BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting September 16, 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 Blessington & Littell, Lynn Nicholls and residents.
First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
Robin Campbell stated under present to speak, the word President was misspelled and should be corrected to read as “precedent”.
Selectman Littell moved to approve the minutes of September 3, 2013 as amended.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Christine Psathas stated that she would like to support the Zoning Enforcement Officer and said she and Robert Shabot (also in attendance) are in support of filling the position.
Randy Belair also said he is looking forward to having the Zoning Enforcement Officer position staffed.
Correspondence:
The correspondence list was not updated last week, as Carol was on vacation. It will be updated at the next meeting.
First Selectman Status Report
First Selectman Mailhos went over the updated list:
*Facility Feasibility Study – a meeting will be scheduled soon; the Chairman of the Committee has resigned and we are looking for someone to take over. Chief Millix has volunteered to take over. First Selectman Mailhos cautioned that most of the members on the original Committee have moved on and it is important that we get the correct end product as what was originally requested.
*Senior Cottages – The lease has been signed. The Housing Authority has applied for federal funding and has found a bank to sign on with them so they can move forward.
*Performance Contracting – A kickoff meeting will be held next Tuesday with Siemens and Town employees to work on the construction schedule.
*Personnel Policy Review - a workshop will be held on Monday, September 30th.
Selectman Blessington asked the status of the Old Town Hall. Robin Campbell stated that we are still waiting for the bid documents from the Architect. The Town Engineer would still like to receive approval from SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) to dig test holes on the Town Green, as a precaution if the need to put in a septic arises. One of the concerns is to have a plan in place for a septic, in the event the cesspool fails. Robin Campbell will call SHPO this week to see if we can get an answer from them. Selectman Littell asked the status of the ramp, where it was suggested to change the design. First Selectman Mailhos stated that she has not had a chance to speak with the Architect, who does not agree with the changes. Robert Shabot suggested to have the Architect come out to
meet and discuss it. Sometimes the architect has an idea, but the owner has a different one. It would be beneficial to work it out one on one.
Public Works:
Lynn stated that the compactor at the Transfer Station was repaired at 11:00 this morning. The end of Village Hill Road was paved this morning and the bumps were removed. Crews will be chip sealing next Monday and then line striping will be done the following Monday. The List of roads being chip sealed will be posted on the public notices. Lynn added that CL&P has marked several trees on Old Farms Road and Jared Sparks and will be cutting them in the near future. She clarified that the left over wood, if in front of a home, is property of the homeowner. She added Public Works has nothing to do with the wood.
New Business
A. Discussion – Zoning Enforcement Officer
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she has done some research to figure out what we can do to fill this position. It turns out that hiring a consultant will cost us twice the rate of an employee, noting that the union does not allow us to sub-contract anyway. She would like to fill the position at 10 hours per week. The cost would end up being approximately $7,000 or $8,000, noting that this position would not have any benefits associated with it. She is willing to take the request to Board of Finance on Thursday.
Selectman Blessington said he is still hesitant with filling this position, because the Board of Selectmen will have no authority over it. He added that he knows they need the help in that department, but would like to see the position be on a limited term, such as one year. He also asked if the BOS can veto rehiring the person after the one year period if it is not working out. He added that once that position is back in the budget, it most likely will stay there, noting that the BOS will not have any authority over the budget request. First Selectman Mailhos responded that she is not sure if the union would be ok with it being a temporary position, however the BOS can decide to eliminate that position at budget time. We also have a probation period, which could be extended, if need be. She stated
that she will explore ways to work with the union and the position, noting that she does not see the problem to be a lack of work for that position. Selectman Blessington mentioned issues that have come up in the past.
Selectman Littell stated that he agrees with Selectman Blessington and that there was not much control before, but he does see a need. He will support it if we can figure out a way to make it work. Robert Shabot stated in most enforcement officer cases, the position ends up generating their salary by being an enforcer and as long as they don’t go overboard; it could benefit the Town. Selectman Blessington was in disagreement.
Lynn Nicholls stated that there are a lot of things that are going on around Town that are not being enforced. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that the reason why we have zoning regulations is not to punish people, but rather to protect their neighbors. When the neighbors complain, there should be recourse if something out of line is going on. Selectman Blessington added that he agrees with the need, as long as the person is not going out searching for violators. Peter Tanaka stated he has many years of experience in the enforcement background and it is not the enforcement or violation that causes the problem; it is the attitude behind it. Selectman Blessington stated that he would like to have Susan in the hiring process along with the Selectmen.
B. Resolution – Homeland Security Grant Program
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we re-adopt this resolution every year, as a requirement for the State. She read and moved to adopt the following Resolution:
AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF WILLINGTON
RESOLVED, that the Town of Willington may enter into with and deliver to the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security any and all documents which it deems to be necessary or appropriate; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that Christina B. Mailhos, as First Selectman of the Town of Willington, is authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the Town of Willington and to do and perform all acts and things which she deems to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of such documents, including, but not limited to, executing and delivering all agreements and documents contemplated by such documents.
The undersigned further certifies that Christina B. Mailhos now holds the office of First Selectman and that she has held that office since November 17, 2009.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
C. Tax Refunds
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $72.60 to Yong Wang; State College, PA, 16801 for a vehicle registered in another state.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $182.83 to Michael & Elizabeth Breton; Willington, CT 06279 for a vehicle that was sold.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Old Business
A. Veteran’s Service Contact Person
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she sent a letter to the VFW, but the Commander was not able to recommend anyone to fill the position. She had spoken with officials in other towns at the WINCOG meeting to see how they are handling it. Many Town Managers and/or First Selectmen have taken on the position themselves and will receive the training.
Selectman Blessington moved to appoint Christina Mailhos as the Veteran’s Service Contact Person for the Town of Willington, expiring November 19, 2013.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
B. Town of Willington Credit Card Policy
First Selectman Mailhos stated that a policy has been drafted, which mirrors the Board of Education’s policy. The policy will be incorporated in the Finance Office with the other purchasing policies (such as the gas cards, etc.) Donna will be drafting a procedure to go with it.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to adopt the Credit Card Usage Policy as written; with the understanding that the legal reference at the end of the policy to reflect the appropriate statute #.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
C. Resolution – Master Municipal Agreement for Construction Projects
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she would like to table the Resolution, as she still has not had a chance to read the entire agreement. She added that she had spoken with the gentleman from DOT who wrote the agreement at a recent WINCOG meeting. The gentleman from DOT stated that the contract only pertains to projects where the Town gets money from the State, such as LOCIP or STEAP and it would supersede the multiple contracts pertaining to each project.
Good & Welfare
First Selectman Mailhos stated that Willington resident June Hyjek was recently honored in two national book contests. Her book, “Unexpected Grace: A Discovery of healing through Surrender” has won a bronze award in the Global Ebook Awards as well as an honorable mention in the Global Book Contest.
The Historical Society will hold their annual meeting on September 24th at 7PM in the Town Office Building. After the meeting they will hold a presentation on Civil War weapons and artifacts. She encourages everyone to attend. Robert Shabot said Steve Mollar will be presenting his collection of weapons as well as speaking about the men from Willington who gave their lives in the war. First Selectman Mailhos informed Mrs. Pinney (Hall School) about this as she has students who study the Civil War and present their work at History Day. Mr. Shabot added that a gentleman who resides in Mystic recently passed, and left his pre-civil war glass collection to the Historical Society in his will, noting that the gentleman has no connection to Willington.
The 11th annual car show will be held on Saturday, September 28th from 10:00 AM till 3:00 PM.
Robin Campbell stated that a resident of Williams Road had called today to inform the BOS that the residents will be in attendance at the next regular meeting. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that the BOS will only discuss it further if the residents can present additional information.
Lynn Nicholls mentioned that a public notice was sent out last week to notify residents that Village Hill Road was going to be closed off this morning, and was surprised at the number of residents who did not know about it. She would like to ask the residents who are getting the public notices to encourage their neighbors to sign up as well.
First Selectman Mailhos reminded everyone of the Board of Finance Meeting, this coming Thursday, September 19th. The BOF will be discussing appropriations for: curbing repairs (FEMA reimbursement), the compactor at the Transfer Station, Cemetery Road Extension and Michalec Road. She added that they will most likely be asking the Board of Selectmen to call a Town Meeting.
Selectman Littell moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
| 
