BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting November 18, 2013
Lower Level Conference Room 6:30 P.M.
*Minutes are not official until approved at the next regular meeting
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, noting this is Selectman Littell’s last meeting.
Approval of Minutes:
*First Selectman Mailhos noted that we received a letter from Superintendent Harding regarding the minutes of the last meeting (held on November 4th). Superintendent Harding has requested to put his letter under present to speak, as he was not able to attend in person due to a conflicting BOE meeting. The discussion was held under Present to Speak prior to the approval of minutes.
Selectman Blessington moved to approve the minutes of November 4, 2013 as written.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Vote 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
First Selectman Mailhos read the letter, which was submitted from Superintendent Harding:
Board of Selectmen
Town of Willington
40 Old Farms Rd.
Willington, CT 06279
Re: Minutes of November 4, 2013 Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
Dear Selectmen:
The minutes of your November 4, 2013 meeting, under new business, make reference to my presentation on the teacher contract during the October 4, 2013 town meeting.
Specifically Selectman Blessington references a “cheap shot made by the Superintendent who told Mr. Latincsics to ask his wife to answer the questions.” Selectman Blessington also states that “he felt Superintendent Harding was not answering the questions that were being asked.”
I feel compelled to answer both of these accusations and set the record straight. I would be at this meeting in person to make this statement but I have a Board of Education meeting that is in conflict with the Board of Selectman’s meeting. Therefore, I ask that this letter be read during the “present to speak” portion of your meeting.
The first issue I would like to address is Selectman Blessington’s comment that I was not answering the questions asked. As an elected official of the town I feel that if Selectman Blessington felt that I was unclear or not answering questions it would have been his responsibility to ask me to clarify or to answer the question that had been asked. I do not recall Selectman Blessington asking a single question during my October 4, 2013 presentation. The place to ask questions was at the town meeting and not to make a comment at the November 4, 2013 meeting when I was not present and could not respond. In fact, during my presentation I actually stopped and asked those present if I was being clear and if they understood what I was saying. The only individual who stated that they did not understand was Peter
Latincsics. This is the second issue I would like to address.
Contrary to what is stated in your minutes, I did not tell “Mr. Latincsics to ask his wife to answer the questions.” What I said was I have answered your question repeatedly and I get the numbers from the business manager – perhaps you should direct your question to her. To demonstrate that I was obviously unable to adequately answer Mr. Latincsics questions let me refer back to minutes of various meetings over the past several months.
First, at the October 8, 2013 Board of Education meeting during the second “present to speak” Mr. Latincsics asked questions about the contract and the questions were answered. Also note that my response, as recorded in the October 8, 2013 Board of Education minutes, included “Superintendent Harding responded that he would need the business manager to fully reply.”
On October 16, 2013 I received an email requesting my attendance at the Board of Finance meeting to answer questions on the teacher contract. I made a presentation to the Board of Finance on the process of teacher negotiations as well as the outcome. During my presentation I was asked and responded to the same questions by Mr. Latincsics that he asked during the Board of Education meeting in October.
At the October 30, 2013 town meeting I made a similar presentation and again was asked the same questions by Mr. Latincsics. Therefore, I have given the same presentation three times and have been asked the same questions three times. I then referred Mr. Latincsics to the business manager to explain the costs of the contract. If referring a question from a Board of Finance member to the business manager of the school system is a “Cheap Shot” then there is a serious problem with the way that we do business. Perhaps the real problem that needs addressing is the inherent conflict of interest that exists when a Board of Finance member is married to the school system business manager.
I ask that before you make a motion to accept the minutes of your November 4, 2013 meeting you give serious consideration to amending the minutes to reflect what actually occurred at the town meeting and not use your minutes to express opinions that are not correct.
Sincerely,
David C. Harding
Superintendent
Selectman Blessington stated that both he and Superintendent Harding have now expressed their opinions and added that he does not want to argue with someone who is not here; which would just keep it going. He also said he holds what he said was accurate, but Superintendent Harding obviously feels differently.
Selectman Littell said we cannot change what was said at the meeting and if the minutes accurately say what was stated at the time, they must be accepted. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that Superintendent Harding is an employee of the Town and what was said in those minutes could harm his reputation. Selectman Blessington clarified that all of this was stated in a public meeting. He then added the reason why this was even brought up in the first place was because he felt compelled to explain why he was opposed to the motion of the Board of Selectmen’s endorsement of the no vote on the upcoming referendum on November 4th. He then added that he will not be pleased to read Superintendent Harding’s letter in this meeting’s minutes but he believes that they should be there.
Christine Psathas noted there was an article in the Journal Inquirer on November 7th and the article was in reference to the referendum being held that day. She added that the article didn’t sit well with her after reading it and she asked how someone can write an article without actually being at the meeting? Most of the article was taken from the November 4th BOS minutes and she does not recall seeing anyone from the Journal at that meeting. Selectman Littell warned that the minutes from that meeting had not even been approved until just now. Ms. Psathas stated she finds it shameful to take information from minutes without actually being at the meeting and she noted that there was so much more to that meeting than what was in that article. Selectman Blessington noted that it is not very
professional to use the minutes without asking his permission first. First Selectman Mailhos said she feels like sending them a letter in reference to that. Robin Campbell will add a notation in the minutes that state that they are not official until approved from this point on. Selectman Blessington added that on the other hand, Willington got some coverage in the paper.
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:
*Facility Feasibility Study –the Committee will hold a meeting on December 3rd at 7PM where Kaestle Boos will present the final product.
*Performance Contracting – the lighting segment is almost completed. Thermostats are in the process of being installed in the buildings.
*Bus lot on Route 320 – Public Works has finished the drainage issues at the lot and the trailer delivery is still slated for early December.
*Turnpike Road Phase II – will be awarded later at this meeting.
*OTH – we received the approval from SHPO to proceed with the test holes on the Town Green. The architect has submitted the new plan with revised ramp. He and the Town Engineer are finalizing the bid documents and promise to have them ready to go in 2 weeks.
*Trash Compactor – the new unit will be delivered in early December.
*Backhoe & Sweeper – will be discussed at BOF on Thursday, November 21st. WFD will also be getting a new ambulance and pickup truck. Our Business Manager is having difficulty finding a leasing company to bundle all of the equipment in one lease. She continues to look and plans to discuss at the next BOF meeting.
Public Works:
Lynn reported that the crews are finishing up the patchwork along the bus lot and the drainage should be complete by tomorrow. The crews are also working on replacement of catch basin tops around town. They delivered sand to the seniors and continue to work on maintenance issues around town.
First Selectman Mailhos said she plans to update the Turnpike Road Project status sheet and bring to the Board of Finance on Thursday. She recapped the expenses so far (Phase 1: $145,000 (paid out of LoCIP funds); Phase 1A: $50,057 (paid out of STEAP funding) Phase 2 is expected to be: $246,000 (coming out of STEAP funds), which leaves us with $104,000 left over in the STEAP funding, however Phase 3 has preliminary estimates of costing $300,000 and we do not have enough money to cover the project, noting that Phase 4 (repaving) could cost $500,000/+. We were denied the last round of STEAP funding but another opportunity is coming up.
A. Award Turnpike Road Phase II Contract
First Selectman Mailhos recapped that we received 11 bids for the project. The highest bid was for $415,140, and the lowest came in at $228,857. The Town Engineer has submitted a letter of recommendation to award the contract to Folsom Construction, LLC as per their bid. First Selectman Mailhos noted that Folsom Construction worked on Phase I and IA of Turnpike Road and they are knowledgeable of the work site and we have not had any problems with them.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to award the Turnpike Road Phase II Contract to Folsom Construction, LLC in the amount of $228,857.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
New Business
First Selectman Mailhos moved to add item B. to the agenda under new business: Appointments of Conservation Commission members. She noted that the Conservation Commission had sent an email to Robin Campbell last week, but the email did not come through.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
A. Tax Refund
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $27.48 to Chase Auto Finance Corp; Fort Worth TX for a refund of a sold vehicle.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
B. Appointments
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Peter Andersen as a regular member of the Willington Conservation Commission, effective December 1, 2013, expiring December 1, 2016.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Paul Pribula as a regular member of the Willington Conservation Commission, effective December 1, 2013, expiring December 1, 2016.
Selectman Littell seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Robert Bloom as an alternate member of the Willington Conservation Commission, effective December 1, 2013, expiring December 1, 2016.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Old Business
A. Election & Referendum results
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she added this on the agenda to make everyone aware about the upcoming re-vote on November 26th for the Region 19 Board of Education seat that had tied between Herb Arico and Tim Nolan. Notices have been sent out through the Town website as well as the Town’s facebook page. Christine Psathas (Democratic Registrar of Voters) clarified that it is called an “Adjourned Election” as per the State Statue. Ms. Psathas also clarified that only those eligible to vote in the November 5th municipal election will be permitted to vote in the Adjourned Election. Lastly, for further clarification, Dave Tharp has already filled the other seat.
Selectman Blessington asked what the polling hours will be. Ms. Psathas responded that it is considered a state election, and the hours are set by the State: 6AM – 8PM. Selectman Littell suggested having the Registrars plan on altering the hours for the Referendum (which will be held in May) now, rather than wait until time to call the Referendum. The Referendum hours are set at Town Meeting and it has been discussed multiple times to decrease the hours. Discussion was held on the flow of people at various times throughout the day and the times that would most likely see the most traffic and accommodate the majority of the residents. Ms. Psathas clarified that the Town Clerk has the authority to set the hours. Selectman Blessington agreed with Selectman Littell and said
when it comes to Referendum time, it is always the thought to change the polling hours, but it is always too close to the date of the actual Referendum, and it is pushed off another year. Selectman Littell added that it should be brought up at budget time which would still give ample time to notify the public.
Ms. Psathas stated that the Municipal Election went well and voter turnout was 33.4%. She added that it was not much different in year’s past and voter turnout is usually low.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she plans to discuss the cost of the Referendum at the next Board of Finance meeting. She asked Ms. Psathas to check the Registrar’s budget to see if they are running out of money in their fund, noting that the Referendum was not planned, nor is the upcoming adjourned election and neither were budgeted for. She also noted that the Referendum also has additional costs incurred from the Town Attorney as well as advertizing costs.
First Selectman Mailhos thanked the Registrars and the poll workers for their hard work.
Good & Welfare
First Selectman Mailhos noted that December 7th will be a busy day around town: The Nursery Coop will hold the annual bazaar at Willington Hill Fire Department. The Federated Church will hold their Bazaar at the church on Route 74, the Library will hold the annual craft fair and Allysa’s Coat Closet will be held at the Town Office building.
First Selectman Mailhos congratulated Lynn Nicholls, who was recently honored at UCONN for completing the Connecticut Road Scholar Program as well as the Connecticut Legal Municipal Traffic Program. First Selectman Mailhos noted that Lynn has been working on the programs for years.
First Selectman Mailhos noted during the Referendum on November 7th, copies of the teacher’s contract were distributed in several mail boxes around town. Attached to the contract was a cover sheet with an explanation of the voting process. The information that was passed around town did not have any endorsements and we received complaints from residents about the handouts. She clarified that none of the handouts were from the Town and taxpayer dollars were not spent.
The CIP committee will be starting to meet soon and there are currently 4 vacancies that need to be filled. We have sent requests to the political parties looking for nominations, once again. First Selectman Mailhos is hopeful to appoint members at the December 2nd meeting.
Selectman Blessington announced that Peter Tanaka is now the Vice Chairman of the Republican Town Committee.
Kelly Trueb stated that she noticed that we do not have first aid kits in any of the public areas of the buildings. Tish Ignatowicz stated that Teri Gareau will be preparing kits to put in those areas.
Robin Campbell thanked Selectman Littell for his service and wished him well.
Selectman Littell moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Littell & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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