BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes January 4, 2016
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 Kowalyshyn moved to approve the minutes of December 21, 2015
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Robert Campbell, Chairman of the Willington Housing Authority was present. He stated that he sent an email, with attached documentation to First Selectman Mailhos on December 31st for her consideration, and to send to the Town Attorney for review.
The email reads: The Housing Authority is required to have the three documents (attached in the email) reviewed and signed by the First Selectman in order to proceed further. Mr. Campbell added that the Housing Authority has been working towards closing with the Department of Housing since the funding was awarded in January of 2014 for the construction project and the DOH closing delays are too numerous to explain quickly here and now.
The DOH has finally realized that the project will lose the FHLB Source of funds if they do not close in the near future.
Mr. Campbell then thanked the Board of Selectmen and the Town for its support on constructing Senior Housing in Willington. He then asked if they could move as quickly as possible, as they are nearing a deadline. Selectman Blessington asked if they are near the date to close. Mr. Campbell said they are hoping to close at the end of this month. The Housing Authority plans to begin construction in the spring and told the Selectmen to expect around 12 months of construction.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to add item C under New Business called “Housing Authority Closing Documents”
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
*Senior Housing – the closing is expected to occur in the near future.
*Turnpike Road – no movement on this. State officials were on vacation.
*Daleville School Bridge – the Town Engineer is preparing the bid documents.
*Village Hill Road Drainage – the Town Engineer is working on the specifications.
*CIP Planning – CIP documents have been submitted, and will be reviewed at the next CIP meeting.
Public Works:
Derek reported that the crew has been busy with the following:
- Brush cutting along roadside (Brush too large for roadside mowers)
- Roadside mowing
- Vehicle /equipment repair
- Sign installation/ repair
- Saw cut road around storm basin top for replacement of deteriorated top section on Moose Meadow (later this week when temps get above freezing)
The window installation has been delayed due to inclement weather. The south side window installation was completed today. The contractor has begun the setup of staging for the window installation on the east side of the building and hopes to finish by the end of the week.
Public Works had its first weather event Tuesday morning. Everything went good besides a few minor breakdowns that were fixed in a short period of time. The trucks were on the roads by 2am. What had fallen was in the form of sleet, the crew sanded the roads until the temps came up enough to plow and not create a flash freeze of the roadways.
First Selectman Mailhos noted that we are doing great on our snow budget so far. The crew used left over product from last year during the latest snow event. Selectman Blessington said the crew did a great job.
New Business
First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $87.00 to Kun Fang; San Francisco, CA for a refund of a vehicle registered in another state.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to re-appoint Jackie Silverstein as a regular member of the Willington Economic Development Commission; effective January 4, 2016; expiring January 1, 2020.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to re-appoint Tom Trieber as a regular member of the Willington Economic Development Commission; effective January 4, 2016; expiring January 1, 2020.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos thanked both Mr. Trieber & Ms. Silverstein for being such dedicated members to the EDC. They are both valuable members of the Commission.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Mark Masinda as a regular member of the Zoning Board of Appeals; effective January 4, 2016; expiring December 31, 2020.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
- Housing Authority Closing Documents
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to authorize the First Selectman sign the Housing Authority closing documents, once they have been reviewed and accepted by the Town Attorney.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to add item D under new business, called “MS-4 Withdrawal”.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we need to formally withdraw Willington from the public hearing process, as CCM and COST have officially withdrawn, leaving us to be the only organization left on the docket. First Selectman Mailhos noted as a result of several meetings over the past year, the final plan ended up being a compromise between the officials who wanted stricter testing, and the towns who are fighting it because it is too costly. In order to withdraw from the docket, we need to send a letter to the DEEP to officially be removed.
Selectman Blessington asked what the total cost will end up being, with the newly adopted changes to the permitting process. First Selectman Mailhos stated that it is unknown at this time (although we will incur some start up charges on a few items) but it will be substantially lower than what was originally anticipated. She added that although the permit process does not begin until July 1, 2017, we have additional time on top of that to become in compliance. In addition, the testing/permitting is only required in the “urbanized” area; as opposed to the entire town.
First Selectman Mailhos presented a template of the letter, which was drafted by our attorney; requesting to withdraw the Town of Willington’s petition for a public hearing.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to have the First Selectman sign the letter and send to the State (DEEP). Selectman Blessington 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 Steering Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 6th. She has not heard anything about the facility in a few weeks. She added that Congressman Courtney and Senator Guglielmo have been working hard to convince the State to look at moving to the National Guard facility. She added that she has not had a chance to speak with either Senator Guglielmo or Congressman Courtney as of late.
First Selectman Mailhos heard that Congressman Courtney is planning to attend the next “unwillington, Inc.” meeting, on January 14th at Willington Public Library. She encourages everyone to go to that meeting to hear what he has to say.
Peter Latincsics said he was at the last BOF meeting and a question had been asked if the appraisal had occurred yet. First Selectman Mailhos stated that she does not think the appraisal has been ordered yet. The last time she spoke with the attorney, she told them that there was no rush on that and to have them at least wait until after the Board of Finance meeting in December. Mr. Latinscics then asked if there was an itemized accounting list of what has been spent so far? First Selectman Mailhos stated that there was and she presented a spreadsheet with the up to date expenditures at the BOF meeting. She added that she would be happy to send Mr. Latincsics the latest copy, which is even more up –to date than the last meeting. Mr. Latincsics then asked if the Board of Finance has a
chance to review how the money is spent before it is spent? First Selectman Mailhos said no, that is why we have a Steering Committee; to review, discuss and vote to make recommendations on the items that need to be dealt with. The Steering Committee members voted unanimously to go ahead with recommending the appraisal. The Selectmen then voted unanimously as well. She added that there are a lot of people voting on the items. Selectman Kowalyshyn clarified that one of the BOF Members is seated on the Steering Committee; and is representing the BOF.
She then added that the public needs to trust the town officials that they are going to do what is right for the town – they are watching out for the town’s money, too.
Good & Welfare
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Revenue Collector reported that our collection rate is currently at 65.43% and we are tracking to stay at the 99%+ annual collection rate.
The Selectmen held their first budget workshop tonight. They will continue to meet during the month of January on the budget. Looking at the municipal calendar, meetings for various boards / commissions will be held almost every night during the month of January and into February. The Steering Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 6th, and the CIP Committee will meet on Thursday. Check the Willingtonct.org website to see the meeting calendar for upcoming meetings.
Selectman Kowalyshyn reminded everyone of the Town Meeting that will be held next Wednesday, January 13, 2016; at the Town Office Building in the Common Conference Room at 7PM.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:16 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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