Wednesday, March 21, 2018


Bethany Conservation Commission

November 9, 2017

Approved Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 8:11 by Bruce Loomis. Also in attendance were Patsy Winer, Matthew Popp and Cathy Rives.  Absent were Brian Eitzer and Shaukat Khan.  Matthew Popp was appointed as a voting member in place of Brian Eitzer

Minutes of the September 14, 2017 meeting were reviewed.  Cathy moved to accept the minutes with the correction of the spelling of 'Quinnipiac' in the last paragraph. Matt seconded and the minutes were approved.

There were no bills, nor correspondence.  Bruce distributed the summer 2017 edition of 'The Habitat' for review. 

Bruce encouraged all members attending the CACIWC conference on November 18 to carpool as able.

Discussion of COY continued and the working list of potential candidates was narrowed further.  Discussion will be continued.

Bruce reported on a parcel of land on Bethmour Road for consideration for the Conservation Watch List.  He also encouraged all members of the Commission to review the Open Space Appendices on the Bethany website in anticipation of updating them in the near future.

The Commission had a brief discussion about trails in Bethany.

At 9:11, Matt moved to adjourn, Patsy seconded and the motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Cathy Rives,

Secretary pro-tempore

 

 

Bethany Conservation Commission

February 8, 2018

Approved Minutes

 

  1. The meeting was called to order at 8:05 by Bruce Loomis.  Also in attendance were Brian Eitzer, Patsy Winer and Matthew Popp. Absent were Shaukat Khan and Cathy Rives.
  2. Matthew Popp was appointed as a voting member in place of Cathy Rives for this meeting.
  3. Patsy moved to accept the minutes of the Nov. 9, 2018 meeting, Matt seconded.  It was noted that the letter A should be capitalized in the word appendices in the third from last paragraph (Open Space Appendices).
  4. The only correspondence was the fall 2017 issue of “The Habitat”.
  5. Bruce reported on issues with the Conservation Commission budget.  The expenses from last year’s Conservationist of the Year award were not submitted during fiscal 2016-2017.  They are now submitted and put into this year’s budget, however, that additional submission along with the projected expenses for this year’s Conservationist of the Year and the Bethany Community School Conservation Awards will cause the Conservation Commission’s budget for 2017-2018 to be exceeded.  Bruce will send a letter to the Board of Finance to explain the issue.
  6. Entered into an Executive Session at 8:18 to discuss a land issue and Conservationist of the Year.  The Executive Session ended at 8:34.
  7. There was a discussion of creating an approved charity list for the Conservationist of the Year award.  After the discussion the following motion was made by Brian:

Given budget issues the Conservation Commission will no longer include a monetary donation as part of the Conservationist of the Year award.

            Bruce seconded the motion and it passed.    

  1. Bruce tabled the issue on the Open Space Appendices.
  2. There was a discussion of trail use within the town and whether the Commission should make an effort to get the trails upgraded and expanded.  No action was taken at this time.
  3. There was a discussion about the need for additional members to the Commission.
  4. Matt moved to adjourn at 9:10 Patsy seconded and the motion passed.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Brian Eitzer

Secretary pro-tempore

BOARD OF FINANCE

SPECIAL MEETING

FEBRUARY 27, 2018

Page 1 of 2

DRAFT

Attendance:  Chairman John Grabowski, John Ford IV, Sharon Huxley, Sally Huyser

Visitors:  First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski, Thomas Broesler, Tim Neiderman, Jennifer Turner, Katheryn Silvester, John Pellicano, Alan Green, Selectman Clark Hurlburt, Francis Doba, Johnathan Hirchoff, Richard Cogill, Robert McSherry, Melissa Canham-Clyne

Chairman Grabowski called the meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 7:12 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Selectman’s Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Grabowski called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the meeting of February 20, 2018.  The motion of approval was moved by John Ford IV.  Sharon Huxley seconded the motion.  There were no changes made to the minutes.  The vote was called.  The vote taken was three yes votes and one abstention that of Sally Huyser.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

There was no Chairman’s Report as there had been no Amity Finance Meeting since his last report.

FIRST SELECTWOMAN’S REPORT

First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski reports that she had been in Hartford today at the Public Hearing held in the Legislative Office Building testifying regarding Bill 51.67.  Under this bill the elementary schools can only put into a non-lapsing fund 1% of surplus for Capital projects while Regional School systems are not limited.  For example because Amity is a Regional System they are not held to the same standards. Without public authorization they can put their surplus into a fund and spend the surplus without returning it to the towns.

CLARK MEMORIAL LIBRARY

Katheryn Sylvester, member of the Clark Memorial Library Board gave a formal introduction to the Board of Finance for the Library budget and introduced members of the Library Board present at this meeting. Melisa Canham-Clyne then spoke of the activities and programs and extended hours they are open.  She spoke of the money received as a result of the grant writer they had for a year.  Melisa spoke of the creative ways they are trying to set up fund raisers.  Overall they are asking for an increase in their budget of $22,000 over last year. 

BETHANY FIRE DEPARTMENT

Robert McSherry addressed the Board of Finance regarding the Bethany Fire Department budget and Capital Expenditure requests.  The operating budget request is $2,000 more than last year.  They are requesting $17,000 for a cardiac compression tool.  They would like a utility body pickup for $85,000 and a new engine pumper for $895,000 as their Capital Expenditures.

Robert gave the Board of Finance an update on progress with the installation of the Radio System.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT BUDGET

Alan Green outlined some of the Highway Department’s operation.  The budget request is $6.7 % over last year.  The department is making a request for a new pay loader as their only Capital Expenditure request this year.  The Board requested that Alan get together with Tom Broesler to work up a list of roads to repair over the next five years and the cost of reconstruction, since Alan feels that the Town is falling behind with road repair and perhaps bonding should be considered.  They would like this information for the next meeting.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Trooper Merriam is still waiting for numbers from the State regarding the percentage of total salary for the Resident Trooper to be paid by each town.  It is not known what other costs may still be accessed by the State. 

SOLID WASTE BIDS

The bids for curbside pickup and recycling will be opened next week. 

BUDGET

The Board of Finance is requesting that Tom Broesler have all the numbers finalized on a spread sheet so that they can begin to put the budget together for their special meeting March 6, 2018. 

TAX COLLECTOR’S REPORT

Fran Doba presented the monthly report of the Tax Collector to the Board of Finance.  She explained why the amount for tax refunds was so high.  She explained that it was due to the pre-tax pay situation with the Federal Government deductions for next year. 

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment was called at 9:05 p.m. after a motion was moved by Sally Huyser and seconded by John Ford IV.  The vote taken was unanimous. 

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                               

`                                                                                               June G. Riley

                                                                                                Clerk,  Board of Finance

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 26, 2018

Page 1 of 1

 

DRAFT

Attendance:  First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski, Selectman Donald Shea, Selectman Clark Hurlburt

Visitors:  Attorney Kevin McSherry, JoAnne Blanc, Gerald Osgood

First Selectwoman Gorski called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order at 7:30 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Selectmen’s Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

First Selectwoman Gorski called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the meeting of February 12, 2018.  The motion of approval was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by Selectman Hurlburt.  There were no changes to the minutes.  The vote was called.  The vote was two yes votes and one abstention, that of Selectman Hurlburt as he was absent from that meeting. 

SUSTAINABLE CT COMMITTEE

First Selectwoman Gorski reported that ten people have volunteered to be on the Sustainable Ct Committee.  The Selectmen discussed how large the committee should be.  It was determined that a committee of seven would be adequate with three alternates.  A motion was then moved by Selectman Hurlburt to appoint Amy Arnsten, Marie Pulito, Gale Ridge, Jenny Turner, Glenda Callendar, Annmarie Puleo and Eric Freidon as regular members and April Sterling, Clark Hurlburt and Lee Grannis as alternates.  Selectman Shea seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous.

TREES ON SPERRY ROAD

First Selectwoman Gorski reported to the Selectmen that she has had communication with the Vegetation Expert from Eversource regarding the trees on Sperry Road, to be taken down to re-route wires.  The residents of Sperry Road are concerned especially for two tulip trees near the intersection of Bethway Road.  Before a final decision is made regarding the tree removal the Selectmen will hold a Public Hearing to allow residents to express their concerns.

EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL ISSUE

At 7:40 p.m. Selectman Hurlburt moved a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue and to invite Attorney McSherry to stay for the session.  The motion was seconded by Selectman Shea. The vote taken was unanimous.  At 7:55 p.m. Selectman Clark Hurlburt moved to exit the executive session.  Selectman Shea seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous. 

ADJOURNMENT

First Selectwoman Gorski called for a motion of adjournment.  The motion was moved by Selectman Hurlburt and seconded by Selectman Shea.  The vote taken was unanimous. 

Respectfully submitted,

June G. Riley

Secretary, Board of Selectmen