal year.
Good & Welfare:
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she went to a meeting at Johnson Memorial Medical Center last week. They created a new committee called the Geographic Council. They are trying to get representatives from the local Towns and businesses to serve on the council to reach out to the community - especially from surrounding Towns like ours. The meeting will be once per quarter and they are looking for ideas on how to reach out to Willington residents. First Selectman Mailhos suggested going to our Senior Center and speaking at one of their luncheon meetings. They would be able to enlighten them on the many things that are now being offered at the Medical Center.
The Relay for Life will hold a town wide tag sale as well as a flower sale on May 5 from 8AM – 12 PM; sponsored by Team Circle of Friends.
The Circle of Friends chili cook-off was held last weekend. Maureen Parsell came in first place again; second place went to Christina Perez and third place went to Rich Mailhos. Willington Pizza won first place in the restaurant category.
Lynn Nicholls stated that an Ashford woman was recently charged for first degree reclesness and larceny for stealing grates from local roads. She added that the grates cost $92.00 each and they get around $7.00 to scrap them. She reminded everyone that this is a federal offense.
Kelly Trueb stated that she has 18 people signed up for the upcoming CERT Training. There is still room available for those interested.
Executive Session
First Selectman Mailhos moved to go into executive session at 8:10 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington moved to come out of executive session at 8:25 P.M.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington moved to empower the First Selectman to sign and send a letter to an employee regarding clarification of the Driver/Laborer pay rate.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington moved to adjourn at 8:26 P.M.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Millix & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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