December 14, 2006
Call to order
The Killingworth Town Office Building Study Committee held a meeting on Thursday, December 14, 2006 at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth. In attendance were Gwenne Lally, Jim Lally, Louis Annino, Robert Aft, Arlene Tunney and Capt. Phil Evans. Selectman Fred Dudek was also present. Chairman Lally noted Hilary Kumnick will be joining the meeting shortly. The meeting was called to order at 7:40 PM.
Introduction of visitors – none.
It was noted for the record that Arlene Tunney was present at the last meeting and Jim Lally was not present. The minutes should be corrected to reflect that at the next meeting.
Communications
- Letter from Marty Klein re: KES
Chairman Lally noted a memo was distributed tonight from Capt. Evans to members of the Committee along with a memo from First Selectman Klein to this Committee requesting the consideration of “eliminating the new modular units at KES, restructuring the building to provide a new town office building and build a state of the art elementary school on another site.” Chairman Lally noted this would be taken up at a future date. Capt. Evans felt it should be discussed this evening. He indicated no one has authority over the school board or a school building and questioned whether the Committee could even discuss the issue. Mr. Annino noted if there were discussions about this, it would have to involve Region 17, Towns of Haddam and Killingworth and the State of Connecticut.
Chairman Lally noted this Committee should first evaluate the condition and status of this building and what the town’s needs are before looking at other sites.
First Selectman Klein noted this was just a wild idea he put forth for discussion and the Committee will decide what it wants to do. The Committee members felt this was just not a feasibility issue to be taken up at this time.
- Other
Chairman Lally noted Capt. Evans wrote a letter to First Selectman Klein requesting that a liaison be appointed from the Board of Selectmen to the Town Office Building Study Committee. Selectman Fred Dudek was present in that capacity.
Space needs were reviewed and it was noted will be discussed in detail at the next meeting. Ms. Tunney suggested the Land Use Office be switched with the current meeting room and the files be kept upstairs in the vault. The existing Land Use Office would then become the meeting room.
Town office building modular units
- Condition and status
- Projected lifespan
- Disposal
It was noted the modular units are half way through their expected life time. Capt. Evans suggested the Committee ask a professional to evaluate the building. Chairman Lally noted the first thing is to look at the contract with the modular unit people (contract isn’t up until 2010). If they are removed prior to 2010, is there a penalty involved. A copy of the existing contract will be given to Capt. Evans for review. It should also be determined who does maintenance on the units as well as if additional years could be gotten from these units. Could these units last 10 years, 20 years or 50 years? In summary, Chairman Lally noted the Committee should determine what can be expected from the modular units and have an inspector take a look at the permanent structure. It was noted Dick Leighton did a tremendous job evaluating the Bosco house and the Pharmedica building. Capt. Evans noted the Committee would have to get specific authorization for Mr. Leighton to do this evaluation as he is a part time employee. It was suggested a request be sent to the First Selectman. Capt. Evans noted the vault upstairs is not being actively used. The Town Clerk’s Office has its own vault. Perhaps the Probate Court records could be moved upstairs.
It was agreed the first question to be answered is “what is wrong with the building we have and what do we need.”
To summarize, Capt. Evans will review the contract for the modular units and the Committee will write a letter to the First Selectman to have Richard Leighton do an evaluation of what is wrong with this building (mechanical and structural) and its usability.
Chairman Lally asked Ms. Tunney to draft a proposal outlining her recommendation to move the Land Use Office. It was also suggested maybe an elevator be installed to access the second floor of the building.
- Replacement options
Chairman Lally noted replacement could be upgrading existing modulars or replacing them with a more permanent structure. It was noted the Committee needs to continually monitor the costs of a new town office building from ground up, which is probably around $2 million.
The Town Center Plan was discussed and it was noted any changes to the Plan must go back to Town Meeting. Chairman Lally noted that if the Committee recommended doing something so the Town Hall could remain on this site, it would not be inconsistent with the Town Center concept.
Summary –
Capt. Evans to review modular unit contract.
Letter to be written to First Selectman requesting services of Richard Leighton to evaluate this building for life time (mechanical, structural, HVAC, etc.).
Ms. Tunney to draft proposal for interim steps that can be done immediately to eliminate the lack of meeting space.
- Other considerations
- Next steps
Bosco house and 14 ac.
- 15 minute discussion
Ms. Tunney noted she would like to see the Bosco house turned into two apartments and given out by lottery to either fire or ambulance personnel. Chairman Lally noted perhaps there are other organizations in town could use the building, such as the Land Trust or Platt Nature Center. Ms. Tunney noted no public agency could use that building without ADA corrections. Capt. Evans asked if the building was boarded up. The reply was no, but there are no mechanicals in it. Chairman Lally noted anyone who would lease the building (for $1 a year as the town cannot make any money on it) would take care of the inside and the town would take care of the outside. Selectman Dudek noted the town cannot profit on that building due to current bonding. Jim Lally noted the Committee should prioritize what it thinks the best uses of that building are before doing anything. He indicated the building itself does still have a value. Mr. Lally noted there are organizations for young farmers and graduates from UCONN who would like to get started but can’t afford it because they can’t get the land.
Mr. Annino noted there is problem with parking in the existing building and suggested employees park down below and let those visiting the Town Hall park in the front.
It was also noted there may be meeting space at the VFW building.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.
The Killingworth Town Office Building Study Committee held a meeting on Thursday, December 14, 2006 at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth. In attendance were Gwenne Lally, Jim Lally, Louis Annino, Robert Aft, Arlene Tunney and Capt. Phil Evans. Selectman Fred Dudek was also present. Chairman Lally noted Hilary Kumnick will be joining the meeting shortly. The meeting was called to order at 7:40 PM.
Introduction of visitors – none.
It was noted for the record that Arlene Tunney was present at the last meeting and Jim Lally was not present. The minutes should be corrected to reflect that at the next meeting.
Communications
- Letter from Marty Klein re: KES
Chairman Lally noted a memo was distributed tonight from Capt. Evans to members of the Committee along with a memo from First Selectman Klein to this Committee requesting the consideration of “eliminating the new modular units at KES, restructuring the building to provide a new town office building and build a state of the art elementary school on another site.” Chairman Lally noted this would be taken up at a future date. Capt. Evans felt it should be discussed this evening. He indicated no one has authority over the school board or a school building and questioned whether the Committee could even discuss the issue. Mr. Annino noted if there were discussions about this, it would have to involve Region 17, Towns of Haddam and Killingworth and the State of Connecticut.
Chairman Lally noted this Committee should first evaluate the condition and status of this building and what the town’s needs are before looking at other sites.
First Selectman Klein noted this was just a wild idea he put forth for discussion and the Committee will decide what it wants to do. The Committee members felt this was just not a feasibility issue to be taken up at this time.
- Other
Chairman Lally noted Capt. Evans wrote a letter to First Selectman Klein requesting that a liaison be appointed from the Board of Selectmen to the Town Office Building Study Committee. Selectman Fred Dudek was present in that capacity.
Space needs were reviewed and it was noted will be discussed in detail at the next meeting. Ms. Tunney suggested the Land Use Office be switched with the current meeting room and the files be kept upstairs in the vault. The existing Land Use Office would then become the meeting room.
Town office building modular units
- Condition and status
- Projected lifespan
- Disposal
It was noted the modular units are half way through their expected life time. Capt. Evans suggested the Committee ask a professional to evaluate the building. Chairman Lally noted the first thing is to look at the contract with the modular unit people (contract isn’t up until 2010). If they are removed prior to 2010, is there a penalty involved. A copy of the existing contract will be given to Capt. Evans for review. It should also be determined who does maintenance on the units as well as if additional years could be gotten from these units. Could these units last 10 years, 20 years or 50 years? In summary, Chairman Lally noted the Committee should determine what can be expected from the modular units and have an inspector take a look at the permanent structure. It was noted Dick Leighton did a tremendous job evaluating the Bosco house and the Pharmedica building. Capt. Evans noted the Committee would have to get specific authorization for Mr. Leighton to do this evaluation as he is a part time employee. It was suggested a request be sent to the First Selectman. Capt. Evans noted the vault upstairs is not being actively used. The Town Clerk’s Office has its own vault. Perhaps the Probate Court records could be moved upstairs.
It was agreed the first question to be answered is “what is wrong with the building we have and what do we need.”
To summarize, Capt. Evans will review the contract for the modular units and the Committee will write a letter to the First Selectman to have Richard Leighton do an evaluation of what is wrong with this building (mechanical and structural) and its usability.
Chairman Lally asked Ms. Tunney to draft a proposal outlining her recommendation to move the Land Use Office. It was also suggested maybe an elevator be installed to access the second floor of the building.
- Replacement options
Chairman Lally noted replacement could be upgrading existing modulars or replacing them with a more permanent structure. It was noted the Committee needs to continually monitor the costs of a new town office building from ground up, which is probably around $2 million.
The Town Center Plan was discussed and it was noted any changes to the Plan must go back to Town Meeting. Chairman Lally noted that if the Committee recommended doing something so the Town Hall could remain on this site, it would not be inconsistent with the Town Center concept.
Summary –
Capt. Evans to review modular unit contract.
Letter to be written to First Selectman requesting services of Richard Leighton to evaluate this building for life time (mechanical, structural, HVAC, etc.).
Ms. Tunney to draft proposal for interim steps that can be done immediately to eliminate the lack of meeting space.
- Other considerations
- Next steps
Bosco house and 14 ac.
- 15 minute discussion
Ms. Tunney noted she would like to see the Bosco house turned into two apartments and given out by lottery to either fire or ambulance personnel. Chairman Lally noted perhaps there are other organizations in town could use the building, such as the Land Trust or Platt Nature Center. Ms. Tunney noted no public agency could use that building without ADA corrections. Capt. Evans asked if the building was boarded up. The reply was no, but there are no mechanicals in it. Chairman Lally noted anyone who would lease the building (for $1 a year as the town cannot make any money on it) would take care of the inside and the town would take care of the outside. Selectman Dudek noted the town cannot profit on that building due to current bonding. Jim Lally noted the Committee should prioritize what it thinks the best uses of that building are before doing anything. He indicated the building itself does still have a value. Mr. Lally noted there are organizations for young farmers and graduates from UCONN who would like to get started but can’t afford it because they can’t get the land.
Mr. Annino noted there is problem with parking in the existing building and suggested employees park down below and let those visiting the Town Hall park in the front.
It was also noted there may be meeting space at the VFW building.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.
