BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes October 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 September 21, 2015 as written.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
No one was present to speak.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to add an item E under new business, called: Appointment
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
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:
*Turnpike Road, Phase I & II: Paving has been completed on the first two phases of the project and will be taken off of the list. We are still waiting for approvals for Phase III so we can begin that project.
*TOB Roof: The contractor worked on the roof today, and should be done tomorrow. That project will also be removed from the list. The gutters will be awarded later at this meeting.
*Finance Office repairs (from flood damage): The project is almost 100% complete. The contractor has been asked to come back in to touch up some of the painting in the Finance Department and will be paid final payment.
*Trees on Michalec Road: Derek states that there are 2 – 3 more days left of cutting done along the road; and it will be done once the weather becomes cooler.
*Village Hill Drainage: The Town Engineer continues to work on the plans.
*New Backhoe: The new backhoe has come in and the crew has begun working with it.
*VCI: The final report is due by the end of October.
*EDC Study: The consultant held a meeting a few weeks ago with the preliminary report. He will continue to work on the study.
Public Works:
Derek reported that the crew has been busy with the following:
- Sweeping Turnpike Road for paving
- Removal of dead trees along Mihaliak Road
- Install driveway apron/loam and seed at 240 Turnpike Rd
- Vehicle/equipment repairs
- Install speed limit signs on Turnpike Rd
- Dig out storm drain outfalls
- Dig out drainage ditch install rip rap on Hockla Farms
New Business
- Award TOB Gutter Contract
We received two bids:
Chris the Gutter Guy: $5,196
MASCO Contractor Services: $3,750
Derek Dimmock was present. He stated that he sought 3 bids, and only received two back. He pointed out that MASCO would not quote or do the gutter between the finance office and the common room area; mentioning that particular gutter needs to be replaced. Selectman Kowalyshyn asked if the $1,400 difference was a legitimate price. Derek responded yes, noting that it is important that it get replaced.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to award the TOB Gutter to Chris The Gutter Guy as per their bid of $5,196.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
- Housing Authority Request to waive building fees until funds are released
Don Berg, member of the Willington Housing Authority was present. He stated that the Housing Authority is requesting for the Selectmen to temporarily waive the building permit fees until they have been able to secure funding. The Department of Housing will not release the funding until they get the permit in place; and they cannot obtain the permits, unless they pay the fees associated. Mr. Berg assured the Selectmen that the Housing Authority will not move forward with any actual construction until the fees have been paid to the Town. He then added that the Department of Housing has been a challenge all along, noting that they have been delayed for 18 – 24 months and are experiencing technicalities now because prices are going up on almost everything.
Selectman Blessington asked when we might see some progress on the building. Mr. Berg said it all depends on how the funding goes, noting that the entire project should have been done about 6 months ago.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she has checked with our Building Inspector, who does not have a problem with temporarily waiving the fees until the funding comes in. If it is OK with the other Selectmen, she will send a letter to the Land Use Department.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to allow the Willington Housing Authority to obtain the building permits and pay for it after they get funding from the Department of Housing.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $ 218.64 to Yun Zhang; Bedford MA for a vehicle registered in another state.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $40.82 to Niko Tracksdorf; Brookline, MA for a vehicle registered in another state.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
- Hockla Farms Road Drainage Issues
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she and Derek went out to assess the situation last week during a heavy rain. She stated that they noticed a few issues out there. Derek presented some pictures that were taken during the rainfall near the runoff that allegedly runs onto Mr. Hockla’s property.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the IWWC has gone out there and we all know there is a problem, but we need to figure out what needs to be done to fix it correctly. Mr. Hockla stated that he went to an Inland Wetland meeting in 2012, thinking that a maintenance plan was going to be put in place to stop the silt runoff. It has been three years, and still nothing has been done. He then sent another letter to the Selectmen to ask them to look into it. He also stated that his property (pond that runs into a stream) has sustained a lot of damage from millings and gravel pollution over the past 10 years.
Derek stated that the crew has added some rip-rap along the east side of the road, and will add additional rip-rap along the west side of the banks, which should slow the silt and gravel run-off as there was nothing holding it previously. Derek clarified that this is only a temporary fix until we can get a plan in place which includes installation of a new box culvert and a catch basin at the top of the hill. First Selectman Mailhos noted that once we get a plan in place, we will work it into the CIP Plan. Selectman Blessington asked if paving the road and installing catch basins would be the proper fix? Derek said we should go with what we are doing now to see if it alleviates the problem, and then get a professional to re-design the culvert that is at the bottom of the road. Mr. Hockla
stated that he understands that funding is an issue, but he clarified that the run-off is not only affecting his pond, but the stream that runs through it as well. He added that he shouldn’t have to pay the consequences for poor drainage. Selectman Blessington suggested hiring an engineer to work up a plan, with an estimated cost and then we will go to CIP from there.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re- appoint Robert Campbell as a member of the Willington Housing Authority; effective October 5, 2015; expiring August 1, 2020.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Old Business
- Land Conveyance – Parcel on Turnpike Road to the Town of Willington
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she was hopeful that she would have had the title-search completed for the property by this meeting, however, the Attorney hasn’t responded to her as of yet. In the meantime, she received a letter from Mrs. Harrison’s Attorney, offering to gift it to the Town; but we cannot accept it until the title search has been completed. It will be discussed at a future meeting.
- Land Conveyance – quit claim deed to the Federated Church of Willington
Robin Campbell received an email from Mark Palmer regarding the parcel of land, stating that upon further research, it appears that the church already owns the part of the parcel in question. The email included a sketch of the property lines and lease/ownership history for the area(s) in question. A deed dating back to 1828 was actually recorded in 1846; showing the property was deeded from Glazier to the Baptist Society.
Jerry Parizek, a member of the Federated Church was present. He agreed that Mr. Palmers’ information indicates ownership by the church, and has been trying to contact Mr. Palmer to discuss a little further, but hasn’t been able to contact Mr. Palmer. Mr. Parizek is going to ask the members to contact their attorney to dig a little further to confirm via title search. They will let the Selectmen know if further assistance from the Town is needed.
Selectman Blessington asked if we (as the Town) should renounce ownership of the parcel. Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that the church is going to research it and will let us know what they find. Mr. Parizek stated that the church will get an attorney to research it and get back to the Selectmen with what they find.
First Selectman Mailhos stated the deadline to comment on the latest draft is this coming Friday, October 9th. The DEEP was going to revise some of the permit; and the interveners have all been waiting to see what the changes are going to be (even though they were supposed to submit that sometime last week and it hasn’t been released.)
First Selectman Mailhos noted that the Town Attorney is preparing a statement (feedback) on behalf of the Town; and will have that in by Friday’s deadline. She added that she is fearful that we are going to end up going to a hearing and it will end up costing us attorney’s fees to move forward. She is in the process of getting the information on how much it may cost. She added that she is hopeful that DEEP will add a provision so that towns like Willington can apply for a waiver; but is not sure if it will go through.
- Proposed State Police Firearms Training Facility Discussion
First Selectman Mailhos updated everyone where we are at. The Steering Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 7th. She was hoping to have another meeting with Lt. Governor Wyman this month, but found out she is in Taiwan.
Our Attorneys have submitted FOI requests to the State with several specific questions. They have received a large amount of data back, but the data does not answer the questions that were specifically asked. First Selectman Mailhos noted that the documentation that we received was more like a “data dump” with no clarification. It will take a lot of time to interpret what was sent to us to know if our questions were answered, by looking at them. The Attorney has sent them another letter, requesting more information, which lays out the groundwork for a possible FOI appeal. If we choose to do an appeal, it will require litigation and more decisions will need to be made at that point.
First Selectman Mailhos added that she would like to reach out to Mr. Bolton to see where we are at right now, and if he can give us a status.
Winnie Hart stated that a State vehicle was parked near the proposed site about two weeks ago; and was there for quite some time. She asked them what they were doing, and they told her they were doing a traffic study. She wondered if that had something to do with the EIE process.
First Selectman Mailhos added that she was informed that the State DOT removed signs along Route 320. They notified the Selectmen’s office to inform us that they were pulling the signs as per an email from the commissioner’s office (which they do annually this time of year because “political” signs are not permitted on state property). The DOT is holding the signs at the garage on Route 74. Selectman Blessington said that the DOT does send out publications warning the political parties that they will remove any sign that they deem to be in the State’s right-of-way. First Selectman Mailhos noted that the signs only seemed to be removed from Route 320 (from exit 71 up to the library).
Selectman Blessington asked if the Bond Commission had put the EIE back on their agenda. First Selectman Mailhos heard that it did not make it on the September 20th agenda, but they seem to have other meetings scheduled; and it has not been listed thus far.
Good & Welfare
First Selectman Mailhos stated that she received a letter from Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, thanking her for attending a recent meeting regarding cracking foundations. The meeting included the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, a representative from the Attorney General’s Office, the Insurance Commissioner’s office and Town Officials from surrounding towns. The meeting was productive and a task force has been put into place to help homeowners and the affected towns.
We also received a letter from the J.J. Mottes Company (it was a similar item of the ad that was put in the paper). Selectman Blessington stated that he is hopeful that the task force (that the State has put in place) will help the homeowners, rather than helping the towns. Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that she heard that the state is considering offering no-interest or low interest loans to those who are affected. Selectman Blessington warned that even if it is an interest-free loan, you are dealing with a $200,000 loan; can anyone afford that? Selectman Kowalyshyn asked if the state would be able to absorb the burden. Selectman Blessington clarified if the State can afford a $12 million gun range that no one wants, they might be able to afford it.
First Selectman Mailhos added that the State is trying to understand how many people (homes) are affected. There may be many people who haven’t come forward. She urged people to call the Department of Consumer Protection (800-842-2649), if they feel their foundation is affected. She then added that some people may not realize it is happening to them, and the only true way to find out is to have your foundation (material) tested, which could be costly; up to $6,000.
We also received letter in the mail from the CT Oil Recycling Services, LLC; who collects the waste oil that we are not able to use in our waste oil tank (along with other Transfer Stations across CT). They collected oil contaminated with PCB from a transfer station in CT. The remediation was very costly, and because of this, they now require all transfer stations to test their oil before it is collected. This means that going forward; collection will no longer be a free service to the Town.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we got an email and a phone call from two different residents who live at Willington Woods; who are not happy with the naming process; or the name chosen for the new senior complex (municipal driveway). First Selectman Mailhos stated that she explained how the process went.
Selectman Blessington clarified that the Board of Selectmen chose that name based on the survey that was held. He then suggested that if they do not like it, they could get 20 signatures to petition to have a town meeting (with a new name suggestion); and if they can get 20 people to agree with that, they will be in good shape. First Selectman Mailhos stated that the original complaint was that they weren’t given the option to participate on the name selection. First Selectman Mailhos stated that wasn’t true; the Senior Center had many discussions; the Selectmen met several times on it; and the Willington Woods complex had a box to collection suggestions. Don Berg stated that he doesn’t like the name either, and he did participate in the vote. First Selectman Mailhos said they voted on it at the senior center, and we (the Selectmen) honored it; she doesn’t think there is anymore that we could have done.
The 13th annual Willington Car Show is this Saturday 10AM-3PM on the Town Green.
Robin Campbell reminded everyone of the Town Meeting tomorrow night at the Old Town Hall at 7 PM.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that our Youth Family & Social Services Director is looking for a part time assistant; to help out a few hours per week. Jennie has the funds to cover the position, but will be going to the Board of Finance to ask for their support. First Selectman Mailhos plans to go with her.
Lastly, the Town Clerk’s Office has announced that absentee ballots are available in the Clerk’s office for the upcoming Election.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 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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