Town Office Building February 14, 2013
Selectmen’s Conference Room 6:00 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM with Selectman Blessington, Business Manager Donna Latincsics and CIP Chairman John Patton. Selectman Littell was absent.
First Selectman Mailhos thanked Donna and Chairman Patton for attending the meeting. She explained that the CIP Committee met on Monday to finalize the plan. It was voted to send this draft before the BOS for approval and inclusion in the budget.
Donna stated Melissa Welsh had submitted a large amount of edits and modifications to the finalized plan. Donna agreed that the edits should be added to the plan and she found some typos in the document herself. She would like to incorporate the changes made by Ms. Welsh prior to submittal to the Board of Finance, which is on their agenda for tonight at 7:00 P.M. Selectman Blessington suggested adding the edits from Melissa Welsh as an addendum and attach to the minutes.
CIP Chairman Patton gave a summary of what the CIP Committee has been working on: He stated all the requests that were submitted in October totaled over $16 Million. The Committee concentrated on roads, (drainage, repairs & bridges); equipment replacement for Public Works as well as Emergency Equipment and there were some BOE approvals in the plan as well, bringing the total down to $5.20 Million, adding the $5.20 Million is actually below the historical average. It is also consistent with last year’s plan to bring it up to this number. He added if the Town wants these things we have to pay for them. The5 year plan consists of 47 projects, up from 26 last year; many of them being road projects
CIP Chairman Patton stated things were also removed from the plan such as land acquisitions, River Road ball field improvements, a request for a new fire house as well as refurbishment of additional equipment, adding the the CIP Committee decided to heed to the Board of Selectmen’s discussions of possible consolidation and hold off on replacing a lot of the fire equipment. He then asked how many rescue trucks and tankers we really need. The only thing that we do not duplicate is the ambulance. He added if you are going to cut some stuff back that may be an area where there may be some savings – especially long term in equipment savings.
Chairman Patton added the CIP shows a small increase, however it is per the Board of Selectmen’s request to repair and maintain the roads which are costly. They looked at a three year cycle to complete that beginning with bond anticipation notes. As the projects get wrapped up we are looking at a bond of $3.8 million; adding that it needs to be done.
We also tried to maintain some money in the capital reserve fund– for opportunities that might come along; for an example the Conservation Commission identifies a piece of property they would like to acquire, some money would be set aside for that.
Chairman Patton stated that the Committee had many discussions regarding leasing equipment: a backhoe and sweeper as well as an ambulance. He explained that purchasing used equipment is sometimes difficult when trying to purchase as a lease. He stated that you can always find a good piece of used equipment, but the problem is identifying it and then purchasing it. He suggested that the Selectmen might have to step in and say that we are going to appropriate a certain amount of money to purchase a backhoe (and/or a sweeper); even though the equipment hasn’t been identified yet. You would then line up the leasing company and then lease the money to pay it back. He added used equipment can sometimes be a risk without having a warranty, but he feels it is a risk worth taking.
Selectman Blessington said we are always trying to cut out as much spending as we can and have done a good job over the past few years but at some point we are going to have to bite the bullet and say this year we are going to spend a little more. He added that some of the projects in here he thought should be pushed back but he will not make a big deal about it. We do want to keep in mind one of the few tools we have in dealing with the fire departments is how much we will allow them to spend. At some point we might have to tell them nobody gets it until they settle where they are going.
Chairman Patton agreed and said that is what the CIP did during the planning process. They did approve the exhaust system at WFD#1 because the members spend a lot of time there and felt it was important. Selectman Blessington agreed because it is a safety issue.
First Selectman Mailhos stated for the last two years, Willington Fire Department #1 has had a request for a new fire truck and it has once again gotten pushed out another year. She added that they were supposed to get their truck when WHFD got their truck.
Selectman Blessington said he likes to squeeze it as much as he can and he feels he must carp about something. He asked to put it on the record that Chairman Patton did an almost perfect job.
Selectman Blessington moved to have the Board of Selectmen accept the Capital Improvement Program as submitted with the addition of content and formatting contents submitted by Melissa Welsh.
The document will be added to the minutes submitted with the Town Clerk.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Donna will incorporate the changes as submitted and will request for the BOF to postpone the approval of CIP to next Thursday’s BOF meeting. The CIP Plan will be presented on the same date as the Board of Selectmen’s budget.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:27 PM
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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