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Board of Selectmen Minutes

Meeting date: 
Monday, April 17, 2017

Meeting Minutes                                                                       
April 17, 2017
Town Office Building                                                       
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 April 3, 2017    

First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.

Vote:  3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.

Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to approve the minutes of April 7, 2017    

Selectman Blessington  seconded the motion.

Vote:  3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.

Present to Speak:

Peter Andersen, Chairman of the Willington Conservation Commission asked the status of the proposed Fracking Waste Ordinance that was discussed at the meeting on April 3rd.  First Selectman Mailhos stated that the draft is with the Town Attorney for review and is expected to come to a future Town Meeting.

Mr. Andersen then noted that IWWC Member Ken Metzler was awarded the 2016 Raymond K. Daley Environmental Acton Award.  Mr. Metzler was recognized for serving over 20 years on the IWWC and for his dedicated work in the national resource inventory on the property involved in the proposed gun rage site.  

The Conservation Commission established the Dailey award in 1991, in memory of Mr. Daley, who served on the Conservation Commission for many years.  He was also a well-known local forester in Town.  Each year, the Conservation Commission recognizes someone who demonstrates a commitment, a strong effort and energy towards the environment that will benefit the Willington Community.

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 list of updates:
  • *Senior Housing Phase III (Cottages) – the buildings are in progress and expected to be completed soon.
  • *Daleville School Road Bridge – the DEEP permit has been approved.  We will be going out to bid shortly.
  • *Willington Day Planning-  The next meeting will be held on May 1st.   All of the non-profit organizations and local business’ should have received a letter by now to reserve booths and AD’s for the booklet.  
  • *Selectmen Wing Renovations – The wall in Robin’s office is done.  The employees will be painting the hallway and foyer soon and we will see if there is any money left over to replace the carpeting in the future.
  • *Senior Center Septic Re-permitting –  The contract was awarded; a construction meeting was held and the Consultant has begun the work.  
  • *MS4 Compliance – the permit was submitted on April 1st.  We now need to work on the items to be in compliance.  One of the items is to adopt a storm water management plan, in which NEMO (out of UCONN) is working on a draft Ordinance (that several of the towns involved with the permitting process will be able to use as well); however it is still in progress.  Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that the State should initiate the Ordinance, especially if they are in charge of the laws.   First Selectman Mailhos stated that she was hopeful that the Stormwater Management Plan Ordinance would be ready to adopt at the same time as the Fracking Waste Ordinance, however it is not looking to be that way.  In addition, the management plan involves locating and monitoring the areas that create illicit discharge into the Willimantic River.
  •  *PW Environmental Configuration Engineering – The 2017 STEAP Grant application was submitted this morning; requesting funding to support the project.  In the meantime, we still await an answer if we will be able to use the remainder of funding from Turnpike Road Phase IV STEAP funds.  If both are approved, then we will have enough to fund the entire project.
  • *TOB Masonry & Door replacement – we have had several contractors scope the project.  We are expecting to go out to bid shortly.
  • *Crumbling Foundations – We have not received any information on this in a few weeks.  First Selectman Mailhos noted that there may be a press conference coming up in Hartford, in which Town leaders will attend and discuss the latest proposed bills.
  • *Website upgrade – if the budget passes in May, we will begin the upgrade in May and it will hopefully be done by the end of summer.

 Public Works:

Derek Reported the crew has been busy with the following:

  • Install water tank on truck for sweeping
  • Move records from Land Use to storage area
  • Install paneling T.O.B
  • Replace ceiling tiles in common room
  • Digging out storm drain outfalls
  • Pick up wood left behind from various tree removals
  • Add millings to RRAC parking area
  • Remove plow frame from unit 4 to send truck out for frame repair
  • Pot hole patching
  • Roadside mowing
  • Clean boiler room at T.O.B
  • Vehicle/equipment repair
  • Road sweeping

New Business

A.       Town Clerk Preservation Grant

Town Clerk, Donna Hardie was present.  She stated that she needs approval from the Board to become designee for the annual State Preservation Grant which is in the amount of up to $4,000.   Ms. Hardie added that State Preservations started in 2001 totaling $74,000 so far (not including this year);  paid by the State and $9,675 paid from the Town Clerk’s Special Account fees from recording land documents.

First Selectman Mailhos moved to authorize Town Clerk, Donna Hardie to be the designee for the State Historic Documents Preservation Program.

Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.

Vote:  3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.

B.       Veteran’s Tax Abatement

First Selectman Mailhos stated that a veteran had come in the office last month, upset to find that he hadn’t been receiving tax abatement on his property for the last 7 years.   He was honorably discharged in 2009 and said he came in and filled out the paperwork with the Town Clerk and believed that he only received the tax abatement that first year.    He then failed to come back the following year or any year since and did not get abatement after that.

Town Clerk Donna Hardie stated that the Town Clerk’s office did not have any record of his filing in 2009, nor is there a record of tax abatement.  When asked, the veteran was also not able to prove that he had filed.  She clarified that the Town Clerk stamps the DD214 and that document (which is an original) is what they file towards the tax abatement.   Assessor, Jody Heon was also present, and she stated that she had researched the records going back to 2008 and there is no record of any type of abatement or filing in his name.

First Selectman Mailhos added that veteran had only figured out that he wasn’t getting an abatement when he had received a tax warrant via State Marshall for delinquent taxes not paid in over two years and was upset because he believed that the town owed him that money.  He then came in to meet with First Selectman Mailhos to see if she would be able to do anything to help his situation.   First Selectman Mailhos then told the Selectmen that she wanted to at least discuss this with them to see if she should contact the Town Attorney; noting that she really believes that there is nothing we can legally do

Selectman Blessington said that we should leave this as is, noting that the Veteran now knows that he is supposed to submit the paperwork annually in order to get his abatement.   Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that at first it sounded like we owed him money; but that is really not the case; as he did not fill the paperwork.  She added that it is also not fair, because there are probably other people out there who also hadn’t filed the paperwork, when they should have. They need to take some responsibility for themselves.

Ms. Hardie added that she had checked with the Town of Mansfield, to see if anything was filed there, because the Veteran was insistent that he had filed the paperwork in 2009; but they did not have record of it either.   

Selectman Blessington clarified that we are not talking about a large sum of money here.  The abatement for veterans is a $1,000 deduction from the assessed value of property.  We should leave it as is and if he wants to raise the issue we can discuss again.   First Selectman Mailhos noted that since there was no filing there is really nothing we can legally do but will notify him.  

C.       Fire Hydrant / CT Water discussion

Selectman Kowalyshyn had researched the history of the fire hydrants and the billing of them as a result from discussions at a Board of Finance meeting held in February.  She noted that a prior administration (in 2007) had signed an agreement that increases annually, includes no services and there is really nothing we can do about it the way it stands.   She then suggested having a meeting with our Public Works’ Director to see if there are any alternatives and then meet with CT Water to discuss other options.  

The way it is set up now is that Willington is paying for inch-footage of pipe in the ground (whether we use the water or not) per month.  The agreement states that we are billed for 40,812 inch-footage and 4 fire hydrants.  The latest agreement states that we pay $21.97 per hydrant and .01084 per inch foot of water main ($578.80 monthly).  She then noted if we ask CT Water to do any maintenance or testing, they will do so, but we must pay for it and as long as we use the water out of the hydrants, we are obligated to pay.  She then said that we really need to have a meeting with them and even if they don’t come down on the prices, perhaps we can get them to test it annually.  

WFD#1 Chief Alex Moore stated that they do use the hydrants to assist if there is a fire, or if they need to fill the trucks.  The issue that they were having is that the Fire Department is unable to detect the flow rates that come out of them.  This is what they have been asking for and were told that it would cost extra, thus why the discussion had been brought up.

Resident Fran Raiola stated that CT Water is expanding the water main going from Tolland into UCONN and he has seen plans that extend into the apartments on Daleville Road, noting that some fire hydrants could potentially be added in that area as well.  Selectman Kowalyshyn then asked who approves that.  Wouldn’t we have to give them authorization?  Mr. Raiola stated that usually the Fire Marshall would sign off on that.  First Selectman Mailhos stated that someone had brought the plans to her attention, but never mentioned anything about the fire hydrants, or that we could be charged for them.  She then added that she will talk to Fire Marshall Palmer to find out what is going on.   Mr. Raiola then added that in parts of Mansfield, it was suggested to place hydrants every 500 feet, which he feels is a bit excessive, although it increases ISO (insurance) ratings.  He then clarified that placing them 1,000 feet apart would be just as effective and less expensive.   Selectman Kowalyshyn noted that we don’t have hydrants in the Daleville Road area now.  First Selectman Mailhos added that we have trucks that hold a lot of water for that reason.

Selectman Kowalyshyn suggested inviting CT Water to a meeting to ask them some questions and see what our alternatives are.  Mr. Raiola then suggested perhaps inviting Tolland and Mansfield as well (as they have similar predicaments where it is becoming very costly to have the hydrants).   Selectman Kowalyshyn will reach out to CT Water to set something up.   Randy Belair suggested contacting the Department of Public Utility Control to see if they would be interested in sitting in on the meeting as well.

First Selectman Mailhos will reach out to town leaders (Mansfield, Tolland & Coventry) to get feedback and see if they would be interested in meeting.  

D.      Tax Refunds

First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $164.83 to Hyundai Leasing Titling Trust on a certificate of correction.

Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.

Vote:  3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.

First Selectman Mailhos moved to refund $161.47 to Nissan Infiniti, Leasing Trust on a certificate of correction.

Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.

Vote:  3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.

E.      Stormwater Management Ordinance

First Selectman Mailhos stated that we put the agenda together on Wednesday of last week and at the time, she was under the impression that we would have a sample ordinance ready to review; but has since find out that the ordinance does not exist yet.

She was hopeful that this ordinance would be able to go on a Town Meeting agenda with the Fracking Waste Ordinance sometime in May, but then figured it may make sense to wait until June to put some of the upcoming projects that needs TM approval on as well.  The targeted meeting date is June 20th, but before that, they would have to have BOF approval by their April 18th meeting so the Board of Selectmen can call the Town Meeting with those items at their June 5th meeting.  

Some of the potential appropriatoin items that could go on the 6/20 Town Meeting agenda are as follows:

  • TOB Install Support Pillars $22,050
  • PW Transfer Station Parking Lot Paving $35,000
  • PW Replace 2001 Chevy $57,000 (lease)
  • PW Replace Wood Chipper $47,000 (lease)
  • WHFD Parking Lot Replacement $40,000
  • WFD#1 Replace SCBA $110,000
  • RRAC Parking Lot Lights and Surveillance $12,500
  • HMS Oil Tank Replacement $44,000

First Selectman Mailhos noted if we can get the Stormwater Management Ordinance teed-up by that date we can add it to that meeting as well.

Old Business

A.      Crumbling Foundation Update

First Selectman Mailhos stated that there is nothing more to add at this time.

Good & Welfare

We received our monthly report from the CT State police from the month of March, 2017 (noting most activity happens on Interstate 84):

8 Accidents             14 Criminal Investigations                      1 Burglary

2 Larcenies             591 Non-reportable matters                      2 DUI’s

228 Traffic Citations   59 Written warnings

An information session about Fracking Waste will be held on Thursday, May 4th at 6:30 PM in the Willington Public Library.  The meeting is sponsored by Kathy Demers.  

The Willington Seniors are interested in having Bingo in the Hall during Willington Day, but are in need of 5-10 volunteers over the age of 21 to run it.  Please contact the Senior Center at 860-429-8321 if you are interested in helping out.

WFD#1 Chief Alex Moore stated that the American LaFrance apparatus has been taken out of service.  The Department has received an estimate of $18,000 to have it repaired and is not able to cover the cost at this time.  The Department is expecting the new truck shortly and will be able to get by until it comes in.  As part of the Fire Services Agreement, (which states any apparatus that is removed from services will be turned over to the Town (or sold at the Town’s sole discretion); he asked the Selectmen what they would like to do.  Selectman Blessington asked how much Mr. Moore thinks we can get from it?  Chief Moore stated that we may get $10,000 or so; it is a 1981 model and WHFD will be removing some of their equipment from it before it goes anywhere.  The Selectmen stated that it is ok for them to sell it and funds will go to the Town.

First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Board of Education is finalizing the search for a new Superintendent and are looking for someone from the Town to sit with the Committee on the final presentations.  One of the requests was to have someone who does not have children in the school system.  First Selectman Mailhos suggested having Selectman Kowalyshyn serve as her children have not been in the school system in quite some time and she feels it is important to have Selectmen representation.    Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that she doesn’t mind as long as the BOE doesn’t mind having her.

Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to adjourn at 7:30 P.M.

First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.

Vote:  3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.

Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant