Wednesday, May 8, 2019


MINUTES OF THE BETHANY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 1, 2019                                             Page 1 of 6

The regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at  

7:04 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Bethany Town Hall, 40 Peck Road, Bethany, Connecticut.

 

The following Commission Members were present:

            Kimberly McClure Brinton, Chair

            Michael Calhoun, Vice-Chair

            Donna Shea, Member/Secretary

            Bob Harrison, Member

            Alex Hutchinson, Member

Brad Buchta, Alternate Member

Carol Lambiase, Alternate Member

 

The following Commission Member was excused:

Eric McDonald, Alternate Member

 

Also present were:

            Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant

            Isabel Kearns, Zoning Enforcement Officer

            Kevin McSherry, Town Attorney

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES              

    

1.      It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Harrison to approve the minutes, as submitted, of the March 13, 2019, Special Meeting.

Voting for:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson.

Unanimous approval.

 

2.      It was moved by Harrison and seconded by Shea to approve the minutes, as submitted, of the April 3, 2019, Regular Meeting.

Calhoun abstained.

Voting for:  Brinton, Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson.

Unanimous approval.

 

BILLS

 

1.      It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Harrison to approve the payment of $1,200.00 (monthly pro rata basis), for services rendered for April 2019, by Hiram W. Peck III, AICP, Planning Consultant.

Voting for:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson.

Unanimous approval.

 

2.      It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Shea to approve the payment of a bill for $125.00, dated for May 1, 2019; from Donna Cahill for recording services for the public hearing (95 Gaylord Mountain Road).

Voting for:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

 

 

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

 

1)      Letter from Isabel Kearns, Land-Use Administrator, to Theron Simons of 845 Carrington Road, dated April 25, 2019, Re:  845 Carrington Road, Conditions of Approval for Nature’s Harvest Mulch and Acorn Traders.

2)      Letter from Isabel Kearns, ZEO, to Mr. and Mrs. John Velardi of 15 Cedar Road, dated April 26, 2019, Re:  15 Cedar Road, Cease and Desist order dated March 15, 2019, outside storage.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

·         95 Gaylord Mountain Road, Application #2019-005 submitted by Mary Del Re for a Special Exception Permit for an Accessory Apartment

 

At 7:15 p.m., Chair Brinton called the public hearing to order.   Roll call was taken.  Chair Brinton read the legal notice for the public hearing that was published in the New Haven Register.

 

Present to speak on behalf of this application was Mary Del Re, owner and applicant.  Some items noted by Mrs. Del Re were:

o   Accessory apartment will be used as in-law apartment.

o   Apartment previously existed and would like to add a kitchen.

o   There is a walkout entry way.

 

Chairman Brinton mentioned the applicant has received signoffs from the Quinnipiack Valley Health District and the Fire Marshal.

 

Chair Brinton asked if anyone from the public would like to speak in favor of the application or against the application.  There were no comments.

 

At 7:22 p.m., it was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Harrison to close the public hearing on the subject application. 

Voting for:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson.

Unanimous approval.                                                                                                                                                               

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

1)      256 Amity Road, Application #2019-006 submitted by Thomas Capasso for a special Exception Permit for Outside Storage of landscaping trucks and trailers

 

The Commission formally received the application.  No one was present to speak on behalf of this application.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isabel Kearns, ZEO, recommended the Commission schedule a public hearing.  It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Shea to make a motion to schedule a public hearing date of June 5, 2019, at 7:15 p.m. for Application #2019-006 submitted by Thomas Capasso for a Special Exception Permit for Outside Storage of landscaping trucks and trailers located at 256 Amity Road.

Voting for:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

1)      95 Gaylord Mountain Road, Application #2019-005 submitted by Mary Del Re for a Special Exception Permit for an Accessory Apartment

 

Hearing was closed this evening.  Isabel Kearns, ZEO, submitted a draft resolution.  Commission members discussed and proceeded to deliberate.

 

It was moved by Calhoun and seconded Hutchinson to approve the following resolution for Application #2019-005:

 

Whereas, Joseph and Mary Del Re, owners of 95 Gaylord Mountain Road, applied to the Planning and Zoning Commission on April 3, 2019, for a Special Exception Permit for a   696 square foot accessory apartment to be located in the basement of the existing home located at property known as 95 Gaylord Mountain Road;

 

Whereas, the Planning and Zoning Commission opened a public hearing on Application #2019-005 for a Special Exception Permit for an accessory apartment to be located in the basement of the existing home at 95 Gaylord Mountain Road at their regular meeting of   May 1, 2019.  Said hearing was closed at the conclusion of testimony that same evening;

 

Now therefore, the Planning and Zoning Commission makes the following findings of fact and decisions regarding the application:

 

  1. The Commission received Permit #2625 from the Quinnipiack Valley Health District dated March 26, 2019, approving the accessory apartment. 
  2. The Commission received a letter dated April 24, 2019, from Ronald Walters, South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority representative, in which he states he has no comments.
  3. Roderick White, Fire Marshal, signed off on the back of the application on April 1, 2019, indicating his approval.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that pursuant to Section 4.4.J. of the Bethany Zoning Regulations, amended to December 1, 2017, the Bethany Planning and Zoning Commission approves the application of Joseph and Mary Del Re for a Special Exception Permit for a 696 square foot accessory apartment to be located within the basement of the existing home located at 95 Gaylord Mountain Road (#2019-005) as shown on the floor plan prepared by the applicant, submitted April 12, 2019, and as per the statement of use dated March 27, 2019;        

 

And with the following conditions:

1)                 The owner of the property shall provide to the Planning and Zoning Commission an annual affidavit, due prior to occupancy of the apartment and during the month of January each year, to the effect that the accessory apartment continues to be in full compliance with Section 4.4.J. of the Bethany Zoning Regulations.

2)                 A building permit for the accessory apartment must be submitted and approved by the building official prior to construction.

Vote 5 to 0.

Voting for:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson.

Unanimous approval.

 


 

2)      667 Amity Road, CFC Park, Status Update

 

Present for this update was Matt Micros, partner from CFC.

 

Mr. Micros noted the following items in discussion:

o   Ordered no parking signs for area Commission concerned with.

o   Hired attendants when there is a large event to assist in parking.

o   Applied for permit with Quinnipiack Valley Health District for the second well.  One well from building and second well for irrigation.

o   Need to have a small shed to house electric for irrigation.

o   Irrigation will be up and functional in a few weeks.

o   Landscaping has begun and will be completed in a few weeks.

o   For parking in back, used millings instead of gravel.

 

Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant, stated the parking area in back is larger than what was on plan approved on June 22, 2016.  Mr. Peck recommended that Mr. Micros contact his engineer to obtain new calculations for the stormwater management plan.

Tabled.

 

3)      Continue discussion regarding draft Zoning Regulations – Schedule a Special Meeting -

 

The Commission scheduled a Special Meeting for Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. to continue review of the draft zoning regulations.  Tabled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4)      Discussion with Dr. Gale Ridge of the Bethany Environment Committee regarding revised requirements for “Sustainable CT” and update on installation of anemometer at Airport Property

 

No one present for discussion. 

Member Hutchinson mentioned he attended the workshop on Sustainable CT on April 26, 2019 and discussed with Commission.  Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant, suggested that possibly the Regional Planning Commission can send a summer intern to help on the project.

Tabled.

 

 

ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S REPORT

Isabel Kearns, ZEO, submitted the following:

·         Building Permits, dated April 2, 2019 to April 25, 2019.

·         Site Inspections dated April 5, 2019, to April 25, 2019.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Harrison to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:25 p.m.

Voting for:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Antonia R. Marek, Clerk

for the Planning and Zoning Commission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF FINANCE

SPECIAL MEETING

APRIL 2, 2019

Page 1 of 4

 

DRAFT

 

Attendance:  Chairman John Grabowski, Sally Hauser, Katie Erickson, Sharon Huxley, Betsy Thornquist

 

Visitors:  First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski, Sheila Lane, Roderick White, Fran Doba, Clark Hurlburt

 

Chairman Grabowski called the meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 7:06 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Selectmen’s Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.

 

BUDGET 2019-20

 

The Board reviewed each line item of the budget with Sheila and noted a few changes from the last presentation.   Workmen’s Compensation Insurance was reduced by 10% because of a good record.  Liability insurance remained flat.

 

The Board wanted to add a comment to the Land Use line (377) to clarify the salary increase for Land Use Administrative Assistant.    

 

The Board questioned how many Town Hall Computers would be replaced?  There will be twenty-six new replacements. 

 

The Board determined that $100,000 would be put into the Land Acquisition Fund for fiscal year 2019-20.

 

Chairman Grabowski reports that Amity Regional has a surplus of $292,599 at this time for fiscal year 2018-19.  Unlike other years when the surplus was returned to the Towns proportionately, they may use it for repairs before the end of the fiscal year.

 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES PLAN

 

Items listed on the 2019-20 request list are the 6 yard dump truck with plow, pumper/rescue truck, generator for Town Hall, repair to the Annex, wheel chair ramp repair at Town Hall, Alarm Monitoring & Hardware upgrades at school, generator for Town Hall and repaving of the Town Hall and School parking areas. 

 

The Board discussed the bond issue for road repair.  The pros and cons of putting the paving of Town Hall and School parking areas in the bond issue or taking it out of the General Fund balance was discussed.  No decision was made at this time.

 

ANNEX REPAIR

 

Roderick White was present to answer questions about the Annex repair and generator for Town Hall.  Rod feels that $20,000 would put the annex in useable condition for Park and Recreation’s use for this summer.  PCB removal in the windows will cost approximately $10,000.  If the building was to be torn down, PCB removal would have to be done anyway for the environment.  It was suggested that the Public Hearing address the matter with regards to total renovation which would cost about $235,000 to $250,000.  The complete renovation would include putting in handy-capped bathrooms.   Since the building could be used for programs for camp this summer with minimal changes, a motion was moved by Sharon Huxley to authorize taking $10, 120 from Contingency Fund toward this project.  Betsy Thornquist seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous

 

LETTER TO THE BOARD FROM FIRST SELECTWOMAN GORSKI

 

The following letter was discussed by the Board members:

.

36.9- Current mill rate

36.4- Use fund balance to reduce mill rate by .5, balance the budget and pave parking lots out of Capital Fund- fund balance reduced to 15.34%

35.9- Use fund balance to reduce mill rate and balance the budget, but put paving of parking lots in the road bond.

 

Current(36.9)____36.4_______  35.9___

 

 

1. Ranch,   1680 sq. ft.-   3 Bedrooms, 2½ Baths on 1.5 acres. Appraised value: $299,309/Assessed value: $209,520           $ 7,731               $ 7,627               $  7,522

 

2. Colonial, 3164 sq. ft.- 4 Bedrooms, 3  Baths on 2.5 acres. Appraised value: $441,597/Assessed value: $309,120             $11,407              $11,255              $11,097

 

3. Colonial, 4176 sq. ft.- 4 Bedrooms, 3½ Baths on 2.2 acres. Appraised value: $554,414/Assessed value: $388,090           $14,321              $14,126              $13,932

 

4.  Cape,     4460 sq. ft.-  4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths on 2.85 acres. Appraised value: $620,339/Assessed value: $434,240            $16,023             $15,806             $15,589 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                          MEMO

 

April 2, 2019

 

To:          Chairman John Grabowski and members of the Board of Finance

 

From:    Derrylyn Gorski, First Selectman

 

Re:         FY 2019-2020 Budget

 

Finance Manager Sheila Lane has provided the BOF with the budget scenarios as requested- using the fund balance to balance the FY 19-20 Budget and using the fund balance to balance the FY 19-20 Budget AND to pave the BCS and Town Hall parking lots, bringing the fund balance to 18.66% and 16.49% respectively.

 

As I said at your meeting last week, I believe we should use the fund balance to reduce the mill rate.  When we decided to keep the fund balance higher than our Financial Policy of 10%-14% the Boards of Selectmen and Finance did that jointly because of the uncertainty of then Gov. Malloy’s proposal to pass Teachers Retirement System (TRS) liabilities as well as normal costs to the municipalities.  His proposal would have billed Bethany $774,000 to fund TRS.  That threat no longer exists.

 

Gov. Lamont’s original proposal was for municipalities to pay 25% of the pension costs for current teachers earning the state median teacher salary of approximately $77,000.  Bethany’s teachers earn approximately $75,000. That impact to Bethany would have been $42,000 in FY20 and $87,000 in FY21- a far cry from Gov. Malloy’s $774,000.

 

That proposal was amended in Committee and there is no longer a proposal to pass on the TRS to the municipalities.

 

With the parking lots’ paving costs in the road bond, reducing the mill rate by 1 mill- from 36.9 mills to 35.9 mills would leave the fund balance at 16.3%, still higher than our policy.

 

Adding the parking lots paving costs as a capital item paid out of the fund balance, you could still reduce the mill rate by .5mill- from 36.9 to 36.4 leaving a fund balance of 15.34%.

Adding the parking lots paving costs as a capital item paid out of the fund balance, you could still reduce the mill rate by .5mill- from 36.9 to 36.4 leaving a fund balance of 15.34%.

 

BUDGET RECOMMENDATION FOR THE BUDGET HEARING

 

The Board of Finance modified a few budget line items.   Sally Huyser then moved to approve the Expenditure side of the budget at $24,005,828 and the Revenue side of the budget at $23,772,531.  Betsy Thornquist seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous.

 

SCHOOL AND TOWN HALL PAVING

 

The Board discussed paving of the School and Town Hall parking lots in this fiscal year, by taking the funding from the General Fund rather than including it in the Road Bond project, since the balance in the General Fund is 20.4% of budget.  It is estimated that the total cost for the project would be $446,540,000.  At the conclusion of discussion Sharon Huxley moved to transfer $447,000 from the General Fund to the Capital Expenditure Fund so that paving could begin before the end of the fiscal year.  The motion was seconded by Sally Huyser.  The vote taken was unanimous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Chairman Grabowski called for a motion of approval for the minutes of March 26, 2019.  The motion of approval was moved by Sharon Huxley and seconded by Sally Huyser.  Sharon Huxley then modified the minutes as follows:

 

It was the consensus of the Board of Finance that the salary for the possible extra teacher, that may be needed for next year at the Community School, if the enrollment increases much more, should be put in the Contingency Fund so that the bottom line of the Elementary School budget does not increase if it is not needed.

 

The amended minutes were then accepted on a vote of three yes votes and two abstentions those of Betsy Thornquist and Katie Erickson.

 

FINANCE DIRECTOR

 

Sheila Lane spoke to the Board regarding the financial package she has chosen for the bookkeeping system.  The package will cost approximately $20,785 for the software.  There is $7,406 in the Capital

Fund toward this purchase.  The Town would need to appropriate $14,000 to make this purchase possible.  Betsy Thornquist moved to take $14,000 out of the Contingency Fund to purchase a financial computer package for the Town.  The motion was seconded by Katie Erickson.  The vote taken was unanimous.

 

OLD SCHOOL HOUSE REPAIRS

 

The Old School House is needing some repair.  The estimated cost of repair is $6,000.  This request was submitted by the Elementary School as a Capital Expenditure for next fiscal year.  The request is under $10,000,  which usually is the cutting off line to be classified as a Capital project.  Following discussion Sally Huyser moved a motion to take $6,000 from the Contingency Fund during this fiscal year to repair the Old School House.  Sharon Huxley seconded he motion.  The vote taken was unanimous.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Adjournment was called at 9:00 p.m. after a motion was moved by Sally Huyser and seconded by Betsy Thornquist.  The vote taken was unanimous.

 

                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                                                June G. Riley

                                                                                                                Clerk, Board of Finance

 

 

 

BOARD OF FINANCE

BUDGET HEARING

APRIL 22, 2019

Page 1 of 3

DRAFT

Attendance:  Board of Finance members:  Chairman John Grabowski, John Ford IV, Sharon Huxley, Katie Erickson, Betsy Thornquist, Sally Huyser

There were 225 people in attendance.

The Annual Budget Hearing was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman Grabowski.  The Budget Hearing was held in the Bethany Town Hall Gym.

Bruce Loomis was the first speaker of the evening with remarks regarding today being Earth Day and saving the environment.  Bruce thanked the Town of Bethany, especially the Recycling Center for helping make the plastic bag collection such a success for the Bethany Elementary School.  The school collected 2,734 pounds of recycled plastic bags.  A prize was given to the Bethany Elementary School from Trex for their successful campaign.

Chairman Grabowski gave a power point presentation regarding the budget for fiscal year 2019-20.  He explained how the surpluses over the past few years from Amity, returned to the towns, has helped to increase the total of the General Fund to 20.4% of budget.  Another factor affecting the General Fund balance was that last year the Town was uncertain about the Governor’s budget, and how it would affect the Town financially, so the budget was prepared accordingly.   Chairman Grabowski explained the proposed budget of $24,005,828 for expenditures and $23,772,531 for Revenues and how using some of the Fund Balance could lower the mill rate for fiscal year 2019-20 by up to one mill.  A detailed hard copy of the budget and capital requests was available for those present to cover details that were not covered in the presentation. 

The roads scheduled for repair of the Town Roads  is as  follows:

Bear Hill Road, mill and pave, Bethmour Road, reclaim and pave, Brinton Road, reclaim and pave, Brooks Road reclaim and pave, Doolittle Drive, reclaim and pave, Downs Road, reclaim and pave, Edwards Road, reclaim and pave, Fairwood Road, reclaim and pave, Falls Road, reclaim and pave, Glenwood Ct, reclaim and pave, Green Hill Road, reclaim and pave, Hatfield Hill Road, reclaim and pave, Hinman Road, reclaim and pave, Lebanon Road, reclaim and pave, Litchfield Turnpike, reclaim and pave, Mountain View Road, reclaim and pave, Northrop Road, reclaim and pave, Old amity Road, reclaim and pave, Ridgewood Road, reclaim and pave, Sperry Road, reclaim and pave for a total of $7,859,891.

Barry Bernabi, Bond Counsel for the Town was called on to speak to the Hearing regarding bonding for this road repair.   The Town is in a very good position to float a bond since our previous bond is near retirement.  The Town has an AA2 credit rating.  This good rating is due to the high Fund Balance that the Town has maintained.   The interest rates are low at this time.  

John Garcia – Fairwood                  Road     If the bonds are to be paid over a 15 year period the roads will be worn out before the bonds are paid. 
Alan Green – Road Foreman - If done right the roads will last 30 years with reclaim and paving process.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Jamie Stirling – What is the total cost over a fifteen year span with the interest and principal, and what are the payments.  Will this get us on target so that the Major Road account will maintain the roads from then on?

Bart Piccarelli – Bachelor Oak Road – will there be another phase or more bonding to finish other roads?

Rod White – Building Maintenance Town of Bethany – Rod spoke about the repairs needed to bring the Annex up to useable condition.  The total cost is approximately $235,000 which would include plumbing repair, carpet cleaning or replacement, removal of PCB’s and miscellaneous other repairs.  This building could then be used by Park and Recreation for their activities.

There were no comments from the audience either for or against this renovation.

Chris Pittenger – Bethany Farms Road – Will this project be up for approval at the Annual Town Meeting?

John Grabowski – Since there seems to be no opposition it probably will be. 

Ronald and Kathy Bouffard – Bear Hill Road – When will Bear Hill be repaved?  “ I have to drive on only half of the road it is so bad.”

Alan Green – Probably not for a year.  It is not any worse than other roads.

Chairman Grabowski – The Board of Finance has worked hard to try to keep everything in balance during the budget development, being responsible for all issues.  “I know   that the road projects will take from three to five years, as there is a lot of area to cover.

First Selectwoman Gorski spoke about the statistics on how the State will provide grant money in the future, however a percentage of what we have been receiving in the past will be eliminated or reduced, especially for education grants.

Chris Pittenger – Bethany Farms Road – Chris is Chairman of the Board of Education and he spoke about Elementary School enrollment.  There are presently 346 students at the Elementary School.  This is the lowest enrollment since 1985, however there seems to be an increase for next year.  If the increase continues, another teacher will have to be hired. 

Eric Frieden – Eric ask for a list of Highway equipment to be replaced and an approximate schedule for replacement.

Chief Richard Cogil and Brent Ciccarelli both spoke about the rescue/pumper truck requested as a Capital Expenditure next fiscal year.

Steven  Thornquist – Oak Ridge Drive –why and how does it work to combine two trucks in one?

Brent Ciccarelli explained that it makes the piece of equipment one unit where in the past two vehicles were needed to do the same job.  The total cost including interest would be about $1,100,000. 

Jamie Stirling – Miller Road – Jamie thanked the Board of Finance for the work they had done in preparing this budget.

Sharon HJuxley – Board of Finance member asked how many want to maintain the present mill rate?

Sally Huyser – Board of Finance member asked the Chairman to call for a show of hands for those wanting a mill decrease.  About twenty people raised their hands.  The Chairman asked for a show of hands to keep the mill rate as it is.  There were approximately 150 hands to maintain the same mill rate.

Chairman Grabowski said we can’t count on a surplus this year from Amity as they have projects planned.  A half mill reduction would make the difference of $250,000 in the budget.   . 

Ruth Beardsley – Litchfield Turnpike asked what impact would half a mill have to each household.  That question was not answered.

Betsy Thornquist – Board of Finance member - we have tried to be responsible in this budget planning.

Robert Brinton Jr. – Robert thought we should lower the General Fund to 12% and not bond.  Why do we need to keep so much in the bank?  We should spend it on roads.

Chairman Grabowski adjourned the Budget Hearing at 8:20 p.m.

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted

                                               

                                                                                                June G. Riley 

                                                                                                Clerk, Board of Finance