Friday, January 23, 2009

BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DECEMBER 15, 2008
Page 1 of 1Attendance: First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski, Selectman Walter Briggs, Selectman Steven Thornquist

Guests: Attorney Kevin McSherry

First Selectwoman Gorski called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order at 7:34 p.m. The meeting was held in the Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall. First Selectwoman Gorski asked all to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Check signing was the next order of business.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
First Selectwoman Gorski called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the meeting of November 24, 2008. The motion of approval was moved by Selectman Thornquist and seconded by Selectman Briggs. The minutes were then approved on a unanimous vote.

SOLID WASTE CONTRACT
First Selectwoman Gorski discussed the renewal of the existing contract with CRRA with the Selectmen. The five year renewal of the contract reduces the disposal of trash in the first year of the contract by $20 per ton over the present year’s contract. Following a brief discussion Selectman Briggs moved to authorize First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski to sign the five year renewal of the existing contract with CRRA. Selectman Thornquist seconded the motion. The vote was called. The vote was unanimous.

QUESTIONAIRE FOR TOWN MEETING STUDY COMMITTEE
The Selectmen reviewed the draft questionnaire to be sent to Town residents regarding the value of the Town Meeting. The Selectmen all agreed that the questionnaire would be sent out in the next mailing as presented by the committee to the Selectmen.

ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 7:45 p.m. after a motion was moved by Selectman Thornquist and seconded by Selectman Briggs. The vote taken was unanimous.


Respectfully submitted,


June G. Riley
Secretary, Board of Selectmen
BOARD OF FINANCE
JANUARY 13, 2009
7:00 P.M.
CONFERENCE ROOM, BETHANY TOWN HALL

AGENDA

CALL TO ORDER

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

A. DECEMBER 9, 2008 MEETING

CORRESPONDENCE

VISITORS

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

FIRST SELECTMAN DERRYLYN GORSKI

REVIEW OF FINANCIAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2008-09

ADJOURNMENT
BOARD OF FINANCE
JANUARY 14, 2009
Page 1 of 2

Attendance: Chairman Janet Brunwin, Sally Huyser, Robert Brinton Jr., Stephen Squinto

Guests: Brian Laubstein

Chairman Brunwin called the meeting to order at 7:18 p.m. The meeting was held in the Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Brunwin called for approval of the minutes of the previous meeting. The motion of approval was moved by Chairman Brunwin and seconded by Brinton Jr. The vote was called. There were three votes to approve as presented with Squinto abstaining because of his absence from the previous meeting.

VISITORS
Brian Laubstein was present requesting specific information about the Board of Education’s budget, and questioning the Board of Education’s ability to transfer money from one line item in their budget to another. Board members did not have answers to his questions, indicating that the proper explanation would have to come from the Board of Education.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Chairman Brunwin announced that she has received about 75% of the Annual Reports due from Boards and Commissions for the printing of the Annual Report for fiscal year 2007-08.

Budget request notices have been sent out. All budgets must be submitted by January 31, 2009.

Chairman Brunwin will meet with the Assessor to determine Grand List total. The Assessor indicated to Chairman Brunwin that the Grand List overall has increased due to the Power Line upgrades and re-valuation.

Ovations Benefits has indicated that health insurance premiums could increase by 16-20%.

Amity salary negotiations are completed and the rate of increase for this year will be 3.5%. There is an 11.5% increase over the four year life of the contract. Dr. Brady has indicated that the 2009-10 fiscal year budget is just about complete.

The individual responsible for the $100,000 theft from the student activity funds at Amity Regional has been arrested. This theft is covered by insurance. The district should receive the reimbursement check soon.

A draft of the 2007-08 Town audit was received by Chairman Brunwin via email at 3:30 p.m. today. This did not allow adequate time to make copies for Board of Finance members for this meeting.

A special meeting of the Board of Finance will be called for January 26, 2009 to accept the final Audit for 2007-08.

FIRST SELECTWOMAN DERRYLYN GORSKI
First Selectwoman Gorski reported that she has sent to the State of Connecticut a list of shovel ready projects to get on the list for possible grants per the request of the Governor.

The Senior Housing project is progressing. Test holes have been dug to see if the ground is suitable for septic systems.

The Town has hired a constable for part time work. He is presently a full time Hamden police officer, so training will not be necessary. In the near future it will be necessary to get a car for the constable to use.

BUDGET REVIEW FISCAL YEAR 2008-09
It was noted by Board members that Interest on the General Fund will probably be only half of what the Board had estimated.

Board members requested moving the expenditures for the Pine Brook Crossing repair to the Capital account. It was noted that the reimbursement of $5,000 for asphalt used at Hinman Station, from the Bethany Fire Department was credited to Road Materials. The actual expense had come from the Major Road Account. This adjustment will be made. The Board requested that the Highway Foreman Alan Green come in with a revised budget for the balance of this fiscal year for each account.

ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 8:50 p.m. after a motion was moved by Brinton Jr. and seconded by Huyser. The vote taken was unanimious.


Respectfully submitted,


June G. Riley
Clerk, Board of Finance
MINUTES OF THE BETHANY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALSREGULAR MEETING OF MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2009

The regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was called to order at 8:05 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Bethany Town Hall, 40 Peck Road, Bethany, Connecticut.

The following Board members were present:
Carol Goldberg, Chair
Arnold Sabatelli, Vice-Chair, who arrived at 8:11 p.m.
David Forman, Member
Steven Massey, Member
Ruth Beardsley, Alternate Member, seated as a regular member

The following Board members were absent:
Rudolph Beckert, Jr., Member
James Foley, Alternate Member
Brian Sackett, Alternate Member

Also present was:
Isabel Kearns, Zoning Enforcement Officer


MINUTES

It was moved by Beardsley and seconded by Forman to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the December 8, 2008, regular meeting.
Unanimous approval.


BILLS

1. It was moved by Forman and seconded by Massey to approve the payment of a bill for $95.00, dated January 12, 2009, from John McLeod (Court Stenographer) for recording services for public hearing (325 Amity Road).
Unanimous approval.



PUBLIC HEARING: 325 Amity Road

Chair Goldberg opened the continuation of the public hearing at 8:09 p.m.

Chair Goldberg stated it would be for the best interest of the applicant to have one more Member present. Mr. Sabatelli, Member, was in route to the meeting. Chair Goldberg recessed the continuation of the public hearing at 8:10 p.m.

Mr. Sabatelli arrived at 8:11 p.m. Chair Goldberg reconvened the continuation of the public hearing.






Chair Goldberg read the Notice of Continuation for the public hearing into the hearing record.

Chair Goldberg reviewed the procedure that would be followed to conduct the continuation of the public hearing.

Chair Goldberg noted that the Board received the following items relative to the subject application. Exhibit identification was assigned as noted:
a) Exhibit 1B – Submitted by the applicant six Green Return Receipt cards from neighbors within 100 feet of the subject property with proof of receipt of notice of the ZBA application and eight returned letters that were not picked up at the Post Office.
b) Exhibit 2B – A copy of letter from Brad Bertele to neighbors within 100 feet of the subject property, dated November 25, 2008, submitted by Member Dave Forman and read into the hearing record by Chair Goldberg.

Present for this application was Mr. Brad Bertele, applicant and owner of record and Ms. Melissa Pogwizd. Mr. Bertele briefly reinstated the need for the larger sign and also stated he would be willing to look at something smaller if necessary.

At 8:25 p.m., Chair Goldberg closed the public hearing.

DELIBERATION & DECISION MAKING SESSION

Board members proceeded to discuss the application and deliberate.

325 Amity Road – It was moved by Beardsley and seconded by Forman to accept the following motion to deny the application submitted by William B. Bertele for property located at 325 Amity Road (Blackhorse Equestrian Center):

The Zoning Board of Appeals denies the application of William B. Bertele for the property located at 325 Amity Road and shown on Assessor’s Map #113, Lot #34 for a Variance of Section’s 7.1. N, 7.2.F and 7.2.E of the Bethany Zoning Regulations.

Based upon the evidence presented at the public hearing and the facts revealed by the Board’s general acquaintance with the Town and with the general locality of the subject property, the Board makes the following findings:
1) The application does not demonstrate that special conditions and circumstances exist which are unique to the subject property involved.
2) The application demonstrates that granting the variance will confer upon the property owner a special privilege that is denied by the Bethany Zoning Regulations to other lands, structures, or buildings in the same zoning district.
3) The reasons set forth in the application do not justify the granting of the variance.
4) Literal enforcement of the Bethany Zoning Regulations will not result in exceptional difficulty or unusual hardship.
5) The variance will not be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Bethany Zoning Regulations.
Vote 5 to 0.
Unanimous decision.



ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Sabatelli and seconded by Beardsley to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:46 p.m.
Unanimous approval.

Respectfully submitted,



Antonia R. Marek, Clerk
For the Zoning Board of Appeals
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009
7:30 P.M.
CONFERENCE ROOM, BETHANY TOWN HALL


AGENDA

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

JANUARY 12, 2009 MEETING


NEW BUSINESS

RESOLUTION FOR SUPPORT OF CONSORTIUM GROUP
TAX REFUNDS


CORRESPONDENCE

ANY OTHER MATTER PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING

ADJOURNMENT
BOARD OF FINANCE
SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 26, 2009
8:00 P.M.
CONFERENCE ROOM, BETHANY TOWN HALL

AGENDA

CALL TO ORDER

APPROVE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT

CLOSE COMPLETED CAPITAL PROJECTS & MOVE BALANCES TO CAPITAL FUND

ADJOURNMENT

Friday, January 16, 2009

BOARD OF SELECTMEN
JANUARY 12, 2009

Attendance: First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski, Selectman Walter Briggs, Selectman Steven Thornquist

Guests: Attorney Kevin McSherry, Randy Raddatz, Rhoda Geogheghan, Patrick Geogheghan, Marcel Lamy, Gay Lamy, Brian Laubstein

First Selectwoman Gorski called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. Check signing was the first order of business. First Selectwoman Gorski asked all to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
First Selectwoman Gorski called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the meeting of December 15, 2008. The motion to approve the minutes as presented was moved by Selectman Briggs and seconded by Selectman Thornquist. The vote was called. The vote was unanimous.

ADDITION TO AGENDASelectman Thornquist moved to add Tax Refunds to the agenda of this meeting. Selectman Briggs seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous.

TAX REFUNDS
Selectman Thornquist moved to refund to Andre Yontef the sum of $444.22 and to Regina D’Addio the sum of $165.76 as presented by the Tax Collector for overpayment of taxes. Selectman Briggs seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous.

APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Kristine Sullivan resigned as a member of the Conservation Commission. Selectman Thornquist moved to appoint Brian Eitzer to complete the term of Kristine Sullivan. Selectman Briggs seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous.

INLAND WETLANDS COMMISSION
Selectman Thornquist moved to appoint Kristine Sullivan as an alternate member of the Inland Wetlands Commission. Selectman Briggs seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous.

STEAP GRANT COMMITTEE
Selectman Thornquist moved to appoint Nicholas Poulmas and Andy Taylor as alternate members of the STEAP Grant Committee. Selectman Briggs seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous.






NOISE PROBLEM LATICRETE INTERNATIONAL AND BETHRIDGE ROAD RESIDENTS
Randy Raddatz submitted a letter to the Board of Selectmen and Town Attorney McSherry in which he states that he was surprised to hear at the November 24, 2008 meeting of the Board of Selectmen that First Selectwoman Gorski and Attorney McSherry each state that Laticrete was operating their business legally. Raddatz believes Laticrete is violating CT regulations for the Control of Noise. Raddatz states that “he requested that his comments be accurately recorded in the minutes of the November 24, 2008 meeting.” The relevant environmental law he referred to for his complaint is Section 22a-69. Raddatz then gave the Selectmen copies of information that he had gathered on the subject of noise control, aerial photos of the location and maps.

Patrick Geoghegan read and then presented a letter he had written to the Board of Selectmen further listing dates he had heard the disturbing noise coming from the emptying of the truck at Laticrete. He emphasized the negative impact this noise is having on himself and his wife and is asking for resolution to it. First Selectwoman Gorski indicated that she is going out this evening with the Resident Trooper, who will have a meter to measure noise level emanating from Laticrete. A State Marshal will be posted at Laticrete to insure that the truck driver is banging on the side of the truck as loud as possible. She has also set up a meeting with David Rothberg and Jim Bolton of Laticrete to attempt resolution to this problem.


ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 8:17 p.m. after a motion was moved by Selectman Thornquist and seconded by Selectman Briggs. The vote taken was unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,


June G. Riley
Secretary, Board of Selectmen
MINUTES OF THE BETHANY INLAND WETLANDS COMMISSIONSPECIAL MEETING OF MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2009

The following members of the Commission were present:
Patricia McGregor, Chairman, who arrived at 8:01 p.m.
Alexandra Breslin, Vice-Chairman, Acting Chairman until Patricia McGregor arrived.
Jack Ellison, Member
John Kane, Member
Jon Painter, Member

Also present was:
Isabel Kearns, Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer
Karen Walton, Land Use Assistant


APPROVAL OF MINUTES

It was moved by Kane

The special meeting of the Inland Wetlands Commission was called to order at 7:44 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Bethany Town Hall, 40 Peck Road, Bethany, Connecticut.
1. and seconded by Ellison to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the November 17, 2008, Regular Meeting.
Unanimous approval.

2. It was moved by Ellison and seconded by Kane to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the November 22, 2008, Special Meeting/Site Visit.
Unanimous approval.

3. It was moved by Ellison and seconded by Kane to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the December 1, 2008, Special Meeting.
Unanimous approval.


GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

1. Letter from Quinnipiack Valley Health District to John Paul Garcia, dated November 27, 2008, Re: Review of proposed site plan for 33 Old Amity Road, dated August 27, 2008, with no revisions.
2. Letter from Isabel Kearns, IWEO, to Daniel Cunha and Angela Cunha of 27 Hamilton Drive, dated November 20, 2008, Re: Cease and Desist Order, outside storage of commercial vehicles and materials, the stockpiling of earth material and residing within a camp trailer.
3. Letter from Nancy McCarthy, Town Clerk, dated November 25, 2008, Re: Requesting schedule of regular meetings for 2009. The Commission is considering changing the regular meeting to the fourth Monday to accommodate a possible new member. Isabel Kearns, IWEO, to contact possible new member.
4. Copy of letter from SCC Regional Water Authority to Planning and Zoning Commission, dated December 2, 2008, Re: Review of proposed residential site development at 78 Schaffer Road.




5. Copy of letter from SCC Regional Water Authority to Planning and Zoning Commission, dated December 2, 2008, Re: Review of proposed residential site development at 11 Emerald Lane.
6. Copy of letter from SCC Regional Water Authority to Planning and Zoning Commission, dated December 2, 2008, Re: Review of proposed residential site development at 21 Emerald Lane.
7. Copy of letter from SCC Regional Water Authority to Planning and Zoning Commission, dated December 2, 2008, Re: Review of proposed residential site development at 31 Emerald Lane.
8. Copy of letter from SCC Regional Water Authority to Planning and Zoning Commission, dated December 2, 2008, Re: Review of proposed residential site development at 41 Emerald Lane.
9. Letter from Southwest Conservation District, dated November 25, 2008, Re: Requesting annual contribution for 2009-2010. It was moved by Ellison and seconded by Kane to approve the payment of $1500.00 for the annual contribution for the budget year of 2009-2010 to the Southwest Conservation District for their support of natural resource conservation effort and providing information, education and technical assistance to municipal agents and the private landowners of Bethany. Unanimous approval.


PUBLICATIONS AND WORKSHOPS

1. The NEMO Program Workshops.
2. Registry of Soil Scientists, 2008 Edition.
3. Connecticut Wildlife, November/December 2008.



NEW BUSINESS

There was no new business submitted.



OLD BUSINESS

1. 33 Old Amity Road, Application #1115 submitted by Joseph Dellaselva (Nino Performance) for an Inland Wetlands Permit to construct an automobile service center - No one was present for this application. The Commission did not receive comments from Diversified Technology Consultants to date and needs this information to act on the subject application. It was moved by Breslin and seconded by Kane to direct Isabel Kearns, Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer, to request from the applicant an extension of time to act on the application and if the extension is not granted by the applicant, the Commission will deny this application without prejudice. Unanimous approval.
Tabled.





2. 169 Schaffer Road, Application #1116 submitted by Kathleen and Joseph Gorman to construct a 30’ by 30’ detached garage – No one was present for this application. Commission members reviewed with the IWEO the Wetlands/Watercourses and Soil Report, dated October 29, 2008, submitted by the applicant. Commission members discussed and proceeded to deliberate. It was moved by Breslin and seconded by Ellison to approve Application #1116 submitted by Kathleen and Joseph Gorman for an Inland Wetlands Permit to construct a 30-foot by 30-foot detached garage in accordance with the submitted plan, untitled, with hand-drawn markings dated October 29, 2008, prepared by Thomas Pietras, Registered Professional Soil Scientist, Cheshire, Connecticut and with the following conditions in addition to the standard conditions found on the Land Records Volume 93, Page 802 and Page 803:

1. Applicant to submit details pertaining to the roof drainage.
2. Applicant to submit narrative pertaining to the use of the proposed detached garage.
Unanimous approval.

3. 268 Wooding Hill Road, Reconvene “Show Cause” Hearing pertaining to the Cease and Desist Order issued to Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Hitchcock of 268 Wooding Hill Road, dated October 5, 2007 – See Item 3. Tabled.
4. 270 Wooding Hill Road, Reconvene “Show Cause” Hearing pertaining to the Cease and Desist Order issued to William Palmieri and Kathryn Sylvester of 270 Wooding Hill Road, dated October 5, 2007 – Isabel Kearns, Inland Wetlands Enforcement Agent, stated the project has not been completed at this time. Tabled.

5. 185 Fairwood Road, Reconvene “Show Cause” Hearing pertaining to the Cease & Restore Order Issued to William Grieger, dated May 1, 2007 – No one was present. Tabled.

6. 185 Beacon Road, Reconvene “Show Cause” Hearing pertaining to the Cease and Restore Order Issued to Daniel Cusano, dated June 20, 2006 – No one was present. Tabled.

7. 27 Hamilton Drive, Reconvene “Show Cause” Hearing pertaining to the order to Cease Activity Issued to Daniel Dinas and Angela Cunha, dated May 9, 2006 – No one was present. Tabled.

8. Continue review and adoption process for the new Inland Wetlands Regulations (Adopt new Inland Wetlands Regulations at the same time as proposed Stormwater Regulations.) – Tabled.

WETLANDS ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S REPORT

The following sites were inspected for permit compliance during construction:
1) 226 Fairwood Road Re-Inspection Required
2) 892 Amity Road Re-Inspection Required
3) 161 Falls Road Re-Inspection Required
4) 244 Amity Road Okay
5) 274 Amity Road Okay





It was moved by Ellison and seconded by Kane to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:59 p.m.
Unanimous approval.

Respectfully submitted,


Antonia R. Marek, Clerk
for the Inland Wetlands Commission

Monday, January 12, 2009

Town Government Study Committee
Minutes for December 10, 2008

A regular meeting of the committee was held in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room of the Town Hall beginning at 7:50 p.m..

In attendance for the meeting were: Art Slicer, Jim Gugliotti, Kristine Sullivan and First Selectman Derrylyn Gorski. Pua Ford was excused.

The purposed of the evening’s meeting was to finalize the town wide questionnaire regarding town meetings.

Prior to reviewing the questionnaire, there was discussion of the Town website. It was also reported that Sarah Shepard is work on a chronology of Town meetings, inclusive of anecdotal stories of town meetings.

A draft questionnaire had been e-mailed to all of the committee members prior to the meeting. Ms. Ford had e-mailed her proposed revisions to all the members prior to the meeting. Additional revisions were discussed and made to the questionnaire, including that the final date for submission of completed questionnaires will be January 31, 2009.

At the end of the review of the questionnaire it was moved by Mr. Gugliotti and seconded by Mr. Slicer to adopt the questionnaire as revised and forward a copy to the Board of Selectmen for review and appropriate action prior to the questionnaires distribution. The motion passed unanimously.

After the form of the questionnaire had been finalized, there was discussion and concurrence that questionnaires would be color coded based on their method of distribution as follows:
Questionnaires to be mailed with the Town meeting notice and made available in the Town Hall will be on white paper.
Questionnaires distributed at the churches will be on lilac colored paper.
Questionnaires distributed at the recycling center will be on goldenrod colored paper.
Questionnaires distributed at the library will be on blue colored paper.
Questionnaires distributed to other town clubs and organizations will be on green colored paper.
Color coding of the questionnaires will provide a passive means of determining what “groups” of town citizens responded to the questionnaire.

Distribution of the questionnaires was delegated as follows:
Mr. Slicer will bring them to the schools, Lion’s Club and Veteran’s Assoc.
Mr. Gugliotti will bring them to the churches, BVFD and Horse Council
Mrs. Sullivan will bring them to the Scouts, Garden Club and Library.

Mr. Slicer distributed copies of a “Citizen’s Guide to Town Meeting – Ten questions you’ve always wanted to ask”. There was a brief discussion of how a similar document might be utilized on the Town website and/or as a handout through the Town Hall.

It was then moved by Mr. Slicer and seconded by Mr. Gugliotti to accept the minutes of the committee meeting on December 3, 2008 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.

The next regular meeting of the committee was scheduled to be on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 7:30 p.m., in whatever room is available in the Town Hall to meet in.

There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m. based on a motion by Mr. Gugliotti seconded by Mr. Slicer which was passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,


Kristine Sullivan, Acting Secretary
Bethany Affordable Senior Housing Committee
Meeting minutes of 8 October 2008


Bethany Affordable Senior Housing Committee members in attendance were Jim Foley, Mig Halpine, Joan Jackson, Bill McCarthy, and Carol Paugas.

Attendees included Meghan Carbone, Andrei Harwell, Derry Gorski, Lynn from QVHD.

Meeting was called to order at 7:05PM.

Committee accepted the minutes of September 10th. Motion by Joan, 2nded by Mig: passed unanimously.

Committee postponed discussion on resident eligibility requirements until next meeting with Shenae.

Andrei presented revised unit plans that reflected the revised single bedroom format. The committee accepted the revisions.

Derry indicated that the Board of Selectmen would be voting at their next meeting to add Meghan Carbone as an alternate member of the Affordable Senior Housing Committee.

A discussion was held about the site engineering requirements.

Mig made a motion to adjourn; Carol seconded it. The meeting was adjourned at 7:51PM.



Respectfully submitted,

Mig Halpine, Secretary