Board of Selectmen Minutes

Special Meeting Minutes                                                         
January 18, 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 a resident.  First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes:

Selectman Blessington moved to approve the minutes of December 19, 2016 as written.

First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.

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

Selectman Blessington moved to approve the minutes of December 22, 2016 as written.

First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.

Vote:  2 Yes (Mailhos & Blessington)  0 No   1 Abstain (Kowalyshyn)

Selectman Blessinigton moved to approve the minutes of January 6, 2017 with the following edit:  Budget workshop :   Selectman Kowalyshyn asked if we can lock in prices for asphalt for next year. add the following:   Derek responded no, because oil prices are subject to change.  

Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.

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

Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to approve the minutes of January 9, 2017 as written.

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 went over the list:

• *Senior Housing Phase III – The Eversource easement has been filed and the contractors are now able to move forward with the power to the buildings.
• *Senior Complex Septic RFP – We  have gone out for re-bid on this project as the one bid that came in a few months ago was over budget.  The new RFP, which was released on January 4th has been modified.  The new due date will be January 31st.   
• *VCI – The consultant is working on the finishing touches on the submittal for the National Register nomination as soon as they get clarity on two items.
• *Library/Town Green parking lot proposal – First Selectman Mailhos met with a realtor today to discuss the project.  She stated that the Selectmen should meet under executive session at a future meeting to discuss further.
• *Appointed Town Clerk Ordinance – First Selectman Mailhos has a few draft Ordinances that she will present to the Selectmen at a future meeting (perhaps in Feburary)
• *Nutmeg Network – the TOB has been connected and the project is now completed.  It will be removed from the list.

Public Works

Derek Reported the crew has been busy with the following:

• Vehicle/equipment repair
• Roadside mowing
• Plowing/sanding roads
• Pothole repair
• Clean Trucks
• Make sand/salt mix
• Sign repair
• Push up salt/sand deliveries
• Clean garage
• Remove old office furniture and install new furniture in Tax Collectors office

First Selectman Mailhos noted that she is going to notify the Board of Finance tomorrow night that the snow budget funds are being used is faster than last year (although we still have money left in the line) but we are at the point where we need to be watchful as winter moves along.  

New Business

There was no new business to discuss at the meeting.

Old Business

Budget Update

First Selectman Mailhos noted that our Historian, Mark Palmer has submitted a status report as promised at one of the last budget meetings he attended.  The report consists of historical projects he will be pursuing.   

Selectman Kowalyshyn asked if Mr. Palmer was aware that the Selectmen had renamed a line item for his use (Historian  $500).  Robin Campbell stated that he is aware.   Selectman Kowalyshyn then clarified that just because  there is a line item with $500 does not mean she is in favor of hiring someone; because she feels a high school student may be able to do the work.  

The Selectmen thanked Mr. Palmer for the update.

Selectman Kowalyshyn then stated that she had some questions regarding the budget that Donna had presented after the meeting on January 13th.

The Assessor’s request for Personal Property ($4,000 is no longer in the budget; but was requested) and computer support shows an increase of $1,798 – what is that for?  

The employee health was supposed to be increased by 15%; however it is now showing a 20.9% increase instead.

The chip seal budget is reduced from $582,890 - $400,000; but how much road will the reduction cover.

Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that she will email Donna Latincsics to get clarification on those items.  First Selectman Mailhos added that Derek has a breakdown of the roads and the estimated cost to maintain them.  She will ask him for a copy of it.  She then noted that Derek will come up with a formal recommendation and present it to the Selectmen.  

The next budget meeting will be January 30th at 6:30 PM

Crumbling Foundation Update

First Selectman Mailhos stated that a large meeting was held last week at CRCOG and a lot of items were discussed amongst town leaders.  Legislators representing many  towns are on a crumbling foundation caucus working together to come up with working strategies.  First Selectman Mailhos stated it is nice to see them all working together on the situation; it sounds like they are very active.  She believes that they are looking to make one large bill that has several details included and present it all at once. She then noted so far several bills have been proposed and one she knows of is proposed from Senator Larson, who is advocating a study to research how many homes are impacted (for example, we in Willington know how many homes were built in the affected time frame; but we do not know how many homes have also had additions or garages (attached or free-standing) installed._   She noted that the study that is through CASE (Connecticut Academy of Science & Engineering) group will work in each town hall of those affected at a cost of about $2 million.  

Selectman Kowalyshyn stated that she would rather see the $2 million go towards helping the homeowners who need the work done and have come forward; that way others may come forward if they see there is help. First Selectman Mailhos noted that the study will hopefully build on the first study that was done by the State and also explain the situation better to seek help from FEMA.   

CRCOG and NECCOG have appropriated money towards using a marketing firm to help explain how this is going to impact the state. First Selectman Mailhos stated that when the time comes to testify, she believes that each of the affected towns could send a busload of people and she believes each town could fill a bus.

Lastly, First Selectman Mailhos stated that town leaders are urging legislators to work together and make sure the towns will be able to support the bills as they are presented.

Good & Welfare

“UnWillington, Inc.” has officially disbanded.  One of the last items to be disbursed was a color printer (that they used to print / promote flyers) has been donated to the Town.  First Selectman Mailhos thanked them for the donation.

We received a letter from Tim Norman, who was awarded the haying contract at Fenton Ruby Field, has asked to terminate the contract as he will not be able to hay the fields this coming summer.  The contract will go out to re-bid this spring.  

The Connecticut State Police sent the monthly report from December:

15   Accidents

14   Criminal investigations

2    Burglaries

0    Larcenies

593 Non-reportable matters

2    DUI’s

244 Traffic Citations

60   Written Warnings

First Selectman Mailhos noted that most of the activity was conducted on the highway
 

Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to adjourn at 7:07 P.M.

Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.

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

Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant