BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting June 18, 2012
Lower Level Conference Room 6:30 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 6:33 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 Littell motioned to approve the minutes of June 4, 2012 with the following changes:
Selectman Blessington requested to add clarification under Old Business “Resubdivision Application” where it says [Selectman Blessington] he doesn’t feel (remove the word “he”)
At the end of the paragraph, where it reads: “Selectman Blessington noted that the Engineer referred to the regulations and said he would have to agree with him; remove “on that” and it should read that he would have to agree with the Engineer.
Selectman Littell stated he would like to clarify on page 4 second paragraph (1/2 way down – where it said Selectman Littell clarified Mr. Poole’s words at the planning and zoning meeting – it should be clarified that that Mr. Poole recused himself from the meeting and then made the statement after the meeting. With a paraphrase: I could care less if it goes on or not, I have already been paid”.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington moved to approve the minutes of June 13, 2012
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
No one.
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:
*Senior Housing Phase III – Senior Housing Cottages – we have received a draft resolution from the attorneys and will discuss later.
*Performance Contracting – we will be setting up a date for the audit soon.
*Old Town Hall Renovations – The research phase has begun and the architect will be scheduling a meeting with his findings soon.
*EECBG – the project has been completed and we will close out the grant.
*Turnpike Road – Phase I – the bid documents will be posted in the paper and DAS tomorrow. Lynn said the pre-bid (walk through) will be June 28th and the bid opening will be July 9th; recommendations will be made to BOS so the contract can be awarded at the July 16th.
*Turnpike Road – future phases – we have just received word that we received a STEAP grant. We will meet with the Town Engineer to determine the next steps.
*Reapportionment Committee- a few meetings have already occurred. Selectman Blessington gave an update from the last meeting. Everyone is in agreement that there is not much we can do. The weight of the votes will be changed and Mansfield will have more weight in their voting power. The committee is in the process of tying the vote into the referendum in November. By doing so, we will save approximately $800. He added this vote must happen by state law.
*Union Contract Negotiations – meetings are ongoing.
*Welcome to Willington signs – the first meeting will be scheduled soon.
* Appointments for Boards and Commissions – First Selectman Mailhos will try to continue to try to get the word out that there are a variety of vacancies.
Public Works:
Lynn reported that she is down to a two man crew every day for the next few weeks due to vacations. They cannot finish sweeping until she has a full crew. In the meantime, the crews continue to mow sight lines and road grading. Lynn added that the sign on the Green has been restored and is back in place. She stated that Signs of All Kinds did a great job refurbishing the sign and the posts.
Lastly, Lynn said that she worked at the Transfer Station over the weekend. She handed out 31 stickers in less than four hours. One of the things that she felt needs clarification is that residents need to have a blue sticker as well as a bulky permit. She had an out of town resident try to use the Transfer Station to discard some mattresses. The person, who owns land in town, and is a taxpayer was issued a bulky permit, however, Lynn clarified that the waste must be generated in Town. She added that the waste that goes into the trash compactor costs money to ship out, however, we get money back when we recycle (cardboard, paper, plastics and cans, etc.). First Selectman Mailhos added that the Town ordinance states that residents “shall” recycle, which should be
considered as a strong sentiment. First Selectman Mailhos stated this is why some towns have gone to using the pay as you throw bags. It encourages people to recycle as much as they can. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee should be meeting soon.
Old Business:
First Selectman Mailhos stated that Warrior Dash will not happen in Willington. The race organizers moved the event to Thompson. First Selectman Mailhos stated that it is her opinion because this would have involved multiple residential properties that logistical and permitting might be easier with a commercial property that has already been approved for that type of event. Selectman Blessington said it could have been a good thing, rather than being known as the Town that doesn’t let anyone do anything. First Selectman Mailhos agreed and added that they never applied for the permits – therefore nobody said no to them.
New Business:
- Draft Resolution – Willington Senior Cottages
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Attorney has presented a draft resolution. She stated that her thoughts were that the lease agreement would go to Town Meeting for approval, however the Attorney cautioned her that details can change and or be added at any time. If the Town does not approve the details (at Town Meeting) all of the work would be done at the expense of the Town, and for nothing. The Attorney states to Town meeting to authorize the Board of Selectmen to go into negotiations with the Housing Authority. They are also looking into the final details of the fixed tax assessment. The Attorney is lastly looking to the details on how the Town will enter into the agreement. Details will be forthcoming and First Selectman Mailhos is hopeful to have input by the Attorney and Housing
Authority by the next regular meeting.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she wanted to apologize to the Housing Authority that this project is taking such a long time to complete.
* A copy of the Draft Resolution is attached with the minutes in the Town Clerk’s office.
Good & Welfare
First Selectman Mailhos sadly reported on Tommy, the missing cat who was travelling to Maine from Virginia whose owners were offering a $1,000 reward. Tommy jumped out of the car at the I-84 East bound rest stop and went missing about three weeks ago. His owners have been in contact with the Town Clerk, dog pound and nearby groups on a regular basis. It was confirmed that Tommy’s remains were in an active fisher cat den
First Selectman Mailhos recently attended a ceremony at the Mansfield Lyons Club. She thanked the Lyons Club and Tom & Betsy Treiber for making donations to many local non-profits here in Willington. Donations were made to the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and a $500 donation went to the Parks and Recreation Commission which will go towards scholarships for those who cannot afford to participate in recreation programs.
A Thank you goes out to Pam and Joe Varholy, who own Anything Printed. They donated their proceeds from Willington Day to the food bank.
Congratulations to the Boy Scouts of Troop 82. They will be going to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico for a 10 day high adventure trek. They are having an Eagle Scout Court of Honor and will also have a send off ceremony for the Scouts who leave on July
The State of The Town meeting will be next Wednesday, June 27th at 6:30 at the library.
First Selectman Mailhos said the CIP had their second “on site” meeting, where they met at Turnpike Road, they then checked out Turnpike Road Extension as well as Polster Road Bridge. It was great to see the Committee looking at the items that need repair. Lynn added that she felt it was helpful for the Committee to get a hands on feel for the projects at the site, rather then sitting in a conference room. The next CIP meeting will be in August at Willington Fire Department #1.
We received a congratulatory letter from Senator Tony Guglielmo in reference to our STEAP award for Turnpike Road improvement. The letter states that Willington’s reputation for the wise use of STEAP funds for practical purposes is why we received the grant.
Selectman Blessington stated that Governor Malloy announced that the State has launched a new program that will help Municipalities attract new business, promote commercial activity and increase local jobs by providing grants for infrastructure, renovations and improvements to Town Commercial Centers. He would like to point out that Willington has a commercial center that we cannot do anything with because of the lack of water and sewage at the facility. First Selectman Mailhos said we will look into it. She added that we have an energetic and dedicated Economic Development Commission; it is worth looking in to and this might be good timing for them to do so.
Kelly Trueb announced that the American Red Cross will host a Shelter Management class on Monday, June 25 from 6PM-9PM at Willington Hill Fire Department. The training can accommodate up to 100 people. If anyone is interested or would like more information, please contact her.
Selectman Littell motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:22 p.m.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
| 
