Regular Meeting October 26, 2009
1. Call to Order.
The Killingworth Board of Selectmen held its regular meeting on Monday, October 26, 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.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Approval of Minutes – October 13, 2009.
Motion by Iino, second by Dudek, to approve October 13, 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 & Refunds.
Motion by Dudek, second by Iino, to approve tax refunds as reviewed (copy attached). Voting in favor – Dudek, Iino, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
6. Vacancies.
The following vacancies were noted – IWWC -2, Public Health – 1, Housing Partnership – 1, Municipal Land Use – 2, W.P.C.A. – 2, Venuti Property Planning Committee – 1, Estuary Council of Seniors – 2, Open Space Committee – 1 and Town Office Building Committee – 4.
It was noted John Himmelman will be resigning from the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission effective 12/8/09. His resignation was accepted with regret. The Board thanked Mr. Himmelman for his dedication and devotion to the Town over the past several years.
It was noted no appointments can be made two weeks prior to the new administration taking effect.
7. Appointments.
Selectwoman Iino noted the Democratic Town Committee has recommended the appointment of Marianne Kilby to the Water Pollution Control Authority. Iino briefly reviewed Ms. Kilby’s experience and background and highly recommended her. She noted Ms. Kilby served on the Conservation Commission for several years during the 80’s and is dedicated to the quality of the environment. Motion by Iino to appoint Marianne Kilby to Water Pollution Control Authority. Voting in favor – Iino, Cabral, Dudek. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
8. Old Business – none.
9. New Business.
A. Award of Parmelee House RFP for (1) Carpentry & Repairs and (2) Preparation & Painting.
Richard Pleines, Chairman of MLUC, submitted a letter to the Board of Selectmen dated October 23, 2009 in which it stated the MLUC voted at its meeting of October 22, 2009 to accept the low bid of William Meyers, Historic Restorations, for the above noted work on the Parmelee House. Mr. Pleines noted Mr. Meyers references were excellent and he is very professional. The bid was in the amount of $14,900 with 25% down, 25% half way through the job and the balance upon completion. It was noted the additional $800.00 was for the door in the back that will be removed and making the wall look whole again. Selectwoman Iino asked if there would be a Clerk of the Works for the project. Mr. Pleines noted he would most likely be Clerk of the Works. They are trying to get this project going as soon as possible because of the weather. Motion by Cabral, second by Dudek, to accept low bid in the amount of $14,900 from William Meyers, Historic Restorations, for the carpentry and painting of the exterior of the Parmelee House. Voting in favor – Cabral, Dudek, Iino. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
B. Discussion of Newspaper of Record
First Selectman Cabral noted both the Planning & Zoning Recording Secretary and the Town Clerk have recently had problems with placing legal notices in The Hartford Courant. The Courant is the newspaper of record for the Town of Killingworth. It was recently purchased by the Chicago Tribune and all legal notices are now done by the Tribune. Judy Brown (Planning & Zoning) noted she recently placed a legal notice that contained errors when the proof came back. Attempts to contact someone to discuss this matter were impossible and she was advised by an individual at The Hartford Courant who previously did the legal notices that they were now being handled through the Chicago Tribune. She’d have to talk with someone at the Tribune. The issue was finally resolved after 5 or 6 phone calls and 2 or 3 emails. Ms. Brown noted it is imperative the Town has a daily newspaper for the newspaper of record in order to meet all the legal notice deadlines and that a “real” person be available to talk with relative to these matters when they arise. A weekly publication will not suffice. First Selectman Cabral also noted the Town Clerk had problems placing a legal notice and had to go through the same scenario that Ms. Brown did in trying to straighten out errors in her legal notice publication. Both issues were finally resolved after numerous phone calls, emails and frustration. The Board of Selectmen should think about whether they wish to change the newspaper of record and if so, who it should be. This matter will be researched and discussed further.
10. RJC Comments
First Selectman Cabral noted the Annual Report will be on the next agenda for approval. Any comments should be given to Gina Regolo prior to that date.
First Selectman Cabral noted a question has arisen as to who should do the inspections for hair and nail salons in town. Should it be the Sanitarian (Department of Health) or the Food Service Inspector? Both Selectman Dudek and Selectwoman Iino felt the State Statutes would most definitely spell this out. They both felt the Department of Health would be the proper department for these inspections.
First Selectman Cabral noted the Board needs to call a Town Meeting sometime between December 3 and December 11th. A Town Meeting date will be decided at the next Board of Selectmen Meeting.
First Selectman Cabral gave a detailed update on the status of the Reservoir Road Bridge Project. The project is moving right along and the bridge should be open by December 1st.
First Selectman Cabral noted Michael Venuti has sent a reply to the Town in response to the letter sent from the Board of Selectmen after the last meeting. Cabral noted that prior to receiving Mr. Venuti’s letter he had already put out a letter to 4 or 5 appraisal firms and will wait to see what their response is. The Venuti Family Trust has indicated (in their letter sent by their attorney) they have withdrawn their property from consideration for purchase by the Town of Killingworth. Selectwoman Iino suggested the Board talk again with the Trust for Public Land to see what their opinion is of this matter.
11. Selectmen’s Comments
Selectwoman Iino asked if the Town was going to apply for the Sustainability Grant in the amount of $43,000. First Selectman Cabral replied yes. The deadline for applying is November 5th. The projects to be considered will be the compactor at the transfer station and two furnaces (one for the town garage and one for the resident trooper’s office).
12. Visitor’s Comments – General
Peg Scofield asked if she could have a copy of the Venuti letters, the one sent from the Board of Selectmen and the one received by the Board from the Venuti Family Trust. Ms. Scofield inquired about the status of the appraisals. It was noted in order to apply for funding, the Town must have an appraisal done to a certain standard and a certain time frame. The prior appraisals were no longer valid. Selectwoman Iino noted there are several avenues still available to the Town if it should wish to pursue and consider acquisition of this land.
13. Adjournment
Motion by Dudek, second by Iino, to adjourn at 7:35 PM. Voting in favor – Dudek, Iino, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
The Killingworth Board of Selectmen held its regular meeting on Monday, October 26, 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.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Approval of Minutes – October 13, 2009.
Motion by Iino, second by Dudek, to approve October 13, 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 & Refunds.
Motion by Dudek, second by Iino, to approve tax refunds as reviewed (copy attached). Voting in favor – Dudek, Iino, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
6. Vacancies.
The following vacancies were noted – IWWC -2, Public Health – 1, Housing Partnership – 1, Municipal Land Use – 2, W.P.C.A. – 2, Venuti Property Planning Committee – 1, Estuary Council of Seniors – 2, Open Space Committee – 1 and Town Office Building Committee – 4.
It was noted John Himmelman will be resigning from the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission effective 12/8/09. His resignation was accepted with regret. The Board thanked Mr. Himmelman for his dedication and devotion to the Town over the past several years.
It was noted no appointments can be made two weeks prior to the new administration taking effect.
7. Appointments.
Selectwoman Iino noted the Democratic Town Committee has recommended the appointment of Marianne Kilby to the Water Pollution Control Authority. Iino briefly reviewed Ms. Kilby’s experience and background and highly recommended her. She noted Ms. Kilby served on the Conservation Commission for several years during the 80’s and is dedicated to the quality of the environment. Motion by Iino to appoint Marianne Kilby to Water Pollution Control Authority. Voting in favor – Iino, Cabral, Dudek. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
8. Old Business – none.
9. New Business.
A. Award of Parmelee House RFP for (1) Carpentry & Repairs and (2) Preparation & Painting.
Richard Pleines, Chairman of MLUC, submitted a letter to the Board of Selectmen dated October 23, 2009 in which it stated the MLUC voted at its meeting of October 22, 2009 to accept the low bid of William Meyers, Historic Restorations, for the above noted work on the Parmelee House. Mr. Pleines noted Mr. Meyers references were excellent and he is very professional. The bid was in the amount of $14,900 with 25% down, 25% half way through the job and the balance upon completion. It was noted the additional $800.00 was for the door in the back that will be removed and making the wall look whole again. Selectwoman Iino asked if there would be a Clerk of the Works for the project. Mr. Pleines noted he would most likely be Clerk of the Works. They are trying to get this project going as soon as possible because of the weather. Motion by Cabral, second by Dudek, to accept low bid in the amount of $14,900 from William Meyers, Historic Restorations, for the carpentry and painting of the exterior of the Parmelee House. Voting in favor – Cabral, Dudek, Iino. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
B. Discussion of Newspaper of Record
First Selectman Cabral noted both the Planning & Zoning Recording Secretary and the Town Clerk have recently had problems with placing legal notices in The Hartford Courant. The Courant is the newspaper of record for the Town of Killingworth. It was recently purchased by the Chicago Tribune and all legal notices are now done by the Tribune. Judy Brown (Planning & Zoning) noted she recently placed a legal notice that contained errors when the proof came back. Attempts to contact someone to discuss this matter were impossible and she was advised by an individual at The Hartford Courant who previously did the legal notices that they were now being handled through the Chicago Tribune. She’d have to talk with someone at the Tribune. The issue was finally resolved after 5 or 6 phone calls and 2 or 3 emails. Ms. Brown noted it is imperative the Town has a daily newspaper for the newspaper of record in order to meet all the legal notice deadlines and that a “real” person be available to talk with relative to these matters when they arise. A weekly publication will not suffice. First Selectman Cabral also noted the Town Clerk had problems placing a legal notice and had to go through the same scenario that Ms. Brown did in trying to straighten out errors in her legal notice publication. Both issues were finally resolved after numerous phone calls, emails and frustration. The Board of Selectmen should think about whether they wish to change the newspaper of record and if so, who it should be. This matter will be researched and discussed further.
10. RJC Comments
First Selectman Cabral noted the Annual Report will be on the next agenda for approval. Any comments should be given to Gina Regolo prior to that date.
First Selectman Cabral noted a question has arisen as to who should do the inspections for hair and nail salons in town. Should it be the Sanitarian (Department of Health) or the Food Service Inspector? Both Selectman Dudek and Selectwoman Iino felt the State Statutes would most definitely spell this out. They both felt the Department of Health would be the proper department for these inspections.
First Selectman Cabral noted the Board needs to call a Town Meeting sometime between December 3 and December 11th. A Town Meeting date will be decided at the next Board of Selectmen Meeting.
First Selectman Cabral gave a detailed update on the status of the Reservoir Road Bridge Project. The project is moving right along and the bridge should be open by December 1st.
First Selectman Cabral noted Michael Venuti has sent a reply to the Town in response to the letter sent from the Board of Selectmen after the last meeting. Cabral noted that prior to receiving Mr. Venuti’s letter he had already put out a letter to 4 or 5 appraisal firms and will wait to see what their response is. The Venuti Family Trust has indicated (in their letter sent by their attorney) they have withdrawn their property from consideration for purchase by the Town of Killingworth. Selectwoman Iino suggested the Board talk again with the Trust for Public Land to see what their opinion is of this matter.
11. Selectmen’s Comments
Selectwoman Iino asked if the Town was going to apply for the Sustainability Grant in the amount of $43,000. First Selectman Cabral replied yes. The deadline for applying is November 5th. The projects to be considered will be the compactor at the transfer station and two furnaces (one for the town garage and one for the resident trooper’s office).
12. Visitor’s Comments – General
Peg Scofield asked if she could have a copy of the Venuti letters, the one sent from the Board of Selectmen and the one received by the Board from the Venuti Family Trust. Ms. Scofield inquired about the status of the appraisals. It was noted in order to apply for funding, the Town must have an appraisal done to a certain standard and a certain time frame. The prior appraisals were no longer valid. Selectwoman Iino noted there are several avenues still available to the Town if it should wish to pursue and consider acquisition of this land.
13. Adjournment
Motion by Dudek, second by Iino, to adjourn at 7:35 PM. Voting in favor – Dudek, Iino, Cabral. Opposed – none. Motion Carried.
