Regular Meeting April 27, 2009

1. Call to Order
The Killingworth Board of Selectmen held its regular meeting on Monday, April 27, 2009, at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut. In attendance were First Selectman Richard Cabral, Selectman Fred Dudek and Selectwoman Catherine Iino. First Selectman Cabral called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

2. Approval of Minutes - April 13, 2009
• Motion by Iino, second by Dudek, to approve April 13, 2009 Minutes amended as follows - Page 2, Under Tax Abatements & Refunds, first sentence, change the word "Rebates" to "Abatements".
• Page 4, fifth paragraph, correct spelling of name to "Amy Paterson."
• Page 4, eighth paragraph, first sentence should read, "Selectwoman Iino noted she is working with students from the Yale School of Management at the Transfer Station."
Voting in favor - Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.

3. Visitors - Concerning Items on the Agenda - none.

4. Tax Abatements & Refunds - none.

5. Vacancies
The following vacancies were noted - IWWC - 1, OEM - 1, Recreation - 1, Housing Partnership - 1, Estuary Council of Seniors - 2, Municipal Land Use - 2, Open Space Committee - 1, Public Health Agency - 1 and Water Pollution Control - 1.

Motion by Cabral, second by Dudek, to add item to the agenda under Appointments, Robert Grasso to Park & Recreation Commission. Voting in favor - Cabral, Dudek, Iino. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.

6. Appointments
Motion by Cabral, second by Dudek, to appoint Robert J. Grasso to the Killingworth Park & Recreation Commission. Voting in favor - Cabral, Dudek, Iino. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.

7. Old Business - none.

8. New Business
A. Town Owned Property: 660 Route 81 and Lot on Route 80 - Tax Collector, M. Nuhn
Tax Collector Nuhn explained these two properties are town owned and have been on the books for years. 660 Route 81 was foreclosed on 6/1/01 and Route 80 was foreclosed on 12/21/06. Ms. Nuhn distributed copies of State Statue Section 12-195 which states that when municipalities acquire real estate by foreclosure, "the Tax Collector shall file for record in the town clerk' office a a release of liens on such real estate" and "the acquisition of such real estate by the municipality shall be deemed a cancellation by such municipality of all its claims against the Tax Collector for unpaid taxes, interest and fees assessed against such real estate." A brief discussion was held regarding when the foreclosures took place and what taxes were still on the books.

Motion by Dudek, second by Iino, to approve Tax Collector's recommendation to abate taxes as reviewed for property located at 660 Route 81 acquired by foreclosure on 6/1/01. Voting in favor - Dudek, Iino, Cabral. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.

Motion by Dudek, second by Iino, to approve Tax Collector's recommendation to abate taxes as reviewed for property located at Route 80 (Estate of John E. Saglio) acquired by foreclosure on 12/21/06. Voting in favor - Dudek, Iino, Cabral. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.

B. Approval of Tri-State Trek 7/24-26/09 - cyclists travel through Town - Boston to New York
It was noted proof of insurance would be required. The proposed route was reviewed. Motion by Iino to approve request by Tri-State Trek to use Town roads for 7th Annual Tri-State Trek from Boston to New York on July 24th - July 26th. Voting in favor - Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.

9. RJC Announcements
First Selectman Cabral reviewed the subject of a developing contingency fund out of surplus from Regional School District 17 since 1990. Communication has been received from the Board of Education advising the Town to seek legal advice on how it would like to receive this money back. First Selectman Cabral and Board of Finance Chairman John McMahon are meeting with Town Attorney Michael Wells in the next couple of days to review this matter. Selectwoman Iino asked if the Town should apply all these funds to one year's budget. Cabral noted that is a Board of Finance issue, but the Board of Selectmen can give their input on this matter.

First Selectman Cabral reviewed the issue of Federal stimulus funds going to the State Department of Education. He noted 14 percent of the normal ECS funding that a town receives will be supplanted by the Federal funds. The Federal Government wants these funds to go directly to the school districts and not be used by the towns in their general operating budgets. Currently the State and Federal Governments are unclear as to how this will work. If the 14 percent goes directly to the school district, the Town is going to have a problem because that money is already figured into the revenue for the Town Budget.

10. Selectmen's Concerns
Selectman Dudek noted he understood the bids for the Wettish property were very attractive. The low bid was under $800,000. Cabral noted the Park & Recreation Commission is reviewing the bids.

With regard to the Reservoir Road Bridge project, the Town is waiting for a letter from the State indicated that the low bidder is not in default. This should be ready for an award of bid on May 11th.

With regard to the Wettish property project, it is hoped the Park & Recreation Commission will have a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen by May 11th, this can then go to the Board of Finance on May 12th and a date then set for Town Meeting. Both the plan and budget must be approved at a Town Meeting. It was noted the Wettish property should be the only item on the Town Meeting agenda, possibly for May 26th.

11. Visitor Comments - General
Peg Scofield asked if the meeting between Attorney Wells and Messrs. Cabral and McMahon was open to the public. Cabral replied no, it was an attorney/client meeting.

Mark DeLuca, 19 Patrick Drive, reviewed the continuing water (beaver) problem on Patrick Drive. He noted there is no place for the water to go. The pond is encroaching now on to the road. The cracks in the road are widening. There is also water now coming out on to Route 80. Trees are under water and the root systems are being compromised. This is also a breeding ground for mosquitoes. It is also destruction of town property and a safety factor. There was discussion about destroying the beaver dam. First Selectman Cabral will speak with Walter Adametz and also send the Tree Warden out to look at the dead trees.

12. Adjournment
Motion by Dudek, second by Iino, to adjourn at 7:45 PM. Voting in favor - Dudek, Iino, Cabral. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.

Regular Meeting April 13, 2009

1. Call to Order
The Killingworth Board of Selectmen held its regular meeting on Monday, April 13, 2009, at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut. In attendance were First Selectman Richard Cabral, Selectman Fred Dudek and Selectwoman Catherine Iino. First Selectman Cabral called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion by Cabral, second by Iino, to add item to the agenda as 6.A. Appointment of Martha S. Hogan to Public Health Agency. Voting in favor - Cabral, Iino, Dudek. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.

2. Approval of Minutes - March 23, 2009 and March 27, 2009
Motion by Dudek, second by Iino, to approve March 23, 2009 Minutes amended as follows -
• Page 2, all reference to the "Traffic Study Committee" should be corrected to "Traffic Safety Committee."
• Page 3, under 10., 3rd paragraph, last sentence should read, "Selectwoman Iino asked that her correspondence be forwarded to the Town's Tree Warden, Bruce Fagan."
Voting in favor - Dudek, Iino. Opposed - none. Abstained - Cabral. Motion Carried.

Motion by Dudek, second by Iino, to approve March 27, 2009 Minutes as written. Voting in favor - Dudek, Iino, Cabral. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.

3. Visitors - Concerning Items on the Agenda
Lou Annino Sr. noted he was glad the Town has recognized its responsibility for the upkeep of the cemeteries. There has been damage in the past by indiscriminate use of equipment. Selectwoman Iino suggested Walter Adametz go with the individual(s) the first time to supervise. It was also suggested a member of the Historical Society each take one cemetery making note of anything wrong and then following up to make sure the work is being done correctly.

4. Tax Abatements & Refunds
Motion by Dudek, second by Iino, to approve tax refund and tax abatements as follows - Tax Refund to Honda Lease Trust $265.19 and Tax Rebates for Estate of George Fruge $302.48, $917.14 and $475.79. Discussion followed. It was noted the Court has ordered the second half of the 2005, the 2006 and 2007 Grand Lists be paid. The 2003, 2004 and the first half of the 2005 Grand Lists cannot be collected and need to be abated. Voting in favor - Dudek, Iino, Cabral. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.

5. Vacancies
The following vacancies were noted. IWWC - 1, OEM - 1, Recreation - 1, Housing Partnership - 4, Estuary Council of Seniors - 2, Municipal Land Use - 2, Open Space Committee - 1, Public Health Agency - 1 and WPCA - 1. First Selectman Cabral noted the resignation of Robert Ellis from the WPCA has been accepted with regret and thanked him for the wonderful job he has done with the Authority.

6. Appointments
Motion by Cabral, second by Dudek, to appoint Martha S. Hogan to Public Health Agency. Voting in favor - Cabral, Dudek, Iino. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.

7. Old Business
A. Award of Cemetery Bid for Lawn Care
Motion by Cabral, second by Dudek, to award Cemetery Bid to Natural Gardens LLC in the amount of $5,600.00. Voting in favor - Cabral, Dudek, Iino. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.

B. Traffic Safety Committee - Appointment of Members
Motion by Cabral, second by Dudek, to appoint the following individuals to the Traffic Safety Committee - Walter Adametz, Robert Ellis, Carol Sturges, Dave Roberts and George Roelofson. Voting in favor - Cabral, Dudek, Iino. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.

It was noted the Resident State Trooper serves as an ex-officio member of the Traffic Safety Committee.

8. New Business
A. Appointment of Richard Pleines to Greater New Haven Convention and Visitors Bureau - 7/1/09 - 6/30/12
Motion by Cabral, second by Dudek, to appoint Richard Pleines to Greater New Haven Convention and Visitors Bureau for a term of 7/1/09 to 6/30/12. Voting in favor - Cabral, Dudek, Iino. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.

B. Parmelee Steering Committee - Linda Dudek
Linda Dudek, Town Clerk, distributed information relative to the State Register of Historic Places. She noted the Parmelee Farmhouse has been submitted to the Connecticut Historical Commission. The main purpose for this would be to enable the Town to apply for grants. Perhaps at a later date the stone barn could be submitted as it does have historic significance. The purpose for this presentation was to ask the Selectmen for the go ahead to proceed along this path and complete the required paperwork. Motion by Iino, second by Dudek, to authorize the First Selectman to sign whatever is necessary for the Parmelee Steering Committee to proceed with paperwork and apply for historic preservation. Voting in favor - Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.

C. Killingworth Library Association, Request for $2,155 for Window Repair
Motion by Iino, second by Dudek, to authorize First Selectman to go to Board of Finance to request $2,155 for window repair at the Killingworth Library. Discussion followed. It was noted this is for labor as the window was replaced. Selectman Dudek asked if the Library was required to get 3 prices. First Selectman Cabral noted that only applies between $2500 and $5000. Voting in favor - Iino, Dudek, Cabral. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.

9. RJC Announcements - none.

10. Selectmen's Concerns
Selectman Dudek asked if the Reservoir Road Bridge Project is still on schedule. First Selectman Cabral replied yes. An addendum was sent out and the bids will be opened on Wednesday, April 15th at 10:00 AM. Cardinal Engineering will be reviewing the bids.

First Selectman Cabral also noted the Wettish bids will be opened at 4:00 PM on April 23rd.

Selectman Dudek asked if Walter Adametz is keeping an eye on the water level on Patrick Drive. Cabral indicated he would check with Mr. Adametz relative to this matter.

Selectwoman Iino noted there is a Bill in the State Legislature that will allow Towns to have a Conveyance Tax to be applied to Open Space and other categories of land.

Selectwoman Iino suggested sending a letter to State Senator Ed Meyer and Congressman Joe Courtney relative to the Town purchasing the Venuti property and seeking funds from the State and Federal Governments. Iino noted she would speak with Amy Patterson of The Trust for Public Land to formulate such a letter.

Selectwoman Iino noted she will write a letter to the Board of Finance voicing her opinion that the grant writer position should remain in the budget. The Town should be moving forward with this item.

Selectman Dudek noted the Board of Selectmen submitted a budget 4 percent lower than last year. The Board of Selectmen will be attending the Board of Finance meeting tomorrow night.

Selectwoman Iino noted she is working with children from the School Management Group at the Transfer Station. Selectwoman Iino noted she has had conversations with Tony Bondi relative to regionalization of the transfer station.

11. Visitor Comments: General
Jere Adametz asked if the contractor was finished with Chittenden Road. He noted the contractor should fix the concrete drainage culvert that goes under the roadway. Cabral noted he would check with Walter Adametz.


12. Adjournment
Motion by Dudek, second by Iino, to adjourn at 7:39 PM. Voting in favor - Dudek, Iino, Cabral. Opposed - none. Motion Carried.