BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting December 17, 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.
First Selectman Mailhos asked for a moment of silence for our friends in Newtown, Connecticut.
Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Blessington moved to approve the minutes of special meeting held on December 3, 2012 as submitted.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to approve the minutes of the regular December 3, 2012 meeting with an edit referencing the GFOA award - should read as “Government (not Governor’s) Finance Officer’s Association” on the November 19, 2012 minutes (that were approved at the December 3 meeting).
Selectman Littell asked to add clarification for when he asked Lynn if she checked to see if we could help out Groton (after Sandy); the reason he mentioned Groton was because they (Groton Public Works) came out to Willington to help clean up after Storm Alfred.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Littell moved to approve the minutes of special meeting held on December 10, 2012, with the following amendment: the very last sentence referring to the request from Superintendent Harding to BOF to increase the Selectmen’s Salaries. It should be clarified that it was not an agenda item and he would like to see it tied to an index. There was no reason for them to act on the request.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
No one requested to speak.
Correspondence:
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we received a letter from a telecommunications provider who would like to pursue installing a cell tower on Town property. It will be discussed further at the next regular meeting.
First Selectman Status Report
First Selectman Mailhos went over the updated report:
*Performance Contracting – Siemens has requested to set up a meeting to review the more finalized scope with updated costs and savings numbers. The meeting will be held sometime in January.
*Old Town Hall Renovations – The Town Engineer is moving forward with RFP’s. First Selectman Mailhos added that we may be able to use additional funding from a Program Income account (which is from housing rehab projects from the early 1990’s that have been repaid to the Town). The PI fund has approximately $68,000 which can be used for ADA compliance (such as handicapped bathroom and ramp renovations) in our municipal buildings. She is moving forward with an application to DECD.
*Turnpike Road Construction – Phase I – The culvert will be installed tomorrow. The road will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday to all traffic. Lynn notified the residents who will be affected as well as emergency personnel, the bus company and the mail carriers. The project should be completed by the end of the week, and this will complete the entire Phase I as well as “detail 1”.
*Union Contract Negotiations – First Selectman Mailhos signed the agreement on December 6. The union will be working on implementation of the changes that were made in the next few weeks. First Selectman Mailhos added that she wrote a letter to the BOF regarding the highlights of the union contract and plans to be at that meeting if they need clarification or would like to discuss changes.
Public Works:
Lynn reported that the crews are working on drainage and brush issues. They have gone through three out of the four pages of small “to do” tasks.
New Business
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Brian Semprebon as a regular member of the Willington Zoning Board of Appeals; effective December 31, 2012, expiring December 31, 2017.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Good & Welfare
First Selectman Mailhos thanked Christine Psathas and Robert Shabot; they brought in a very nice poinsettia for the office today.
Kelly Trueb reported that Dell Ekenbarger will be coming home tomorrow.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that Friday, December 21st has been designated as a “Day of Mourning” in Connecticut and there will be a moment of silence at 9:30 A.M.
First Selectman Mailhos thanked everyone who was able to attend the candlelight vigil last night. She also thanked everyone for making it possible; Dickie Claus set up the PA system; WFD#1 brought up the rescue truck. Selectman Littell set up a pop-up canopy and brought candles. The Hall School select chorus sang. It was very nice. She also thanked Father Kennedy and Pastor Dell for speaking. Superintendent Harding and both principles were also at the vigil last night and were available to speak with anyone who wanted to talk or had questions. Selectman Littell thanked First Selectman Mailhos for coordinating the event.
School went off without a hitch today, and Superintendent Harding contacted First Selectman Mailhos at the close of Center School today to notify her that things went well and parents felt at ease to see State Troopers present at both schools. Superintendent Harding also told First Selectman Mailhos that he plans to meet with State Police in the coming days to review the safety plans that are already in effect and work out a plan going forward. Both schools do have an emergency plan in place and are exercised regularly.
The meeting adjourned at 6:57 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
Board of Selectmen
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