BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting November 3, 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 6:32 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Kowalyshyn & Blessington and residents. First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Blessington moved to approve the minutes of October 20, 2014 with the following edits:
Page 3 item B (CIP):
Second paragraph: add the following sentence after the 4th sentence: The agreement was that the longest 2 members (Peter & John) would be leaving and be replaced, but Peter was removed by a 2-1 vote and John stayed on.
Page 4 item A (Sidewalk):
Second paragraph: add sentence at end: The Committee had discussed adding to the CIP to prioritize it, but then decided against it.
Third paragraph: second to last sentence should read: it is most likely historical (*remove a and XXX)
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Robin Campbell stated that Ralph Tulis had sent an email with several comments regarding the Sidewalk Committee item. When the Sidewalks are discussed at a later meeting, he should be invited to discuss with the Board.
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 Phase III – Senior Housing Cottages – The lot has been cleared and the road has been roughed in. The water main was lowered over the weekend. First Selectman Mailhos thanked Derek for being on site; as one of the requirements was to have a certified water inspector on site during the operation). It went smoothly. Also, the Housing Authority has notified our office that they have run into budgetary issues on the second phase. They are wondering if the town will waive the building fees. First Selectman Mailhos cautioned that she does not believe that she, or the Board of Selectmen have the authority to do so; as it should probably go to town meeting; it would be approximately $50,000 to $70,000 in loss of revenue. She also cautioned that our costs would still need to be covered as
the Building Inspector’s time will have increased. First Selectman Mailhos suggested that the Housing Authority either scale back their project or look for other ways to find the additional money rather than ask to waive the fees. Lastly, she said if the Housing Authority is still interested in asking to waive the fees, they will need to send a formal request to do so; so the Board of Selectmen can consider it.
* Old Town Hall Renovations – the Building Inspector has issued the C/O for the building today. This item will be removed from the report.
*Polster Bridge – The decking is slated to be delivered on November 17th . First Selectman Mailhos stated that the contractor is hopeful that the bridge will be re-opened by Thanksgiving if the weather cooperates.
*Turnpike Road; Phase 3 / 4 – The Town Engineer is preparing the drainage plans and we are hopeful they will be submitted to them by their November 17th meeting. In the meantime, Public Works has shimmed a portion of the road, as our Public Works’ Director was concerned that the road was not going to last through the winter in the condition that it was in.
*Tree removal on Michalec Road – the 8-24 request has been granted. We are now working on resolving issues with some disputes from the Stafford residents who live on the road who are not in favor of cutting the trees.
*Sidewalk on Route 32 – the Selectmen will go out to the site and will discuss at a future meeting.
*Land Purchase –the Town Attorney is working on the final details with the seller and will schedule a closing date.
*STEAP 2015 Application – First Selectman Mailhos will prepare the application this week.
*Needs Assessment for the Town Office Building – Robin Campbell will call the contractor this week to get a status on this project.
*MS4 Permit Changes – The public hearing will be held on December 17th. Several Towns and other organizations are set to oppose in an organized manner.
*Transfer Station Operations Manual & Procedure – has been updated and will be reviewed at this meeting.
*Economic Development Commission- EDC Study – The EDC has set up a workshop on November 12th to review the RFP; it will then be ready for the next regular meeting for publication.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she has added three new items to the list as she has received several inquiries about them.
*Possible new Ordinance – Forestry- First Selectman Mailhos is talking with the Land Use Department to get background information to draft.
*Possible new Ordinance – Sexually Oriented Businesses – A variety of groups and individuals are researching to see what would work for Willington. There are sample Ordinances to start with. The goal of this Ordinance would be to define areas where sexually oriented business can and cannot be.
*Possible new Ordinance – Child Predators- Preliminary research is being conducted. The goal of this Ordinance would be to protect areas like schools.
Public Works:
Derek reported that the Crew has been busy with the following tasks:
• Shimming Turnpike Road
• Installing curbing along Turnpike Road
• Pushing up salt deliveries
• Vehicle & Equipment maintenance
• Mowing the landfill
• Apply fluid- film ( rust inhibitor) to the undercarriages of trucks
• Trimming of guardrails
• Digging out culvert out-fall ditches
• Brush removal along roadways
• Sign repair
• Calibrating the sanders on plow trucks
First Selectman Mailhos noted that we really haven’t calibrated the sanders to optimal in the paste. It is hopeful that by doing this work, we will use less sand/salt and should end up with less clean up in the spring.
New Business
A. Appointments
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to appoint Steven Vera as an alternate member of the Economic Development Commission; effective November 3, 2014; expiring January 1, 2019.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Mr. Vera was in attendance. He stated that he moved to Willington from Vernon in 2008 and wasn’t originally looking to move to Willington, but fell in love with his house and the area. He added that he also loves our school system and thinks highly of Superintendent Harding and Principal Sullivan. He is looking to become more involved with the community as his children are now a freshman at Eastern State and a sophomore at E.O. Smith. Mr. Vera thanked Superintendent Harding for giving advice to his daughter, who is looking towards a teaching career in special education. He then added that he oversees $70 million of revenue in the healthcare industry throughout the state. He was impressed with the EDC at the last meeting and would like to see how he can serve on the Commission. In addition to EDC, he also
serves on the Willington Scholarship Foundation.
The Selectmen thanked Mr. Vera and welcomed him.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Kowalyshyn happily noted that the EDC is now fully seated.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Christine Psathas as a regular member of the Solid Waste Advisory Commission; effective November 7, 2014; expiring November 7, 2017 (filling a three year vacant spot)
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Christina Mailhos as a regular member of the Solid Waste Advisory Commission; effective November 17, 2014; expiring November 17, 2016.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Barry Wallett as a regular member of the Solid Waste Advisory Commission; effective November 7, 2014 ; expiring November 7, 2016.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Peter Tanaka as a regular member of the Solid Waste Advisory Commission; effective November 7, 2014; expiring November 7, 2016.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that we still have one regular vacancy and one alternate vacancy on this Commission. Robin Campbell stated a gentleman had inquired today about possibly serving as a regular member and perhaps he will be appointed at the next meeting.
B. Transfer Station Operation Manual & Procedure
First Selectman Mailhos presented the Transfer Station Operation Manual & Procedure (TSOMP) which was created in the early or mid 1990’s when the Transfer Station transitioned over from the landfill. The Solid Waste Advisory Commission (SWAC) has been reviewing and making edits to the document for the past several months. A clause has been added to the document that states the SWAC is to review the document once yearly. The original document had data built into the sections (and was out of date). The data has now been added to appendixes at the end of the document and are now up to date. This will be updated either yearly or as needed. Additionally, the job descriptions of the Transfer Station Employees as well as the applicable Ordinances have also been added. First Selectman Mailhos
noted that Appendix D has since been updated (updated this morning) and will reflect in the newly adopted TSOMP. The last page of Appendix M (current Ordinance) should be fixed; as the font is not clear – it should read “Effective”.
Selectman Blessington stated that the SWAC did an outstanding job and thanked them for their hard work.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to accept the Transfer Station Operation Manual and Procedure as written with the addition of Appendix D that has been updated as well as fixing the font on page 30.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
C. Proclamation – Lung Cancer Awareness Month
First Selectman Mailhos read and moved to adopt the following:
Proclamation regarding Lung Cancer Awareness Month
WHEREAS, Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Lung Cancer takes the lives of more Americans each year than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined; and
WHEREAS, former smokers and people who have never smoked comprise nearly 80% of new cases of Lung Cancer each year; and
WHEREAS, more than 80% of new Lung Cancer cases will be diagnosed at a late stage; and
WHEREAS, early Lung Cancer diagnosis and management protocols exist, yet have not been embraced as the standard of care; and
WHEREAS, funding for Lung Cancer research falls far short of that for other less fatal diseases
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Christina Mailhos, First Selectman, do hereby proclaim the month of November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month in the Town of Willington, Connecticut.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Selectman Kowalyshyn noted that November 7th is also Lung Cancer Awareness Day.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Good & Welfare
First Selectman Mailhos reminded everyone to get out and vote tomorrow.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that our CIP Committee is still looking for members. We have sent letters to the town committees and a letter to current members as well as an e-blast. We have only received one name so far. Mr. Vera stated that he has spoken with former CIP Chairman Bulick about this, and added that it sounds interesting; however he believes he may have a conflict with time as EDC and WSF both meet on Mondays. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that they do not necessarily meet on Mondays and they only meet between November and February. In the meantime our Business Manager has sent out the information to the various departments who normally submit requests to notify them when their requests are due. The Committee will meet on November 24th to look at the current plan and review the
process.
First Selectman Mailhos welcomed the new dog bakery to town. The bakery moved to Willington from Stafford, because they needed a bigger area. We have heard a lot of good things about this new business and wish them well.
First Selectman Mailhos congratulated the Economic Development Commission on their new Facebook page.
Selectman Blessington reminded everyone of the upcoming food drive. The Scouts will collect food around town this coming Saturday. (Please remember to put your yellow bags full of food at the end of your driveway).
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 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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