BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting April 1, 2013
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 March 18th , with the following correction: page 1 under *Performance Contracting ; last sentence should read: First Selectman Mailhos said that discussions were held at the last meeting to recommend to upgrade one of the boilers.
Under budget update (page 3) first sentence: First Selectman Mailhos stated that she has been attending the Board of Finance meetings,
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington moved to approve the minutes of March 27th
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Tara Bergeron, Director of Youth Family & Social Services stated that she would like to have the BOS look into adopting a policy for credit card usage for some of the Town Departments. She ran into a situation a few weeks ago when she had to order some items for the upcoming April camp on line. She had to use her personal credit card to place the order, but had to wait three weeks to be reimbursed. Lynn Nicholls added if Employees make Town purchases on their personal credit cards, the tax is always applied. The Finance Department must then go through extra steps to get refunded for the tax paid.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she, the Business Manager and Superintendent had looked into it a while ago, but the potential for fraud was an apparent issue. She added that Donna, our Business Manager was looking further into it but she hadn’t followed up with her on it. Ms. Bergeron presented the Town of Mansfield’s Purchasing Card program and asked for the Selectmen to review and consider adopting something similar in the future. First Selectman Mailhos stated that she will contact the Business Manager. Selectman Blessington stated that he would like to review the sample policy and get something in place.
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 – The Town Attorney and the Housing Authority Attorney are working together to complete the lease and tax agreement documents finalized.
*TOB Roof RFP – A Town Meeting will be held on April 11th to appropriate the funds.
*Performance Contracting – Jerry Drummond from Siemens will be contacting First Selectman Mailhos with some dates to hold another meeting to discuss the plan and financing options.
Public Works:
Lynn reported that the crews have begun sweeping. She added the employees were spot-checking permits last weekend. They handed out over 200 new permits (stickers), adding that residents are confusing the Bulky Permits for the blue stickers. They turned away 11 people on Saturday and 32 people on Sunday. These people were suspected as non-residents. First Selectman Mailhos confirmed that she was there at one point over the weekend and a lady had a large vehicle full of debris, and was not able to produce identification. First Selectman Mailhos added that she too was checked and had to provide identification because she was not driving her vehicle with the sticker on it. First Selectman Mailhos stated it was a good idea and we should do it a few times per year.
Lynn stated that the residents who follow the rules seemed happy that we were doing the spot checking, while some others were not, stating that it was a waste of money. She added that most residents are not aware that the Transfer Station is one of the biggest expenses to the Town.
First Selectman Mailhos stated the Solid Waste Advisory Commission has been discussing who should have access to our Transfer Station and what to do about the stickers at their meetings. Other discussions are to perhaps start charging for stickers in the future.
Lynn stated that many residents have complained that the Town always sweeps Old Farms Road and Hancock Road first. She clarified that they always sweep for the annual Easter Egg Hunt at WHFD. She added that Hancock Road and the Transfer Station is always the first route to use as a dry run to make sure the sweeper is running properly.
Old Business
- Fire Department Consolidation
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she is shooting for next month to attend each of the Fire Department’s meetings. She added that she wanted to give the Departments time to work on a response to the question that Board of Finance Chairman Schoppmann had asked (regarding what equipment would be needed if there were only one Fire Department in Town). Kelly Trueb said that she hadn’t heard about that yet. Selectman Littell asked First Selectman Mailhos what was asked of the Departments a few months ago? First Selectman Mailhos stated we asked them to discuss the chart and the best consolidation model to explore. Selectman Littell said he was reviewing an email that was sent on March 27th and it stated that they were unaware that we were expecting anything from them; Selectman Littell said he
thought the BOS had been pretty clear. First Selectman Mailhos added that WHFD Chief Snyder told her that a survey is being taken by all the members, and the results are going to be shared with the Selectmen soon, but she clarified that she is looking more of a response from the leadership and she is looking for it in writing, rather than 50 different verbal opinions. She added that she has tried to be more clear this time. Selectman Blessington said it will come about eventually, but it seems as if the Departments are stalling. He added that he would like to attend the Fire Department meetings with her.
- Ordinance for Past Due Taxes
Willington Revenue Collector, Carol Larson presented a revised ordinance that she would like to see passed at the next Town Meeting. She stated today, a delinquent tax payer had come in to discuss a pending construction project and he told the Tax Department that he refuses to pay on the property until it is sold. She added that he is trying to pull permits for the property, but he owes over $9,900 in taxes. She added that another option would be to hold a tax sale on the property. She produced a list of residents who have recently pulled permits for additions on their homes, even one for a new pool. Ms. Larson clarified that the ordinance would protect those in need of a health or safety /emergency affecting the residence.
Selectman Littell stated that the draft Ordinance addresses the health and safety issue. Selectman Blessington stated that his opinion is the fewer Ordinances the better. He added that he isn’t always pleased with the Land Use Department, but he understands why Ms. Larson would want to use it as leverage and considering the provision has been added for the health/safety issues, he stated he can support it as it is written.
Discussion was held on holding Tax Sales. Ms. Larson stated it is time consuming, and can take up to 12 weeks to process. Alan Ference stated that it sounds more like the Town would be looking for leverage against those who have the ability to pay but choose not to.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we have other Ordinances that will be brought before Town Meeting, and she stated we will hold the special meeting after the Budget Referendum.
New Business
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $ 211.98 to CAB East, LLC; Detroit, MI for a sold vehicle.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
- Re-Adopt Fair Housing Resolution
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-adopt the Fair Housing Resolution:
FAIR HOUSING RESOLUTION
Whereas, All persons are afforded a right to full and equal housing opportunities in the neighborhood of their choice; and
Whereas, Federal fair housing laws require that all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, be given equal access to all housing-related opportunities, including rental and homeownership opportunities, and be allowed to make free choices regarding housing location; and
Whereas, Connecticut fair housing laws require that all individuals, regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, learning disability, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression be given equal access to all housing-related opportunities, including rental and home ownership opportunities, and be allowed to make free choices regarding housing location; and
Whereas, The Town of Willington is committed to upholding these laws, and realizes that these laws must be supplemented by an Affirmative Statement publicly endorsing the right of all people to full and equal housing opportunities in the neighborhood of their choice.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOVED, That the Town of Willington hereby endorses a Fair Housing Policy to ensure equal opportunity for all persons to rent, purchase, obtain financing and enjoy all other housing-related services of their choice on a non-discriminatory basis as provided by state and federal law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the chief executive officer of the Town of Willington or his/her designated representative is responsible for responding to and assisting any person who alleges to be the victim of an illegal discriminatory housing practice in the Town of Willington and for advising such person of the right to file a complaint with the State of Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or to seek assistance from the CT Fair Housing Center, legal services, or other fair housing organizations to protect his or her right to equal housing opportunities.
Adopted by the Willington Board of Selectmen on April 1, 2013.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
- Re-Adopt Fair Housing Policy Statement
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-adopt the following:
Town of WillingtonFair Housing Policy Statement
It is the policy of the Town of Willington to promote fair housing opportunities and to encourage racial and economic integration in all its programs and housing development activities.
Programs funded and administered by this Town of Willington must comply with the provisions of Section 46a-64c of the C.G.S., and with related state and federal laws and regulations that prohibit discriminatory housing practices.
The Town of Willington or any of sub-recipient of the Town of Willington will carry out an affirmative marketing program to attract prospective buyers or tenants of all majority or minority groups, without consideration of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, lawful source of income, disability, age or because the individual has children in all programs and housing development activities funded or administered by the Town of Willington.
The municipality’s Selectmen’s Office is responsible for the enforcement and implementation of this policy. The Selectmen’s Office may be reached at 860-487-3100 or RCampbell@willingtonct.org.
Complaints pertaining to discrimination in any program funded or administered by this Town of Willington may be filed with the Selectmen’s Office. The municipality’s Grievance Procedure will be utilized in these cases.
Complaints also may be filed with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunity, Special Enforcement Unit, 21 Grand Street, Hartford, CT 06106, Telephone (860) 541-3403 within 180 days of the alleged violation by submitting a notarized complaint and/or the Boston Regional Office of FHEO, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Federal Building, 10 Causeway Street, Room 321, Boston, MA 02222-1092, Telephone (617) 994-8300 or 1-800-827-5005, TTY (617) 565-5453. A complaint may be filed with HUD within one year after an alleged violation. Additionally, an individual may file suit, at his/her expense, in Federal District Court or State Court within two years of an alleged violation. If the individual cannot afford an attorney, the Court may appoint one. A suit can be
brought even after filing a complaint, if the complaining party has not signed a conciliation agreement and an Administrative Law Judge has not started a hearing. A court may award actual and punitive damages and attorney’s fees and costs.
A copy of this policy statement will be given annually to all Town of Willington employees and they are expected to fully comply with it. In addition, a copy will be posted throughout the Town of Willington.
Revised 2/13/13
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
- Re-Adopt the Town of Willington Affirmative Action Policy Statement
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-adopt the following:
Town of Willington AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY STATEMENT
As First Selectman of the Town of Willington, I recognize the need for Affirmative Action and I pledge my commitment to undertake positive actions to overcome the present effects of past practices or barriers to equal employment opportunity and to achieve the full and fair participation of minorities, women, people with disabilities, older persons, and all other protected groups found to be underutilized in the Town of Willilngton’s work force or affected by policies having an adverse impact. In the spirit of Executive Order 11, signed by Governor Ella Grasso November 21, 1975, and Executive Order 9, signed by Governor William A. O’Neill on January 3, 1984, I further state that this Town of Canton will comply with the anti-discrimination provisions of the state and federal laws and regulations listed at the end of
this section.
I recognize the hiring difficulties experienced by minorities, people with disabilities and by many older persons and, where appropriate, I have set goals to overcome the present effects of past discrimination, if any, to achieve the full and fair utilization of such persons in the work force. I further pledge that the Town of Willington will affirmatively provide services and programs in a fair and impartial manner.
Where adverse impact is identified, the Town of Willington will: (1) review its personnel policies and procedures to ensure that barriers, which unnecessarily exclude protected classes and practices, which have an illegal discriminatory impact, are identified and eliminated; (2) explore alternative approaches to employ minorities and members of protected classes; (3) administer all terms, conditions, privileges and benefits of the employment process in an equitable manner; and (4) establish procedures for the extra effort that may be necessary to ensure that the recruitment and hiring of protected group members reflect their availability in the job market.
It is the policy of the Town of Willington to provide equal employment opportunities without consideration of race, color, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, genetic information, past/present history of mental disability, ancestry, mental retardation, learning or physical disabilities including but, not limited to blindness, sexual orientation, political belief or criminal record, unless the provisions of Section 46a-60(b), 46a-80(b) and 46a-81(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes are controlling or there is a bonafide occupational qualification excluding persons in one of the above protected groups. This policy applies to all aspects of the employer/employee relationship including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, referrals, classifying, advertising, training, upgrading, promotion, benefits,
compensation, discipline, layoff and terminations.
The Town of Willington will implement, monitor and enforce this Affirmative Action Policy Statement in conjunction with the applicable federal and state laws, regulations and executive orders listed below: 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments of the United States Constitution, Civil Rights Act of 1866, 1870, 1871, Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VI and VII of the 1964 United States Civil Rights Act, presidential Executive Orders 11246, amended by 11375, (Nondiscrimination under federal contracts), Act 1 Section 1 and 20 of the Connecticut Constitution, Governor Grasso’s Executive Order Number 11, Governor O’Neill Executive Order Number 9, the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Law (46a-63-64). Discrimination against Criminal Offenders (46a-80). Connecticut General Statutes, Connecticut Code of
Fair Accommodations Law (46-63-64), definition of Blind (46a-51 (1), definition of Physically Disabled (46a-51 (15), definition of Mentally Retarded (46a-51 (13), cooperation with the Commission of Human Rights and Opportunities (46a-77), Sexual Harassment (46-60-(a) Connecticut Credit Discrimination Law (360436 through 439), Title I of the State and the Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992.
This policy statement will be given annually to all Town of Willington employees and will also be posted throughout the Town of Willington. I also expect each supplier, union, consultant and other entity (s) with which we do business to comply with all applicable State and Federal Equal Opportunity laws and regulations. The Town of Willington will not knowingly do business with any entity debarred from participation in any federal or state program or found to be in violation of any state or federal anti-discrimination law.
I have assigned the responsibility to achieve the successful implementation of our goals and objectives to Robin Campbell, Administrative Assistant 860-487-3100, rcampbell@willingtonct.org
THIS STATEMENT IS AVAILABLE IN LARGE PRINT FROM THE ADA-504 COORDINATOR BY CALLING 860-487-3100.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
- Re-Adopt Title VI Equal Opportunity Statement
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-adopt the following:
Town of Willington Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Town of Willington does not discriminate in the provision of services, the administration of its programs, or contractual agreements. The Town of Willington seeks to fully carry out its responsibilities under the Title VI Regulations.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, color or national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Title VI provides that No person shall on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any programs covered by the Regulations.
This policy is effectuated through the methods of administration outlined in the Town of Willington’s Fair Housing Plan and is fully implemented to ensure compliance by the Town of Willington, as the recipient, and by sub- recipients. The cooperation of all personnel is required.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion
Vote: 3 yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
- Proclamation – Donate Life Month – April
First Selectman Mailhos read the following Proclamation:
PROCLAMATION – DONATE LIFE MONTH
WHEREAS, one of the most meaningful gifts that a human being can bestow upon another is the gift of life; and
WHEREAS, more than 106,000 men, women, and children await life-saving or life-enhancing organ transplant, of which over 3,100 reside in Connecticut; and
WHEREAS, the need for organ, eye and tissue donation grows daily as a new patient is added to the national waiting list for an organ transplant every 11 minutes; and
WHEREAS, the critical donor shortage remains a public health crisis as an average of 18 people die daily due to the lack of available organs; and
WHEREAS, organ, eye, and tissue donation can provide families the comfort of knowing the gift of donated organs and tissue endows another person with renewed hope for a healthy life; and
WHEREAS, donating life through organ, eye, and tissue donation is the ultimate act of generosity and kindness we County citizens can perform; and
WHEREAS, citizens of Tolland County have already registered their decision to Give the Gift of Life at LifeChoiceOPO.org; and DonateLifeNewEngland.org and
WHEREAS, Life Choice of Connecticut is the non-profit, community service organization dedicated to the recovery of high quality organs and tissues for transplantation therapy; and
WHEREAS, Tolland County supports Donate Life New England - Connecticut’s life-saving mission; and
Now Therefore, the Board of Selectmen in the Town of Willington hereby proclaim the month of April 2013 as DONATE LIFE MONTH
On this day, the 1st day of April, 2013 - Willington Board of Selectmen
Selectman Littell seconded the motion
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
The Donate Life flag will be risen tomorrow and fly the entire month of April.
Good & Welfare
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the BOS budget was basically approved as presented at the last Board of Finance meeting as well as the Board of Educations budget with an adjustment in insurance numbers. She added that the one thing was not approved was the Planning and Zoning request to refill a position. The Public Hearing is next Tuesday, April 9th.
First Selectman Mailhos reminded everyone of the Town Wide Clean Up Day will be held April 20th. We still have many roads that need to be adopted and cleaned. Residents are encouraged to stop in the Town Office building or call to sign up to adopt a road. Trash bags, gloves and vests are available to those volunteering. Trash can be picked up along the roads and brought to the Transfer Station on the 20th to be weighed and tickets will be handed out for free ice cream at Willington Day for those who volunteered.
Willington Day is in the planning stages and will be held on May 25th. First Selectman Mailhos is preparing invitation letters to former Selectmen to sit on the judging panel.
Tara Bergeron stated that there has been a change of date for the “prescription drug take back day”. The local prevention council has voted not to follow through with it because the State Drug Enforcement Agency is holding one a week prior. Look for details on the State website.
Lynn stated that the Library will be holding a Touch-a-Truck event on April 13th – rain date April 20th. Trucks from Public Works and the Fire Departments as well as State Police vehicles will be on display at the library for children to sit in and touch.
The Town Meeting for the appropriations for the roof replacement will be on April 11th at 7PM at the Old Town Hall.
Robin Campbell stated that she and WFD#1 Chief Millix attended Web EOC training last week. We learned what the State is looking for in emergency events and will be able to assist Stuart Cobb, Willington Emergency Management Director in the future if needed.
Selectman Littell asked Kelly Trueb how Dell Ekenbarger is doing. Kelly said Dell is doing very well; he has a new truck and is driving as well as attending Fire Department meetings.
Selectman Littell motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
| 
