BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Special Meeting Minutes February 18, 2015
Common 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 7:30 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Kowalyshyn & Blessington, Members of the Cadette Girl Scout Troop 65292 and residents. First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to approve the regular meeting minutes February 9, 2015 as written.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Members of Cadette Girl Scout Troop 65292 were present to request permission to hold a Town Wide Cleanup Day. The Girl Scouts are looking to earn their Silver Award by hosting the event. They would like to hold the event on Saturday, April 25th; in honor of Earth Day, which is earlier that week. They will launch a website for residents to seek information and sign up to adopt a whole or part of a road. Gloves, safety vests and bags will be provided by the Town.
They also requested to publicize the event on the Town’s website and will also send out notices through the schools’ digital backpacks. In addition, the Girl Scouts plan to request help from the Boy Scouts, the Conservation Commission and other active groups to get town-wide participation. By doing so, they are hopeful to get someone signed up for every local road.
The Selectmen gave them permission to hold the event on April 25th at the Transfer Station.
Peter Andersen, Chairman of the Willington Conservation Commission was present. He asked if the Selectmen had sent a letter to the Board of Finance, in regards to placement of funding resulting from an upcoming timber harvest. First Selectman Mailhos stated that she had mentioned it to the CIP Committee, but hasn’t sent the letter to the BOF. She will prepare it this week.
Chairman Andersen then referenced last week’s minutes regarding the Hall School parking lot and offered some clarification on the subject. He stated that he reviewed the area and found over an acre of impermeable surface with residue and wash off from the playground that goes directly into the Willimantic River. He added that this is something that definitely should be looked at; noting that the Willimantic River is recognized as a state greenway as well as a national scenic water trail.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she has asked the Town Engineer to look at the area and give some recommendations; however she cautioned that he will not be able to do so until the snow melts.
Chairman Andersen then clarified that Mr. Thomas (who had originally brought this to our attention) is a Coventry resident; and serves on the Coventry Conservation Commission as well as Joshua’s Trust.
First Selectman Mailhos stated in addition to asking the Town Engineer to look into this, she has also asked him to offer suggestions on how to remedy this issue, also so the Selectmen can incorporate into their budget for future years.
The Correspondence and Status Report items have been tabled until the next regular meeting in March.
Public Works:
Derek reported that the crew has been busy with the following tasks:
Shovel roof at T.O.B
- Sight line snow removal
- Snow blow edge of various roadways to widen them up
- Equipment and vehicle repairs
- Snow removal in municipal lots
Derek said he would like to thank the crew and Hipsky Construction for the long hours for the past few weeks also Knights Construction for helping in sight line snow removal.
He added that he would also like to remind residents there is a Town ordinance on depositing snow onto the roadways and by doing so makes it hard on the snow plow operators on clearing the roadways when they come upon a big pile of snow. Also it inhibits the effectiveness of the plow to throw the snow from the roadway onto the snowbanks.
New Business
- Open and award Field Maintenance Bids
We received two bids. (The bids were opened yesterday, as per the bid instructions).
- Greg Peck Total cost ($18,620 per season)
- Country Landscape & Tree, LLC ($3,950 per month)
Teri Gareau, the Director of Parks & Recreation has recommended to stay with Greg Peck as he is the lower bidder. Ms. Gareau added that Mr. Peck is reliable, has worked with the Town for many years and knows the needs of the town.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to award the 2015-2017 Field Maintenance contract to Gregory Peck Landscaping as per his bid total of $18,620.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Derek has requested to table the award of this contract as he would like to review the submissions further.
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, March 3, 2015 for the following purpose:
ITEM I
To see if the townspeople, on the recommendation of the Board of Finance will accept the grant and authorize the appropriation of $50,000 from Capital Projects, 03-3064 to perform a Preservation Planning Study in the South Willington area, which will be 100% funded by a Vibrant Communities Initiative Grant Program, provided by the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation.
Dated at Willington,
This 18th day of February, 2015
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Good & Welfare
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she has spoken with Bob Campbell, (who is the Chairman of the Willington Housing Authority ) about the operating expenses in their budget. First Selectman Mailhos suggested that the Housing Authority incorporate their line items/budget to be reviewed by the Board of Finance. Chairman Campbell was in agreement, and stated that they did not have a preference on how it is handled. First Selectman Mailhos plans to discuss this with the Board of Finance to make them aware of this. She added that the Housing Authority will be able to present their budget as the other departments do at a later date.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that we have accepted a resignation letter from our Youth Family & Social Services Director, Camber McCue. A help wanted ad was placed in the local paper.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that she would like to get the Youth Services Board up and running, and thinks we should begin to work on it now, rather than wait for a new Director to start. The members who serve on this board should include representatives from the library, the schools, the Recreation Commission 4H, the Boy / Girl Scouts and other youth groups. She then added that this Town would benefit as we do not have many extra-curricular things for the children in town. Kelly Trueb stated that many years ago, this board was active and also had seats for children as well and suggested opening a few seats for the kids to be involved and offer their suggestions to revitalize the program. Selectman Blessington warned that we have a hard enough time getting people to serve on the existing boards. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that we might have more luck with this one as this board will be fun and there’s a lot of potential to make an impact.
We have received a letter which states that the State is changing the laws regarding Tree Wardens. We currently do not have a Tree Warden who is certified. In order to become certified, the Warden will need to attend classes and /or be a licensed Arborist. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that we should have in Town, as there are certain situations regarding tree removal that will need to be signed off by the Tree Warden. She then suggested sending out an e-blast to see if anyone would be interested (but they must be qualified). Selectman Blessington stated this is just another unfunded mandate from the state.
Robin Campbell thanked Derek Dimmock for clearing a path in the snow to the Senior Center’s oil tank.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she has noticed that many storm drains/catch basins are covered by snow, and are not able to collect run-off. She suggested if anyone has a storm drain in front of their home, to please clear them out to avoid flooding.
If anyone sees anything around town that they feel has been damaged or affects public safety, please contact the Public Works’ Office at 860-684-9313.
The E.O. Smith Girls basketball team played their last home game for the season last night. They won against Tolland and are now off to the CCC East. Championships. Congratulations to the entire team!
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 P.M.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
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