Town Office Building April 25, 2014
Selectmen’s Conference Room 10:30 A.M.
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 10:41 A.M. with Selectmen Kowalyshyn & Blessington, Parks & Recreation Director, Teri Gareau and Amanda Palotti, Payroll Coordinator.
- Discussion - Willington Word
Teri Gareau presented various mailing distributions from the Willington Public Library, Town of Mansfield and Tolland Parks & Recreation Department’s booklets as well as the Willington Word for the Selectmen to review and compare.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she found out on Tuesday (after the Willington Word was discussed on Monday night’s meeting) that the Revenue Collector depends on the summer publication of the Willington Word to comply with noticing requirements mandated by the State. Teri Gareau stated that the summer publication comes out around June 1st, which covers the notice.
Carol Larson, Revenue Collector joined the meeting and stated that she is required to post a publications five days prior to when the tax bills are due, then seven days after it comes due and then five days after it is past due; the timing is as follows: Last week of June, first week of July and then the first week of August. The Willington Word covers that time frame, thus saving her in publishing costs. Ms. Larson stated that if she did not have this publication to augment the advertising it would cost more. First Selectman Mailhos clarified it would run in this fiscal year, and we can support the $500 expense. She then added that the Town Clerks post in the Willington Word about dog licenses and fishing licenses; the Assessor, Youth Family & Social Services, Registrars of Voters
and other groups use the paper to inform our residents about what is going on.
Teri Gareau added that she coordinates her publications with the Library; and if we were to go from four publications to three, the library would still be able to use their publications to get the word out. Selectman Kowalyshyn suggested keeping all four publications and ask the various groups to contribute towards the cost.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to pay $500 to publish the summer issue of the Willington Word in the 2013/2014 fiscal year.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Discussion was held on planning for the next year as well as options regarding various local publications and the costs. Selectman Blessington stated that no matter how heavily you advertise, you still get a number of people who do not get the information. First Selectman Mailhos noted that her Girl Scouts ran a survey last year asking people how they get their news in town. People responded that most people said they receive Town news by the Willington Word, signs on the green and the emailed public notices.
Christine Psathas stated that several years ago, a small volunteer group worked on notices of town happenings and then posted them in the Reminder, (similar to what the Town of Stafford currently does) however it was free to do so back then; now it is too costly.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she will approach the BOF to discuss the funding and the Selectmen will absorb the cost of it this year; then they will approach the various groups that use the publication to budget towards the cost of the publications in the future. In the meantime, Ms. Gareau will set up a meeting with the publishers at the Chronicle, the Business Manager and First Selectman Mailhos to get the prices locked in for a few years.
Selectman Blessington moved to authorize the First Selectman to approach the Board of Finance to get sufficient funding to publish the Willington Word three times per year; (winter/spring, summer and fall).
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
- Personnel Policy Workshop
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she was going to type up the changes and fix the typos that were discussed at the last two meetings, but has not had a chance. She added that she has found other items that needed further clarification; such as the FMLA policy. The Town Attorney suggested that the Town falls under the policy because the employees at the school would bring the number up to over 50. Amanda Palotti clarified that the school and the Town have two different Employee ID numbers. She then added that we need to make the Personnel Policy match up with FMLA if we are covered by it. Currently the Policy does not reflect FMLA at all. Ms. Palotti presented a chart that shows the various types of leaves that are in the personnel policy. She clarified that there are 9 types of
leaves in the personnel policy alone.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to have the Town of Willington follow FMLA policy regardless whether or not the employees are eligible for it.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she will make an appointment to meet with Amanda to finalize the policy and be sure that it matches up with FMLA.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Ms. Palotti brought to the Selectmen’s attention that Appendix A has old wording regarding the insurance waiver and it should be changed to reflect the proposed changes (that were agreed upon at the union negotiations). The document will be handed out during open enrollment in May. The current wording states that insurance waivers are $800. The proposed change to the personnel policy states that full time employees will receive $600 or $450 for part time employees in lieu of insurance (a decrease from $800 and $650). Ms. Palotti clarified that the change should be changed to say that it is pro-rated; which also would match the union contract.
First Selectman Mailhos (stated for the purpose of the upcoming open enrollment), moved to offer the non-union employees a pro-rated waiver for medical and dental insurance in the amount of $600 full time employees and $450.00 (which is equal to 75% of full time) which is a decrease from what is currently written in the personnel policy and this change will be reflected in the revised personnel policy which is soon to be adopted.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Amanda Palotti clarified in the union contract, the union employees have the option to receive the dental, and still receive the waiver on the medical. Selectman Kowalyshyn clarified that it should be looked at the next time the union negotiations come up.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Robin Campbell will set up an appointment with Amanda and First Selectman Mailhos to work on the Personnel Policy.
- Executive Session – Possible Land Acquisition
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to go into Executive Session for discussion regarding a possible land acquisition at 11:52 AM
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to invite the Town Engineer and Public Works Director into executive session.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington moved to come out of Executive Session at 12:38 P.M.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington moved to authorize the First Selectman to negotiate with a property owner regarding a price for a specific parcel of land.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:40 P.M.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
| 
