BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting August 4, 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 6:30 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Kowalyshyn & Blessington and residents. First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to approve the minutes of July 21, 2014 as written.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote 3 Yes (Mailhos Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
No one was present to speak.
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:
- Senior Housing – The Housing Authority received 2 bids for the construction project and are moving forward with the infrastructure project.
- Old Town Hall Renovations – The construction project is moving along nicely. The new ramp has been installed and the door hood will be completed this week. The inside is also moving along and the new floor has been poured in the basement.
- Polster Road Bridge – Will be discussed at tomorrow night’s Town Meeting. The Town Engineer has prepared the bid documents for the project.
- Turnpike Road, Phase 2 – The contractor is expected to complete the phase within the next two weeks. A change order will be drawn up to delete the temporary curbing (which was part of this phase), as we are expecting to begin paving soon. We are ready to go out to bid on paving the area of Phase 1 and 2.
- Land Purchase on Hancock Road – First Selectman Mailhos stated that this is new to the report. The Selectmen have been discussing this potential purchase under Executive Session over the past few months. We have entered into a contract with the land owners and will begin discussions with BOF, P&Z as well as the Conservation Commission. It will have to go to a Town Meeting, slated for September 30th to appropriate the funds. First Selectman Mailhos noted that this 12 acre parcel of land abuts our Transfer Station and will allow us to expand the area to house a new salt storage shed as well as conserve some of the land as well.
- Transfer Station Operation Management Plan - The Solid Waste Advisory Commission has been reviewing the document and will make recommendations to the BOS at a later date to update the document.
Public Works:
Derek Dimmock, Public Works Director reported that the crew has been busy with the following tasks:
- Shimming
- Roadside mowing
- Vehicle repairs
- Replacement of signs that had been stolen
- Clean out waterways
- Install rip rap in waterways
- Sign replacement to meet Federal Regulations
- Raise catch basin tops
- Shimming is complete on this year’s chip seal route in addition to Marco Road which is not on this year’s list. Derek would like to commend the crew on a job well done!
Also American Pipe and Catch Basin Cleaning has been in town for a few weeks cleaning out catch basins and should finish up next week of all basins in town. He stated that he would like to thank the residents for their cooperation with the noise of this operation.
New Business
A. Tax refund
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $25.75 to Brian French of 400 Moose Meadow Road for a sold vehicle.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
B. Tax deferment request
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we have received a request for 22 Tolland Turnpike again this year. This is the third year the family is requesting deferment until they are able to sell the property. The family has signed on with a new realtor and is hopeful to sell the property soon. They promise to repay the Town of the taxes owed once the property is sold.
Selectman Blessington moved to defer the taxes on 22 Tolland Turnpike for the fiscal year 2014-2015.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Selectman Kowalyshyn noted that the property has been on the market for 7 years. First Selectman Mailhos stated that she would like to work with the property owners help market the property and attract the prospective buyers. It would help everyone if it were to sell. Selectman Blessington added he would love it if they could sell the property. First Selectman Mailhos noted that most people do not do the responsible thing and request a formal deferment. Instead, they just don’t pay the taxes.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
C. MS4 Designation Petition
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we received a letter from the State. The letter informs us that it has been determined that Willington is now a Tier 1 MS4 Town because we have one section of town that is considered “urbanized” where the apartments are. With this status, we will be required to perform extensive testing in our waterways in different locations around Town. It is costly, and time consuming. Tolland currently sub-contracts the work out as their Public Works’ crews cannot handle the additional work load.
In addition, the State is changing the requirements of Tier 1 towns- and the testing is more extensive and strict than before. We are one of several towns who are trying to fight the requirements. We are fighting this. Our Public Works Director will be attending a Public Hearing on Wednesday and we have also requested help from CRCOG. In addition, we have a petition going around for residents to sign (we need 25 signatures) to have them hold a special public hearing for us to discuss why we should be required to be considered Tier 1.
Old Business
- Discussion of SWAC recommendations regarding Transfer Station fees
First Selectman Mailhos noted that this item will be discussed tomorrow night at the Town Meeting, and the Board of Selectmen will be voting on after the meeting.
First Selectman Mailhos presented a spreadsheet with the items up for discussion and their proposed fees. She added that there was some confusion at the SWAC meeting about the fees we charge for tires over 24” in diameter, ( backhoe tires and loader tires, for example) – our current fee to take them is $35.00. Our fee to pay the vendor is up to $150 or more per tire to remove them.
The Transfer Station Operation Manual Procedure does not allow us to accept them; however we have been for the past few years. The SWAC and our Public Works’ Director agree that we should follow the TSOMP and no longer accept them – and direct them to another place that will accept them. Selectman Kowalyshyn suggested publicizing this to our residents, so they are aware of this change. First Selectman Mailhos added that the attendants will also put signs up and issue hand out’s to the residents who have been using this service.
Another issue up for discussion is the increase in small vehicle and large truck tires (to $2.00 and $10.00 respectively) as well as mattresses/box springs, couches and recliners to $10.00 each.
Business permits were also discussed at the SWAC meeting. There was confusion on those permits; the original thought was if a business pays the $120, they would be able to bring as much trash/bulk as they want, but that is not the case – they would have to pay the fees if they dump anything over the limit of 3 cubic yards per week. The question that came up at the SWAC meeting was “what is the business permit for? If residents aren’t being charged for their sticker, why are the businesses?” Selectman Blessington clarified that businesses pay permits to operate in town and they get taxed on their business as well – he feels this is just another way to burden them. Selectman Kowalyshyn suggested that the businesses might bring bulky waste to the Transfer Station every week – and they could be potentially
making money on whatever they are bringing in, as they are a business. It is costing us money. She added it is cheaper than renting a dumpster. She then clarified that we were just talking about increasing the business fee – it would apply to those who bring bulky to the Transfer Station – (a construction company, for example) not those who only have everyday trash. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that most business owners in town already have a bulky permit that they received free with their property tax – what if they decide to use it for their business each week? Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that there is nothing you can do to stop people like that and we all end up paying for it. First Selectman Mailhos clarified if they are going to bring in more than the 3 yards per week, then they are going to pay and they will also be charged for mattresses etc. She added that we (BOS) need to present it tomorrow night to
the townspeople. She added it is a lot of work to generate the permits –and enforcement is almost impossible; it is too much effort for a little payback. She added that she wonders if some of these businesses get it because they feel they think they should, even if they don’t need it. We are not sure when the business fee originated.
Selectman Blessington moved to recommend that the Board of Selectmen eliminate the fee for business permits.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion for sake of discussion.
Selectman Blessington asked to see the list of the businesses who have paid for permits. First Selectman Mailhos suggested to leave it as it stands ($120) and look at it further.
Vote: 1 Yes (Blessington) 2 No (Mailhos & Kowalyshyn)
Motion failed.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to keep the business permit fee at $120 per year until the Selectmen research the issue further to understand the impact.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to approve the list of proposed changes with the change to keep the business permits to $120 per year as well as adding a category for refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and other appliances where the current fee is $10.00 and the proposed fee is $10.00 and add in a category called bulky where it is explained that there is no fee for up to three cubic yards, and there is a $50 fee for any amount over that (each three cubic yards) and add the word “each” after mattresses, box springs, couches and large upholstered chairs.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Good & Welfare
First Selectman Mailhos reminded everyone about our CCM discounted prescription drug program. Since Willington joined the program in April 2013, 330 claims have been processed and residents have saved over $19,500. First Selectman Mailhos added although that is great, she would like to see the numbers go higher. It seems as if only a handful of residents are using the card and asked CCM for suggestions on how to get the word out. She reminded everyone that it can also be used for pets, as long as the perscriptons are filled at a retail pharmacy). They offered to come out and do a presentation at a Town Meeting. A press release will also go out in the Willington Word.
First Selectman Mailhos reminded everyone of tomorrow night’s Town Meeting at 7PM in the Common Conference Room at the Town Office Building. She added that another Town Meeting will be held in late September. She has asked the Department Heads to review their Ordinances to see if they need updating so she can add to the agenda.
Another public notice has gone out to seek volunteers for various vacancies on Boards and Commissions.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that she officiated her first same-sex marriage this afternoon. She congratulated the couple and wished them years of happiness.
Christine Psathas noted that First Selectman Mailhos was mentioned in today’s Chronicle Threads article.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
<paste body here>
| 
