BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting October 7, 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, Lynn Nicholls and residents. Selectman Littell was absent.
First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
First Selectman Mailhos moved to approve the minutes of September 30, 2013 with the following amendment: under Personnel Policy, should read “The Treasurer always has deadlines”.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington moved to approve the minutes of September 16, 2013 as written.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Wayne Knight stated that he is here with some residents of Williams Road. He stated he has been researching the deeds in the vault and finds it puzzling that there is no record of who owns the road. The only reference dates back to 1968, where 5 lots were split off and a private drive was drew up; however it shows up as one piece of property with no reference of where the town gets taxes from. He added that the deeds do not refer back to it as a private drive prior to 1968. Selectman Blessington asked if it is coincidental that the road was created right around the time that Zoning regulations took effect. First Selectman Mailhos stated she wonders if the reference has to do with the time the houses were being built. Mr. Knight and Ms. Waite formally requested for the Selectmen to look into it further. Selectman Blessington suggested having the Town Attorney look into it as well. Ms. Waite asked if the road ends up to be private and the residents do not have frontage to a
town road, if the residents along that road would receive compensation of lower taxes.
Christine Psathas asked if the Town has a policy for placing temporary signs on the Town Green. There are currently 6 signs up; 4 are fund raisers one event has passed and one is for an event to be held in November. Robin Campbell stated that people ask permission to place signs on the Green, and we do not have a policy in place, however we do ask the people to remove them once the event has ended. First Selectman Mailhos stated she will look into drafting a policy for placing signs on the Town Green.
Correspondence:
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
First Selectman Status Report
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she was not able to update the report for the meeting. She noted that many of the things on the report are on the agenda and will be discussed at the meeting.
- Bus Lot Improvements – Lynn has ordered a new trailer. Public Works will be doing site work on the property.
- Turnpike Road Phase 2 – Planning & Zoning has issued 8-24 approval; the project will go to Inland Wetlands on October 21st.
- Old Town Hall – The Architect has revised the plans to reverse the direction of the ramp. He will also draw up plans to remove and replace the existing overhang on the building over the door with something aesthetically correct. We have also received approval from SHPO to dig test holes on the Town Green, in the event a septic is needed in the future.
Public Works:
Lynn stated that the crews have finished with chip sealing, line striping and sweeping. They have resumed with normal projects.
New Business
A. Present GFOA Award to Finance Office.
First Selectman Mailhos presented and read the award: Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting presented to the Town of Willington, CT from the Government Finance Officers Association. First Selectman Mailhos congratulated the Business Manager on receiving the award, once again. Business Manager Donna Latincsics stated this is the 12th year we have received the award.
B. Love’s Travel Stop/DOT Review
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she added this to the agenda as she feels it is important to discuss. Many people have expressed concerns about traffic in the area of the proposed truck stop. She stated that the intersection was built before the TA truck stop and Fed Ex building were erected; thus it was not designed to handle truck traffic; however now we have a lot of industrial traffic and can expect more with the new truck stop going in. She added that the signage along those roads is not adequate and can be improved. First Selectman Mailhos stated that she would like to hold a meeting with DOT and the business/property owners and get suggestions on how to improve the conditions of the area. Lynn clarified that the signage was agreed to be taken care of by the TA once the truck wash went in;
however they never moved forward with the truck wash; nor did they improve the signs. Ralph Tulis suggested contacting OSTA (Office of State Traffic Administration) to perform a high traffic study and then discuss potential alterations to accommodate the expected traffic from the new proposed truck stop. He added that DOT most likely will only tie the drainage into where Polster Road connects to the exit ramp of the highway and he does not believe that the DOT will do anything about the encroachment. Mr. Tulis warned that the right turn off of westbound I84 could be problematic the way it is currently designed and there is no requirement to improve the intersection because of the way the application was approved by P&Z and the threshold requirements by the State. He noted that the approval process was for a building that will be less than 100,000 square feet and a parking lot which will be less than 200 parking spaces. He added that there is no guaranteed projection of
what the traffic will be and suggested asking Love’s to cover the costs.
Lynn stated that the signage needs to be corrected also, noting that the decisions are under the jurisdiction of the DOT. She has made several requests for them to make improvements, and they have not complied. Mr. Tulis clarified that in some cases, the traffic of the trucks block the vision of the signs, which make them ineffective.
Selectman Blessington asked if the State is bound by regulations regarding signage? Mr. Tulis responded that there is always “wiggle room” as far as regulations go. Selectman Blessington replied that he always hears that we must follow the regulations and there are no alternatives; and it will not make a good argument for him to make tonight. First Selectman Mailhos stated she is for this and will draft a letter and asked Mr. Tulis for help.
Selectman Blessington clarified that he would like to see better signage as well as a plan for the area, but would not like to see a delay in the process. First Selectman Mailhos said we should think about a plan for the entire area up there to accommodate the other parcels that can be developed in the future. Mr. Tulis clarified that he is not trying to delay the project and is trying to make the best of the situation, however he also wants to make sure the area is safe. The residents in the audience spoke and stated they are in favor of requesting a traffic study. Residents discussed the condition of the area and traffic at that intersection. First Selectman Mailhos will contact OSTA via a letter with the help of Mr. Tulis.
C. Review SWAC Ordinance
First Selectman Mailhos stated the Solid Waste Advisory Commission met last week and made final edits to the Ordinance based on comments made by the Board of Selectmen and other recommendations. Peter Tanaka and Christine Psathas were in attendance. Mr. Tanaka thanked Christine Psathas for her typing of the documents. He added that he thinks all of the changes and regulations should cover everyone’s concerns.
First Selectman Mailhos referenced Section 11, which had the most changes. Section b. regarding payments, was also edited and now states:
b) All permits requiring the payment of fees shall be obtained at the First Selectmen’s office during business hours. All commercial contractor permits must be obtained from the Town’s Building Official; while other permits requiring the payment of fees must be obtained from the First Selectman’s office. All permits which do not require the payment of fees shall be obtained at the Transfer Station.
c) The Board of Selectmen shall have the authority to set and change fees as it deems appropriate, but only after a duly warned Town Meeting is held thereon.
d) There shall be no fee charged to residents for disposing of residential or household refuse except those items as specifically designated in the Management Plan as requiring a fee.
Ms. Psathas clarified that the fee schedule has already been established and consists of existing items, such as tires, refrigerators, etc, but not household waste. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that with this Ordinance there will be no charge for bags (or a weighing system) to discard trash. There is currently no charge for the sticker as of now, but if it were going to change and a fee charged, it would go before Town Meeting where the residents would decide.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to add the Town of Willington Transfer Station Ordinance to the Town Meeting with the minor typo edits.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos & Blessington) 0 No.
D. Call Town Meeting
First Selectman Mailhos read and moved to call the following 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 Tuesday, October 22, 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 $10,000 in the Michalec Road Fund for engineering for future road improvements and drainage.
ITEM II
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Finance will authorize the appropriation of $20,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund to purchase a new trash compactor for the Transfer Station.
ITEM III
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Finance will authorize the appropriation of $18,000 from the General Fund balance to line item #0503 Capital Projects for curb repair.
ITEM IV
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Solid Waste Advisory Commission will amend the Town of Willington Transfer Station Ordinance.
Dated at Willington
this 7h day of October, 2013
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
First Selectman Mailhos summarized the first three items were on the CIP Plan and item III is a reimbursement from FEMA that needs appropriation.
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos & Blessington) 0 No.
Old Business
A. Resolution – Master Municipal Agreement for Construction Projects
First Selectman Mailhos talked to some people about the resolution and received clarification. The agreement pertains to upcoming projects (such as STEAP projects, etc) will alleviate the paper trail process for each of the different processes. Selectman Blessington stated that we don’t have much of a choice in the matter.
Selectman Blessington moved to authorize First Selectman to sign the Master Municipal Agreement for construction projects as presented. *A copy of the resolution is attached to the minutes.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos & Blessington) 0 No.
B. Zoning Enforcement Officer update
First Selectman Maihos attended the last Board of Finance meeting and asked if they would consider funding the position based on a 10 hour week, which would have no benefits involved. The Board of Finance said no because of the fact that the Dunkin Donuts and truck stop applications have been completed; they did not feel a need for it. First Selectman Mailhos was in disagreement because there is still work to do with those projects as well as other issues and projects that come in that no one is even aware of. She added that there were no representatives from Inland Wetlands or Planning & Zoning to explain the need and back up the request, but she believes they support it. She plans to revisit the request at the next meeting.
Good & Welfare
First Selectman Mailhos welcomed the Hilltop Restaurant to town. She wishes them well.
The annual car show, held on September 30th was a success. First Selectman Mailhos thanked Joe Phillipi and the Federated Church as they raised over $400 for the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation. This was the biggest car show in Willington yet.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we received a letter from the Wentworth’s on Cisar Road. She then read the letter which was addressed to First Selectman and Local State Trooper. First Selectman Mailhos noted that we do not have a local State Trooper.
The letter reads:
We have a special engatement hosted by the Willington residents that live on Cisar Road & Pinney Hill. A record number of UCONN students have arrived! Please come and join all of us for non stop speeding, beer can throwing, and don’t forger the lovely burn-outs. We have been enjoying this nuisance now for a number of uears and would live to share the excitement that we have on our street 365 days of the year.
Apparently complaining about it for the past number of years has not warranted a change. We would love to have you join us for the above entertainment. Please remember to bring your lawn chairs and families, especially your young children, just like ours, to enjoy the recklessness of our prized UCONN students.
Sincerely,
The Wentworths
p.s. on your way in, no need to stop at the stop signs and feel free to speed on thse roads; we look forward to your company. Please RSVP as soon as possible.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the letter stood out and we hear this type of complaint all of the time. She added that Mansfield recently passed ordinances which make it difficult for the students to party in their town, adding that the perception is that it is easier to party in Willington as we have no police presence. She noted that Mansfield has several State Troopers as well as a UCONN police force. If a student is caught partying in Mansfield, the Police notify the parents as well as the apartment complex/landlords. First Selectman Mailhos said we do not have a way to address this, but would like to discuss hiring a per-diem trooper during budget discussions. If we could hire a Trooper during specific times, such as spring weekend; it would be helpful to our residents.
Lynn stated that she was impressed to see so many volunteer firefighters from other towns (as well as our own) who reported to the structure fire on Old Farms Road a few weeks ago.
Selectman Littell moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:46 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion
Vote: 2 Yes (Mailhos & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
| 
