November 16, 2006
The Killingworth Town Office Building Study Committee held a meeting on Thursday, November 16, 2006, at the Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut. In attendance were Gwenne Lally, Capt. Phil Evan, Hilary Kumnick, Louis Annino, Steve Hollander and Bob Aft. Chairman Lally called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM.
The minutes were reviewed and the following changes made –
Page 1, 6th paragraph, should read, “Motion by Kumnick, second by Annino, to nominate Capt. Phil Evans as Secretary Pro Tem.
Page 1, 1st paragraph, correct “Hillary” to “Hilary”.
It should also be noted that Arlene Tunney was and has been a member of this committee in good standing and was not at the previous meetings because she was not informed of this committee by Town Hall.
Motion by Annino, second by Kumnick, to approve October Minutes as amended. SO VOTED w/ Arlene Tunney abstaining.
Chairman Lally noted the charge to the Committee was discussed at the last meeting. Lou Annino brought up the subject of the Bosco property. It was agreed this Committee should stick with the original charge of the Town Hall and then if there is time, the Committee can look at Bosco. The two are such diverse topics. Capt. Evans noted it should show in the last minutes that the Building Inspector’s report was reviewed. Mr. Kumnick noted he felt the Committee should make a recommendation as to what to do with the Bosco house. It will either fall apart, get vandalized of burn down some day. At this point, it is a viable structure and possible first floor meeting space. Arlene Tunney noted that for it to be meeting space, it has to be accessible. She felt the house could be made into two apartments for volunteer firemen or ambulance personnel.
Chairman Lally noted the Committee has been asked to come up with conceptual ideas. There was further discussion regarding the Bosco property. Chairman Lally noted the Town is non-profit and it can’t make money on that property. Committee members agreed the Bosco property was not viable for a future town hall or annex.
It was noted that in the future the last 15 minutes of every meeting should be devoted to brainstorming on the Bosco property.
Subcommittees –
It was agreed there will not be a subcommittee for the Bosco property and that it would be handled in a different way.
Chairman Lally noted the Committee should review the status of and prospective plan for the current town hall and financial issues. Subcommittees from the last TOBSC were space needs, additional uses, due diligence and budget.
There was discussion regarding renovation to the current town hall and possibly an addition to the building with the possibility of annexing the building next door. Space needs were reviewed. It was noted this subcommittee will evaluate the status of the current town hall looking at 10 and 20 year adequacy. If it’s not adequate, what would need to happen to fix that inadequacy. In summary, this subcommittee would review the prior space needs report, evaluate the current building in terms of its ability to meet those needs both now and in the future, evaluate the future of the modules and the rest of the building and if more space is required, determine what it would be. Bob Aft noted the committee as a whole should assess what the town has, what is wrong with it and what could be done. Then this could be turned over to a subcommittee. Hilary Kumnick agreed noting he felt the only thing needed within 5 to 10 years is probably meeting space. He felt the departments are fine. Arlene Tunney noted the Building Dept. Clerk has been reduced to half time. Louis Annino noted there should be a proper meeting room for the Board of Selectmen to hold a proper meeting where the public may participate.
Chairman Lally noted the last space needs report did not address meeting space. This must be addressed this time around. Steve Hollander noted this should all be broken down and the Committee can discuss what is required of meeting rooms later. There was discussion about holding the selectmen’s meetings at the Fire House, but the firemen meet on Monday nights. Mr. Annino noted some day there will be a town manager who will organize things and meetings will go a lot smoother.
A record should be made of all the meeting rooms and who meets there and when. Chairman Lally noted this discussion indicates that space needs should be revisited in terms of meeting rooms, offices, and other entities (Historical Society, Garden Club, Helping Hands, etc.).
Arlene Tunney noted the Library just received a $15,000 grant to study putting an addition on for the Historical Society.
Chairman Lally noted in summary the Committee will talk about the adequacy of the existing building and will devote the next meeting or so to that discussion.
Steve Hollander noted the Committee should keep in mind how the Town Hall would change if there was a Town Manager. Capt. Evans noted the Town Manager would run the Town Hall.
Chairman Lally noted this series of tasks should be addressed sequentially – take a look at evaluating the condition and adequacy of the existing office building for current office space needs in the November 11, 2004 report for the next 20 years. The second task is to look at the structural adequacy and longevity of the current structure based on those office space needs and then consider what other space needs are required – meeting space, other entities. Prior space needs reports were reviewed. Chairman Lally noted the Committee should look at flex office space. The fourth task will be how to meet the need we seek. The last task will be budget.
Chairman Lally noted the next meeting will be devoted to exploring office space needs. The question was asked if Mr. Leighton looked at the original town hall. It was noted if that structure had been touched, it would have had to be brought up to code.
Relative to the Town Center Plan, Capt. Evans noted he would prepare his comments regarding the Town Center concept and present this at the next meeting. There was discussion regarding what has been done so far with the Town Center Plan. Chairman Lally noted she was hearing from Committee members that a new town hall on this current site is consistent with the Town Center Plan. There was discussion regarding the life of the Town Compactor.
Bob Aft noted the characteristics of the town must be looked at and also technology.
It was noted the next meeting was December 14th. It was also noted the surveys would not be ready for the next meeting.
There was discussion about Arlene Tunney moving out of town and whether she could still participate on this Committee.
Chairman Lally suggested Capt. Evans go to the next Board of Selectmen meeting and request a liaison to this Committee. Capt. Evans noted he would write a letter to First Selectman Klein to that effect.
Steve Hollander noted the Committee should discuss some time soon whether or not it will need a budget. Hilary Kumnick noted within the next month everyone will be getting a request for a budget for next year.
Chairman Lally recommending Committee members think about who they would like to have as key consultants for input.
Steve Hollander noted it is important to have accurate minutes for these meetings.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM
The minutes were reviewed and the following changes made –
Page 1, 6th paragraph, should read, “Motion by Kumnick, second by Annino, to nominate Capt. Phil Evans as Secretary Pro Tem.
Page 1, 1st paragraph, correct “Hillary” to “Hilary”.
It should also be noted that Arlene Tunney was and has been a member of this committee in good standing and was not at the previous meetings because she was not informed of this committee by Town Hall.
Motion by Annino, second by Kumnick, to approve October Minutes as amended. SO VOTED w/ Arlene Tunney abstaining.
Chairman Lally noted the charge to the Committee was discussed at the last meeting. Lou Annino brought up the subject of the Bosco property. It was agreed this Committee should stick with the original charge of the Town Hall and then if there is time, the Committee can look at Bosco. The two are such diverse topics. Capt. Evans noted it should show in the last minutes that the Building Inspector’s report was reviewed. Mr. Kumnick noted he felt the Committee should make a recommendation as to what to do with the Bosco house. It will either fall apart, get vandalized of burn down some day. At this point, it is a viable structure and possible first floor meeting space. Arlene Tunney noted that for it to be meeting space, it has to be accessible. She felt the house could be made into two apartments for volunteer firemen or ambulance personnel.
Chairman Lally noted the Committee has been asked to come up with conceptual ideas. There was further discussion regarding the Bosco property. Chairman Lally noted the Town is non-profit and it can’t make money on that property. Committee members agreed the Bosco property was not viable for a future town hall or annex.
It was noted that in the future the last 15 minutes of every meeting should be devoted to brainstorming on the Bosco property.
Subcommittees –
It was agreed there will not be a subcommittee for the Bosco property and that it would be handled in a different way.
Chairman Lally noted the Committee should review the status of and prospective plan for the current town hall and financial issues. Subcommittees from the last TOBSC were space needs, additional uses, due diligence and budget.
There was discussion regarding renovation to the current town hall and possibly an addition to the building with the possibility of annexing the building next door. Space needs were reviewed. It was noted this subcommittee will evaluate the status of the current town hall looking at 10 and 20 year adequacy. If it’s not adequate, what would need to happen to fix that inadequacy. In summary, this subcommittee would review the prior space needs report, evaluate the current building in terms of its ability to meet those needs both now and in the future, evaluate the future of the modules and the rest of the building and if more space is required, determine what it would be. Bob Aft noted the committee as a whole should assess what the town has, what is wrong with it and what could be done. Then this could be turned over to a subcommittee. Hilary Kumnick agreed noting he felt the only thing needed within 5 to 10 years is probably meeting space. He felt the departments are fine. Arlene Tunney noted the Building Dept. Clerk has been reduced to half time. Louis Annino noted there should be a proper meeting room for the Board of Selectmen to hold a proper meeting where the public may participate.
Chairman Lally noted the last space needs report did not address meeting space. This must be addressed this time around. Steve Hollander noted this should all be broken down and the Committee can discuss what is required of meeting rooms later. There was discussion about holding the selectmen’s meetings at the Fire House, but the firemen meet on Monday nights. Mr. Annino noted some day there will be a town manager who will organize things and meetings will go a lot smoother.
A record should be made of all the meeting rooms and who meets there and when. Chairman Lally noted this discussion indicates that space needs should be revisited in terms of meeting rooms, offices, and other entities (Historical Society, Garden Club, Helping Hands, etc.).
Arlene Tunney noted the Library just received a $15,000 grant to study putting an addition on for the Historical Society.
Chairman Lally noted in summary the Committee will talk about the adequacy of the existing building and will devote the next meeting or so to that discussion.
Steve Hollander noted the Committee should keep in mind how the Town Hall would change if there was a Town Manager. Capt. Evans noted the Town Manager would run the Town Hall.
Chairman Lally noted this series of tasks should be addressed sequentially – take a look at evaluating the condition and adequacy of the existing office building for current office space needs in the November 11, 2004 report for the next 20 years. The second task is to look at the structural adequacy and longevity of the current structure based on those office space needs and then consider what other space needs are required – meeting space, other entities. Prior space needs reports were reviewed. Chairman Lally noted the Committee should look at flex office space. The fourth task will be how to meet the need we seek. The last task will be budget.
Chairman Lally noted the next meeting will be devoted to exploring office space needs. The question was asked if Mr. Leighton looked at the original town hall. It was noted if that structure had been touched, it would have had to be brought up to code.
Relative to the Town Center Plan, Capt. Evans noted he would prepare his comments regarding the Town Center concept and present this at the next meeting. There was discussion regarding what has been done so far with the Town Center Plan. Chairman Lally noted she was hearing from Committee members that a new town hall on this current site is consistent with the Town Center Plan. There was discussion regarding the life of the Town Compactor.
Bob Aft noted the characteristics of the town must be looked at and also technology.
It was noted the next meeting was December 14th. It was also noted the surveys would not be ready for the next meeting.
There was discussion about Arlene Tunney moving out of town and whether she could still participate on this Committee.
Chairman Lally suggested Capt. Evans go to the next Board of Selectmen meeting and request a liaison to this Committee. Capt. Evans noted he would write a letter to First Selectman Klein to that effect.
Steve Hollander noted the Committee should discuss some time soon whether or not it will need a budget. Hilary Kumnick noted within the next month everyone will be getting a request for a budget for next year.
Chairman Lally recommending Committee members think about who they would like to have as key consultants for input.
Steve Hollander noted it is important to have accurate minutes for these meetings.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM
