BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes August 3, 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 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 July 20, 2015 as written.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
No one chose 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 report:
*Senior Housing Cottages – the funding request was on the State Bond Commission’s Agenda; however we have not heard if it was approved or not. The Housing Authority will meet next week; and we will try to get information from that meeting.
*Turnpike Road; Phase 3 / 4- Repaving is scheduled for early September.
*Old Town Hall Painting – The contractor has begun the project.
*TOB Roof & Gutters – will be awarded at this meeting.
*Repairs to TOB from flooding – we are waiting for one final quote for the interior renovations; and then we can move forward, once awarded.
Public Works:
Derek reported that the crew has been busy with the following;
- Mowing at DPW, Dog Pound ,MIDNEROC, Transfer Station
- Vehicle/ equipment maintenance
- Removal of deteriorated end wall on storm drain outfall & install pipe flared end section & rip rap
- Pave dumpster staging area at the Transfer Station
- Fix driveway aprons damaged by plows
- Roadside mowing
- Cut down standing trees poles ( 20 foot stumps) on Michalec Road
- Repair roadside washouts
- Raise catch basin top on Marsh Road
New Business
- Create a Steering Committee for the State Police Firearms Training Facility
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she brought this up at the last regular meeting, thinking it might be a good idea to create this committee and have them advise the Selectmen on how to proceed. She then thought having a member from the Assessor’s office or the Board of Assessment Appeals might be a good addition to the Committee. That member would be able to offer information on how the property values would be affected if the range ended coming to Willington. In addition to the Assessor/BAA; members representing the Conservation Commission, Board of Finance and a member from the Land Use Department, Planning & Zoning or Inland Wetlands would serve. Lastly, a member-at-large would complete the Committee.
Resident, David Decelles asked if it would be beneficial to have more residents on the board (as members at large) instead of Board members. First Selectman Mailhos clarified that the board members are residents; and they already know the rules of Government.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Committee will consult with the Attorney and decide on how the money should be allocated; and then advise the Selectmen on how to proceed. She clarified that the Attorney has several professionals lined up; they just need authorization. Some would be held by a retainer of money (in the event that we need them) while others might be set to go right away. That is something that we need the committee to discuss and decide as she does not want to be the only person to be privy to that on the Town’s side. We should have more disciplines on board to hear what the lawyers say and agree before presenting to the Selectmen. She then added that she does not want to have to go back to the BOF for additional funds.
Selectman Blessington said he is hopeful the Committee will be set in place by August 18th (by the date of the upcoming Referendum) and will be ready to go if the money is authorized. First Selectman Mailhos will send the Chairmen of the Boards/Commissions a letter to inform them that they will be appointed to the steering committee; unless they can come up with a delegate. Selectman Blessington suggested holding a special meeting to get the people appointed so they can start to meet.
Mr. Decelles then asked how do you choose just one person? Selectman Blessington stated that he would suggest that the “Unwillington, Inc.” group put a name forth; for the Selectmen to appoint. Selectman Kowalyshyn suggested offering it to a resident outside of the group to get another point of view.
Discussion was held on having more than one “member-at-large” seat on the Committee. Selectman Kowalyshyn suggested posting a public notice seeking a member, but we would need to figure out what qualifications we are looking for. Selectman Blessington stated if we were looking for additional members, we would have to add two more, to make it an odd number, which would bring it up to a seven member committee – and might make it difficult to have a quorum as time goes on. Selectman Blessington clarified that this has been driven by the mass opposition of the gun range, so we should just have a member of the “Unwillington, Inc.” group on this committee and leave it as one member at large.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to have the Board of Selectmen create a five member “State Police Firearms Training Facility Steering Committee” charged with advising the Board of Selectmen about legal and other strategies related to the possible relocation of the State Police Firearms Training Facility in Willington. The five members would be as follows: one member from the Board of Assessment Appeals; one member from the Conservation Commission, one member from the Board of Finance, one member from the Planning & Zoning Commission (or Land Use Boards or staff) and one member from the “Unwillington, Inc.” organization.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No
First Selectman Mailhos will prepare letters to send out to the Boards and ask them to designate a member from their prospective Board/Commissions. If they are not able to meet and delegate before the next BOS meeting, then the Chairman of that Board/Commission would be the representative until such time.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
- Award TOB Roofing Contract
We received four bids:
Bellefleur Construction, LLC: $16,800
Soucy & Sons, Inc.: $16,500
Seamless Roof Systems: $13,875
Krueger Window & Siding, LLC: $13,850
First Selectman Mailhos stated that Derek had concerns with the lowest quote. Even though they were the lowest bidder, the bid includes tar-paper, which was requested not to be used. Also; it states additional plywood will be $65.00 per sheet R+R ½. Derek recommends we go with Seamless Roof Systems, Inc; as they are only $25 higher and are in compliance with our specifications.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to award the TOB Roofing Contract to Seamless Roof Systems as per their bid of $13,875.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Old Business
- Proposed State Police Firearms Training Facility Discussion
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the “Unwillington, Inc.” group has asked for permission to sell T-shirts at the Town Meeting on Tuesday. After consulting with the Town Attorney, it was determined that would be acceptable; as we allow other non-profits to sell things during Elections as well as other non-profits on town property. She added that our policy is to have the groups set up 75 feet from the polling place. Although there will not be a vote on the appropriations tomorrow night, and we are not at the TOB, she thinks it will be best if they set up along the picnic tables outside the school.
We also received a letter from the Town Clerk, who has received 365 signatures to adjourn the Town Meeting to referendum. The Town Meeting will still be held and the Board of Selectmen will then hold a special meeting to set the date, time and place of the Referendum after the Town Meeting.
Residents rallied in Hartford last Tuesday, and it went well. First Selectman Mailhos stated that we heard that many decision makers in Hartford know about Willington’s opposition now and Lt. Governor Wyman invited some residents to her office to discuss the opposition. The brief meeting seemed positive. Lastly, it appears that the additional funding for the proposed gun range did not make it on the Bond Commission agenda. We have not been told what that delay might mean for when we can expect the Environmental Impact Evaluation.
On Friday, the DESPP issued a Frequently Asked Questions segment on their website.
Good & Welfare
First Selectman Mailhos reminded everyone of tomorrow night’s Town Meeting. It will be held at the HMS Gymnasium at 7PM.
First Selectman Mailhos reminded everyone that taxes were due today.
We received a quote for a backup system for our servers. Our IT Specialist recommends that we store our data off site on a Barracuda network. The initial cost is $17,000 for the first year, and approximately $6,000 each year thereafter. First Selectman Mailhos wanted to bring this to the attention of the other Selectmen and will prepare a budget. She added that an off-site backup is really the best practice.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we received a letter from COST; requesting us to re-join at a cost of $825. She noted that we used to be members, but decided it would be more efficient to become members of CCM instead; but that was several years ago, when we were in a recession. She asked the other Selectmen to consider re-joining COST, especially, since they are involved in representing us (and other small towns) in the MS4 permitting classification. She added that the $825 would be worth it, especially if they can assist us in decreasing the requirements. Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that maybe we should look into it this year – how much will the MS4 Permit end up costing us in the long run? Selectman Blessington asked if it is really worth it, noting that we may have to spend $17,000 on back
up services.
Robin Campbell updated the Selectmen with the status of the damaged office space in the lower level; which was damaged from a leak in the roof. We are waiting on one last construction quote. Once that comes in, we can award the lowest bidder and contact the insurance company.
Selectman Blessington stated that the story about the collapsing foundations seems to be an ongoing problem. So far, they have not found any problems with any Government or commercial projects. He suggested that residents can test their foundations to find out if the pyrrhottite is in the foundation (at a cost of $2,000); but there is no way to tell if it is going to fail; until it does. First Selectman Mailhos then suggested that if anyone has questions, they should hire a structural engineer to come out to your house. First Selectman Mailhos noted that our bridges are tested yearly by the State and have been OK.
Selectman Blessington noted that the Planning & Zoning Commission is looking for two alternate members and urged residents to consider serving.
Selectman Kowalyshyn thanked the “Unwillington,Inc.” group for going to Hartford last week to rally.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
Board of Selectmen
860-487-3100
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