Board of Selectmen Minutes

Meeting Minutes                                                                        
April 3, 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 Boy Scout Troop 82 and residents.  First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes:

Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to approve the minutes of March 20, 2017

Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.

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

Present to Speak:

No one was present 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 list of updates:

*Senior Center Re-permitting – The contract was signed off last week and the consultant has begun work on the project.  The good news is that they think the project will not cost as much money as we had originally planned.  

*Willington Day Planning Committee- we are still looking for volunteers to help run the event, which will be on May 27th.  The next meeting will be Monday, April 10th at 6:00 PM at the Town Office Building.

• *PW Environmental Configuration Engineering – we still have not heard whether we will be able to use the remaining STEAP funds from Turnpike Road paving project.
• *MS4 Consulting – the permit was submitted this morning.   The permit (how we will manage storm water) will be posted on the website shortly.    
• *Planning & Zoning POCD – the next meeting will be held on May 2nd which will pull the sections from the previous meetings (that were held in January, February & March).
• *TOB Masonry & Door replacement – We have had a few contractors come out to look at the scope and we will await some quotes to come back.  One of the issues is that the ramp/steps in the front of the building are in need of being replaced; however there is no other way to access the upper level for the handicapped, therefore we will need to work out a plan.
• *Crumbling foundations – Bill #806 is making its way through the Legislative Committees and will go before the floor to be voted on in the affirmative by at least 76 Legislators.  Although the bill isn’t great, it is the bill that people have the most hope in. (75% reimbursement or $150,000 – whichever is less; to pay for the replacement of basement walls; however it does not cover the other things, such as landscaping, walkways, pools, or finished basements – that cost will fall on the homeowner; which could cost up to an additional $100,000 +).    Once it goes through the house, it must then pass through the Senate and there is no guarantee it will go through.   First Selectman Mailhos added that the right thing to do is to push the bill to pass this year and then tweak it over the years.   
• *VCI –the Consultant notified us on Friday that the NRN was unanimously approved by the State Review Board with minimal edits.  Once the final edits have been made, the nomination will be headed to NPS in Washington where it will be published and at that time PZC will be able to designate it as a Village District Zone.
• *Noise Ordinance – Nothing new has happened on this as of yet. We will wait to hear back on this.
• *Website Upgrade – Assuming the budget passes, we will be able to start the upgrade in May (using a portion of this years funds and will use some funding from next year’s budget to pay it off in July.
• *Selectmen Wing Renovations – construction is almost complete – a ½ wall was constructed with a sliding window in the Office Manager’s office to offer privacy and block noise.
• *Appointed Town Clerk Ordinance – The Town Meeting was held last week and the vote passed.   The new Board of Selectmen will interview and appoint a new Town Clerk in December.

Public Works:

Derek Reported the crew has been busy with the following:

• Vehicle/equipment maintenance/repair
• Service sweeper for upcoming sweeping season
• Plow/sand roads
• Sweep Transfer Station, dog pound public works
• Frame up wall at Office Managers counter install paneling and trim take sliding window out,  frame opening install wall board
• Pick up wood left behind from various tree removals
• Dig storm drain outfalls
• Fix fence at R.R.A.C
• Prep and paint road grader
• Sign repairs

New Business

Possible Fracking Ordinance

First Selectman Mailhos noted that she had a lot of inquiries about this over the weekend, and clarified that the agenda item should have been called “Possible Fracking Waste Ordinance” as we do not really have the ability to frack in Willington.

Members of the Willington Conservation Commission were present.  Kathy Demers stated that she, and other Conservation Commission members (and residents) are requesting the Selectmen to consider adopting an ordinance prohibiting the storage,  use and disposal of fracking waste in our town.

Ms. Demers then presented the Selectmen with a handout of why Willington should ban fracking waste as well as a flyer developed from “foodandwaterwatch.org”.  

Although we don’t have the geology to accommodate fracking here in Connecticut; our neighboring states (Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia to name a few) do and could potentially be looking for a place that is willing to take the waste.  When fracking, they use water, sand and other chemicals which are pumped underground at high pressure to break up shale and other geological formations, allowing the natural gas and oil to flow into the well.   The water/sand and chemicals then becomes fracking waste, which is not only polluted, it is sometimes toxic and radio-active; which can be hazardous to health.   It can either be repurposed (such as construction fill, road de-icers or dust suppression material) or needs to be dumped.  

Ms. Demers then added that Connecticut currently has a moratorium on fracking waste, however it is slated to expire this year.  DEEP must submit fracking waste management regulations for review between July 1, 2017 and July 1, 2018; in the meantime, it could open the doors (in CT) to fracking waste. She added that regulations cannot prevent accidents, spills, leaks, inadequate testing or treatment.   In addition there is a bill (HB6329 – “An Act Concerning Hydraulic Fracturing Waste in CT”) that is going through legislation currently, however, the language may not be strong enough as it does not ban waste from oil wells and does not include significant penalties for violators.   She added by passing this Ordinance (which 11 towns, including Ashford, Coventry, Mansfield & Windham have already done so) and several other Towns are currently working on this. Passing an ordinance against it will protect Willington.  Lastly, she noted when a fracking event takes place, between 3 – 14 million gallons of waste is in need of repurposing or dumping; so they (Pennysilvania & New York) are looking for anyone who will accept it.  

Selectman Blessington stated that he knows the state is going to regulate this; and he likes the thought of one bill instead of a bunch of regulations; he feels that the state will  do it’s job.  He added that it worries him and he has a problem making an ordinance against something that the state is going to regulate anyway.  

Ms. Demers clarified that we are not sure what the State or the DEEP is going to do and asked why not let the town protect itself now while we have an opportunity.   Selectman Kowalyshyn then stated that she cannot believe that Selectman Blessington is advocating for the state.

Resident Sara Smith stated that we have an opportunity to be on the right side of history and lets take the opportunity to protect our citizens – if we can prevent toxic materials from coming in to our town, we need to do it – it doesn’t cost us anything and what will it hurt to do something for the good and the health of our town.

Resident Donald Parizek noted that in several other places, the waste is pumped back down into abandoned wells being stored underground which could permeate into a nearby well; contaminating it.   Marilyn Schreiber noted once you poison the wells, there is no going back and it is a natural resource, not a man-made substance.  She then asked if we want to take a chance to ruin our aquifers?   Selectman Blessington said he doesn’t really see the necessity for this; there are already adequate safeguards in place but will withdrawal any objections he had.  

Resident Bob Wiecenski asked what will happen when someone wants to drill a residential well, and they need to fracture while drilling.  Ms. Demers stated that this type of ordinance will not affect drilling of wells, and it is a totally different type of fracturing – using air, rather than chemicals and sand.  

Donald Parizek then suggested that wording to protect fracking when drilling wells be excluded from the regulation to avoid confusion going forward.  

The Selectmen were given a template of an ordinance written up by the Connecticut Green Action Group; and has been going through several other Towns.   First Selectman Mailhos noted that if the Selectmen were not opposed, she would forward it to the Town Attorney to look it over and then it could be added to a future town meeting.   The Selectmen were in agreement.

 Appointments

First Selectman Mailhos moved to appoint Jackie Kulig as an alternate member of the Willington Conservation Commission, effective April 3, 2017; expiring April 2, 2020.

Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.

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

The Selectmen received an email from Human Services Director, Jennie Arpin regarding the Youth Services Advisory Board and one of it’s members.  Daniel Pierce has been seated on the board as a non-voting member for two years.  Mr. Pierce’s dedication, input, and insight have proven to be an important addition on the board and they would like to move him to another position with voting capability; especially now, since he is over the age of 18.  

Ms. Arpin added that she is looking to fill the non-voting youth member position and will request an appointment at a later date.  In the meantime she has requested to have a second “member at large” position added to the YSAB in which Mr. Pierce would be appointed and given voting capability.  Lastly, she noted the members at large position are not required by the grant, and therefore there should be no issue through the State Department of Education.~

Selectman Blessington moved to create a “member at Large #2” position on the Youth Service Advisory Board which will be a voting member.

Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.

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

Selectman Blessington moved  to appoint Daniel Pierce as a regular member at large #2 on the Youth Services Advisory Board effective April 3, 2017; expiring April 2, 2018.

Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.

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

 Discussion: Scout Hall yard maintenance

Members of Boy Scout Troop 82 (Atticus Makuch, Joseph Fluet & James Fluet) were present to discuss the Scout property on Common Road.   

Troop 82 Member; Atticus Makuch explained that the Selectmen received a letter from the neighbors Ken & Claudia Nunn, who live next to the hall and have expressed concern of how the back lot has been cared for over the years.  It was noted that for several years, the Scouts had cut back the bushes in the lot approximately every 4-5 years; leaving the blueberry and blackberry bushes in a natural state and worked out fine for 32 years;  however 3 years ago, the Town had taken over the cutback and  not only were trees cut, the raspberry, blackberry and blueberry bushes were also cut down to 12” (more severely than in years past); and as a result, they have not produced berries in over three years.   Mr. Makuch continued on to state that another outcome the Nunns have faced is a decline in birds, rabbits and deer sightings as well.    

The Nunns then offered a proposal to maintain the back lot, reverting back to the 4-5 year schedule of cutbacks as what had been done in years past. The letter was then shared by the Selectmen with the Scoutmaster.    Mr. Makuch then stated that the Scouts of Troop 82 have come up with their own proposal.

Scout Joe Fluet presented the Selectmen with a proposal of what the Scouts would like to do to improve the lot and he also displayed a map of the existing lot.  The proposed improvements will meet as many as the needs of Mr. Nunn respecting his wishes while also benefiting the scouts as well.

Mr. Fluet read the letter.  It stated that it reinforces the idea of responsibility and community service for the town and the scouts are extremely grateful to the town for giving them their own building to meet in and use as they need to do projects that benefit the community and as such would like to take the time and effort that it needs to keep it looking sharp.   

They are proposing clearing the property in the back lot (60’ long x 40’ wide), leaving a section of bushes around the perimeter and adding 2 fire pits near the back fence of the space (keeping away from the buildings nearby); the fire pits would be used for leaning imperative fire building skills and the open area would also be used for building skills such as lashing together small structures, knot tying etc.   

The bushes in the back and on the side facing the Nunn’s house would be left intact so they would have something to look at and it will now have more of a camping feeling to the space once it is done.

In addition to the clearing, the scouts plan on building a firewood rack to be put up against the scout hall and clearing the walkway area to the Old Town Hall and adding shrubbery to make it look nice.

In closing the letter states that the scouts of Troop 82 would like to be responsible for the maintenance behind the hall and it should be beneficial to them, the neighbors and the Town at the same time making it a workable space; noting that they have high aspirations for it in the future meeting the wishes of all parties involved can be met and succeeded with a bit of time, care and elbow grease.  

The Selectmen thanked the Scouts for their presentation.  First Selectman Mailhos noted that she will have Derek, our Public Works’ Director attend a future Scout meeting to look at their proposal and see if Public Works can help with any of the clearing and trimming of some of the trees.

Award  Fenton Ruby Hay  Contract 

Robin Campbell noted that the Fenton Ruby hay contract was mid-term when the Selectmen received a letter last fall that the contract holder, Tim Norman notified the Selectmen asking to sever the contract as he was unable to mow the field.  There was a lot of interest in the mowing of the field last year and we had received several calls asking to be added to the bidder list.  We sent out 4 bids and received one back:

Vincent Sinosky bid $300.00 per year for the haying of the town owned property.   

First Selectman Mailhos moved to award the haying contract to Vincent Sinosky as per his bid of $300.00 per year for three years (2017-2020).

Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.

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

Award Propane Contract

We received 3 bids:

Company

Price per gallon

Labor rate

Per hour

After hour labor rate

Per hour

Holiday Rate

Per hour

Trip Charge

Bemers Propane

$1.46

$125/hr

$250 / hr

$250 / hr

No

Superior Energy, LLC

$1.259

$150/hr

$275/hr + $150 addtl.

$275/hr + $150 addtl.

$15.99

High Grade Gas Inc.

$1.0475

$69/hr

$125/hr

$125/hr

n/a

First Selectman Mailhos moved to award the 2017/2018 propane contract to High Grade Gas Service, Inc. as per their bid of $1.9475 per gallon; $69.00 per hour labor rate and $125.00 per hour holiday/after hour rate.

Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.

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

Proclamation – Donate Life Month

National Donate Life Month, 2017

First Selectman Mailhos read the following Proclamation:

WHEREAS,  Every human life has matchless value, and during National Donate Life Month, we reaffirm our commitment to raising awareness about organ donation and the importance of making the decision to donate. We also express our appreciation to those who have donated organs, tissue, and marrow.

WHEREAS, Over 100,000 of Americans are currently on the waiting list for an organ transplant and thousands more need life enhancing tissue transplants. I urge all Willington residents to register with the state’s donor registry; say yes to organ and tissue donation on their driver's license; and share their decision with family and friends. By taking these steps, residents can help save lives. The Town of Willington is committed to strengthening organ and tissue donation programs and to increase the number of organs available for transplantation in order to save lives.~

WHEREAS, During the month of April, which is National Donate Life Month, we celebrate the life-saving work of medical professionals and researchers and the many others whose actions reflect our commitment to a brighter tomorrow. Individuals can visit www.NEDS.org to learn more about organ and tissue donation and how they can give the gift of life.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that I, Christina B. Mailhos, First Selectman of the Town of Willington, do hereby proclaim April as Donate Life Month in the Town of Willington, Connecticut.  I call upon health care professionals, volunteers, educators, government agencies, faith-based and community groups, and private organizations to help raise awareness of the urgent need for organ and tissue donors throughout our state.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of April, 2017.

Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.

First Selectman Mailhos noted that the Donate Life Flag is up at the Town Office Building.  This is the 7th or 8th year we have flown it during the month of April.

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

First Selectman Mailhos moved to add item G to the Agenda called” Veteran Tax Abatement

Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.

Selectman Blessington stated that he would rather not add it at this time.  He would like to have someone from the Tax Office here to discuss and he would also like to have some time to research it so he can make an informed decision.  He then noted it is not going to hurt anything to wait a few weeks.

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

Old Business

Crumbling Foundation Update

First Selectman Mailhos stated that she doesn’t have much more to add to this topic as it was discussed under the status report.

Good & Welfare

First Selectman Mailhos stated that she and Selectman Kowalyshyn have announced that they are not seeking re-election this coming November.  She then added if anyone is interested in running for the position, she welcomes them to contact her at any time to hear what is involved. She then added that she does not care what party they are from and the importance is that we find someone who cares about the town and the townspeople.  She would like to leave the town in good hands.

Selectman Kowalyshyn added that she really enjoyed working for the residents of Willington and she has learned a lot.  She then reminded the Selectmen that we still have 8 more months.  

Selectman Kowalyshyn reminded everyone of tomorrow night’s proposed budget hearing.  We are looking at a 2.3% increase – the largest tax increase we have had in decades.

Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that she did some research on the fire hydrants that were discussed at a previous BOF meeting.  She will bring the information to the next regular BOS Meeting.

The Selectmen will have a special meeting on Friday morning (10:30 AM) to call the annual town budget meeting.

Robin Campbell thanked Public Works for adding the ½ wall and window in her office.

Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to adjourn at 7:40 P.M.

Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.

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

Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant