Town Office Building July 25, 2013
Selectmen’s Conference Room 6:30 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 6:34 P.M. with Selectmen Littell & Blessington and residents.
A. Call Town Meeting
First Selectman Mailhos read the call of the Town 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 TOWN OFFICE BUILDING –COMMON ROOM (UPPER LEVEL) at 40 OLD FARMS ROAD in Willington on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 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 $43,272 from Capital Projects – LoCIP – Public Works Strom Water to be reimbursed by the State of Connecticut Local Capital Improvement Program.
ITEM II
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Finance will authorize the appropriation of $40,000 from the Capital Reserve to replace the modular office and make drainage improvements at the Bus Lot on Route 320.
ITEM III
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Finance will authorize the appropriation of $57,000 from the Hud Lien Fund - Miscellaneous Revenue for the purpose of supporting ADA Improvements at the Old Town Hall.
ITEM IV
To see if the townspeople, will advise the Board of Selectmen to proceed with an Energy Performance Contracting Initiative, which includes upgrades to municipal and BOE buildings as presented.
ITEM V
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen and Revenue Collector will adopt an Ordinance for Past Due Taxes.
ITEM VI
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen and Animal Control Officer will amend the Ordinance for Redemption Fees for impounded dogs.
ITEM VII
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen will amend the Solid Waste Advisory Commission Ordinance.
Dated at Willington
this 25th day of July, 2013
Willington Board of Selectmen:
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that items one, two and three were items discussed at the Board of Finance meeting last week. She also pointed out that item three (Hud Lien fund) was approved for a higher amount ($63,171.76) however our Business Manager based that amount on two receivables that we have not received yet. She felt it would be safe to use the $57,000 figure.
Items five, six and seven are Ordinances that have been discussed at previous Selectmen’s meetings. The Performance Contracting item will also be brought to Town Meeting. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that the Performance Contracting does not technically have to go to Town Meeting, but she thought it would be a good idea to add it to the TM agenda since this is the first time the Town has done something like this.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
B. Planning & Zoning Staffing request
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she wanted to inform the Board that P&Z is looking to fill the assistant position either temporarily, or on a very part time basis. P&Z Chairman Marco attended the last Board of Finance meeting to request a transfer of unexpected revenue they have received towards filling the position. First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Land Use Department has been extremely busy lately and there is at least one major issue in Town that needs to be addressed; and our Zoning Agent is not able to do so with her work load. She added that the public hearings that have been held are very time consuming, to prepare for and even afterwards. The request has been ongoing and First Selectman Mailhos stated that she has made some suggestions on how to get temporary help
for that department. She added that it seemed like BOF was favorable with the request, but want more detail.
One suggestion was to sub contract a neighboring Town’s Zoning Enforcement Agent; paying them a few hours per week to help out. It was suggested by a BOF member to look into it and see if any of the towns would be willing to do so. Another suggestion was to fill the vacant position for 10 hours per week (with no benefits). The last suggestion would be to hire a consultant to deal with that one major issue in town.
Randy Belair asked if the Building Inspector would be able to address that issue instead of hiring someone. First Selectman Mailhos stated that our Building Inspector only works 12 hours per week and he has another full time job in another town; he just does not have the time. She also added that the Zoning Agent indicated that the worker’s union might have an issue with some of the suggestions.
Selectman Littell stated that the request still falls under our budget. First Selectman Mailhos cautioned that the union might not be favorable with some of the suggestions, specifically because it could be considered sub-contracting union work. She thinks perhaps hiring someone at 10 hours per week might be the best solution. Selectman Blessington said he would like to reiterate from several past meetings that the assistant will answer only to the Zoning Agent; he has a problem with that. He clarified that he understands that she needs an assistant and he will back that, but there needs to be some sort of control from the Selectmen, noting that he does not want it to be the same as past practice. Selectman Littell agreed with Selectman Blessington, but warned that there is no solution to fixing
the issue. Selectman Littell suggested that the BOS should be able to make the decision to keep the position the following fiscal year. Selectman Blessington said he wants to believe that, but once the position is filled, it will end up rolling into the next and so forth.
Wilfred Gauthier asked how other Towns deal with it. Discussion was held on the Zoning Agent’s position as it is defined by State Statute; and addressing the issues in the Land Use Department in a managerial way.
First Selectman Mailhos will ask the Financial Office to run a report to show the different fees that have come in within the past year to prove that there is a quantifiable need to fill that position. Robert Shabot stated if that position were to be filled, we would have the advantage of collecting more fees that have fallen through the cracks.
C. Executive Session – Personnel Matter
Selectman Blessington moved to go into Executive Session and invite Tara Bergeron at 7:05 P.M.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Littell moved to come out of Executive Session at 7:46 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington moved to adjourn at 7:47 P.M.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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