Board of Selectmen Minutes

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.

Present to Speak:

No one was present to speak.

A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.  

First Selectman Mailhos went over the list of updates:

*Senior Center Re-permitting - the contract will be awarded later on in the meeting.

*PW Environmental Configuration Engineering – we still await STEAP approvals.  In the meantime, the 2017 STEAP grant applications have opened up and we will resubmit another application to help fund the new salt shed and its relocation.

*MS4 Consulting – The Town Engineer and Public Works’ Director are working on the permit and expect to be completed by the deadline of April 1^st.   

*Planning & Zoning POCD – the monthly meetings in January, February and March were successful.  They will take the April month off and will reconvene in May to review the entire project.    

*Crumbling foundations – a few bills have been proposed and we will track them as they move along.

*VCI –the NRN (National Register Nomination) will be discussed at the State Historic Preservation Office on March 31^st and we will learn if the village has been accepted.  

*Noise Ordinance – this is new to the Status Report.  First Selectman Mailhos stated that she does not have anything to add at this time, but will review.  

*Website Upgrade – if the budget passes, we will be able to begin the upgrade in May.  Otherwise, we will begin in July and finish it up in the summer.

*Appointed Town Clerk Ordinance – Will go to Town Meeting on March 29^th.

Derek Reported the crew has been busy with the following:

Resident Randy Belair asked if the Selectmen had received a lot of complaints about the plowing from last week’s blizzard, noting that several mailboxes have seemed to be knocked down.  Selectman Kowalyshyn noted that we experienced a very heavy wet snow during the blizzard.  Mr. Belair then stated that he also heard complaints from various residents that road debris has been thrown into their yards, as a result of the plow drivers going too fast.   First Selectman Mailhos explained that one of the particular trucks has been equipped with a roll-plow, which is designed to throw the snow farther out.  She then clarified that there is a policy in place regarding the mailboxes; where they are not replaced unless the plow itself hits the box and there is a way to tell that; but usually it is found that they are taken with heavy snow being thrown from the plows.   Selectman Blessington clarified that the plow drivers do have to drive a certain speed to be able to push the snow.

Kelly Trueb stated that she heard a few complaints asking if the crew was down a driver – as it seemed to take longer for the plows to come through.  Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that it was a blizzard; and although it did take perhaps a little longer for the plows to come through, the roads were shut down, and there should have been no reason for anyone to be out.

CIP Chairman Kelly Trueb was present.   She stated that the CIP Committee had changed the draft plan to notate that they added a bit more to the last paragraph (regarding the Conservation Commission’s request on page 4) clarifying that they might be in favor of funding a project, if the Conservation Commission were to present a need to purchase a particular parcel of land in the future.  

The Selectmen went over the entire plan and discussed the yearly plans.  

The non-funded projects were discussed, and in particular, the municipal permitting software for Land Use was discussed. Selectman Kowalyshyn asked the reasoning behind that not being funded; noting she thought it was important.   Randy Belair (who is a member of the CIP Committee) stated that at the time it was discussed, the justification wasn’t there and no one from Land Use was there to explain the need.  He then stated that there is always next year to ask again.  

Kelly Trueb added that the Senior’s requests were handled the same way, as the CIP Committee had several questions in regards to their requests, and no one from the Senior Center was there to answer them; that is why they were decided not to fund them.  

Kelly then added that the Committee had discussed adding a form to explain what the CIP Committee is looking for when the requests are presented (for next year), and that should be done in November, prior to the submittals going out.

The Selectmen thanked the CIP Committee for their work on the plan.  

*The complete CIP Plan is on file with the minutes in the Town Clerk’s office and will be posted on the Town’s website shortly.

First Selectman Mailhos stated that we have applied for and were awarded a grant through the State Department of Economic and Community Development in conjunction with the Town of Ashford.  The grant is in the amount of $200,000 and will cover the cost of performing a Municipal Brownfield assessment on the Cadlerock property which lies in both towns.   First Selectman Mailhos noted that the good news is that the Town of Ashford’s Land Use Attorney is the same as ours.  The Attorney has suggested adopting a representation waiver prior to moving forward.  (The Town of Ashford will also adopt the same waiver at their meeting; which is being held on the same night).

Randy Belair asked what the goal of this is.  Selectman Blessington clarified that most of the land is in Ashford (300 + acres) but the polluted property (30+ acres) is in Willington and the business was conducted on the Willington side.    First Selectman Mailhos noted the idea of the grant is to have an assessment done of the entire property to have a better understanding of what needs to be done to be able to sell it.   She added that it is commercially zoned but has sat vacant for many years; no one wants to purchase it because they don’t know what is involved to clean it up and nobody wants to take on an unknown liability.  Both towns are owed back-taxes and it would be nice to sell them in the future.

Robin Campbell stated that we are nearing the deadline for the grant application process and so far have only received two pre-applications.  Our consultant (who has declined to work with us in this round for the fact that they feel that it is too late and we will not get the funding) has explained to us that the requirements to apply have become more stringent as in years past.  

For example, the Town will be submitting a request for $350,000; and we will need to submit a total of 45-50 applications with work totaling $10,000 - $15,000 each or more and the applicants must meet the eligibility requirements (as well as income qualifications).  There is a good chance that not all of the applicants will meet the guidelines, therefore we will have to have an abundance of resident pre-apps to submit with the town’s application.

Another option as suggested by our Consultant would be to jointly apply with a neighboring town, such as Coventry or Mansfield.  The dual town grants are for more money ($500,000) and one town processes the work; (the larger town has the staff to do so) and the incentive is that the liens are repaid to the larger town once they are paid off.   

First Selectman Mailhos noted that the last time we had this grant (in 2009-2012) we ended up returning over $125,000.  We were practically begging people to apply for the loans and could not get enough response before the closure of the grant.   Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that is a shame that the state makes it so difficult to apply.  First Selectman Mailhos stated that she will ask one of our liaison towns if they would be willing to add us to their grant application and if it is even possible for this fiscal year.  Selectman Blessington stated that we advertised for this efficiently and we can keep trying to find people, but he does not feel like we will be missing out on a golden opportunity if we don’t move forward with it.

The landfill groundwater monitoring contract is about to expire (April 2017); in which Fuss & O’Neill has been monitoring for the past 6 years.

We sought bids through a competitive bidding process and received 15 proposals:

First Selectman Mailhos stated that a bill came out the end of last week and was approved in the public safety committee.  The proposed bill calls for a $12 surcharge placed on all CT household insurance policies that will go into a special fund (called the “Crumbling Foundation Assistance Fund”) that would be administered by CRCOG to help affected homeowners.  CRCOG would work on guidelines on how the money will be administered. The other part of the proposed bill is that affected homeowners with crumbling foundations would be eligible for up to $150,000 or 75% of reimbursement (whichever is less) for basement repairs only (this does not include replacing decks, pools, landscaping, walkways etc.) .  A steering committee made up of Legislators, Town Officials, Commissioners & CRCOG members would also be created to help put the procedure in place and oversee the process.  

Selectman Kowalyshyn asked where the $12 figure is coming from. She thought it was going to start out at $100. Nobody seems to know.   First Selectman Mailhos noted that there are 1.3 million households in the state and if you multiply that by $12 you get $12 million to be brought in from the surcharge. Kelly Trueb stated that $12 million isn’t going to go very far.  First Selectman Mailhos stated that she has been running the numbers and figures that the funds will cover about 500 houses in five years, which is a start but won’t be the full solution;.  It’s just not enough money.  

Selectman Kowalyshyn asked what happens with those who have houses with finished basements – the funding won’t pay to put it back the way it was so they will have to cover that cost out of pocket- which could run into thousands.  First Selectman Mailhos agreed, stating that no matter which way you look at it, the homeowners will still have to take loans out to bring their houses back to the way they were – some cases, they will have to still take out loans for at least $20,000 or more likely $100,000.

Selectman Kowalyshyn then stated that this is letting the insurance companies off of the hook and that is not acceptable.  First Selectman Mailhos noted that CRCOG was left out of the passing of this bill thus far.  She added that she doesn’t think that it is enough money to cover what needs to be done to help people, but it is, however a good starting point.

Randy Belair added that some of these homes are in need of immediate attention and is hopeful that there will be logical expedition of how the funding will be handled and who gets it first.  Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that she still doesn’t think that is fair, noting that these people are still going to have to pay a good amount to fix their homes to get back to normal.  She then asked how much do you think a homeowner could get for a house with no sidewalks, landscaping , lawn or deck?  Mr. Belair stated that they could still get more for it with a new foundation.  He then said we should move quickly – because once session ends in June, you have to wait another whole year.

Selectman Kowalyshyn disagreed, adding that she does not think that we should let the insurance companies off of the hook.  She said if we pass this, then the burden is on the people rather than the insurance companies, who will pay nothing.  She added that she is ok with having the homeowners should pay something, but if a year from now, they find out there still isn’t enough money (which is going to happen), the insurance companies will say that they weren’t needed at the time the bill was passed.   Once you let them off the hook, they are off.

Mr. Belair clarified that we need to move quickly, as some of these homes are falling apart and the owners are experiencing mental stress.   First Selectman Mailhos noted that all aspects should be reviewed and we need to make sure that these people can afford it.  She added that perhaps we should ask the insurance companies to match what the homeowners are paying – that could be a start.   Mr. Belair added that there many factors involved with the process – such as walls, windows and ceilings need to be fixed once the foundation has been replaced and the sooner we start - the better.

Selectman Blessington stated that he is in agreement with Selectman Kowalyshyn that the insurance companies should step in, but doesn’t think it is going to happen even if we voted on it here.

First Selectman Mailhos noted that she believes that we have come a long way in the past year and we know a lot more now than we did back then.  

First Selectman Mailhos presented the monthly crime report from Troop C.  She reminded residents that most of the activity happens on the highway that runs through town.

Accidents:                       10

Criminal Investigations:         13

Burglaries:                        0

Larcenies:                         0

Non Reportable matters: 581

DUI’s:                                   0

Traffic Citations:              224

Written Warnings:                 70

Selectman Kowalyshyn reminded everyone of Thursday’s Board of Finance meeting.  First Selectman Mailhos stated that the BOF will continue discussions and will decide if they are going to make cuts and they have assumptions for revenues, based on the TRB (Teacher’s Retirement Benefits).  She added that it is  tough not knowing how it is going to go through.  

Robin Campbell noted that the Willington Day Committee will hold a kick off meeting tomorrow morning at 11AM in the Town Office Building.

First Selectman Mailhos reminded residents of the upcoming Town meeting next Wednesday, March 29^th at 7PM at the Old Town Hall in regards to the Town Clerk Appointment vs. Elected position.

First Selectman Mailhos stated on March 25^th, a home show and family book event will be held at the Babcock Library in Ashford beginning at 10 AM.  A composter sale and seminar will also be held at 1PM in the Ashford Town Office Building it is open to the public.

Robert Shabot stated that the Willington Historical Society made the front page of the Chronicle last week with a story about the Tavern.  As a result, the Society has received 3 donations to go towards the roof.

First Selectman Mailhos noted that the date for the flagpole dedication at the Senior Complex may be postponed.    A new date will be announced shortly.

Respectfully submitted,

Robin Campbell

Administrative Assistant