BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes January 5, 2015
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 Blessington moved to approve the minutes of December 15, 2014 with the following edit:
Page 1 (under Status Report); remove *Senior Housing Phase III.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington moved to approve the minutes of December 22, 2014
Selectman Kowalyshyn 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:
*Turnpike Road – Phase 3 / 4 – The Town Engineer is planning to attend the January 26th IWWC meeting with the plans for the project. First Selectman Mailhos expects to be in attendance.
*Land Purchase – The closing will be this week.
*Needs Assessment –TOB – we have received the bid for the Structural Assessment and should be underway with the project in the next few weeks.
*MS4 Permit Changes – the Public Hearing was held on December 17th. DEEP states that they will release the revisions at a later date. A status conference will be held on February 4, 2015; which First Selectman Mailhos plans to attend.
Selectman Blessington asked the status of the tree removal on Michalec Road and if the disputes have been settled. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that the disputes have been settled, and the trees will be taken down.
Public Works:
Derek reported that the crew has been busy with the following tasks:
- Expose septic tank at OTH to pump tank
- Trim detention basins on Wilderness Way, Ashley, Miller Farms
- TOB maintenance
- Roadside mowing
- Measure road widths for GASB
- Brush and tree removal along Spak road
- Burn Brush at Transfer Station
- Vehicle and equipment maintenance
- Install Road Watch Systems in units 2 and 5 ( road temp, ambient air temp Units)
- Plowing & sanding
New Business
First Selectman Mailhos read the call of the Town 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. Tuesday, January 27, 2015 for the following purpose:
ITEM I
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Finance will authorize the appropriation of $15,570 from the Capital Projects Fund LoCIP RRAC Improvements for the purpose of continuation of the irrigation system, to be reimbursed by the State of Connecticut Local Capital Improvement Program.
ITEM II
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen, will authorize the appropriation of 50,000 to perform a Preservation Planning Study in the South Willington area, which will be funded by a Vibrant Communities Initiative Grant program, provided by the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation.
Dated at Willington, This 5th day of January, 2015
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Discussion was held. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that the Selectmen usually get recommendations from the BOF to go to Town Meeting, however, item #2 has not been discussed with them as of yet. She stated because this is a grant and the Town will not have to front the money. She added that she hasn’t had a chance to discuss with the BOF; and will at their January 15th meeting. At that time, the bid amounts will have come back and we will have a better idea of the cost associated with the project and can reiterate that the CT Trust for Historic Preservation Grant will cover it entirely. Interviews (with the VCI panel) will be held on January 14th. Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that she will not be able to attend the interviews as she cannot take the day off from
work to go to that. She added that she would be happy to help on this panel, but the meetings have not been scheduled at times when she can attend.
Selectman Blessington asked why item #1 does not indicate that a shed will be purchased. He thought that the call should indicate that a shed is also involved. He also cautioned that he had asked the Recreation Commission members to go out to bid for the shed (at a previous meeting), but was told that they would be getting a deal on the shed (as Mr. Taiman would be bartering for it). Selectman Blessington wondered if the shed is outside of the scope of the irrigation improvements. He added that sometimes you can shuffle around numbers to make it work; noting that if the shed is under $5,000, they would not have to go out to bid at all. The call of the Town Meeting reflects the motion presented at the BOF meeting on November 20, 2014. He cautioned that we might not be able to change the call of the
meeting. First Selectman Mailhos agreed, noting that is true, especially when it is based on a recommendation. Robin Campbell presented a copy of the CIP request, which states the irrigation system improvements include a shed to house the irrigation equipment (which was also discussed at the BOF meeting on November 20, 2014). First Selectman Mailhos noted that the Recreation Commission members stated that they did get competitive prices for a shed that size.
Discussion was held on the irrigation system. The Selectmen want to know the size of the shed and what is going in it. Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that she will contact the Recreation Commission and ask them to bring a detailed map and plans for this project to be presented at the Town Meeting.
Selectman Blessington moved to amend the call of the Town Meeting under Item 1: to expand the acronym for the RRAC to read “River Road Athletic Complex”; and add the word “including a shed”. Item 2 shall include a $ in front of the 50,000.
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. Tuesday, January 27, 2015 for the following purpose:
ITEM I
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Finance will authorize the appropriation of $15,570 from the Capital Projects Fund LoCIP River Road Athletic Complex Improvements for the purpose of continuation of the irrigation system, including a shed to be reimbursed by the State of Connecticut Local Capital Improvement Program.
ITEM II
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen, will authorize the appropriation of $50,000 to perform a Preservation Planning Study in the South Willington area, which will be funded by a Vibrant Communities Initiative Grant program, provided by the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation.
Dated at Willington, This 5th day of January, 2015
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Robin Campbell apologized to the Conservation Commission, as the re-appointment requests were sent back in October and were forgotten. The appointments shall be retroactive to the December 1, 2014 expiration date.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to re-appoint Robert Shabot as a regular member of the Conservation Commission, effective retroactive December 1, 2014, expiring December 1, 2017
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to re-appoint Marilyn Schreiber as a regular member of the Conservation Commission, effective retroactive December 1, 2014, expiring December 1, 2017
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to re-appoint Kathy Demers as a regular member of the Conservation Commission, effective retroactive December 1, 2014, expiring December 1, 2017
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Good & Welfare
The State Department of Transportation will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, January 22nd beginning at 6PM at the Willington Public Library to discuss the replacement of the bridge on Route 74 (over the Willimantic River). Business owners and residents are encouraged to attend. Selectman Kowalyshyn will ask the EDC to notify the local business of the hearing.
Selectman Kowalyshyn noted that there was an accident involving a school bus this afternoon. First Selectman Mailhos said no one on the bus was injured; noting that 5 Center School students were on the bus at the time of the accident.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that we have received a letter from the Willington seniors. They held a survey for name suggestions; and the top 5 names (that had multiple votes):
*Senior Way
*Senior’s Way
*Senior Lane
*Willington Way
*Willington Woods Road
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she will add discussion about this at a future meeting.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that Charter television sent us a letter notifying us of broadcasting opportunities (for little to no charge) available to the public, individuals, groups, municipal entities as well as educational institutions. Groups can also advertise community events or other important information to the community calendar or broadcast on one of their public access channels. (free for non-profit groups only). The number to call Charter for more information is: 860-456-8500 or on the web at: www.ctv14.com.
Lastly, First Selectman Mailhos encouraged everyone to check the Town calendar on the website as the Board of Finance, CIP are holding budget meetings to prepare for the upcoming fiscal year.
Selectman Blessington moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:27 P.M.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Recording Clerk
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