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Board
of Selectmen
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 24, 2007
Present: Scott
Adamsons, John Anderson, Susan Bransfield, Brian Flood,
Sharon Gibala and Kathleen Richards
Absent: Mark Finkelstein
The regular
meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by First Selectwoman Susan
Bransfield.
Motion was made
by John Anderson and seconded by Scott Adamsons to approve the minutes
of the December 6, 2006 financial meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion was made
by Sharon Gibala and seconded by Kathleen Richards to approve the
minutes of the January 3, 2007 financial meeting.
AYES: Scott
Adamsons, Susan Bransfield, Brian Flood, Sharon Gibala and
Kathleen Richards
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: John Anderson
Motion carried.
Mrs. Bransfield
proposed adding item C) Proclamation in Support of Radon Action
Month under New Business.
Motion was made
by Scott Adamsons and seconded by Kathleen Richards to approve the
agenda as amended. Motion passed unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS
/ CORRESPONDENCE
- Reginald Farrington,
Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee and Commander of the
American Legion presented an update on the veterans' memorial. So
far, $43,000 has been raised for the memorial. Portland Restaurant
will be sponsoring another "Tip the Veteran" fundraiser
on February 14th.
Mr. Farrington
displayed a painting by David Magee that has been donated to the
town and will be placed in the Town Hall. The painting honors veterans
serving during World War II through the present. The frame for the
painting has been donated by Gordon Hinz. One thousand 11 x 17 prints
have been ordered which will be sold to raise funds for the memorial.
Mr. Farrington did not feel that the entire $55,000 could be raised
in time for the dedication on May 28th and he asked if some of the
money that has been allocated for the veterans this year for tax
relief could be used for the memorial. Mrs. Bransfield stated that
she will put this request on the Board of Selectmen's agenda on
February 7.
Mrs. Bransfield
thanked David Magee for donating the painting and Gordon Hinz for
donating the frame.
Mr. Richard
Murphy asked if the area where the memorial will be placed could
be called "Veterans Memorial Park". Mrs. Bransfield stated
that this will be discussed by the Board of Selectmen at the February
7th meeting.
Mr. William
Willinsky commented that any money left over from the cost of the
memorial will be turned over to the town to cover the cost of adding
the names of residents entering military service in the future.
Mr. Farrington
stated that the $55,000 does not include the cost for installation
of the memorial; the memorial will be installed by volunteers with
the help of the Public Works Department.
- Mrs. Bransfield
read a letter from Steven Kinsella resigning his position on the
Charter Revision Commission, effectively immediately.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Carl Fitzgibbons
stated that he would like to see the town pass a moratorium on any
additional gravel pits. Mrs. Bransfield stated that a moratorium
on gravel pits would be a Planning & Zoning issue. Mr. Fitzgibbons
also asked that the pole at the corner of Fairview Street and High
Street be moved for safety reasons.
OLB BUSINESS
A) Proposed
Sewer Rate Schedule as Revised
Motion was made
by Scott Adamsons and seconded by Kathleen Richards to approve the
resolution for the proposed Sewer Rate Change and to waive the reading.
(Att. A) Motion passed unanimously.
B) Proposed
Meeting Room Policy
Mr. Adamsons
thanked the Board members for considering his recommendations for
amending the document.
Mr. Flood referred
to item #6 of the policy and questioned the necessity for a $1,000,000
certificate of insurance. Following discussion, Mrs. Gibala suggested
leaving the policy as written and re-visit it at a later time if
it becomes an issue.
Motion was made
by Sharon Gibala and seconded by Brian Flood to approve the resolution
"Policy for Use of Municipal Meeting Rooms". (Att. B)
Motion passed unanimously.
C) Planning & Zoning Commission Update - Don Bascom
Donald Bascom,
Chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission, presented an update
on Planimetrics who have been hired to rewrite and revise the zoning
regulations. Debra House is no longer with Planimetrics and two
partners in the firm will be continuing with the plan. Mr. Bascom
stated that the projected date of February 8th for the first draft
has been changed to March 15th. The proposed dates for the public
hearing and the adoption of the revised regulations will remain
the same.
Mr. Bascom stated
that a study needs to be done for sewer expansion at the intersection
of Rt. 66 and Rt. 17. He felt that this study is vital to any development
in that area and that a determination needs to be made as to who
will initiate the study and how it will be paid for.
Mr. Bascom stated that it is critical to have Level A mapping done
in order to protect the town's water supply. The State has mandated
that this project be completed by 2008. The cost for this project
is estimated at $80,000. Mrs. Bransfield agreed that the Level A
mapping is needed, but the Board of Selectmen will need to determine
how it will be paid for. If it will be paid through the water fund,
rates would have to be raised.
Tom Malecky
of the Water & Sewer Commission stated that the commission is
interested in doing a study of the sewer expansion on Rt. 66 but
did not feel it was a priority at this time because of the number
of other projects that need to be addressed.
Rick Kelsey
commented that the Water & Sewer Commission had voiced concern
about maintaining the present infrastructure and would like to have
it in good order before any expansions are made.
Mrs. Gibala
suggested that the Planning & Zoning and Water & Sewer Commissions
discuss this issue in more detail. Mr. Bascom agreed to have Planning
& Zoning work with the Water & Sewer Commission to develop
a solution.
D) Charter Revision
Commission Budget
Mrs. Bransfield
stated that money will be needed for legal counsel and a recording
secretary. Attorney Mednick has indicated that his services will
run between $10,000 and $15,000. Mrs. Bransfield stated that no
money has been allocated in this year's budget. Mrs. Gibala stated
that she would like additional information before making a decision
and she asked that this issue be discussed at the financial meeting
on February 7th.
E) Appointments to Boards and Commissions
Motion was made
by John Anderson and seconded by Scott Adamsons to appoint Terri
Larson to the Ethics Commission.
Mr. Flood felt
that a screening process should be done before appointing members.
AYES: Scott
Adamsons, John Anderson, Susan Bransfield, Sharon Gibala and
Kathleen Richards
NAYS: Brian Flood
ABSTAINED: None
Motion carried.
Motion was made
by Kathleen Richards and seconded by Sharon Gibala to appoint Janet
Ellsworth to the Ethics Commission. Motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
A) CL &
P Load Demand Response Program Agreement
Motion was
made by Sharon Gibala and seconded by Kathleen Richards to approve
the "Agreement for Participation in the Independent System
Operator - New England 30 Minute Demand Response Program".
(Att. C)
Motion passed
unanimously.
B) Refunds
Motion was
made by Sharon Gibala and seconded by John Anderson to approve
the refund of property taxes to Frank R. & Kathy M. Rosano
for $116.72. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion was
made by Sharon Gibala and seconded by Kathleen Richards to approve
the refund of property taxes to Eric Springer for $71.94. Motion
passed unanimously.
Motion was
made by Sharon Gibala and seconded by Kathleen Richards to approve
the refund of property taxes to Toyota Motor Credit Corp. for
$228.20. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion was
made by Sharon Gibala and seconded by Kathleen Richards to approve
the refund of property taxes to D L Peterson Trust for $287.93.
Motion passed unanimously.
Motion was
made by Sharon Gibala and seconded by Kathleen Richards to approve
the refund of property taxes to Nissan Infiniti LT for $248.80.
Motion passed unanimously.
Motion was
made by Sharon Gibala and seconded by Kathleen Richards to approve
the refund of property taxes to Nissan Infiniti LT for $298.74.
Motion passed unanimously.
Motion was
made by Sharon Gibala and seconded by Kathleen Richards to approve
the refund of property taxes to Nissan Infiniti LT for $163.08.
Motion passed unanimously.
Motion was
made by Sharon Gibala and seconded by Kathleen Richards to approve
the refund of property taxes to Kenneth R. Revicki for $347.15.
Motion passed unanimously.
Motion was
made by Sharon Gibala and seconded by Kathleen Richards to approve
the refund of property taxes to First American Real Estate Tax
Service for $2,113.59. Motion passed unanimously.
C) Proclamation
in Support of Radon Action Month
Motion was
made by John Anderson and seconded by Scott Adamsons to approve
the resolution "Proclamation in Support of Radon Action Month
in Portland, CT". (Att. D) Motion passed unanimously.
STATUS &
COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Mrs. Richards
highlighted items that the Economic Development Commission is
currently working on.
- Mr. Anderson
reported that the Senior Citizens Task Force is looking for a
freeze of taxed based on the circuit breaker program. This program
would be a tax deferred program.
- Mrs. Bransfield
reported that the Board of Education passed their budget.
- PUBLIC COMMENT
- Michael
Kirchberger suggested that the Board of Education be contacted
about working out a program with regard to the CL & P Demand
Response Program. Mrs. Bransfield stated that she will communicate
this to the Superintendent of Schools.
- Norman Ward
referred to the comment made by Nan Zimmer at the public hearing
and stated that the Water & Sewer Commission members have
been very sensitive to any increases in rates.
- Bill Willinsky
asked if there was anyone who could serve as a grants writer for
the town. Mrs. Bransfield stated that she and the Director of
Finance will be meeting with someone who has previously written
small cities grants for the town and will be setting up a small
cities program. The Economic Development Commission will also
help with this.
FOLLOW UP
ITEMS
Mrs. Bransfield
stated that she is waiting for Attorney D'Aquila's review of the
ordinance for the parking on Main Street.
Motion was made
by Sharon Gibala and seconded by Kathleen Richards to adjourn the
meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Virginia Darna
Recording Clerk
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