Monday, August 20, 2012


Bethany Cemetery Committee (BCC)                                            July 30, 2012


In attendance: Will Brinton, Carol Goldberg, Kris Sullivan, Tony Esposito, Pat Stewart and guest: Steve Press Jr.

Absent: Mary Ehrler, Don Shea, Steve Thornquist, June Riley


1)   Meeting called to order @ 6:19 PM
2)   Pat was asked by Will to take minutes of this meeting due to Mary’s absence.
3)   Minutes of June 11, 2012 meeting not reviewed, not available.
4)   Update on tree work: was presented to selectman’s meeting. Ray Pantalone met with Harkness Tree Services and they will do the job to take down trees in Old Bethany Burial Ground and Methodist Cemetery. A professional will take down the trees and the town, per Al Green, will dispose of the trees with the town crew. They will also cut back brush.  The town is now handling mowing the cemeteries.
5)   Cemetery Commission and membership and terms:
a.  members not yet appointed by selectmen
b.  Need to confirm if Cemetery Commission ordinance was published in the local paper
c.  the BCC continues as a “committee” and not as a “commission” until deemed so by the selectman.
d.  the terms of the commission will be determined as either a 1, 2 or 3 year membership.
6)   Rules and regulations from surrounding towns: are being collected by committee members and forwarded to Carol who will compile the dollar amount of grave plots, rules and regulations. The BCC feels that the town should not legislate what graves “look like” but should have a fall back position if not in Bethany’s now existing character.
7)   Discussion of lot fees in comparison to surrounding towns: $400.00 is the fee now charged by Bethany but what should it charge in the future?  This money will now go into the cemetery maintenance fund. The budget for mowing all 4 town-owned cemeteries is $8,000 per FY.
8)   Headstone maintenance:  2 quotes have been obtained from Skip Clark who maintains the Orange Cemetery and Monumental Conservation Collaborative (MCC) The BCC will ask for more details and a walk through of work already preformed and details of what can be expected at the Bethany cemeteries.


Suggestions and questions:

Carol: Can a fund raiser be conducted for the BCC cemeteries?
Can plots be saved for those who can’t afford to buy plots? Set criteria for pauper graves (rename)
Open up pauper /additional space in cemeteries.

E-mail Will with suggestions and questions to ask about cemetery repairs.

Next meeting: August 20 @ 7:00PM and subsequent meetings the 3rd Monday of each month at 7:00 PM.

Adjournment called by Will:  1st, Carol, 2nd Tony and all agree.
MINUTES OF THE BETHANY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS REGULAR
MEETING OF MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012    Page 1 of 5


The regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was called to order at 7:00 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
            Ruth Beardsley, Vice Chair
James Gugliotti, Member
Frances Doba, Alternate Member, seated as a voting member
Lisa Gaw, Alternate Member, seated as a voting member after Fran Doba
 recused herself.
Margaret Foley, Alternate Member, seated as a voting member

The following Board Member were absent or excused:
Steven Massey, Member
Walter Briggs, Member

Also present was:       
Isabel Kearns, Zoning Enforcement Officer


Chair Goldberg stated that pursuant to Section 4 of the Zoning Board of Appeals Bylaws, the Board must elect officers for the term of July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012.

It was moved by Gugliotti and seconded by Beardsley to add the election of officers to the agenda.  Unanimous approval.
 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

It was moved by Gugliotti and seconded by Beardsley to nominate Carol Goldberg as Chair for the Zoning Board of Appeals for the 2012 to 2013 term.  Unanimous approval.

It was moved by Gugliotti and seconded by Doba to nominate Ruth Beardsley as Vice-Chair for the Zoning Board of Appeals for the 2012 to 2013 term.  Unanimous approval.

It was moved by Gugliotti and seconded by Beardsley to nominate Steve Massey as Secretary for the Zoning Board of Appeals for the 2012-2013 term.  Unanimous approval.




MINUTES


It was moved by Gugliotti and seconded by Beardsley to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the November 14, 2011, Regular Meeting.
Voting for:  Goldberg, Beardsley, Gugliotti, Foley.
Unanimous approval.


BILL

It was moved by Gugliotti and seconded by Doba to approve the payment of a bill for $95.00, dated August 13, 2012, from Anne Sohon for recording services for the public hearing (168 and 170 Beacon Road).
Voting for:  Goldberg, Beardsley, Gugliotti, Doba, Foley.
Unanimous approval.


OTHER COMMUNICATIONS

1.      Letter from Neighbors of 1052 Amity Road, Bethany, dated June 28, 2012, Re:  Concerns pertaining to activity taking place at 1052 Amity Road.
Isabel Kearns, ZEO, stated a letter was sent out to the owner of record and the owner of record is addressing this matter.
2.      Copy of letter from Isabel Kearns, ZEO, to Richard Zanesky of 1052 Amity Road, Re:  Notice of Violation, complaint of dirt bike riding and associated noise at       1052 Amity Road.
3.      Connecticut Federation of Planning and Zoning Agencies Quarterly Newsletter, Spring 2012.
4.      Connecticut Federation of Planning and Zoning Agencies Quarterly Newsletter, Summer 2012.


PUBLIC HEARING – 168 AND 170 BEACON ROAD

Chair Goldberg opened the public hearing for 168 and 170 Beacon Road at 7:08 p.m. 

Chair Goldberg stated that Toni Marek is the Clerk of the Zoning Board of Appeals and she asked Toni to step down and not be clerk tonight due to the fact Ms. Marek lives at the subject property.

Fran Doba stated for the record that she works with Toni at the Town Hall and would like to be recused.

All members stated for the record that they have used William Marek’s septic services but do not feel it would cause any impartial judgment.
 
Chair Goldberg read the notice of the public hearing for the application submitted by William Marek for 168 Beacon Road – seeking a .86 acre variance to allow an existing barn over 1,000 square feet to be located on a 2.14 acre lot and for a 34.2 foot variance for the existing barn to be located 65.8 feet from the westerly property line.  For          170 Beacon Road – seeking a 44,923 square foot variance to allow a rear lot to be 52,577 square feet.

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

Chair Goldberg noted that the Board received the following items relative to the subject application.  Exhibit identification was assigned as noted:
1)      Exhibit 1A – “Certificate of Mailing” dated July 31, 2012, listing addresses of the surrounding property owners within 100 feet of the property that were notified of this application with attached sales receipt dated July 31, 2012 and a copy of a letter, dated July 30, 2012, that was sent to addresses listed on the “Certificate of Mailing”.
2)      Exhibit 1B – Letter from William Marek, dated July 24, 2012, Re:  Section 8.E.4 and 8.E.5 of the Zoning Board of Appeals Bylaws, the subject property is not within 500 feet of an adjoining municipality.

Present to speak on behalf of the application was Fred D’Amico, Engineer/Surveyor of D’Amico Associates representing the applicant, William Marek, who was also present.

Mr. D’Amico noted the following:
  • The property existed as one piece and approximately ten years ago a building permit was issued for the rear house so now there are two dwellings on one lot which was allowed under the regulations at that time.
  • Under the new regulations today, this proposed subdivision would not meet the requirements.
  • The applicant would like to subdivide properties at this time which would make the property less nonconforming.
  • There will be driveway easements prepared for the submission to the Planning and Zoning Commission in September, 2012.

In discussion, Board members noted:
  • The barn existed prior to the Marek’s purchasing the property.
  • If proposed new lot line for Lot 2 was moved to front of the barn, the front Lot 1 would not meet the regulations and the applicant would still need variances on both properties.

Chair Goldberg asked if there were any public members who would like to speak in favor of the application.  The following public members spoke:
  • Toni Marek of 170 Beacon Road.
  • William Marek of 170 Beacon Road.

Chair Goldberg asked if there were any public members who would like to speak in opposition of the application.  There were no comments.

There being no further discussion, at 7:37 p.m. Chair Goldberg closed the public hearing on the subject application.

 


DELIBERATION AND DECISION MAKING SESSION

Board members further discussed the application and proceeded to deliberate.

168 and 170 Beacon Road

It was moved by Gugliotti and seconded by Beardsley that the Zoning Board of Appeals grants the following variances for the application submitted by William Marek for the property located at 168 and 170 Beacon Road:

The Zoning Board of Appeals grants the application of William Marek, Robert S. Marek and Helen Marek for the property located at 168 and 170 Beacon Road and shown on Assessor’s Map #110, Lots #5 and 5B for a variance of Sections 4.3.E., 4.3.E.3 and 4.4.H.8 of the Bethany Zoning Regulations which variances are as follows:
·         168 Beacon Road
a)      Seeking a .86-acre variance to allow an existing barn over 1,000 square feet to be located on a 2.14 acre lot, when three acres is required.
b)      Seeking a 34.2-foot variance for the existing barn to be located 65.8 feet from the westerly property line, when 100 feet is required.
·         170 Beacon Road
a)      Seeking a 44,923-square foot variance to allow a rear lot to be 52,577 square feet, when 97,500 square feet is required.

This variance is granted subject to the following conditions:
1)      The variance shall not be effective until a copy of it, certified by the Chairman or the Secretary of the Board, and containing a legal description of the subject property, and specifying the nature of the variance (including the Section of the Zoning Regulations being varied) is filed with the Bethany Town Clerk for recording on the Bethany Land Records by the applicant or owner.  A copy of the recorded document shall also be filed with the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
2)      A strict and literal interpretation of the Zoning Regulations would deprive the property owner of rights commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same district.
3)      The reasons set forth in the application justify the granting of the variance so as to make possible the reasonable use of the land.
Vote 5 to 0.
Voting for:  Goldberg, Beardsley, Gugliotti, Gaw, Foley.
Unanimous approval.


ADJOURNMENT


It was moved by Gugliotti and seconded by Gaw to adjourn the regular meeting at       7:55 p.m.  Unanimous approval.

Respectfully submitted,


Steve Massey, Secretary
For the Zoning Board of Appeals




ANNUAL TOWN MEETING & ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING
MAY 21, 2012

            First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski called the Annual Town Meeting & Annual Budget Meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.  There were approximately 90 in attendance. 

            First Selectwoman Gorski called on Bruce Loomis, Chairman of the Conservation Commission to issue this year’s award.  In addition, the recipient will receive $50 to go to either the Bethany Land Trust or Historical Society.  The award is given to a small business owner and/or their business that when faced with the need to expand in Bethany reviewed the options available and chose to take the conservation route rather than the easiest route. It was done tastefully making minimal changes while recycling inside and out. They took energy efficient steps using geothermal heat and led and cfl lights where possible.  They also preserved old stone walls, trees and boulders on the property and kept gravel driveways where possible, as well as   practicing paperless record keeping and using recycled office supplies.  Kim Brinton was asked to come forward (along with Annie) to accept the Conservationist of the Year Award for 2012.

            The meeting was then opened with the First Selectwoman asking everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

            The First Selectwoman called for nominations from the floor for a Moderator.  There was a motion by J. Stirling, seconded by S. Hauser to nominate Bill Blake.  There were no further nominations.  Unanimous approval.

Item (1) on call – RESOLVED:   That the recommendations of the Board of Finance upon the Budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2012 amounting to $20,838,716  be, and hereby are accepted and approved.

Moderator Blake introduced Board of Finance Chairwoman Janet Brunwin to give the budget presentation.  Latest projected surplus for the current budget is $287,295.  Major road repair budget was approved in 2010 and will be completed next fiscal year.  The road crew will be able to make emergency road repairs, a huge savings to the town. Based on the feedback from those who attended the budget hearing, we will fund the Board of Education the level service for an additional $92,000 and have recommended one additional person to the road crew.  According to our proposal the mil rate will increase by 1.7% - from 28.06 to 28.54.  Grand list will increase by .5%.  The total revenues are increasing by 2.2%.  

Chairwoman Brunwin spoke of the large increase to the Bethany Library budget.  The town provides most of the funding along with interest from their endowment fund. Their budget runs about $150,000 annually.  The staff includes three part time staff which makes it very difficult to run an entire library.  Technology advancements have been slowed because of funds. There are also necessary repairs to the building and its maintenance. The current head librarian is resigning and the board is looking for a full time degreed professional librarian as director. In order to attract the right person it is very necessary to have an increase to the librarian’s salary.  If the library does not succeed in this then the building would be given over to the town to be managed.  The Board of Finance felt it is better for the nonprofit group to continue to run the library and an increase to their annual budget is very necessary.

Debt Service – Total savings on refunding bonds is $421,000 over the next 5 years.  Amity has sound financial management and is a positive in excellent education which also helps maintain property values.  The Connecticut Gas Company will be running a line up through the center of Woodbridge to Beecher School and to the high school. They will be converting oil into gas which will be a large savings. 

Bethany Bd. of Ed has had very small increases each year.  Key increases and decreases - zero teacher salary increases, elimination of some grant programs and a reduction in special education costs. 

Chairwoman Brunwin spoke of the new Long Term Financial Planning Committee working on a five year plan to assess the town’s future needs and what the residents feel is important - education, town services, infrastructure, etc.

Moderator Blake asked for a motion to accept the budget for 2012 – 2013. S. Thornquist made the motion, duly seconded by S. Hauser. 

Aileen Magda, 28 Deerfield Lane - regarding road work on Anthony Court. I understand the town’s permit was denied for the roadwork but the work continued.  Why didn’t we get an engineer for the project and what is the town’s liability?  Town Counsel Kevin McSherry – even if you used engineered plans and there was a defect in the work there would be some exposure.  My understanding is that the work was done properly and correctly. 

There were no further comments.  The vote taken was overwhelming yeas.  Approved.

Item (2) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of  $210,000 for the lease purchase of a dump truck, the first of three payments estimated to be $73,500 to be made in fiscal year 2013-14  by the Board of Selectmen for the Highway Department.  Motion made by J. Stirling, duly seconded.

Mike Okrent, 11 Prince Dr – questioned the wording of resolution #4  Alan Green, Highway Foreman  explained that Item #4 was a decision made at the last Annual Town Meeting to authorize payments on the dump truck.  This year is the first payment.

Sharon Huxley, 340 Old Mill Rd – how do you authorize a payment this year for an item that will be purchased next year?  First Selectwoman Gorski explained that this is to let everyone know what the item will cost and to authorize the purchase.

There were no further comments.  The vote taken was unanimous approval.

(Notation – There is no Item (3)

 Item (4) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of  $65,683 for the first of three payments of a lease purchase for a 5 yard dump by the Board of Selectmen for the Highway Department.  Motion made by S. Hauser, duly seconded by I. Nesson.

George McDonnell, 5 Rowe Court – Why a 5 yard rather than a 10 yard?  D Gorski stated that a 5 yard is what was requested.

There were no further comments.   Unanimous approval.

Item (5) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of   $46,678 for the first of three payments of a lease purchase of a dump truck by the Board of Selectmen for the Highway Department. Motion made by J. Stirling, duly seconded.

Bob Thomas, 43 Bethany Farms Rd – Is the sale of the used vehicle figured in to the price of the new item.  First Selectwoman Gorski – No because we don’t know how much we will get. 

There were no further comments.  Unanimous approval.

Item (6) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of  $15,000 for guard rails for Hoadley Road/Wooding Hill Road by the Board of Selectmen for the Highway Department. Motion made and duly seconded.

Barrie Collins, 339 Brooks Rd - What portion of Hoadley Rd?  A. Green - Buttonball Corner near the bridge.  Most of the posts are rotted.  Are they steel? Yes, but they still rot.

There were no further comments.   Unanimous approval.

Item (7) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of  $100,062 for the fifth of five payments of a five-year lease purchase of a fire pumper truck and related equipment for use by the Bethany Volunteer Firemen’s Association.

Betsey Thornquist, 25 Oak Ridge Dr – Do we then own it?  Yes. 

There were no further comments.  Unanimous approval.

Item (8) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of  $35,000 for the replacement of the Town Garage roof by the Board of Selectmen.  A motion was made by Stirling, duly.

Audrey Eisenstadt, 35 Rainbow Rd – Why is roof being replaced; it’s not that old?  A. Green - Roof is seventeen years old.  Quality of material was not the best.  A. Eisenstadt - Garage was expensive to build.  Highway Foreman Green stated that we got what we paid for with the garage.

There were no further comments. Unanimous approval.

Item (9) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of $30,000 to replace the telephone system in Bethany Community School by the Board of Education.  Motion made by Brunwin, duly seconded by Pittenger to move the resolution to a vote.

There were no comments. Unanimous approval.

Item 10) on call – RESOLVED:  that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of $84,000 for the refurbishment of sections of the roof at Bethany Community School by the Board of Education.  A motion was made and duly seconded to move the resolution.

There were no comments. Unanimous approval.

Item (11) on call - RESOLVED:  that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized  to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of $10,000 for monument landscaping at Veteran’s Memorial Park by the Board of Selectmen for the VFW monument. A motion was made by Slicer, duly seconded by Fournier to move the resolution.

Patsy Winer, 7 Carrington Rd – Please explain in more detail.  Art Slicer, VFW explained that there is some washout from the parking lot and we are trying to maintain the landscaping.  P. Winer will it involve a retaining wall?  A Slicer – yes, a couple. 

There were no further comments.  Unanimous approval.

Item (12) on call - RESOLVED:  that  the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures an amount up to the sum of $40,000 for Revaluation for the Grand List of October 1, 2013.  A motion was made by Brunwin, duly seconded by Hauser to move the resolution.

Robert Grosso, 39 Farmview Rd - When was last revaluation?  First Selectwoman Gorski – This is a statutory requirement.  The last revaluation was done in 2007. 

There were no further comments.  Unanimous approval.

Item (13) on call – RESOLVED:   that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized to transfer $25,000 from the General Fund to the Land Acquisition Fund.  There was a motion by Loomis, duly seconded by Magda to move the resolution.

There were no comments.  Unanimous approval.


Item (14) on call – RESOLVED:   Be it resolved that the resolution approved at the May 7, 1957 (correction – meeting date is *May 7, 1956) Bethany Town Meeting is to be amended;
The original resolution reads as follows:
"Resolved, that the Board of Selectmen is hereby authorized from time to time to sell and convey lots in the area known as Carrington Cemetery on such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate and to establish rules and regulations for the management for the affairs of said cemetery and is further authorized to provide, from the funds received for said cemetery lots or other funds on account of the operation said cemetery for the perpetual care of said cemetery in such manner consistent with the statute as it may seem expedient."

Whereas, since the date of the *May 7, 1957 Town Meeting, the Town of Bethany has become responsible for the care and maintenance of an additional three cemeteries;
Whereas, the Town of Bethany is statutorily required to maintain and care for these cemeteries in addition to the Carrington cemetery;
Therefore, it is moved that the *May 7, 1957 resolution be amended as follows:
"Resolved, that the board of selectmen is hereby authorized from time to time to sell and convey lots in the cemeteries known as the Carrington Cemetery, Methodist Cemetery, (Sperry Road Cemetery and Meyers Road Cemetery ) on such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate and establish rules and regulations for the management of the affairs of the cemeteries and is further authorized to provide, from the funds received for the sale of cemetery lots in the past or the future or other funds on account of the operation of the cemeteries in the past or future, for the actual care of said cemetery in such manner consistent with the Connecticut General Statutes and the Code of the Town of Bethany as Board of Selectmen may deem expedient."

A motion was made and duly seconded to move the resolution to a vote.  Unanimous approval.

Item (15) on call - Ordinance for the establishment of a Cemetery Commission for the Town of Bethany

BE IT RESOLVED by the electors of the Town of Bethany at its duly warned Town Meeting held May 21, 2012, that the Town of Bethany establish a Cemetery Commission pursuant to the powers granted to the Town of Bethany in Connecticut General Statutes 7 – 148 by adopting the following ordinance:

Cemetery Commission
1.)    There is hereby established a Cemetery Commission for the Town of Bethany which shall have as its object the oversight of the cemeteries operated by the Town of Bethany pursuant to rules and regulations adopted for the cemeteries by the Board of Selectmen.
2.)    Membership: The commission shall consist of seven regular members who are electors of the Town of Bethany and who are appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
3.)    Term of Office. The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen as follows: three members for a term of three years, two members for a term of two years and two members for a term of one year. Thereafter, each member or successor shall be appointed to serve a three-year term. The Board of Selectmen may fill any vacancy or remove any member for cause.
This ordinance shall take effect fourteen days after its adoption and in accordance with the Connecticut General Statutes.

There was a motion made by Thornquist, duly seconded by Fournier to move the resolution.

Selectman Thornquist - The idea is that we have four cemeteries that the town is responsible for.  Some have historic markers that go back to nearly revolutionary time.  There are stones in disrepair from storm damage, weather, etc.  They have been repaired on an as needed basis.  The goal is to get funding in a more consistent way and with a continuing source of income.  That is part one.  The second part is to provide a commission publicly in charge of the cemeteries.  The members will be charged with assessing state of repair, allocating funding and maintenance. It goes beyond simply mowing and goes into maintaining some of the history of the town. There are plots still available in Carrington Cemetery but this would allow us to distribute the funding to the other cemeteries as well.  There may also be plots available in the unused portion of the old Methodist Cemetery.  The idea is to provide ongoing funding and secondly to have a commission to oversee the cemeteries.

Sharon Huxley – Old Mill Rd - I question why there is a resolution for approval when the public has not had an opportunity to review it.  I have no objection to it but question the legality of not publishing it beforehand. 

Moderator Blake in conferring with Town Counsel McSherry agreed that it should have been published.  Town Counsel feels it better to withdraw Item #15 and act on it after it has been properly published.

S Thornquist made a motion, duly seconded to withdraw resolution #15 until properly published.   There was unanimous approval.

Robert Brinton, 68 Knollwood Rd – Made a motion to correct the language in Resolution #14 to include the Meyers Road and Sperry Road Cemeteries.

Moderator Blake recommended a motion to amend Item #14 which had already been passed to include the Sperry Road and Meyers Road Cemeteries.  The motion was made by S. Thornquist and duly seconded by A. Esoposito.  Unanimous approval.

Will Brinton, Chrmn of the cemetery ad hoc committee, 168 Sperry Rd – Members of the committee were introduced - MaryEhrler, Steve Thornquist, Don Shea, Anthony Esposito, Pat Stewart and Will Brinton.  To clarify the purpose of the resolution - basically there is a small fund for Carrington Cemetery – only to be used for that one cemetery.  The intention of the resolution is to have the funds used where needed most.

A. Eisenstadt – made a comment that she doesn’t feel it is legal to vote on something not legally published.

There were no further comments.  A motion was made and duly seconded to reconsider the amendment to resolution #14 to include Sperry and Meyers Road cemeteries as well.  Unanimous approval.

Item (16) on callBE IT RESOLVED:  that Chapter 12 of the Code of the Town of Bethany is amended to add the following:
F.) Advertising for all products and services shall include, in addition to any other appropriate media sources or publications determined by the Board, public ads in any publication of substantial circulation in Bethany, within available appropriations, or on the Internet or Town Website and the State of Connecticut Department of Administrative Services.  A motion was made and duly seconded to move the resolution to a vote.

A. Magda - this will supplement what is currently being done?  D Gorski this allows us to do it on the web or in a publication.  It is in addition to. K McSherry - currently there is no paper that has circulation to every house.  This will expand our ability to provide advertising.  This will add more flexibility for receiving bids which is a difficulty that we have now.  We receive very limited bids.  It is a free service.  The Selectmen will still have the flexibility to do what they need to do.

J Stirling, 20 Miller Rd – Seems like a fair approach to get as many bids as possible. 

There were no further comments.  Unanimous approval.


Item (17) on call –   BE IT RESOLVED:  that Chapter 20 Conservation Commission be amended as follows:
$ 20-1 there is hereby established a Bethany Conservation Commission, which shall have as its object the development and conservation of natural resources, including water resources and farmland resources, within the territorial limits of the Town of Bethany.  A motion was made and duly seconded to move the resolution to a vote.

A.  Magda   Does this have to do with development?    D. Goski - No.  In order to apply for other state and agricultural grants we need an agricultural committee and by adding farmland resources to the code it would serve that purpose.

There were no further questions.  Unanimous approval.

 Item (18) on call - RESOLVED:  that the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized and empowered to enter into agreements on behalf and in the name of the Town of Bethany with the Department of Transportation of the State of Connecticut for the expenditure of funds available to the Town of Bethany during the 2009-10 (corrected to 2012 – 2012) fiscal year for the maintenance, repair and the building of roads.

Claude Errera, 56 Deerfield La - A correction needs to be made to the date. 

A motion to amend the date to 2012 – 2013 was made by Errera and duly seconded by Thornquist.   Unanimous. 

The motion as amended was called.  Unanimous approval.

Item (19) on call - RESOLVED:  that the reports of the Town Officers, Boards and Commissions for the fiscal year ending  June 30, 2011 as contained in the printed 2010-2011 Annual Town Report to be accepted and ordered filed.  A motion was made and duly second to call the resolution.

There were no comments.  Unanimous approval.

Item (20) on call – Other matter proper to come before the meeting. 

D. Gorski
stated that the Long Term Financial Planning Committee will be having a survey done by the Center for National Research Firm located in Meriden. It will be conducted during the first week of June.  It is designed to take about 5 minutes. It will give the long range planning committee some information on what the residents would like the town to look like in five years. She urged everyone to take the time to do the survey. 

Pat Martin thanked the Board of Finance for their leadership and hard work.

A motion was made and duly seconded to adjourn the town meeting.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 pm.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,



                                                                        Nancy A. McCarthy, CMC
                                                                        Town Clerk



Special Town Meeting
June 27, 2012
Guardrails, Cemetery Commission, Town Survey
Town Hall roof design & Road Maintenance Program

            First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski called the Special Town Meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.  There were approximately 50 in attendance.

            The First Selectwoman called for nominations from the floor for a Moderator.  There was a motion by Jean Swanson, duly seconded to nominate William Blake.  There were no further nominations. 

            The Moderator read the notice of the meeting. He announced that Resolution #5, Road Maintenance Program, will not go forward tonight because the persons responsible were not available to speak.

1.      Be it resolved that the authorization approved at the Town Meeting held on May 21, 2012 to expend from the Reserve Fund for Capital Recurring Expenditures of up to Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) for guardrails for Hoadley Road/Wooding Hill Road by the Board of Selectmen for the Highway Department be amended at the Special Town Meeting of June 27, 2012 to add guardrails for Valley Road.

Russ von Beren - 134 Wooding Hill Road – Will all four corners of Hoadley/Wooding Hill Roads be replaced?  And where on Valley Road?

Alan Green, Highway Foreman – Valley Road is being done to repair what is already there – about 75 ft. of rail and then a little further an additional 20 ft.  At Buttonball Corner, 400 ft. will be replaced down to the bridge, then over the bridge toward Hoadley Road 125 ft. will be replaced.  Coming down the one-way part of Wooding Hill is an additional 90 ft.  The historical society requested that a parking area be kept for anyone wanting to walk the area where the Old Hoadley Mill is. 

Aileen Magda, 28 Deerfield La – Will the cost remain at $15,000?  Foreman Green - Yes it will be under.

Melissa Spear – 350 Amity Rd – Will the same steel be used on Valley Road?  Yes. Galvanized steel.

Jim Rawson – 15 Falcon La – Did we ever get left over guardrails from the state?  No.

Cathy Cole- 483 Downs Rd – When cars damage the rail, does the owner’s insurance pay? Some have not been replaced after this happened.  Why not? 

Pual Ford – 8 Valley Rd - made a motion to call question, duly seconded by Audrey Eisenstadt.

Barrie Collins- 339 Brooks Rd – Why are we replacing with steel?  It is not aesthetic.  Foreman Green stated because it is cheaper and will eventually blend in with the environment.  The color will be brown not silver.

There were no further comments.  The vote taken to pass the resolution was unanimous.

2.      Be it resolved by the electors of the Town of Bethany at its duly warned Special Town Meeting held June 27, 2012 that the Town of Bethany establish a Cemetery Commission pursuant to the powers granted to the Town of Bethany in Connecticut General Statutes 7 – 148  by adopting the following ordinance:
Cemetery Commission
A.     There is hereby established a Cemetery Commission for the Town of Bethany which shall have as its object the oversight of the cemeteries operated by the Town of Bethany pursuant to rules and regulations adopted for the cemeteries by the Board of Selectmen.
B.      Membership: The commission shall consist of seven regular members who are electors of the town of Bethany and who are appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
C.      Term of Office. The members of commission shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen as follows: three members for a term of three years, two members for a term of two years and two members for a term of one year. Thereafter, each member or successor shall be appointed to serve a three-year term. The Board of Selectmen may fill any vacancy or remove any member for cause.
This ordinance shall take effect 15 days after publication pursuant to Connecticut general statutes 7 – 157
A motion was made by Russ von Beren, duly seconded by Audrey Eisenstadt to approve the resolution.
Ann McDonnell – 5 Rowe Ct – Is there any way that the commission can also take the money and grant the deeds? 
Will Brinton – Chairman of ad hoc committee - hopefully once the Cemetery Commission is approved we intend to pursue that.  We will be an advisory body to the Board of Selectmen who has official oversight to town property.  Hopefully this will go on for perpetuity.
R. von Beren - feels the commission is a good idea.  It will be an improvement to the town.
Jean Swanson – 352 Amity Rd - made a motion to move the resolution to a vote, duly seconded.
There were no further comments.  The vote taken to pass the resolution was unanimous.
3.      Discussion and review of the town wide Survey.

Michael Vigeant, Center for Research spoke about the survey.  A long term Financial Planning Study was done.  Why pay for a survey?  It’s a science providing actual data based on what the masses want. We are a local firm located in Meriden.  The survey was done between June 11 and June 21.  There were 402 participants. Heads of household were asked to do the survey if possible.  The number one response in order of priority was maintaining the quality of the school system, a close second was management of raising tax rates and mainly spending for essential projects, third, was keeping the rural character of the town.  Residents were not adverse to an increase in businesses in town if the businesses were to go through a design review process.  Many would be willing to regionalize town services with neighboring towns if it meant slowing the rate of tax increase.  Town service – largest percentage desired an increase in road maintenance, followed by education, library services, town services and improving municipal facilities in that order. 

A. Magda – was called 1st week of survey but got a second call and a third call.  Another resident was told they did not have a record of being called.  Answer – Supervisor re-asked a hand full of questions to make sure the answers were consistent.  In some cases there was a glitch in the computer and some of the answers were missing.  He explained that there is a cleaning phase and match up.

Roger Hathaway - 350 Amity Rd -   what percentage was surveyed?  Answer - 2500 households, 402 surveyed. Was it based on land lines? A combination of both.  What was the average age?  We screened out those under the age of 20.  10% were under 45, 23% between ages of 46 & 55,  29% between ages of 56 and 65,  21% between the ages of 66 & 75, and 13% over 75 or refused.

M. Spear - I would like to see the data that shows a contradiction between no increase in taxes and wanting an increase in services.  Questions can be passed to the Board of Finance and we can do additional analysis with additional cost.

R. von Beren – Would it have been better to send the questionnaire and give people a chance to think about it.  M. Vigeant - Highly motivated will answer, those who are angry probably won’t. 

Jamie Stirling – 20 Miller Rd – anything relevant for us to know about the town?   Vigeant - The tax issue, 44.3% was number one concern.  Usually that number is lower. Residents really took the time to think about and answer the questions.   In Bethany, if done the right way, residents are not opposed to business.

What is the cost of the survey? First Selectwoman Gorski answered approximately $7,500.

George McDonnell – 5 Rowe Ct – It seems like you reached about 20%. I believe that through the mail would have given a higher percentage.  Vigeant – the results would show increased or inflated percentages.  We make sure that each neighborhood is reflected. 

Bart Piccirillo, 36 Bachelor Oak Rd – Will the Town get the raw data?  Yes.

R. von Beren - Was it sent out to bid?  We got two quotes.

4.      Discussion and review of Roof Design for South End of Town Hall

Rob White, architect for roof bid and also a resident of Bethany gave his presentation.  There is poor drainage, standing water, joints patched with tarring over gym and kitchen.  Main objective is to eliminate flat roofs and bring a new roof design respecting the existing building.  The goal is to bring some unity back to the building. 

Kris Sullivan – 783 Amity Rd – Is there any consideration for keeping the existing windows?  White  -  Light is a consideration but the roof is a more pressing issue.

White stated there are 3 layers of asphalt done in the 50s and 60s.  Basically, we are building over an existing roof.  Aesthetics should be apparent in any good design but the goal is to properly shed water away from the building.  Is there a cost benefit to a pitched vs. gabled roof?  Gabled is a relatively easy design.  Cost has been a consideration - pitched is less expensive.

J. Rawson – how is integrity of the building itself?  White - Technical engineering will need to be done.  The masonry walls from a structural end tend to be more than sufficient.  An engineer will need to make those connections and look at the existing structure.

A. McDonnell – The outside of the building will look beautiful but look at the ceilings and walls.  First Selectwoman Gorski stated that we have approval from the town meeting to replace the roof.

W. Brinton - love idea of pitched roof.  But by losing windows we lose lighting.  As registrars, we know there is very little cross ventilation.  During summer months it gets very hot in the gym.  There should be plenty of ventilation for this room.

Trudy Molsick - Tuttle Rd - What is the roof pitch?  5-12?  Could they pitch a little more and put in a dormer looking window?  White stated that it is a possibility.

J. Rawson – feels there would be better insulation with the pitched roof.

5.      Discussion and review of Road Maintenance Program

Road Maintenance Program will be rescheduled due to the unavailability of those to discuss the program.

There were no further comments.  A motion was made by S. Thornquist, duly seconded by A. Magda to adjourn the Special Town Meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,


                                                                        Nancy A. McCarthy, CMC
                                                                        Town Clerk