BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting- Town Office Building July 2, 2012
Lower Level 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 minutes of the special meeting held on June 18, 2012
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington suggested to have the following changes made to the June 18, 2012 6:30 (regular) meeting: under First Selectman Status Report (Turnpike Road Phase I) at the end of the last sentence; add the word; “meeting”.
Selectman Littell added the following changes; under new business – fifth sentence, should read, “The Attorney stated to hold a Town Meeting to authorize…..” also, ½ way down the page; Congratulations to the Boy Scouts; last sentence should read the send off ceremony for the Scouts who leave in July (change the word on to in)
Selectman Littell motioned to approve the minutes of June 18, 2012 as amended.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Littell motioned to approve the minutes of the special meeting held on June 28, 2012
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Peter Latincsics stated that he had some questions regarding the CCM performance contracting that was recently approved. He asked the time table for the audit and how long until the public will be able to see the results? First Selectman Mailhos stated that it is still in the preliminary stages; she had sent out an email to the contact person of each building to set up a visit with the CCM representative. The first visit~will include an inspection of the heating system and the placement of a monitor that will collect data throughout the fall and winter. She stated that she does not expect to have any data for the heating sources until at least December. Meetings will then be held to discuss the findings with BOE as well as BOF and the EAC. ~
Mr. Latincsics then asked if the results will be submitted in time to add to the CIP requests, noting that the deadline for the requests is October. First Selectman Mailhos stated that she won’t know the results and actual numbers until December or perhaps even later. This type of request would fall under a CIP request. She will perhaps put a place holder for it in October. She added that it might be an option to bond it at that point, however, she has not been through a bonding process, and is not familiar with the steps. Lastly, Mr. Latincsics stated that the minutes from the last BOF meeting were recorded incorrectly, and clarified if the Town decides not to move forward with the second phase, the $10,000 will be owed.
Christine Psathas thanked Lynn for having the Willington sign on the green refurbished – it looks great. Lynn stated that she took the sign to “Signs of All Kinds” and they did do a great job.
Ms. Psathas also stated that PBS POV Programming will show the City Dark on Thursday night at 10PM. For those who missed the documentary that was shown last year by the Willington, Ashford and Mansfield Conservation Commissions; it is a great production.
Robert Shabot stated on behalf of the Willington Historic District Commission, they would like to have the Board of Selectmen made aware that the eave on the Scout hall is damaged (from a branch during Storm Alfred) and water is starting to seep in when it rains.
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 the input from the Attorneys and the Resolution will be finalized and ready to go to Town Meeting. The Town Meeting will be called at this meeting.
*Turnpike Road – Phase I – the bid documents are out; a pre-bid meeting was held last Thursday.
*Reapportionment Committee- the next meeting will be held at 7PM on July 24th at Willington Public Library.
*Union Contract Negotiations – meetings are ongoing.
Public Works:
Lynn thanked First Selectman Mailhos for holding the State of the Town meeting last Wednesday. She stated it was nice to see the faces of those who hold the meetings and to see everyone come together. She added that she learned some new things. She then reported that the crews have finished sweeping and are now grading roads, attending to roadside mowing and are in the beginning stages of shimming and preparations for chip sealing.
Old Business
A.Draft Resolution – Proposed Senior Cottages (Lease and Fixed Tax Assessment Agreement)
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she was hopeful that some of the Housing Authority members would be present to discuss the proposed resolutions. She presented the drafts that the Attorney wrote up and added that the Housing Authority seemed to be happy with them. The only thing she thought that needed to be finalized was the length of the term of the agreements. The first one is the lease agreement for the land, cottages and parking, which was requested (from the Housing Authority) to be for 99 years. After putting some thought into it, First Selectman Mailhos and the Attorney agreed that it is a long time and suggested marring the new term with the one that is currently in place (75 years, having 71 remaining). The second agreement is the tax abatement agreement which is not a fixed
abatement. The suggestion from our Assessor was to have the current mil-rate attached to the agreement each year; and it is less than the proposed 99 years. The last issue is to clarify the language in the maintenance clause for the property.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Town Meeting can still be called, and the BOS will be able to finalize the resolutions before the Town Meeting on July 17th. If they cannot come to an agreement with the Housing Authority, the items in question can be taken off of the Town Meeting agenda. Selectman Blessington stated it is a good idea to have both agreements end at the same time. First Selectman Mailhos will contact the members of the Housing Authority to give them an update of what is proposed.
New Business
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Mary Huda - Willington Assessor – effective immediately; expiring June 30, 2014.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Mark Drobney as a regular member of the Willington Inland Wetlands & Watercourse Commission; effective immediately; expiring May 16, 2014.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Evan Brand as a regular member of the Willington Inland Wetlands & Watercourse Commission; effective immediately; expiring May 16, 2014.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to appoint Tina Binheimer as the Willington Municipal Animal Control Officer; effective July 2, 2012 expiring July 2, 2014.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we had a great interview committee. The committee consisted of the entire Board of Selectmen; Donna Hardie, Town Clerk; Lynn Nicholls, Public Works Director; and two outside Animal Control Officers; Cathy Kodes of Glastonbury and Cheryl Gagnon of Cromwell. We received 22 applications and narrowed the interviews down to 5. Tina currently works in Tolland (as an Animal Control Officer) and has all of the Certifications as per the State requirements. She came highly recommended and was a unanimous recommendation by the interview committee. First Selectman Mailhos added that Tina will be a great addition to Willington.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
AT&T had originally applied in October, 2010 and had two proposed sites. At the time, Planning & Zoning preferred the site off Route 74. The Historical Society and Conservation Commission commented during the review period requesting the tower be reduced from 190 feet to 160 feet. Robert Shabot stated he is concerned with the notification process (to inform the Historic District and/ or the Conservation Commission) with the height of the tower and referenced the tower on the Drobney property. The tower was approved at 160 feet, but two years later it was altered to add an additional 30 feet without approval. He does not want that to happen in this case because the tower that is proposed at 160 feet is not visible from the Historic District; however if it stands at 190 feet, it will be above the tree
line, which is a conflict with both the Historic District as well as the Conservation Commission’s open space regulations.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she has been in contact with AT&T’s Attorney. He stated that the reason AT&T withdrew the original application is because they decided to focus on another project. He then asked for us to waive the Town review period. The project will still need to go through the Siting Council. He also sent a sample letter which states:
The Town of Willington acknowledges that it was provided various technical information by AT&T as part of its review of a Technical Report submitted in October of 2010.~ The proposal was reviewed, a site walk conducted and recommendations from the Planning & Zoning Commission were issued.~ That report was the basis of an application made to the Siting Council which was later withdrawn.~ We have received the latest revised drawings of the candidate sites and since the proposal of the project as originally consulted in the Fall of 2010 has not changed and the candidates remain in the same locations and configuration as before further consultation is unnecessary.
First Selectman Mailhos added that she will add a request for an “ultimate height” requirement to the letter. Selectman Blessington stated it is a good idea to add it into the letter so it is not overlooked. Mr. Shabot also asked to have it noted that he thinks that the high point of the ridge is no longer there (it has been blasted away because of the quarry). First Selectman Mailhos stated that should be discussed as well.
C.Resolution – Town Clerk Historic Document Preservation Grant
First Selectman Mailhos read and moved to adopt the following resolution for the Town Clerk’s Historic Document Preservation Grant:
RESOLVED, that Christina Mailhos, First Selectman is empowered to execute and deliver in the name and on behalf of this municipality a contract with the Connecticut State Library for a Historic Documents Preservation Grant.
Selectman Blessington moved to adopt the Resolution.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
D.Transfer Station Daily log policy
The BOS has had discussions about tightening up the communications at the Transfer Station. At a recent meeting, the daily log was discussed. Lynn clarified that the daily log is used to track tire disposals, bulky or dumpsters that have been called out. The thing she is would like to discuss is called a daily job report.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that a question has been asked of what needs to be put on the report. Any conflicts with residents that come in should be noted on the report as well as any resident who does not abide by the rules (on multiple occasions). It covers the employees and also is a way to keep Lynn updated on what is going on.
Lynn stated that she had filled in at the Transfer Station on a few occasions and had been asked by some of the residents why we are changing the rules. She clarified that the rules have not changed, they are just being enforced. She added that we need to educate the people. They need to have a blue sticker and a bulky card when they come to the Transfer Station. The trash removal is a major expense for the Town, and is limited to Willington residents only.
Lastly, she stated that she has asked the Transfer Station attendants to communicate with her anything out of the ordinary that happens. Selectman Blessington stated if the attendants are busy, the log might get pushed off. Also, who makes the decisions as to what has to go on the logs?
Christine Psathas suggested that it might be time to start charging, before it becomes a hardship for the Town. She then suggested putting the license plate number on the stickers, rather than a random number. First Selectman Mailhos stated that we are still looking for people to serve on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, who will look into the options that we have. For example, the pay as you throw bags are an immediate savings option, the question is whether the Town wants to go there. Selectman Blessington suggested getting the S.W.A.C. up and running again. He has a few people in mind that might serve on the committee.
In closing, Lynn stated that she would like to remind everyone that the Transfer Station gates close promptly at 4:00 PM. She asked for residents to please keep this in mind when coming to the Station.
Christine Psathas added that she is the moderator in the elections, and keeps logs for anything out of the ordinary; one sentence of something that happens and mark down the time; in the event she needs to reflect on it at a later time. It is quick to jot it down, and does not take that much. She added the attendants are very nice and cordial to the people up there.
E. Call Town Meeting
- Center School parking lot appropriation
- Willington Senior Cottages Land Lease
- Willington Senior Cottages Fixed Tax Assessment
First Selectman Mailhos read the call of the meeting:
TOWN OF WILLINGTON
NOTICE AND WARNING
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
The electors of the Town of Willington and all persons who are entitled to vote in Town Meeting on the matters mentioned in the following warning are hereby warned and notified to meet in Town Meeting at the OLD TOWN HALL at 11 COMMON ROAD in Willington on July 17, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. for the following purposes:
ITEM I
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Finance, will authorize the appropriation of 70,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund to create a short term parking lot at Center School.
ITEM II
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen, will adopt a resolution regarding the execution of a lease agreement for the proposed senior housing project known as Senior Cottages, 60 Old Farms Road, Willington, Connecticut.
ITEM III
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen, will adopt a resolution regarding a fixed tax assessment, and the execution of an agreement related to such fixed tax assessment, for the proposed senior housing project known as Senior Cottages, 60 Old Farms Road, Willington, Connecticut.
Dated at Willington this 2nd day of July, 2012
Willington Board of Selectmen
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Good & Welfare
First Selectman Mailhos thanked everyone who presented and attended the State of The Town meeting on June 27th. She learned a lot that night.
Teri Gareau, the Director of Parks and Recreation has asked to mention the River Road Athletic Complex as well as Burma and Village Hill Road park and trails are all carry-in /carry-out trash. Please be sure to throw away your trash. Also, please clean up after your dogs while visiting RRAC.
The fiscal year has ended. The Tax collector has submitted the report for fiscal year 11-12 which came in at 99.39%. There was $110,000 outstanding. First Selectman Mailhos added that our collectors do a great job.
Sadly, Elaine Luchon passed away last week. She was an important part of our Senior Center and will be missed.
Lastly, First Selectman Mailhos stated that there was a segment on WFSB tonight about the deplorable conditions at Lyon Manor.
Reminder, the Transfer Station and Town Offices will be closed on Wednesday in observance of Independence Day.
Selectman Littell motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
Board of Selectmen
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