Regular Meeting October 13, 2009
1. Call to Order
The Killingworth Board of Selectmen held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth. In attendance were First Selectman Richard Cabral, Selectman Fred Dudek and Selectwoman Catherine Iino. First Selectman Cabral called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Approval of Minutes – September 14 and 28, 2009
Motion by Iino, second by Dudek, to approve September 14, 2009 Minutes amended as follows -
• Pages 3 and 4. delete paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 under 9A. Venuti Property – Michael Venuti, and replace with the following paragraph - “Michael Venuti presented an extensive account of the Venuti family's interactions with the Town of Killingworth with regard to the family's property on Route 148. He asked the Board of Selectmen to vote to send the question of acquiring the property to the town for referendum. He indicated that he would be be willing to sit down with the Board of Selectmen in executive session and negotiate what to send to the town. He said he would like to take these steps without further delay, preferably before the November 3rd Elections. Selectman Dudek noted the Board would need time to review bond ratings, etc..
Voting in favor – Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
Motion by Iino, second by Dudek, to approve September 28, 2009 Minutes as written. Voting in favor – Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
4. Visitors – Concerning Items on the Agenda – none.
5. Tax Abatements – none.
6. Vacancies
The following vacancies were noted – IWWC – 1, Public Health – 1, Housing Partnership – 1, Municipal Land Use – 2, WPCA – 2, Venuti Property Planning Committee – 1, Estuary Council of Seniors – 2, Open Space Committee – 2 and Town Office Building Committee – 4.
7. Appointments – none.
8. Old Business – none.
9. New Business
A. Affordable Housing – Review and act upon annual calculation for assessment & taxation purposes.
It was noted the Board of Selectmen are the Housing Authority in the Town of Killingworth by State Statute and as such needs to approve the annual calculations for assessment and taxation purposes. Selectman Dudek asked if letters were sent out to specific groups similar to those sent last year. First Selectman Cabral noted the letters will be sent to all those people again. Motion by Dudek, second by Iino, to approve annual calculations for assessment and taxation purposes as presented by Financial Director. Voting in favor – Dudek, Iino, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
B. Approval of MLUC pursuing STEAP Grant
First Selectman Cabral reviewed the summary of items to be included in the 2010/2011 STEAP Grant for the Parmelee Farm. Hilary Kumnick noted they are looking for between $150,000 and $250,000. The limit per STEAP Grant is $500,000. It was noted all STEAP Grants must go before the Bonding Commission of the State Legislature. If it doesn't get on to the Bonding Commission's list, there is the possibility it could get awarded but not approved. Senator Meyer can assist with these grants. Motion by Iino, second by Dudek, to approve MLUC pursuing STEAP Grant for purposes of the Parmelee Farm. Discussion followed. There was a brief discussion regarding the location of a second entrance. There was also a brief discussion regarding using the Town's farm equipment for this purpose. Mr. Kumnick noted the Town does not have a farm tractor. Voting in favor – Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
10. RJC Comments
First Selectman Cabral noted he received a letter from the Regional Mental Health Board thanking the Town for its continued support and money sent to them.
First Selectman Cabral noted the Reservoir Road Bridge is now moving along again. An extension was received from the State. There were some problems with culverts and weep holes but those issues have since been resolved.
First Selectman Cabral noted things are moving forward with the River Road project. Waiting for final design plans. There is money available for this project.
11. Selectmen's Comments
There was discussion regarding the dog pound. Dick Leighton has a list of things that need to be done. A few people have been asked to submit a quote but at this time it is not known how much it will cost. Selectwoman Iino noted the Town might want to investigate the possibility of regionalizing. It seems foolish to spend a lot of money bringing this building up to code. First Selectman Cabral noted he would make some phone calls relative to this matter.
Selectman Dudek asked if the letter regarding the Charter had gone out yet. First Selectman Cabral replied no and asked what would be a good time to send it. Selectwoman Iino suggested just before the Election. It was decided it should be sent to The Source no later than noon on October 21st and published October 29th. It will be sent to all others on October 27th.
Selectman Dudek noted he has not forgotten about the Town website. He needs to meet with Larry Sypher regarding specifications.
Selectwoman Iino noted on the way to this meeting she noticed a tree trunk had fallen into Lovers Lane. First Selectman Cabral noted he would contact Walter Adametz first thing in the morning to have it removed.
12. Visitor Comments – General – none.
Motion by Dudek, second by Iino, to recess at 7:27 PM for 5 or 10 minutes to allow First Selectman Cabral to attend the Board of Finance meeting. Voting in favor – Dudek, Iino, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
The Board of Selectmen reconvened at 7:37 PM.
13. Executive Session – Land Negotiations
Motion by Iino, second by Dudek, to go into Executive Session at 7:38 PM for the purposes of discussing land acquisition. Voting in favor – Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 8:18 PM. No votes were taken during Executive Session.
Motion by Cabral that the Board of Selectmen send the purchase of the Venuti Property for $8.5 million to a town referendum. Discussion followed. It was noted the timing was not correct and the present appraisal was out of date. Both Selectman Dudek and Selectwoman Iino felt they could not support this motion without a new appraisal but did, however, feel this property should be acquired by the Town. Voting in favor – Cabral. Opposed – Iino, Dudek. Motion failed.
Motion by Iino that the Town obtain a current appraisal to the standards required of a “self-contained, narrative report”. Voting in favor – Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
Motion by Iino that the Board of Selectmen send a letter to Michael Venuti indicating that “At its October 13, 2009 meeting, the Board of Selectmen voted, 2 to 1, against sending the purchase of your property to referendum at this time. While we do support town acquisition of your land, we believe that neither the majority of the Board of Selectmen nor the town can reach a sound decision on the question without an up-to-date 'self contained, narrative report' appraisal. Consequently, we voted, 3 to 0, to obtain such an appraisal, which would also allow us to pursue outside funding toward purchase of the property in the future. We would like to thank you for your patience and hope that you understand our position.” Voting in favor – Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
14. Adjournment
Motion by Iino, second by Dudek, to adjourn at 8:58 PM. Voting in favor – Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
The Killingworth Board of Selectmen held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth. In attendance were First Selectman Richard Cabral, Selectman Fred Dudek and Selectwoman Catherine Iino. First Selectman Cabral called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Approval of Minutes – September 14 and 28, 2009
Motion by Iino, second by Dudek, to approve September 14, 2009 Minutes amended as follows -
• Pages 3 and 4. delete paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 under 9A. Venuti Property – Michael Venuti, and replace with the following paragraph - “Michael Venuti presented an extensive account of the Venuti family's interactions with the Town of Killingworth with regard to the family's property on Route 148. He asked the Board of Selectmen to vote to send the question of acquiring the property to the town for referendum. He indicated that he would be be willing to sit down with the Board of Selectmen in executive session and negotiate what to send to the town. He said he would like to take these steps without further delay, preferably before the November 3rd Elections. Selectman Dudek noted the Board would need time to review bond ratings, etc..
Voting in favor – Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
Motion by Iino, second by Dudek, to approve September 28, 2009 Minutes as written. Voting in favor – Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
4. Visitors – Concerning Items on the Agenda – none.
5. Tax Abatements – none.
6. Vacancies
The following vacancies were noted – IWWC – 1, Public Health – 1, Housing Partnership – 1, Municipal Land Use – 2, WPCA – 2, Venuti Property Planning Committee – 1, Estuary Council of Seniors – 2, Open Space Committee – 2 and Town Office Building Committee – 4.
7. Appointments – none.
8. Old Business – none.
9. New Business
A. Affordable Housing – Review and act upon annual calculation for assessment & taxation purposes.
It was noted the Board of Selectmen are the Housing Authority in the Town of Killingworth by State Statute and as such needs to approve the annual calculations for assessment and taxation purposes. Selectman Dudek asked if letters were sent out to specific groups similar to those sent last year. First Selectman Cabral noted the letters will be sent to all those people again. Motion by Dudek, second by Iino, to approve annual calculations for assessment and taxation purposes as presented by Financial Director. Voting in favor – Dudek, Iino, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
B. Approval of MLUC pursuing STEAP Grant
First Selectman Cabral reviewed the summary of items to be included in the 2010/2011 STEAP Grant for the Parmelee Farm. Hilary Kumnick noted they are looking for between $150,000 and $250,000. The limit per STEAP Grant is $500,000. It was noted all STEAP Grants must go before the Bonding Commission of the State Legislature. If it doesn't get on to the Bonding Commission's list, there is the possibility it could get awarded but not approved. Senator Meyer can assist with these grants. Motion by Iino, second by Dudek, to approve MLUC pursuing STEAP Grant for purposes of the Parmelee Farm. Discussion followed. There was a brief discussion regarding the location of a second entrance. There was also a brief discussion regarding using the Town's farm equipment for this purpose. Mr. Kumnick noted the Town does not have a farm tractor. Voting in favor – Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
10. RJC Comments
First Selectman Cabral noted he received a letter from the Regional Mental Health Board thanking the Town for its continued support and money sent to them.
First Selectman Cabral noted the Reservoir Road Bridge is now moving along again. An extension was received from the State. There were some problems with culverts and weep holes but those issues have since been resolved.
First Selectman Cabral noted things are moving forward with the River Road project. Waiting for final design plans. There is money available for this project.
11. Selectmen's Comments
There was discussion regarding the dog pound. Dick Leighton has a list of things that need to be done. A few people have been asked to submit a quote but at this time it is not known how much it will cost. Selectwoman Iino noted the Town might want to investigate the possibility of regionalizing. It seems foolish to spend a lot of money bringing this building up to code. First Selectman Cabral noted he would make some phone calls relative to this matter.
Selectman Dudek asked if the letter regarding the Charter had gone out yet. First Selectman Cabral replied no and asked what would be a good time to send it. Selectwoman Iino suggested just before the Election. It was decided it should be sent to The Source no later than noon on October 21st and published October 29th. It will be sent to all others on October 27th.
Selectman Dudek noted he has not forgotten about the Town website. He needs to meet with Larry Sypher regarding specifications.
Selectwoman Iino noted on the way to this meeting she noticed a tree trunk had fallen into Lovers Lane. First Selectman Cabral noted he would contact Walter Adametz first thing in the morning to have it removed.
12. Visitor Comments – General – none.
Motion by Dudek, second by Iino, to recess at 7:27 PM for 5 or 10 minutes to allow First Selectman Cabral to attend the Board of Finance meeting. Voting in favor – Dudek, Iino, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
The Board of Selectmen reconvened at 7:37 PM.
13. Executive Session – Land Negotiations
Motion by Iino, second by Dudek, to go into Executive Session at 7:38 PM for the purposes of discussing land acquisition. Voting in favor – Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 8:18 PM. No votes were taken during Executive Session.
Motion by Cabral that the Board of Selectmen send the purchase of the Venuti Property for $8.5 million to a town referendum. Discussion followed. It was noted the timing was not correct and the present appraisal was out of date. Both Selectman Dudek and Selectwoman Iino felt they could not support this motion without a new appraisal but did, however, feel this property should be acquired by the Town. Voting in favor – Cabral. Opposed – Iino, Dudek. Motion failed.
Motion by Iino that the Town obtain a current appraisal to the standards required of a “self-contained, narrative report”. Voting in favor – Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
Motion by Iino that the Board of Selectmen send a letter to Michael Venuti indicating that “At its October 13, 2009 meeting, the Board of Selectmen voted, 2 to 1, against sending the purchase of your property to referendum at this time. While we do support town acquisition of your land, we believe that neither the majority of the Board of Selectmen nor the town can reach a sound decision on the question without an up-to-date 'self contained, narrative report' appraisal. Consequently, we voted, 3 to 0, to obtain such an appraisal, which would also allow us to pursue outside funding toward purchase of the property in the future. We would like to thank you for your patience and hope that you understand our position.” Voting in favor – Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
14. Adjournment
Motion by Iino, second by Dudek, to adjourn at 8:58 PM. Voting in favor – Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
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