BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting December 2, 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 Kowalyshyn & Blessington, Lynn Nicholls and residents; welcoming Selectman Kowalyshyn as this is her first meeting.
First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Blessington moved to approve the minutes of November 18, 2013 as written.
Christine Psathas requested to clarify the comments she had made at that meeting; (3rd paragraph, 2nd sentence: under Superintendent Harding’s letter: when asking how someone can write an article without being at the meeting. Ms. Psathas clarified that she was actually referring to the Town Meeting held on October 30th as well as the November 4th BOS meeting.)
Also, Tish Ignatowicz asked to add clarification under Good & Welfare: Christine Psathas actually said that Teri Gareau would be preparing a first aid kit for the Common Room.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Vote 3 Yes (Mailhos Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Christine Psathas noted that Teri Gareau did prepare a first aid kit and it is upstairs in the common room on top of the file cabinet.
She added that the Registrars of Voters had a busy month of November, (holding three voting events) and thanked the office of the First Selectmen and Public works for the support they received. She noted that everything went well. She then suggested that the common conference room should be added to the cleaning contract. The room gets used often and is never cleaned, leaving it extremely dirty. She added that since the Common Room is where people come to vote, this might be the only time people come to the Town Offices, and we should put our best face forward. She then added that the windows are extremely dirty and only two of them can be opened; noting that one of them has a ripped screen. Robin Campbell mentioned that the cleaning contract does have that room on the list, but it always was on as
an “a la carte” item, noting that it is quite costly to have it cleaned. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that the room falls under the same provision as the Old Town hall, when someone uses it, they should leave it clean after they are done. First Selectman Mailhos stated that she will add the windows and screens to the CIP list.
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 –Presentation will be held tomorrow night in the common conference room at 7PM.
*Performance Contracting – the lighting project was completed today. Thermostats have also been installed with the exception of a few locations.
*Bus lot on Route 320 – the new trailer is still on schedule to come this Wednesday. Public Works has finished the drainage issues and Lynn reported that the drainage worked properly in the heavy rains last week.
*Turnpike Road Phase II – will begin in the next few weeks.
*OTH – a meeting was held today with the architect and Town Engineer to discuss the septic and the overhang above the ramp entrance. Bids will go out December 16th or 17th. Pre bid will be held after the first of the year.
*Trash Compactor – will be delivered in mid December.
*Backhoe & Sweeper – The BOS will call a public hearing to present and discuss leasing options for both.
*CIP requests – First Selectman Mailhos has asked for feedback from department heads for ideas to add to the CIP. She has received a variety of requests so far and will compile the list and present to the BOS at the next meeting.
Public Works:
Lynn reported that we had an icy situation yesterday morning around town and she is hopeful that it is not a preview of what is in store for Public Works this winter. She added that even though the roads were icy and heard from the drivers that people were driving recklessly, she was not aware of any accidents on our roads.
Lynn also noted that someone dumped one of the barriers on Polster Road Bridge in the brook and one of the barrels is now missing. She clarified that these things are put out there for safety and asked if anyone sees the barrel, to please return to Public Works.
New Business
A. Set 2014 Holiday Schedule & Selectmen’s Day Holiday
First Selectman Mailhos mentioned that she asked the employees to vote on when Selectmen’s day should be and December 26th is the date everyone (who responded & voted) chose.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to approve the 2014 holiday list as presented* with the addition of Selectmen’s day to be December 26, 2014.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
*Holiday Schedule is attached to minutes and also submitted to the Town Clerk’s Office.
B. Set Board of Selectmen Meeting schedule
First Selectman Mailhos moved to approve the Board of Selectmen meeting schedule as presented.*
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
*meeting schedule is attached to minutes and also submitted to the Town Clerk’s Office.
C. Appointments
First Selectman Mailhos gave a recap of the seats on this committee. There are 7 regular members and three additional seats are held by the First Selectman, Chairman of the Board of Finance and the Business Manager (who does not vote). She added that we had two resignations recently (Melissa Welsh & Allen Furphy) and two other seats terms expired yesterday (Tyler Millix & Jim Poole). Tyler Millix has responded to us that he would like to continue on the Committee. We have also received an endorsement from the Republican Town Committee, who has nominated Peter Tanaka. First Selectman Mailhos added that Barry Wallett has also expressed interest on joining the Committee, but was unable to make this meeting, as he is out of Town.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Tyler Millix as a regular member of the Capital Improvement Program Committee, effective December 2, 2013, expiring December 1, 2016.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to appoint Peter Tanaka as a regular member of the Capital Improvement Committee, effective December 2, 2013, expiring December 1, 2016.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to appoint Alan Ference as a Board of Finance Chairman member of the Capital Improvement Program Committee, effective December 2, 2013, expiring December 1, 2014.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to appoint Barry Wallett as a regular member of the Capital Improvement Program Committee (filling a vacancy), effective December 2, 2013, expiring December 1, 2014.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that we still have one vacancy to fill on this committee and is hopeful to hear back from the Democratic Town Committee for a nomination prior to the next BOS meeting. She added that CIP will be meeting next Monday.
D. Call Public Hearing regarding lease of Public Works &Fire Department equipment & apparatus
First Selectman Mailhos referenced the CIP plan, which calls for a lease for a new ambulance and pick up truck as well as equipment for Public Works for this year. At the last Board of Finance meeting, discussions were held on how many leases there should be and also the process. Discussions will continue at the next BOF meeting (December 17th), they will decide which leasing company to go with and also decide on the length of each of the leases.
First Selectman Mailhos wanted to get the public hearing warned now to get the ball rolling. In the meantime, Lynn is working on getting specs for the sweeper and a price for the backhoe. The leasing options will be presented by the Business Manager and specs will be presented by Public Works & the Fire Department at the Public Hearing.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to call the public hearing:
The Board of Selectmen will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 in the Common Conference room at the Willington Town Office Building; 40 Old Farms Road, Willington, at 7:00 P.M. for the following purpose:
1. Presentation and discussion of a 7 year Lease/Purchase Agreement for new pick up
truck and new ambulance for Willington Fire Department #1.
2. Presentation and discussion of a 3 year Lease/Purchase Agreement for a used 1995
Elgin sweeper for Public Works.
3. Presentation and discussion of a 5 year Lease/Purchase Agreement for a used backhoe
for Public Works.
Dated at Willington this 2nd day of December, 2013 Willington Board of Selectmen.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington)
Old Business
A. Discount prescription card program update
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we receive a monthly update from CCM on the usage of the cards and wanted to share it with the public. The cards were mailed to every household in Willington this past spring. The cards can be used at any drug store to discount prescriptions (even for pets). The program is free for CCM members. The last data we received was from October, where 27 claims were used on a total of 14 cards. The savings was approximately $1,900 which is a savings of 62% for those who used it. She stated she would like to see the usage increase. Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that she was not rally sure what the program was all about and wonders how many other residents have the card but do not use it. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that in some cases, the card can be used even if you
have insurance. If anyone has lost their cards, they contact the Selectmen’s office or Youth Family & Social Services to get another one. First Selectman Mailhos will also mention the card program again in the next publication of the Willington Word.
B. Youth & Family Services Director Salary Discussion
First Selectman Mailhos and Selectman Blessington attended the last Board of Finance meeting to discuss the salary line for the Youth & Family Services Director. Selectman Blessington stated that the BOF did not vote on it, but it seemed as if they would have been unanimously favorable.
First Selectman Mailhos recapped the discussion was about where the funding should come from and the BOF was in agreement that it should be taken from the fund balance as it is healthy; and it would be a lump sum that would cover January until June 30th. She clarified that the Board of Finance could not vote on it because it is under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen. She added that the BOS did not want to vote on it unless we received positive feedback from the BOF and direction as to where the funding would come from.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to approve a transfer of $3,109 from the Youth Family Services Fund to the Youth & Family Services salary line item.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Good & Welfare
A. Hazard Mitigation Plan
First Selectman Mailhos stated that this was added to the agenda to inform the public that it will be discussed at the next regular BOS meeting and will also involve public comment. WINCOG is preparing a draft that will go on our website by next week. This was going to be added to the upcoming Public Hearing on January 14th, but we were asked by our EMD to hold the meeting sooner, as it needs to be submitted to WINCOG by the end of December.
First Selectman Mailhos mentioned that she was going to send a letter to the Journal Inquirer (as stated in the previous BOS meeting), but after reading the article again, she felt that the journalist was accurate with pointing out the information came from the minutes.
This coming Saturday, December 7th will be a busy day around town. The Willington Nursery Co-Op will hold the Cooperative annual Holiday Bazaar at Willington Hill Fire Department. They will have a children’s store and a wreath sale as well as other things. The Federated Church will hold it’s annual bazaar at the church on Route 74. The Willington Public Library will hold it’s annual craft fair and Allysa’s coat closet will be held at the Town Office building.
Lynn thanked Walter West for putting up the lights on the Town Green. He does this every year.
Caroling will be held on the following Saturday, December 14th at the Library.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:27 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
*Attachments: 2014 Holiday Schedule
2014 Board of Selectmen meeting schedule
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