BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting December 3, 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 moved to approve the minutes of November 19, 2012 with the following edits:
Under appointments of Carol Jordan and Ed Taiman, the votes detail is not listed. – should read:
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Also, on page 3, first sentence should read: Kelly also represents a big constituency
Lastly; page 4; second paragraph; first sentence should read: tax payments will need to be processed on or before December 31st.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
No one opted 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:
*Town Office Building Roof RFP – The Town Engineer has prepared the draft RFP and will publish soon. Lynn re-iterated that the building consists of four different roof types/materials and we will seek different quotes for each roof type.
*Performance Contracting – Siemens was in last week to retrieve the data collectors. We will expect to hear from them with a final report sometime in January.
* Old Town Hall Renovations – The Town Engineer will be working with The Architects on the bid documents. We may be able to apply Program Income funding (from housing rehab payments in the 1990’s) towards the ADA compliant projects, such as the entrance ramp.
*Senior Van - First Selectman Mailhos will hold a meeting with the President of the Senior Center and our Youth Family and Social Services Director to begin work on the grant. Last year, the deadline was missed because of a publishing notice requirement and First Selectman Mailhos wants to be sure we do not miss the deadline again.
*Turnpike Road Phase I – the curbing and back filling has been completed. The culvert is expected to go in within the next week. Lynn cautioned that the road will be closed to all vehicles for approximately 2 to 3 days.
*Transfer Station / Solid Waste Advisory Commission- The S.W.A.C. continues to meet and review all of the Ordinances. The first Ordinance will be reviewed by BOS later at this meeting. Once all Ordinances are reviewed, a Town Meeting will be called to have them changed as proposed by the S.W.A.C.
*Union Contract Negotiations – the Board of Selectmen will discuss the contract in Executive Session and will later vote on the contract, which has been voted on and approved by the union.
Selectman Littell asked the status of the proposed three way stop sign at Kollar/Sharps Mill and Luchon Roads. Lynn stated that she has put it on her list and has submitted as a CIP project.
Public Works:
Lynn reported that the crews have been out sanding and getting equipment ready for the next sanding. The crews have also been working on drainage areas as well as replacing signs around Town that have been damaged or faded. First Selectman Mailhos noted the new signs that have been installed along Route 320. They are in compliance with the new retro-reflective signs and are highly visible.
Old Business
- Solid Waste Advisory Commission Ordinance
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Ordinance was discussed briefly at the last regular meeting. It is the first of three Ordinances that will be reviewed by the SWAC. This is the Ordinance of the Solid Waste Advisory Commission, itself and reviews the terms of the members, meeting schedule, etc. After review, it was noted that there were many typos in the documentation as well as reference to the “Landfill”, which should now be referred to the “Transfer Station.”
First Selectman Mailhos discussed this particular Ordinance with the Town Clerk. The Town Clerk stated that it could be amended by the office of the Town Clerk (via vote from the Board of Selectmen) and would not need to be changed at a Town Meeting level because it is only typos. Selectman Blessington stated that he assumes more proposed changes of other Ordinances are coming and they should all be voted on at a Town Meeting. Selectman Littell agreed and suggested voting on each Ordinance separately at Town Meeting. We will put this aside until then.
New Business
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund credit for vehicle sold, destroyed, stolen and not replaced or registered in another state in the amount of $47.17 to Sofia Loran; Milford CT, 06460.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
- Set 2013 Holiday Calendar
First Selectman Mailhos presented the Holiday Calendar, and noted that Selectmen’s Day was not on the calendar.
Discussion was held on the best day to hold Selectmen’s Day in 2013.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to have Selectmen’s Day be on Friday, July 5, 2013; pending passage of the union contract.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to accept the 2013 Holiday Calendar with the addition of Selectmen’s Day.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
*The holiday calendar is attached to the minutes submitted to the Town Clerk.
- Set 2013 Board of Selectmen Meeting Calendar
First Selectman Mailhos moved to approve the Board of Selectmen Meeting Calendar as presented.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
*The meeting calendar is attached to the minutes submitted to the Town Clerk.
- Set Budget Workshop Meetings
The Board of Selectmen will hold budget workshops at 5:30 P.M. every Monday in December and January (with the exception of December 24th and 31st).
First Selectman Mailhos noted that she will be sending a letter to both Fire Departments and Planning & Zoning to request for the BOS to review their budgets prior to presenting to BOF. Selectman Littell noted that it is a stipulation in the Fire Services Agreement, which was signed in January, 2011.
- Discussion – Increase of Boarding Charges for Dog Pound
First Selectman Mailhos stated that our Animal Control Officer has requested an increase of boarding fees at the pound from $5.00 per night to $10.00 per night. Many surrounding Towns are charging $20 or $10.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she would consider the increase and added that we have repeat offenders in Town. This might be a way to deter them and frankly, there is no other revenue coming in up there. Selectman Blessington stated that he is usually not in favor of increasing fees, but ten dollars seems reasonable.
Selectman Littell asked for clarification regarding the State Statute; where it states, “the Town can charge the full detention and care fee” – does the Town have an Ordinance on the full detention fee? He suggested that our ACO draft clarification on care of animals while staying at the pound as well as the redemption fee.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she will keep it on the agenda to discuss further and to get clarification from the Animal Control Officer on the detention fee. She also noted that this will need to be voted on at a future Town Meeting.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Katharine Brody as a regular member of the North East Connecticut Visitor’s District; retro active September 1, 2012, expiring September 1, 2014.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Good & Welfare
Lynn Nicholls thanked Walt West and his family for putting the lights on the Christmas tree on the Town Green.
Selectman Blessington commended First Selectman Mailhos for putting together the entire Staten Island trip on November 24. He added that it was a good idea and good for the Town of Willington. There will be an article about the trip in this week’s Reminder. First Selectman Mailhos noted that one of the volunteers went back down there with her teenage daughter again this past weekend to continue the work. Selectman Littell asked if we checked with Groton to see if they needed help. Lynn stated that she reached out to them and it turned out that Groton received a lot of help from surrounding Towns, who had large crews.
First Selectman Mailhos said she had gone to a DEMHS (Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security) Region 4 meeting last week. The proposed spending plan was on the agenda; however it turned out that East Lyme had requested to use the money to purchase 2 jet skis and 2 quads for their beaches, stressing that it would be a regional need, whereas the other Towns did not agree and it was voted down. Lynn added that they should be pushing to get the communications equipment instead. It will be most helpful during storms.
The Willington Town Employee and Board Member Holiday Open House will be held on Wednesday, December 5 at Willington Pizza.
The Willington Public Library will hold the annual Open House on Saturday December 15th at 6:30 P.M.
Executive Session
- Discussion and Vote regarding proposed Town Employee Union Contract
Selectman Littell moved to go into Executive Session to discuss the proposed Union Contract at 7:30 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 8:03 P.M.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Vote – Town Employee Union Contract
First Selectman Mailhos moved to approve the “Working Agreement Between The Town of Willington And Local #1303-121 of Council #4, American Federation Of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, Effective July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2017.”
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
First Selectman Mailhos thanked the Town negotiating team that consisted of all three Selectmen, Alan Ference from the Board of Finance and Donna Latincsics, the Town Business Manager, as well as Bud O’Donnell and Melanie Dunn from the Town’s law firm, Siegel O’Connor, O’Donnell & Beck.~
Negotiations have gone on for months and both sides bargained in good faith.~ The individuals who worked on both the Town and Union sides worked hard to reach some fair compromises and costly arbitration was avoided.~ Attention was given to finding contractual solutions to alleviate management and employee issues that have repeatedly come up over the years.
The Union has ratified the contract with their members and once the BOS votes to approve, a signing meeting will be arranged and it will be official.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:07 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Attachments:
2013 Holiday Schedule
2013 Board of Selectmen Meeting Calendar
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