BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes February 1, 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 special meeting minutes of January 25, 2016 with the following edit: first paragraph should read: the selectmen’s budget will be an increase of $48,456 (1.47%).
Also: 5th paragraph should add a period at the end and add the word “is” (there is a following.)
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Blessington moved to approve the minutes of January 19, 2016 as written.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
Peter Latincsics asked if he could reserve time to ask questions if the need arises during the meeting.
Correspondence:
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
First Selectman Status Report
*Senior Housing – the Housing Authority is hoping to close on the funding this week. They are ready to move the project forward.
*Old Town Hall Electrical and restoration – First Selectman Mailhos added this project to the list. The CIP Committee approved $100,000 for painting the exterior of the building, and they noted if there was any money left, it could be used towards any other needed renovations, as noted by the architect who preformed the needs assessment. The painting project had cost $43,500 and there is $56,500 left. First Selectman Mailhos will bring estimates for the restoration/electrical upgrades to the Board of Finance.
*Turnpike Road – our Town Engineer has been working with DEEP and ACOE to get the permits going.
Public Works:
Derek reported that the crew has been busy with the following:
- Roadside mowing
- Remove trees that had been cut down at Center School
- Vehicle/equipment repair
- Plowing/sanding of roads
- Sign replacement
- Mailbox repair
- Rearrange/organize work stations in garage (maximize space)
- Trim brush along roadside (brush too large for roadside mowers)
- Move furniture at T.O.B.
- Make sand/salt mix
New Business
- EHHD Grant project presentation: Plan4Health
Willington resident Liza Makuch was in attendance, representing Eastern Highlands Health District. She stated that EHHD is the regional health department for 10 towns, including Willington. EHHD is engaged in a project funded by the American Public Health Association and the American Planning Association. The project is designed to help small towns consider public health when in the process of designing future projects. For example, if a town is going to pave a road, they will consider adding sidewalks (if possible) without adding extra cost to the design.
EHHD will be holding Plan4Health workshops in April, and would like to see as many Town Officials (such as but not limited to Recreation, Senior Services &Planning & Zoning) as possible at these workshops. This will help them keep public health in mind when projects come up. First Selectman Mailhos asked if residents would be able to attend. Ms. Makuch said yes, anyone who would like to advocate for public health is welcome to attend the workshops. The dates have not been set up yet, but they will publicize when they are finalized.
Selectman Blessington cautioned that if we were to consider adding sidewalks around town, it could be costly. Ms. Makuch stated that it is more like when you are in the process of designing a project, keeping public health in mind. It could be something as simple as striping a bike line along the side of the road or adding a visual block (painting the road in front of the school to slow traffic) as opposed to adding sidewalks. She added that not every solution is going to work for every town, but it is worth going for the discussion as well as getting some ideas.
Ms. Makuch stated that she will be attending a Planning & Zoning meeting in March to bring them on board as well. She added that EHHD is looking forward to working with Willington to support health in the future. The Selectmen thanked Ms. Makuch for her time.
- WFD#1 Request for apparatus repair
WFD#1 Chief Alex Moore was present. He stated that Tyler Millix had recently attended a board Meeting and mentioned that Squad 113Rescue truck failed a DOT test due to a rotted frame. WFD#1 received some quotes to fix the truck and it could cost upwards towards $45,000 to fix; however they do not have the exact numbers yet. They are looking for the Selectmen’s support to go to the Board of Finance. Chief Moore noted it is their busiest truck as it responds to the most calls in town (besides the ambulance).
Selectman Blessington asked how old the truck is and what the life expectancy is for this type of apparatus. Chief Moore added that Squad 113 is a 2003 model and we can expect to get another 15 years out of it once it is fixed.
Selectman Kowalyshyn said that she is not comfortable with supporting this, especially if they don’t know the exact cost yet. First Selectman Mailhos asked if the funding for the repairs would come out of Fund 17? WFD#1 Chief Moore stated that we need to figure that out with the Business Manager; as the lease payments for the new Spartan and engineering costs for an addition to WFD#1 station will be coming from there. He does not think Fund 17 will be able to support that as well. First Selectman Mailhos then asked if they would be able to cover it from their private funds. Chief Moore stated that they don’t think so – as they are using that funding towards the new Spartan.
First Selectman Mailhos then asked if they could borrow Willington Hill Fire Departments rescue truck in the meantime? WFD#1 President Gantick clarified that the WHFD apparatus has different equipment on it than what they use at WFD#1. WFD#1 is currently using the American LaFrance apparatus in the meantime.
First Selectman Mailhos suggested that the members go to the next BOF meeting, on Thursday, February 4th.
Old Business
- Proposed State Police Firearms Training Facility Discussion
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we have a big public hearing coming up tomorrow and there has been a lot of activity in the press regarding the hearing and also about our Attorney’s legal opinion. We are expecting a large turnout of residents from Willington as well as East Windsor at the public hearing in Hartford. State Senator’s Anthony Guglielmo and Tim Larson (who represent us & E. Windsor respectively) have called this meeting to ask DESPP and DAS Officials why they won’t consider using the National Guard training facility in East Haven.
One of the points that will be made at tomorrow’s public hearing is an allegation that State has unfairly and illegally excluded Willington from the site selection process. The parcel in Willington is not in a state designated “Priority Funding Area.” And the state is prohibited from spending money on the project because of that
First Selectman Mailhos is hopeful that we will get some questions answered about what they are planning for after tomorrow’s meeting.
The Steering Committee will meet on Wednesday, February 3rd.
Winnie Hart asked if the Selectmen have considered adding a budgetary line item for potential or future litigation towards the gun range during their budget discussions. First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Selectmen have been discussing the legal line items and clarified that the appropriation of $100,000 was a special provision. If something else needs to happen, it will have to go through the same process as the last appropriation.
Good & Welfare
First Selectman Mailhos noted that today was the last collection day for taxes and we are tracking at 92.29% collection rate right now; a bit higher than last year at this time. At the end of last year’s collection rate we were at 99.6%; and we are on track to do the same. Some comments have been made that people are having trouble paying their taxes. While this does not prove either way, we do not have the same problem as surrounding towns, who have a lower collection rate.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Revenue Collector will be holding a tax sale on five properties March 24th. Out of the five properties, only 2 may be up for sale, as it appears that three of the property owners are making arrangements to pay the taxes and be removed from the sale.
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We received a letter from Charter 192 (public government access channel) which is informant of television opportunities for us. It explains how the station works and if we have anything, we can send it along to them.
We also were copied on a letter from Stefanie Summers, President of “Unwillington, Inc.” in regards to the meeting with Congressman Courtney on January 14th at the library. The Library Board of Directors had sent a letter addressed to “Unwillington, Inc.” informing them that they violated the rules and regulations of the library’s use agreement because it had exceeded the room capacity during the meeting when Joe Courtney came to town. As a result, it sounds like they may not be able to hold meetings at the library any longer. Selectman Kowalyshyn asked if the letter should have come from the Fire Marshall, if it were a public safety issue. First Selectman Mailhos noted that she personally instructed the library worker to call the Fire Marshall once a concern was made, then followed up with
him the next day. She added that she does not agree with the way the library handled the situation; noting the meeting was important and Ms. Summers took the right steps prior to the meeting by informing the Fire Marshall, State Police as well as the library directors to make sure everyone was on the same page – that a large crowd might come. First Selectman Mailhos then stated that in the future, when planning a meeting such as this, we should look for a bigger venue to accommodate large crowds, as obviously, a lot of townspeople are interested in this issue.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Selectmen will be approving their budget on Monday, February 8, 2016 as well as the CIP Plan.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to go into Executive Session at. 7:09 P.M. inviting Bud O’Donnell, Teri Gareau, Business Manager Donna Latincsics and AFSCME, Union Officials.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to come out of Executive Session at 7:55 P.M.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to adjourn at 7:55 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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