BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Special Meeting January 22, 2014
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 5:15 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Kowalyshyn & Blessington and residents. First Selectman Mailhos noted that this meeting was a reschedule due to last night’s inclement weather. She then led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to approve the minutes of January 6, 2014 special meeting as written
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote 3 Yes (Mailhos Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington moved to approve the minutes of January 6, 2014 regular meeting as written
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote 3 Yes (Mailhos Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
No one spoke.
Correspondence:
The Selectmen did not have the correspondence available at this meeting. It will be forwarded to them via email.
First Selectman Status Report
First Selectman Mailhos went over the report:
*Performance Contracting – the work is about 90% complete. A walk through will be scheduled in the next few weeks to review the work that has been completed and schedule the remaining work.
*OTH – The bid documents have gone out and addendums have been issued. The due date has been pushed out one week, and will now be due on February 3, 2014. The BOS will award the contract at the February 18th regular meeting.
*Hockla Farms Road Drainage Issues – The Town Engineer is working on preliminary plans and design for inclusion in the CIP Plan. Correspondence will also be sent to IWWC in the near future. First Selectman Mailhos added that she is going to try to push this through CIP to get the engineering done on the road, as the IWWC is waiting for resolution.
*Senior Van – The BOF has pushed through the allocation of funds to get the van road –ready. It is currently at the body shop getting new striping put on.
*Personnel Policy Review – Selectman Kowalyshyn has made edits to the document and First Selectman Mailhos is in final review. The policy will be issued to the Selectmen and then to Town Employees. It is hopeful that it will be approved at the February 3rd BOS meeting.
*Appointments for Boards and Commissions – We still have several vacancies on many of Willington’s Boards and Commissions. The article for the next Willington Word will be updated as well as the public notices/Town Website.
Public Works:
Public Works Personnel Changes
First Selectman Mailhos said we now have an opening in the Public Works Department as we have accepted a resignation letter from the Public Works Director. First Selectman Mailhos noted that we will need to advertise and can do so as early as tomorrow. Discussion was held on the wording of the ad for the paper as well as the requirements involved with the job as well as the title of the job, which will go out as “Public Works Director”. The candidate must be well qualified in road construction and maintenance, supervision and task assignment and have excellent people skills as they will work with the public. The person must also possess a CDL and be able to prepare budgets. Discussion was also held regarding who would be on the interview panel.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that we had also advertised and accepted applications for the opening for the Public Works Administrative Assistant, but the interviews have been put on hold until we hire a new Director.
New Business
A. Sweeper Lease
First Selectman Mailhos moved to award the three year lease for the used Elgin sweeper in the amount of $35,000 to Sun Trust Equipment Financing & Leasing Corp. for a rate of 1.72%.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
B. Ambulance & Pick Up Truck for WFD #1 Lease
First Selectman Mailhos moved to award the 7 year lease for the new ambulance and 2014 F-350 Pick- up for Willington Fire Department #1 in the amount of $258,500 to Sun Trust Equipment Financing & Leasing Corporation for a rate of 2.39%.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
C. Call Town Meeting
First Selectman Mailhos read & moved the call of the 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 Willington Town Office Building; 40 Old Farms Road, Willington, at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 for the following purpose:
ITEM I
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Finance, will authorize the expenditure of $110,000 from the Reserve Fund - General Reserve for the purpose of a partial roof replacement at Center Elementary School with any state reimbursement being returned to the Reserve Fund.
ITEM II
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Finance, will authorize the appropriation of $3,500 from the Park and Recreation Capital and Nonrecurring Fund for boundary location and marking and a forestry plan at Fenton-Ruby Park.
ITEM III
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Finance, will authorize the appropriation of $60,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund to refurbish WFD#1 ET-113.
ITEM IV
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen will adopt an Ordinance withdrawing from the Windham Region Council of Governments (WINCOG) and joining the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG).
Dated this 22nd day of January, 2014: Willington Board of Selectmen.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Selectman Kowalyshyn asked for clarification on the Center School Roof, as it was just discussed at the last Town Meeting (a few days ago). First Selectman Mailhos clarified that the three items on the previous Town Meeting were in regards to forming the building committee. Item I on this call is to authorize the appropriation of funding.
First Selectman Mailhos clarified that the Conservation Commission went to the Board of Finance last week with the request to allocate the money for the forestry plan; she noted that particular fund is set up to go to Town Meeting, no matter what the amount requested for.
Selectman Kowalyshyn asked what ET113 is. Chief Millix clarified it is the Engine Tank at the north Station, which goes out to every call. The refurbishment will add longevity to the apparatus of about 10 -15 years. He also noted that a new apparatus could cost around $625,000. He added that the money ($60,000) they are asking for was approved at CIP last year, but was earmarked for a new exhaust system at WFD#1, however the Department received a grant for the exhaust system and they are just shifting that money towards the refurbishment instead, which will take the project off of the plan for next year.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that the last item on the call is regarding an Ordinance change. It has been reviewed by the Town Attorney and all of the Towns will have to go through this process in order to transfer from WINCOG to CRCOG (or whichever COG they are moving to). She clarified that this Ordinance does not need to be adopted until July, but figured she would add it to this meeting, so another special meeting won’t have to be held (just to adopt this).
*A copy of the Ordinance is attached in the minutes and available in the Town Clerk’s Office.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
D. Tax Refund
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $18.21 to Daniel Tortora; Oakland, ME for a credit of a sold vehicle.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
E. STEAP (Small Town Economic Assistance Program) Grant Application Discussion
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we received a STEAP application in the fall and was looking for ideas from the other Selectmen as to what to apply for. She reminded everyone that two years ago we applied for and received $400,000 for Turnpike Road improvements. Last year we applied for more funding for Turnpike Road, but did not receive anything. Turnpike Road is a major through-way in Town and it is our biggest project going; resurfacing the entire road will cost approximately $1million alone. The CIP Committee will likely recommend bonding for it.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that we have other options that we can explore as well, such as Polster Road Bridge. The letter states “preference will be given to projects that promote economic development and demonstrate resiliency in the wake of natural disasters”. Polster Road Bridge would be a good option as the bridge was flooded a few years back (being submerged has most likely brought it to it’s current state) and people are now not able to come into our Town.
Other options are to request money to continue with renovations at the Old Town Hall, renovations to either of the two Fire Departments, a new generator at WHFD or improvements to the River Road Athletic Complex.
The RRAC was discussed where the improvements would include the Recreation Support Building (for a concession stand, including a small kitchen, bathroom and storage space ). First Selectman Mailhos noted this has been on our CIP plan for many years, and it would be a good way for the local non-profits to make some money. It has been zoned already and would be the finishing touch to that park. Selectman Blessington clarified that there will never be a finishing touch there.
Selectman Blessington said he would prefer to put money towards Turnpike Road and finish that up, continue with the Old Town Hall or even go for the repair /replacement of the Polster Road Bridge; those are more important to him than River Road.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she will also bring this up at the CIP meeting tomorrow night to get some ideas from that Committee as well. She will then submit a draft for the next BOS meeting.
Good & Welfare
First Selectman Mailhos noted that we are looking for people to serve on the Willington Day Committee. She added that our Chairperson would like to step down as she does not have time to dedicate to the event this year, but would be willing to help out and guide the new chairperson. If anyone is interested, please contact the Selectmen’s office. First Selectman Mailhos noted that it might be a good experience for someone who is looking to add to their resume. Meetings will be held soon to prepare for Willington Day 2014.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:18 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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