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Board of Selectmen
FINANCIAL MEETING
January 2, 2008

Present: John Anderson, Susan Bransfield, Carl Chudzik, Mark Finkelstein, Brian Flood, Sharon Gibala, Kathy Richards

1. First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield called the Financial Meeting to order at 7:34 PM.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3. APPROVE MINUTES: (Regular) November 28, 2007

There was a motion to approve the minutes of the November 28, 2007 regular meeting by John Anderson, seconded by Kathy Richards. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

4. ACCEPT AGENDA

There was a motion to accept the agenda by John Anderson, seconded by Mark Finkelstein. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

5. COMMUNICATIONS / CORRESPONDENCE:

  • Letter from Dr. F. Scott Scribner regarding late fees for water/sewer bills

Mrs. Bransfield read into the record a letter from Dr. F. Scott Scribner expressing his concerns regarding the penalties that are applied to late water/sewer bills. After discussion, it was decided that the policy as it stands should be enforced. In addition, the policy will be reviewed by the BOS to determine if changes should be made.

6. PUBLIC COMMENT

Bill Willinsky, Veterans Affairs Committee, reported:

  • Colleen McBrian (former Portland resident) will be deployed to Iraq soon.
  • There are 24 names that will be going on monument by May 1, 2008.
  • The VAC is in the planning stages of designing/installing paths at the monument.
  • Security for the monument in the form of cameras on the building is being considered.
    Mark Finkelstein asked if the name, Philip Jones, is one of the 24 names being added to the monument. It was not known if this is one of the names being added. Mrs. Bransfield and Mr. Willinsky will investigate this.

Thomas Manning -Rogers Road, Portland, had several comments for the BOS:

  • He feels that if the fire truck being replaced is unsafe that it should not be used at all because of risks to our firefighters.
  • At a recent concert in the PMS auditorium, Mr. Manning became concerned about several issues:
    • o the escape route from the auditorium given the 4 foot walls that are on either side of the lower seating area; and
    • o that at the beginning of the program the exits were not announced to the audience.
  • " When the current Charter Revision comes to public hearing, please listen to the public's opinion in the matter.

The BOS concur that it would be wise to ask the Fire Marshall to review the PMS auditorium with these concerns in mind, and he will be asked to do so.

7. Chatham Court Facility - In-Kind Assistance (Housing Authority: Michael Giuliano)

Mr. Giuliano from the Portland Housing Authority reported that the Chatham Court housing complex is facing bankruptcy. He requested that the BOS allow the town crews to sand the parking lots of this complex in storms and perhaps allow the use of town equipment for building maintenance, in an effort to reduce the Housing Authority's expenses during hard financial times.

Mrs. Bransfield stated that it is Town Policy for town crews not to service private property or private roads and that Chatham Court is considered private property as it is owned by the Federal Government.

After discussion, it was the consensus of the BOS that Mrs. Bransfield, Mr. Giuliano and Mr. Kelsey will meet to discuss the types of services that are needed and to determine the costs to the town, and report back to the BOS.

8. WARN Water Mutual Aid & Assistance Agreement

Mrs. Bransfield read into the record the resolution regarding Authorization to Participate in CT Water & Wastewater Agency Response Network.

RESOLUTION:
AUTHORIZATION TO PARTICIPATE IN CT WATER & WASTEWATER AGENCY RESPONSE NETWORK (CTWARN)

WHEREAS, the mission of the CtWARN is to support and promote statewide emergency preparedness, disaster response, and mutual assistance matters for public and private water and wastewater utilities; and

WHEREAS, mutual aid and assistance provides the structure for each member utility to address administrative issues prior to the occurrence of an incident requiring mutual assistance; and

WHEREAS, computer internet web site provides the resource information database that the member utility will be able to use to match its emergency need for equipment or experienced personnel with the resources available from responding members; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Portland has been invited to participate; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Selectmen hereby authorizes the Town of Portland's participation; and therefore be it further

RESOLVED, that the First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield, be and hereby is authorized to act on behalf of the Town of Portland in executing an Agreement for participation in CtWARN, an intrastate program for water and wastewater mutual aid and assistance.

There was a motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Sharon Gibala, to adopt this resolution.
Vote unanimous, motion carried.

9. Sewer Bill Matter (LaMontagne)

Mrs. Bransfield explained to the BOS that it was discovered during a review of accounts, that this property has not been billed for sewer usage since being connected to the sewer system due to a clerical error. There was a motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Kathy Richards, that billing for sewer usage start as of 10-1-07 and that the town not seek retroactive fees. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

10. REVIEW MONTHLY BUDGET REPORTS

Rob Buden, Finance Director, reviewed the monthly budget reports for the BOS.

  • While tax collections are down slightly, other revenues are coming as budgeted.
    Expenditures are also in line with the budget.
  • To date, approximately $30,000 of a $60,000 contingency budget has been transferred.
  • Mr. Buden reported that the new general ledger system is in place and is planned to be up and running by 4-1-08
  • Sharon Gibala questioned the discrepancy in collection rate. Mr. Buden stated that this is not an area of concern at this time.
  • CRRA money of approximately $149,000 has been received and is being held for consideration at a later date.
  • The BOE will be responding to request for more information regarding school audit.

11. Acceptance of Land Donation in Wangunk Meadows (Bransfield)

Mark Finkelstein read into the record the resolution for the Acceptance of Land in the Wankgunk Meadows.

RESOLUTION:
ACCEPTANCE OF LAND IN THE WANKGUNK MEADOWS

WHEREAS, John W. Bransfield, Peter C. Bransfield, and Mary B. Gole own a certain piece or parcel of unimproved land situated in the Wankgunk Meadows, containing by estimation 1.64 acres, designated in the Assessor's files as Map 75 Lot 20; and

WHEREAS, the Bransfields and Gole have approached Town Officials with their desire to donate said parcel in the Wankgunk Meadows; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Portland Board of Selectmen hereby refers this matter to the Planning and Zoning Commission for an 8-24 review and recommendation.

Mr. Finkelstein moved adoption of this resolution, seconded by John Anderson. Carl Chudzik stated that he feels due diligence should be exercised in the form of a site visit and state records check to determine if the property is environmentally impacted.

AYES: Carl Chudzik, John Anderson, Brian Flood, Mark Finkelstein, Kathy Richards, Sharon Gibala
NAYES: none
ABSTAIN: Susan Bransfield
Motion carried.

12. Veterans Affairs Committee request to increase membership from 5 to 7 regular members

There was a motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by John Anderson, to increase membership of the Veterans Affairs Committee from 5 to 7 regular members. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

13. Charter Revision Commission request for additional funds for attorney

Mrs. Bransfield reviewed this request for the BOS. There was a motion by Mark Finkelstein, seconded by Kathy Richards, that the BOS retain the services of Attorney Steven Mednick to represent the Town of Portland for the purpose of cleaning up the proposed revision to the Town Charter, to ensure that it meets all requirements promulgated under state statutes, that it does not contain conflicting proposals, and that it is grammatically correct, for a sum not to exceed $5,000.00, and that the funds to be drawn from the contingency fund. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

14. REFUNDS OF EXCESS PAYMENTS:

There was a motion by Sharon Gibala, seconded by Mark Finkelstein, to refund Harvey R. Nesor the amount of $38.98. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

There was a motion by Sharon Gibala, seconded by Mark Finkelstein, to refund VFS Lease Residual Holding LLC the amount of $1,042.36. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

15. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS (Re-appointments, vacancies, etc.)

Brian Flood made a motion, seconded by Sharon Gibala, to appoint Cathy Probolus to the Economic Development Commission. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

Brian Flood made a motion, seconded by Mark Finkelstein, to appoint Gail Landry to the Library Board, replacing Cathy Probolus. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

Brian Flood made a motion, seconded by Sharon Gibala, to re-appoint Don Bascom and Bette Janek to the Planning and Zoning Commission and to appoint Alan Kenney from alternate to a full seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

Brian Flood made a motion, seconded by Mark Finkelstein, to rep-appoint Jim Ruitto to the Water & Sewer Commission. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

Brian Flood made a motion, seconded by Mark Finkelstein, to re-appoint Janet Stevenson as an alternate on the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

Brian Flood made a motion, seconded by Mark Finkelstein, to re-appoint Romanie Gussenhoven to the Housing Authority. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

Brian Flood made a motion, seconded by Mark Finkelstein, to re-appoint Norman Emond to the Ethics Commission. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

Kathy Richards made a motion, seconded by Mark Finkelstein, to appoint alternates Kathy Burke and Don Hutchings to full members to the Veteran's Affairs Committee. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

Kathy Richards made a motion, seconded by Mark Finkelstein to re-appoint Michael Agolotti to the Long Range Capital Improvement Commission. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

Kathy Richards made a motion, seconded by Mark Finkelstein, to re-appoint Hilary Phelps as an alternate on the Parks & Recreation Commission. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

Kathy Richards made a motion, seconded by Mark Finkelstein, to appoint Ellen Kelly as an alternate to replace Peter Zaborowski the Parks & Recreation Commission. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

Kathy Richards made a motion, seconded by Mark Finkelstein, to appoint Peter Zaborowski from alternate to a full seat on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

John Anderson made a motion, seconded by Carl Chudzik, to appoint John Sterry, Sr. as an alternate to the Board of Assessment Appeals. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

John Anderson made a motion, seconded by Carl Chudzik, to appoint Mitchell Kogut to replace Carl Chudzik on the Conservation Commission. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

John Anderson made a motion, seconded by Carl Chudzik, to appoint Cindy Verrichio as an alternate to the Conservation Commission. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

John Anderson made a motion, seconded by Carl Chudzick, to re-appoint Joe Prokop to the Long Range Capital Improvement Commission. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

John Anderson made a motion, seconded by Carl Chudzik, to re-appoint Peter Clark to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

John Anderson made a motion, seconded by Carl Chudzik, to re-appoint Bruce Tyler as an alternate to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

John Anderson made a motion, seconded by Carl Chudzik, to re-appoint Franklin Barker to the Senior Citizens Advisory Board. Vote unanimous, motion carried.

16. PUBLIC COMMENT

Bill Willinsky had the following comments for the BOS:

  • He thanked Michael Giuliano for the work he does with the Portland Housing Authority and asked the BOS to consider what as a town can be done to assist Chatham Court. He asked that as much as possible be done to help in hard financial times.
  • regarding the Charter Revision: What happens if a resident finds a problem with the Charter and sues the town, who is responsible for this suit? Is the Town liable or the attorney hired to review the Charter?

Answer: It is not probable that anything in the charter will impact a single taxpayer, the attorney will be checking for cross references and to make sure that sections of the charter do not conflict with each other.

17. BOARD OF SELECTMEN GENERAL INFORMAL DISCUSSION

18. ADJOURN MEETING

There was a motion to adjourn the meeting by Sharon Gibala, seconded by Kathy Richards to adjourn the meeting. Vote unanimous, motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:57 pm.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
LAURA SIENA, BOARD CLERK