January 25, 2006 - REGULAR
1. Call to Order
The Killingworth Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on Wednesday, January 25, 2006, at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut. In attendance were First Selectman Martin Klein, Selectman Edward Sipples and a number of invited guests. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 PM. 2. Discussion of Wettish Property
Town Counsel Michael Wells reviewed the strategy for the Town Meeting. He suggested the following presentation. 1) Introduction by the First Selectman to give background information. 2) Review of the contract that has been approved and signed (to be done by Attorney Wells). 3) How to pay for the purchase (BOF Chair John McMahon will do). 4) What is the Town going to do with that property. BOF Chair McMahon noted he would explain financing in general and would then turn it over to Bond Counsel who could explain in detail how the bonds will impact the mil rate, how they are structured and how they work. The issue of moderator was briefly discussed. Attorney Wells asked whether questions should be held to the end of the entire presentation or whether they could be asked at the end of each of the four parts. Mr. McMahon noted he would like to see questions after each part. He felt if they were saved to the end there would be a lot of repeat questions. Gwenne Lally noted she would like to see a question period after each part, but that questions are limited to that particular section. Rich Cabral agreed with Ms. Lally. Bob Aft suggested a time frame be issued for questions after each part. Attorney Wells felt the most questions would come with the financing and use issues. There was discussion regarding the mil rate. Attorney Wells noted there is a survey for this property and a current A2 will be available in March. Seating at the head table was reviewed. Bonding information was reviewed. John Himmelman asked if the Town would go to the State for matching funds. Selectman Sipples noted he wasn’t aware of matching funds but there is grant money available which the Town will go after. It was noted the grant needs to be obtained before the property is purchased. Attorney Wells noted it is the date of the grant application that matters and not the actual purchase date of the property. It should be noted at the Town Meeting the Board of Selectmen are exploring all the available grant monies. It was noted the Town Meeting is to discuss the issue of buying a piece of property and the discussion should not be encumbered by bonding and minutia issues.
Mr. Cabral asked what the restrictions would be for the property if a State grant were received. Selectman Sipples reviewed this issue as it related to the Bosco property as an example. There was discussion regarding the ‘drawing of the line’.
It was noted other questions would come out regarding traffic, parking and neighborhood concerns. Mr. Cabral noted anything related to the fields should be allowed. It was noted use of the fields would be active and passive recreation, land banking and open space. It was agreed cost of the fields was an important item that should be noted at the Town Meeting.
Mr. Board noted he had pictures of the Wettish property that would be available.
Mr. McMahon reminded everyone there should also be discussion not only about the recreation fields but the fact there is open space and controlled development through this property purchase.
Selectman Sipples reviewed the history of recreation fields in the Town of Killingworth. He noted there are a lot of recreation people that will vote no on this subject unless a portion of the Wettish property is dedicated to recreation fields. He noted a few people walked the Wettish property last Saturday and a plan has been formulated. That plan was distributed and reviewed by Mr. Sipples. Mr. Himmelman reviewed the wetlands. First Selectman Klein noted he thought the purpose of the town meeting was to discuss the purchase of the property and not a development plan. There was much discussion as to whether there should be a concept plan available at the Town Meeting as to what would happen with the Wettish property. Attorney Wells suggested he and Selectman Sipples work together on a short presentation as to what would happen with the property. Mr. Aft cautioned that the townspeople should not be overwhelmed by a grand plan for recreation. The restriction on the property was reviewed. Uses for the property were reviewed including land banking. Selectman Sipples reviewed the topic of questions from the audience. The issue of moderator was briefly reviewed. Should the status of the Venuti property be discussed during this meeting?
Attorney Wells briefly summarized the order of business for the Town Meeting.
3. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.
The Killingworth Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on Wednesday, January 25, 2006, at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut. In attendance were First Selectman Martin Klein, Selectman Edward Sipples and a number of invited guests. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 PM. 2. Discussion of Wettish Property
Town Counsel Michael Wells reviewed the strategy for the Town Meeting. He suggested the following presentation. 1) Introduction by the First Selectman to give background information. 2) Review of the contract that has been approved and signed (to be done by Attorney Wells). 3) How to pay for the purchase (BOF Chair John McMahon will do). 4) What is the Town going to do with that property. BOF Chair McMahon noted he would explain financing in general and would then turn it over to Bond Counsel who could explain in detail how the bonds will impact the mil rate, how they are structured and how they work. The issue of moderator was briefly discussed. Attorney Wells asked whether questions should be held to the end of the entire presentation or whether they could be asked at the end of each of the four parts. Mr. McMahon noted he would like to see questions after each part. He felt if they were saved to the end there would be a lot of repeat questions. Gwenne Lally noted she would like to see a question period after each part, but that questions are limited to that particular section. Rich Cabral agreed with Ms. Lally. Bob Aft suggested a time frame be issued for questions after each part. Attorney Wells felt the most questions would come with the financing and use issues. There was discussion regarding the mil rate. Attorney Wells noted there is a survey for this property and a current A2 will be available in March. Seating at the head table was reviewed. Bonding information was reviewed. John Himmelman asked if the Town would go to the State for matching funds. Selectman Sipples noted he wasn’t aware of matching funds but there is grant money available which the Town will go after. It was noted the grant needs to be obtained before the property is purchased. Attorney Wells noted it is the date of the grant application that matters and not the actual purchase date of the property. It should be noted at the Town Meeting the Board of Selectmen are exploring all the available grant monies. It was noted the Town Meeting is to discuss the issue of buying a piece of property and the discussion should not be encumbered by bonding and minutia issues.
Mr. Cabral asked what the restrictions would be for the property if a State grant were received. Selectman Sipples reviewed this issue as it related to the Bosco property as an example. There was discussion regarding the ‘drawing of the line’.
It was noted other questions would come out regarding traffic, parking and neighborhood concerns. Mr. Cabral noted anything related to the fields should be allowed. It was noted use of the fields would be active and passive recreation, land banking and open space. It was agreed cost of the fields was an important item that should be noted at the Town Meeting.
Mr. Board noted he had pictures of the Wettish property that would be available.
Mr. McMahon reminded everyone there should also be discussion not only about the recreation fields but the fact there is open space and controlled development through this property purchase.
Selectman Sipples reviewed the history of recreation fields in the Town of Killingworth. He noted there are a lot of recreation people that will vote no on this subject unless a portion of the Wettish property is dedicated to recreation fields. He noted a few people walked the Wettish property last Saturday and a plan has been formulated. That plan was distributed and reviewed by Mr. Sipples. Mr. Himmelman reviewed the wetlands. First Selectman Klein noted he thought the purpose of the town meeting was to discuss the purchase of the property and not a development plan. There was much discussion as to whether there should be a concept plan available at the Town Meeting as to what would happen with the Wettish property. Attorney Wells suggested he and Selectman Sipples work together on a short presentation as to what would happen with the property. Mr. Aft cautioned that the townspeople should not be overwhelmed by a grand plan for recreation. The restriction on the property was reviewed. Uses for the property were reviewed including land banking. Selectman Sipples reviewed the topic of questions from the audience. The issue of moderator was briefly reviewed. Should the status of the Venuti property be discussed during this meeting?
Attorney Wells briefly summarized the order of business for the Town Meeting.
3. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.
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