January 21, 2006 - REGULAR
1. Call to Order
The Killingworth Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on Saturday, January 21, 2006, at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, CT. In attendance were First Selectman Martin Klein, Selectman Fred Dudek and Selectman Edward Sipples (arrived during WPCA discussion under Visitors). First Selectman Klein called the meeting to order at 2:30 PM.
2. Approval of Minutes
Motion by Selectman Dudek, second by First Selectman Klein, to approve the January 9, 2006 Minutes as written. Voting in favor – Dudek, Klein.
Motion by Selectman Dudek to approve the December 12 and December 19, 2005 Minutes as written. Voting in favor – Dudek, Klein.
3. Visitors
It was noted Ruth Patrick was not present.
Darryl Smith, WPCA Chairman, gave an update on what the WPCA is doing. One of the duties of WPCA is to monitor septic tank pump outs in Town and manage the data base of that information. He noted 450 to 550 premises are pumped annually, therefore, there is a total of 450,000 to 550,000 gallons of septage going into the lagoons. Mr. Smith reviewed the monitoring of the lagoons for alkalinities, manganese, chlorides, etc. The State of Connecticut has issued a health advisory for manganese in drinking water. The Town is 8 to 10 times higher than the standard. There is a concern about the impact of the lagoons on the water quality and environment. There was discussion regarding an anonymous tip to DEP that sewage was being pumped out of the lagoons on to the ground. It was determined this was in fact occurring in order to lower the liquid level in the lagoons to take the sludge out. Mr. Ward has been notified this was not acceptable and should not continue. The capacity of the lagoons was reviewed. There was discussion regarding remediation of the lagoons. Mr. Smith noted DEP has certain standards for closing such sites. He suggested the Town do a voluntary plan for remediation. Mr. McMahon noted the cost of remediation is unknown at this time. Mr. Smith stated the cost would be substantial.
First Selectman Klein noted they will also be looking at and testing the Bargate Trail wells.
4. Tax Abatements & Refunds
Motion by Selectman Sipples, second by First Selectman Klein, to approve tax refund to Todd Chase in the amount of $72.17 for refund of excess payment (car destroyed). Voting in favor – Sipples, Klein, Dudek.
5. Appointments & Vacancies
Motion by Selectman Dudek, second by Selectman Sipples, to appoint Timothy N. Elliott, Mark S. Clifton and Derrick Schull to Land Use Committee. Voting in favor – Dudek, Sipples, Klein.
Motion by Selectman Dudek, second by Selectman Sipples, to appoint D. Gumbart, S. Davenport, C. Martens, T. Berman to the Open Space Committee. Voting in favor – Dudek, Sipples, Klein.
The appointment of Ingrid Balck-O’Donnell to Public Health was tabled until the next meeting to allow the Board to obtain further information.
The Justices of the Peace Vacancies will also be tabled until the next meeting.
6. Old Business
1. Reservoir Road Bridge
First Selectman Klein noted he has been attempting to determine if the dollars have been secured for this project, but has been unsuccessful to date in doing so. It appears that the former First Selectman never received an actual letter stating the dollars were secured. Hopefully there will be further information on this at the next meeting. First Selectman Klein noted the bailey bridge is available. The Town will have to pick it up, assemble it and when finished with it, disassemble it and return it to New Jersey. It can only be kept for two years. In the meantime if the State finds a need for it, the State could pull it out without any notice to the Town.
7. New Business
1. Town Counsel Appointment/Michael Wells
First Selectman Klein noted he would like to appoint Michael Wells as Town Attorney. Motion by Selectman Dudek, second by First Selectman Klein, to appoint Michael Wells of Gould, Larson, Bennet, Wells & McDonnell as Town Attorney. Discussion followed. First Selectman Klein noted that Planning & Zoning and Inland Wetlands have the option of choosing their own attorney. He also noted the Tax Assessor has used Howard & McMillan for a long period of time. There was discussion as to whether the Assessor should use the appointed Town Counsel or stay with Howard & McMillan. First Selectman Klein noted he has not finalized his decision on this matter with the Tax Assessor. Selectman Dudek noted the Town Charter provides that P&Z and IWWC can use their own attorney, but felt that remaining offices and departments should all use the appointed Town Counsel. First Selectman Klein noted the Town recently has had a ton of legal bills and stated it wasn’t good policy to use a number of law firms to represent the Town. He indicated the Taz Assessor uses Town Counsel a great deal during reval, but he would have no problem informing the Assessor to utilize the services of the new Town Counsel. Selectman Dudek noted he would like to be assured that all offices would use the newly appointed Town Counsel unless there is pending litigation. Voting in favor – Dudek, Klein, Sipples.
2. Set BOS Budget Meeting Dates
The Board of Finance budget meeting schedule was reviewed. A preliminary schedule for Board of Selectmen budget meetings will be prepared and reviewed upon Selectman Dudek’s return.
3. Wettish Property
Motion by Selectman Sipples, second by Selectman Dudek, to consider, discuss and vote upon a resolution to set the time of the referendum to be held on February 15, 2006 to begin at 6:00 AM and end at 8:00 PM. Voting in favor – Sipples, Dudek, Klein.
4. Discussion of Time Clocks
First Selectman Klein noted Time Clocks will be installed at the Public Works Department, The clocks do all the computations. There will hopefully be a savings from the surge protector at Town Hall to cover the cost.
5. Helping Hands
First Selectman Klein reviewed the space available for Helping Hands. He noted the Town will be utilizing one bay at the garage across from the Town Hall for this purpose from now on. A new room with 200 AMP service, shelving, and access to both side and overhead doors will be made available. This will make things a lot easier. The Lions Club is taking on this project, but the Town might have to help out. There was a brief discussion regarding the fact that the Board of Selectmen had already given approval for Youth & Family Services to be in Killingworth one day a week and utilize the upstairs room. It was agreed to revisit the issue of ‘right of privacy’ relating to Youth & Family Services.
6. Hazardous Waste
There was a brief discussion relating to the appointment of a CRERPA liaison that would volunteer 2 to 3 hours a week from April through October to work at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
7. Testing Wells
This was discussed earlier in the meeting.
8. Authorization of Town Meeting
Motion by Selectman Dudek, second by Selectman Sipples, to take to Town Meeting the re-appropriation of $50,000 for Regional District #17 Building Fees to be financed by offsetting billings to Regional School District 17; to authorize the overexpenditures in excess of $10,000 for the following line items – Town Counsel $50,908, Town Engineer $26,056, Medical Insurance $20,059, Snow Removal $148,178, Tax Refunds $14,972 and Miscellaneous Grants $21,604, said overexpenditures to be funded by underexpended general fund appropriations totaling $281,777; and to authorize the appropriation of $30,784 from General Fund undesignated fund balance to fund overexpenditures of less than $10,000 as approved by the Board of Finance totaling the same. Discussion followed. BOF Chair John McMahon noted the reappropriation of the building fees is just a bookkeeping issue. Voting in favor – Dudek, Sipples, Klein.
9. MK Announcements
10. Selectmen’s Concerns
A brief discussion was held regarding the PAYT Committee and whether any payment has been received from Willimantic Waste Company. Selectman Dudek asked who was making the decision to haul the container out and take it to Willimantic. First Selectman Klein noted it takes one hour to go to Essex and three hours to go to Willimantic. Selectman Sipples suggested the PAYT Chairperson be asked to come to the next Selectmen’s meeting, along with a Highway Department person (Jim Ward or Walter Adametz) to straight out this matter. Selectman Dudek noted the agreement was that the Town would try using Willimantic Waste to see if it was economically feasible. It was noted the Committee members are handing out the new transfer station stickers during the month of January and thereafter Town Hall staff will be handling it. Selectman Sipples suggested renaming this Committee to the Transfer Station and Recycling Committee. Selectman Dudek noted that if a Public Works Committee is established, this group should be eliminated and the newly established Public Works Committee should take on the transfer station, highway department, maintenance of the town hall, etc.
Selectman Sipples noted he had a concern that the Board of Selectmen hasn’t put together its strategy yet for the Town Meeting to sell the Wettish property. The Board should have a unified comprehensive approach and have good reasons to make the purchase. First Selectman Klein noted there would be a moderator, he (Klein) would make a few introductory remarks, the BOF Chair would speak, as well as Bond Counsel, Town Attorney and then Land Use members. Thereafter the moderator would accept questions from the public. It was agreed a Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen with invited guests would be a good thing. Wednesday, January 25, 2006, at 7:00 PM was agreed upon.
First Selectman Klein noted he had someone from Fairfield County who was interested in the Bosco farmhouse. He would meet with that individual and give them a tour. Mr. Klein suggested selling that parcel with 7 acres, 2 for the house and 5 for the 490 classification. That would still allow for access to the school and the rear of the Bosco property.
11. Adjournment
Motion by First Selectman Klein, second by Selectman Sipples, to adjourn at 4:20 PM. Voting in favor – Klein, Sipples, Dudek.
The Killingworth Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on Saturday, January 21, 2006, at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, CT. In attendance were First Selectman Martin Klein, Selectman Fred Dudek and Selectman Edward Sipples (arrived during WPCA discussion under Visitors). First Selectman Klein called the meeting to order at 2:30 PM.
2. Approval of Minutes
Motion by Selectman Dudek, second by First Selectman Klein, to approve the January 9, 2006 Minutes as written. Voting in favor – Dudek, Klein.
Motion by Selectman Dudek to approve the December 12 and December 19, 2005 Minutes as written. Voting in favor – Dudek, Klein.
3. Visitors
It was noted Ruth Patrick was not present.
Darryl Smith, WPCA Chairman, gave an update on what the WPCA is doing. One of the duties of WPCA is to monitor septic tank pump outs in Town and manage the data base of that information. He noted 450 to 550 premises are pumped annually, therefore, there is a total of 450,000 to 550,000 gallons of septage going into the lagoons. Mr. Smith reviewed the monitoring of the lagoons for alkalinities, manganese, chlorides, etc. The State of Connecticut has issued a health advisory for manganese in drinking water. The Town is 8 to 10 times higher than the standard. There is a concern about the impact of the lagoons on the water quality and environment. There was discussion regarding an anonymous tip to DEP that sewage was being pumped out of the lagoons on to the ground. It was determined this was in fact occurring in order to lower the liquid level in the lagoons to take the sludge out. Mr. Ward has been notified this was not acceptable and should not continue. The capacity of the lagoons was reviewed. There was discussion regarding remediation of the lagoons. Mr. Smith noted DEP has certain standards for closing such sites. He suggested the Town do a voluntary plan for remediation. Mr. McMahon noted the cost of remediation is unknown at this time. Mr. Smith stated the cost would be substantial.
First Selectman Klein noted they will also be looking at and testing the Bargate Trail wells.
4. Tax Abatements & Refunds
Motion by Selectman Sipples, second by First Selectman Klein, to approve tax refund to Todd Chase in the amount of $72.17 for refund of excess payment (car destroyed). Voting in favor – Sipples, Klein, Dudek.
5. Appointments & Vacancies
Motion by Selectman Dudek, second by Selectman Sipples, to appoint Timothy N. Elliott, Mark S. Clifton and Derrick Schull to Land Use Committee. Voting in favor – Dudek, Sipples, Klein.
Motion by Selectman Dudek, second by Selectman Sipples, to appoint D. Gumbart, S. Davenport, C. Martens, T. Berman to the Open Space Committee. Voting in favor – Dudek, Sipples, Klein.
The appointment of Ingrid Balck-O’Donnell to Public Health was tabled until the next meeting to allow the Board to obtain further information.
The Justices of the Peace Vacancies will also be tabled until the next meeting.
6. Old Business
1. Reservoir Road Bridge
First Selectman Klein noted he has been attempting to determine if the dollars have been secured for this project, but has been unsuccessful to date in doing so. It appears that the former First Selectman never received an actual letter stating the dollars were secured. Hopefully there will be further information on this at the next meeting. First Selectman Klein noted the bailey bridge is available. The Town will have to pick it up, assemble it and when finished with it, disassemble it and return it to New Jersey. It can only be kept for two years. In the meantime if the State finds a need for it, the State could pull it out without any notice to the Town.
7. New Business
1. Town Counsel Appointment/Michael Wells
First Selectman Klein noted he would like to appoint Michael Wells as Town Attorney. Motion by Selectman Dudek, second by First Selectman Klein, to appoint Michael Wells of Gould, Larson, Bennet, Wells & McDonnell as Town Attorney. Discussion followed. First Selectman Klein noted that Planning & Zoning and Inland Wetlands have the option of choosing their own attorney. He also noted the Tax Assessor has used Howard & McMillan for a long period of time. There was discussion as to whether the Assessor should use the appointed Town Counsel or stay with Howard & McMillan. First Selectman Klein noted he has not finalized his decision on this matter with the Tax Assessor. Selectman Dudek noted the Town Charter provides that P&Z and IWWC can use their own attorney, but felt that remaining offices and departments should all use the appointed Town Counsel. First Selectman Klein noted the Town recently has had a ton of legal bills and stated it wasn’t good policy to use a number of law firms to represent the Town. He indicated the Taz Assessor uses Town Counsel a great deal during reval, but he would have no problem informing the Assessor to utilize the services of the new Town Counsel. Selectman Dudek noted he would like to be assured that all offices would use the newly appointed Town Counsel unless there is pending litigation. Voting in favor – Dudek, Klein, Sipples.
2. Set BOS Budget Meeting Dates
The Board of Finance budget meeting schedule was reviewed. A preliminary schedule for Board of Selectmen budget meetings will be prepared and reviewed upon Selectman Dudek’s return.
3. Wettish Property
Motion by Selectman Sipples, second by Selectman Dudek, to consider, discuss and vote upon a resolution to set the time of the referendum to be held on February 15, 2006 to begin at 6:00 AM and end at 8:00 PM. Voting in favor – Sipples, Dudek, Klein.
4. Discussion of Time Clocks
First Selectman Klein noted Time Clocks will be installed at the Public Works Department, The clocks do all the computations. There will hopefully be a savings from the surge protector at Town Hall to cover the cost.
5. Helping Hands
First Selectman Klein reviewed the space available for Helping Hands. He noted the Town will be utilizing one bay at the garage across from the Town Hall for this purpose from now on. A new room with 200 AMP service, shelving, and access to both side and overhead doors will be made available. This will make things a lot easier. The Lions Club is taking on this project, but the Town might have to help out. There was a brief discussion regarding the fact that the Board of Selectmen had already given approval for Youth & Family Services to be in Killingworth one day a week and utilize the upstairs room. It was agreed to revisit the issue of ‘right of privacy’ relating to Youth & Family Services.
6. Hazardous Waste
There was a brief discussion relating to the appointment of a CRERPA liaison that would volunteer 2 to 3 hours a week from April through October to work at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
7. Testing Wells
This was discussed earlier in the meeting.
8. Authorization of Town Meeting
Motion by Selectman Dudek, second by Selectman Sipples, to take to Town Meeting the re-appropriation of $50,000 for Regional District #17 Building Fees to be financed by offsetting billings to Regional School District 17; to authorize the overexpenditures in excess of $10,000 for the following line items – Town Counsel $50,908, Town Engineer $26,056, Medical Insurance $20,059, Snow Removal $148,178, Tax Refunds $14,972 and Miscellaneous Grants $21,604, said overexpenditures to be funded by underexpended general fund appropriations totaling $281,777; and to authorize the appropriation of $30,784 from General Fund undesignated fund balance to fund overexpenditures of less than $10,000 as approved by the Board of Finance totaling the same. Discussion followed. BOF Chair John McMahon noted the reappropriation of the building fees is just a bookkeeping issue. Voting in favor – Dudek, Sipples, Klein.
9. MK Announcements
10. Selectmen’s Concerns
A brief discussion was held regarding the PAYT Committee and whether any payment has been received from Willimantic Waste Company. Selectman Dudek asked who was making the decision to haul the container out and take it to Willimantic. First Selectman Klein noted it takes one hour to go to Essex and three hours to go to Willimantic. Selectman Sipples suggested the PAYT Chairperson be asked to come to the next Selectmen’s meeting, along with a Highway Department person (Jim Ward or Walter Adametz) to straight out this matter. Selectman Dudek noted the agreement was that the Town would try using Willimantic Waste to see if it was economically feasible. It was noted the Committee members are handing out the new transfer station stickers during the month of January and thereafter Town Hall staff will be handling it. Selectman Sipples suggested renaming this Committee to the Transfer Station and Recycling Committee. Selectman Dudek noted that if a Public Works Committee is established, this group should be eliminated and the newly established Public Works Committee should take on the transfer station, highway department, maintenance of the town hall, etc.
Selectman Sipples noted he had a concern that the Board of Selectmen hasn’t put together its strategy yet for the Town Meeting to sell the Wettish property. The Board should have a unified comprehensive approach and have good reasons to make the purchase. First Selectman Klein noted there would be a moderator, he (Klein) would make a few introductory remarks, the BOF Chair would speak, as well as Bond Counsel, Town Attorney and then Land Use members. Thereafter the moderator would accept questions from the public. It was agreed a Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen with invited guests would be a good thing. Wednesday, January 25, 2006, at 7:00 PM was agreed upon.
First Selectman Klein noted he had someone from Fairfield County who was interested in the Bosco farmhouse. He would meet with that individual and give them a tour. Mr. Klein suggested selling that parcel with 7 acres, 2 for the house and 5 for the 490 classification. That would still allow for access to the school and the rear of the Bosco property.
11. Adjournment
Motion by First Selectman Klein, second by Selectman Sipples, to adjourn at 4:20 PM. Voting in favor – Klein, Sipples, Dudek.
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