Town Office Building September 30, 2013
Selectmen’s Conference Room 5:00 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 5:17 P.M. with Selectmen Littell, Town Assessor, Mary Huda, Zoning Agent, Susan Yorgensen, Lynn Nicholls, Director of Public Works, Town Treasurer, Tish Ignatowicz and residents. Selectman Blessington arrived at 5:22 P.M.
A. Discussion of COGS
First Selectman Mailhos stated that there is pressure for Towns to decide as soon as possible where they would like to go. She has asked the Assessor and Zoning Agent to come up and discuss the situation as the change will affect them as well. First Selectman Mailhos added that WINCOG had proposed to CRCOG (Hartford Region) and join as a whole, but the Hartford Region did not want to do that. The State is suggesting for WINCOG members to merge with NECCOG, however Mansfield, Coventry and Columbia have recently voted to join CRCOG instead. First Selectman Mailhos noted although Willington borders NECCOG, we would be the only town in Tolland County that would not be part of CRCOG. She added that there are other reasons why we should think about joining CRCOG, such as approximate cost (CRCOG
cost: $5,192; NECCOG: $5,700 and we currently pay WINCOG $5,406 annually) and there are more services. She added we are part of the urban transit district with Mansfield, and she believes we should stay connected with Mansfield, as we are eligible to receive federal funding and we share a regional school district.
Selectman Littell stated based on the email that was recently sent, it seems like a no brainer to want to go to CRCOG. He asked if there are any disadvantages. First Selectman Mailhos stated that CRCOG is quite large, different than what we were used to as WINCOG was made up of only 9 towns. Selectman Blessington warned that sometimes we as a small town get out-voted on things and that is something to keep in mind. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that it has to do with the money that comes in for each COG, and each of the Towns get a fair turn.
First Selectman Mailhos added that there will still be legacy issues with WINCOG assets and liabilities that will need to get worked out as time progresses.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to resolve, effective September 30, 2013, to authorize Christina Mailhos, First Selectman to issue a letter to the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management on behalf of the Town of Willington indicating Willington’s preference to join the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) as part of the Sate’s consolidation process.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
B. Lease for Performance Contracting
First Selectman Mailhos recapped at the Town Meeting, it was voted on to move forward with the project. The Town Attorney has suggested to have a Resolution adopted, which will refers back to the several documents that are involved with the project and will give First Selectman Mailhos authority to sign them.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to adopt the following Resolution as drafted which reads:
Master Lease Purchase Agreement Resolution:
WHEREAS, the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Willington, Connecticut (“Lessee”) has reviewed and determined its anticipated equipment requirements.
WHEREAS, the Willington Board of Selectmen has determined that it is in Lessee’s best interest to acquire the equipment (the “Equipment”) described in a Performance Contracting Agreement (the “Energy Savings Contract”) by and between Lessee and Siemens Industry, Inc., Building Technologies Division, a copy of which document is attached hereto as Exhibit A, and to finance such acquisition under Leasing Schedule #280-0002437-001 (the “Lease”), which incorporates the terms and conditions of the Master Lease Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”), between Lessee and Siemens Public, Inc., copies of which documents are attached hereto as Exhibit B; and
WHEREAS, in connection with the execution and delivery of the Lease, it will be necessary for Lessee to enter into an Escrow Agreement Relating to Equipment Subject to Leasing Schedule #280-0002437-001 (the “Escrow Agreement”) among Lessee, Siemens Public, Inc. and the escrow agent named therein, a copy of which document is attached hereto as Exhibit C; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN THAT:
- Lessee shall acquire the Equipment.
- The Energy Savings Contract, the Lease, as incorporating the terms and conditions of the Agreement, and the Escrow Agreement are hereby approved, and Lessee’s First Selectman is hereby authorized to execute (i) the Energy Savings Contract; (ii) the Lease, as incorporating the terms and conditions of the Agreement and (iii) the Escrow Agreement, all substantially in the forms attached hereto with such changes or amendments (substantial or otherwise) as are approved by the First Selectman, such approval to be conclusively evidenced by that officer’s execution of those documents, and (iv) all other documents, instruments, certificates and agreements related to the Energy Savings Contract, the Escrow Agreement and the Lease.
ADOPTED, SIGNED AND APPROVED at a duly convened meeting of Lessee’s Board of Selectmen on the 30th day of September, 2013.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
C. Personnel Policy Workshop
First Selectman Mailhos presented the Policy with suggested edits which she has found while working with the policy. She added that some edits are simple typos and others are suggestions which have been made by Department Heads or others. She added that there are also suggestions that have come up when dealing with certain situations.
The Board went through the policy sections. Discussions were held on the following:
Under definitions, a definition was added for “Compensated Elected Official”, “full time compensated elected position”, “regular part time compensated elected position” and “part time compensated elected position” were added to the definitions. Discussion was held on benefits (mainly health insurance); and why it is not offered to elected officials (with the exception of the Town Clerk). First Selectman Mailhos clarified that it is hard for her to be objective, as she personally does not need benefits, yet she currently sits in the seat. She would recuse herself of any votes on this. Tish Ignatowicz added that if insurance is offered, we could possibly see a larger pool of candidates come forward in the future, noting that someone who is extremely
qualified might not want to run for the position; especially if they had to quit their regular job that has benefits. Selectman Blessington added that he would like to see the benefit for only the First Selectman. First Selectman Mailhos asked how we can do it for the First Selectman, but not the Treasurer? Selectman Blessington then asked how and why does the Town Clerk get health insurance then? The Town Clerk has gotten benefits for years and all it says in the policy is “because of the special nature of the job”.
First Selectman Mailhos clarified that the Treasurer; for example puts in the same amount of hours as a regular employee and sometimes has deadlines as well as other responsibilities, yet she/he receives no benefits. Selectman Blessington clarified that many of the commission members put in 25 or more hours per week sometimes and they do not get compensated at all. He added that he will go along with it as written.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the way policy is currently written, there is no clarity, but when you try to clear it up, it ends up that there is no fairness. She would like to see things fair across the board.
An Appendix B will be added to the Policy, which will detail the benefit policy for compensated elected officials.
The “Finance Office” has been replaced by “Finance Department” throughout the document.
Performance Evaluations section has been added; noting that all employees are subject to performance evaluations by their supervisors as requested by the First Selectman. The format is to be determined by the BOS.
Probationary period was also discussed; when a change of classification or department, promotion is subject to a probationary period. This will be spelled out and made clear.
Selectman Littell suggested creating a policy for progressive discipline. He warned that the Town should not be limited in disciplinary action, depending on the seriousness of certain events. The way the policy is currently written limits the Town to issuing a written warning even if the event is serious. Rewording the policy will avoid limited repercussions and can alter the discipline to the seriousness of the event.
Discussion was held on the Smoking policy. The new wording states that no person shall smoke in or in close proximity to any building owned or leased and operated by the Town of Willington. (it used to read: no person shall smoke in any building or portion of a building owned or leased and operated by the Town of Willington except in a smoking area designated by the board of Selectmen). Selectman Blessington stated he feels that smokers should not have to walk a mile down the road to go smoke; and it is almost like punishing the smokers – as long as it is not inside the building. First Selectman Mailhos removed the wording “in close proximity” and she will check what the state law says, as laws will trump our policy.
Selectman Littell suggested adding a section that states the Town prohibits carrying firearms and or weapons to the workplace. Discussion was held on the definition of a weapon.
Discussion was held on who the Selectmen report to. First Selectman Mailhos stated that each elected position has its own special laws (by State Statute). First Selectman Mailhos will research the various laws (for the Treasurer, Town Clerk and Selectmen) and added it would be helpful to reference the wording in the personnel policy.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:16 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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