Friday, February 21, 2020


BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 4, 2020

Page 1 of 3

 

MINUTES APPROVED 2-18-2020

 

Attendance:  First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco, Selectman Donald Shea, Selectman Derrylyn Gorski

 

Also, in attendance:  Town Attorney Barbara Schellenberg

Visitors:  Bruce Loomis, Sharon Huxley

 

 

1.&2. First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order at    7:08 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Selectmen’s Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.  As the first order of business, Selectman Cofrancesco asked all to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

 

3.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES

First Selectman Cofrancesco called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the meeting of

January 13, 2020.   The motion of approval was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by Selectman Shea.  There was a minor revision in Item #9 – added sentence which reads “Selectman Gorski recommended checking with the vendor to see if they would be interested in participating”.  Voting for:  Cofrancesco, Shea, Gorski.  Unanimous approval.

 

 

4. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – ROAD WORK – MOVING FORWARD – UPDATE

·         Selectman Shea stated they are working on Invitations to Bid for road work and working on List of Roads which will be ready for the next meeting.

·         First Selectman Cofrancesco stated information was taken from the BETA report that was received pertaining to the roads from the original list that were not completed in the first phase of the road project.  Additional review of the BETA report indicated other roads that would need work that were not on the original list.

·         Selectman Gorski stated that when working around the Regional Water Authority property to contact RWA and inform them of the work plans so they can work together.

·         First Selectman Cofrancesco stated they are moving forward with the next phase and hope to have everything lined up when paving season starts.

·         Selectman Gorski mentioned that she has signed a check for emergency work on Fairwood Road.  Selectman Shea stated that there was backfilling that needed to be completed from previous road work.

 

 

5. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – SIMPSON PROPERTY – UPDATE

First Selectman Cofrancesco stated they received the new assessment of $390,000 and are waiting for the family to go through the probate court.  No action taken. Tabled.

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 4, 2020

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6. DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION – SIMPLE RECYCLING (SOFT RECYCLABLES)

First Selectman Cofrancesco noted the following:

·         Met with vendor this morning and Bruce Loomis was in attendance.

·         Need approval to move forward and will get contract revised and forward to Town Attorney for review.

 

Bruce Loomis stated that Simple Recycling will take anything textile as long as it is clean and fits in bag given.  First Selectman Cofrancesco stated the Town of Bethany will not incur any costs for Simple Recycling.  The Company is doing the mailing with the bag and the information, and we will need to promote this properly to start in April around Earth Day. 

 

It was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by Selectman Gorski to give First Selectman Cofrancesco the authority to complete the process to start the Simple Recycling in the Town of Bethany.

Voting for:  Cofrancesco, Shea, Gorski.  Unanimous approval.

 

 

7. DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION – TAX REFUNDS

First Selectman Cofrancesco stated that she did not have a list of the tax refunds and that this item should be tabled to the next meeting on February 18, 2020.  Tabled.

 

 

8. DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION – CEMETERY COMMISSION BYLAWS

First Selectman Cofrancesco stated the Cemetery Commission Bylaws are on hold at this point and that she is working with Kris Sullivan and Will Brinton on trying to identify deeds, plots and names.  Selectman Gorski stated there is a spread sheet that shows who paid for plots in files or on computer in Selectman’s Office.  Tabled.

 

 

9.  RESOLUTION – REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY – HAZWASTE CENTRAL (HWD) PROGRAM

First Selectman Cofrancesco distributed a Resolution from the South Central Regional Water Authority Confirming Commitment and Participation in a Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center in New Haven, Connecticut.  The Selectmen briefly discussed and proceeded to deliberate.  It was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by Selectman Shea to approve the Resolution from the South Central Regional Water Authority Confirming Commitment and Participation in a Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center in New Haven, Connecticut, effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023. Voting for:  Cofrancesco, Shea, Gorski.  Unanimous approval.

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 4, 2020

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10. OTHER MATTERS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING

·         First Selectman Cofrancesco stated that in the Town of Bethany Code Book it states that invitations to bid shall be published in a newspaper but that the Board of Selectmen can waive this requirement.  It was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by Selectman Gorski to waive the requirement to publish invitations to bid in the newspaper and to publish the invitations to bid on the State of Connecticut DAS Construction Services – List of Invitations to Bid for Contractors.

Voting for:  Cofrancesco, Shea, Gorski.  Unanimous approval.

·         First Selectman Cofrancesco stated she received a letter from MIRA regarding recycling in which they are reaching out to try to expand their business and that the Town is satisfied with the company using now.  No action taken.

·         Selectman Gorski asked how the audit was proceeding.  First Selectman Cofrancesco stated they have asked for an extension until the end of February due to QuickBooks being inaccessible but is now accessible.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

At 7:39 p.m., it was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by Selectman Shea to adjourn the regular meeting.  Unanimous approval.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Antonia R. Marek

Meeting Clerk

 

MOTIONS OF THE BETHANY INLAND WETLANDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF MONDAY,  FEBRUARY 18, 2020.                                            Page 1 of 3

 

The regular meeting of the Inland Wetland Commission was called to order at 7:01 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Bethany Town Hall, 40 Peck Road, Bethany, Connecticut. 

 

The following members of the Inland Wetlands Commission were present:

         Kristine Sullivan, Chairman

         James Nickle, Member

         Anjuli Cokic, Member

         Charles Clark, Member

       

Also present was Isabel Kearns, Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer

 

 

MOTIONS

 

1)      43 & 51 Russell Road – Hop Brook Storage, It was moved by Clark and seconded by Cokic to approve Application #1321-A submitted by Hop Brook Storage - Bill and Wendy Grieger for an Inland Wetlands Permit for outdoor storage of new and used port-o-lets, located at 43 & 51 Russell Road as presented in the application, testimony and in accordance with the submitted plan, dated January 6, 2020.  Also, this approval is subject to the standard conditions found on the Land Records Volume 93, Page 802 and Page 803 and with the following condition:

1.      The installation or storage of the port-o-lets will need to be clean and emptied prior to transport back to the site.

 

This approval includes the relocation of the existing of new and used port-o-lets following these guidelines as shown; there should be minimal or no adverse impact to the onsite wetlands.

Vote 4 to 0.

Voting for:  Sullivan, Nickle, Cokic, Clark.

Unanimous approval.

 

2)      43 & 51 Russell Road – Hop Brook Storage, It was moved by Nickle and seconded by Cokic to approve Application #1321-B submitted by Bill and Wendy Grieger for an Inland Wetlands Permit for temporary stockpiling of millings, located at 43 & 51 Russell Road as presented in the application, testimony and in accordance with the submitted plan, dated January 15, 2020.  Also, this approval is subject to the standard conditions found on the Land Records Volume 93, Page 802 and Page 803.

 

This approval is based on the fact that it is a temporary stock pile to be spread throughout the leveling of the parking lot and its known that is not a contaminate or not to be harmful to the neighboring Wetlands according to the State DEP following these guidelines as shown, there should be minimal or no adverse impact to the onsite wetlands.

Vote 4 to 0.

Voting for:  Sullivan, Nickle, Cokic, Clark.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

3)      9 Russell Road – Green Light Auto Sales, LLC., It was moved by Sullivan and seconded by Clark that there will be no need of the Application #1329 submitted by David Logue for an Inland Wetlands Permit for a Commercial Development Car Sales and Commercial Garage located at 9 Russell Road as presented in the application, testimony and in accordance with the submitted plan, titled Green Light Auto Sales, prepared by Borghesi, Building and Engineering and dated January 29, 2020.

 

1.      Decision is pending receipt of a letter indicating that the Quinnipiack Valley Health District has no concerns regarding the area of discharge, from the storm waters from 9 Russell Road, provided that erosion controls are in place. 

 

This motion is based on the fact that there are no wetlands on-site.

Vote 4 to 0.

Voting for:  Sullivan, Nickle, Cokic, Clark.

Unanimous approval.

 

4)      49 Round Hill Road - Residence Driveway, It was moved by Sullivan and seconded by Clark to approve the Application #1329 submitted by Robert McSherry for an Inland Wetlands Permit for a driveway for residence located at 49 Round Hill Road as presented in the application, testimony and in accordance with the submitted plan, titled Bob McSherry, prepared by Nowakowski, O’Bymachow, Kane, Associates, Civil Engineering and Land Surveying, dated October 11, 2019, which included overall site plan for 49 Round Hill Road and 395 Newton Road Bethany and Woodbridge, Connecticut, septic plan, dated October 11, 2019, driveway profile originally dated October 11, 2019 and revised on December 4, 2019, Map of Parcel 5A prepared for Martha Freeman, dated September 19, 2018 and based on the Drainage Reports from JMM Wetland Consulting Services dated December 4, 2019. Also, this approval is subject to the standard conditions found on the Land Records Volume 93, Page 802 and Page 803 and with the following condition:

 

This approval is based on the fact that a 48 inch pipe will replace the 24 inch pipe for the wetlands crossing, with the stream bed being recreated on the base of the pipe and the submission of a maintenance agreement prepared by a consulting engineer for the maintenance of the culvert and also will be a headwall for the crossing of the wetland and there will no use of salt materials on the driveway near the wetlands crossing areas, following these guidelines as shown, there should be minimal or no adverse impact to the onsite wetlands.

Vote 4 to 0.

Voting for:  Sullivan, Nickle, Cokic, Clark.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5)      It was moved by Cokic and seconded by Nickle to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the January 21, 2019, Regular Meeting.

Voting for:  Sullivan, Nickle, Cokic, Clark.

Unanimous approval.

 

6)      It was moved by Sullivan and seconded by Cokic to approve, as submitted, the bill of services rendered by Donna Cahill at the Public Hearing of the January 21, 2020 and February 18, 2020.

Voting for:  Sullivan, Nickle, Cokic, Clark.

Unanimous approval.

 

7)      There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Sullivan and seconded by Clark to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:37 p.m.

      Voting for:  Sullivan, Nickle, Cokic, Clark.

      Unanimous approval.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Lina V. Frazer, Clerk

for the Inland Wetlands Commission  

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 18, 2020

Page 1 of 2

DRAFT MINUTES

 

Attendance:  First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco, Selectman Donald Shea

 

Absent:  Selectman Derrylyn Gorski

 

Also in attendance:  Attorney Courtney George and Finance Director Sheila Lane

Visitor:  Sharon Huxley

 

1.&2. First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order at    7:03 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Selectmen’s Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.  As the first order of business, Selectman Cofrancesco asked all to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

First Selectman Cofrancesco called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the meeting of    February 4, 2020.   The motion of approval was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by First Selectman Cofrancesco.  There were no changes to the minutes.  Voting for:  Cofrancesco, Shea. 

Unanimous approval.

 

4. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – ROAD WORK – MOVING FORWARD – UPDATE

First Selectman Cofrancesco noted the following:

·         Still in the process of getting invitations to bid finalized and that we hope to get them out in the next few weeks.

 

5. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – SIMPSON PROPERTY – UPDATE

There was a brief discussion that the owners should be in the process of going through probate on the property, and a question was asked as to whether or not the owners had a lawyer.  First Selectman Cofrancesco will check on this and report back.  Tabled.

 

6. DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION – SIMPLE RECYCLING (SOFT RECYCLABLES) – UPDATE

First Selectman Cofrancesco noted the following:

·         She made revisions to contract, waiting for contractor to send back for final review and will send off to Town Attorney for review.

 

 

7. DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION – TAX REFUNDS

First Selectman Cofrancesco distributed a list of tax refunds to be acted on by the Board totaling in the amount of $8,195.64.  It was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by First Selectman Cofrancesco to approve the tax refunds totaling in the amount of $8,195.64, as shown on report.  Voting for:  Cofrancesco, Shea.  Unanimous approval.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 18, 2020

Page 2 of 2

 

8. DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION – CEMETERY COMMISSION BYLAWS – UPDATE

First Selectman Cofrancesco stated there is nothing happening right now with the Bylaws and the Cemetery Commission has a meeting this Thursday, February 20, 2020, in which she will attend.  Tabled.

 

9.  DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION – AMERICAN GENERAL LIFE COMPANY – RESOLUTION

Finance Director Lane stated that there needs to be new signers on the Dr. Plummer Scholarship Fund, they had no record since 2012, and they wanted a resolution.

 

It was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by First Selectman Cofrancesco to approve the resolution for American General Life Company to resolve the signatory issue.  Voting for:  Cofrancesco, Shea.  Unanimous approval.

 

 

10. OTHER MATTERS PROPER TO COME BEFOR THE MEETING

First Selectman Cofrancesco noted the following:

·         A request was submitted from a resident, who is part of a prayer group, looking for a discounted rate to rent an area in Town Hall, the Lodge or Pavilion on one Sunday in March, April and May. 

Selectman Shea stated that typically if a Bethany resident with a non-profit organization requests to rent, the Town waives the fee.  First Selectman Cofrancesco stated that they would have to get someone to come in to open and close and cleanup, which would cost the Town.  First Selectman Cofrancesco will contact Janice Howard, Director of Park and Recreation, who is responsible for these locations and have Mrs. Howard follow up with individual requesting rental to obtain specifics of the event.  Selectman Shea suggested possibly charging for just the cost of the coverage of the facility during the event.

·         Received an email from Charlie Rosa of the U.S. Census Bureau looking for space with chairs and tables for 20 to 25 people at Town Hall to train employees for Census.  After discussion, First Selectman Cofrancesco stated it does not seem feasible at Town Hall and will inform      Mr. Rosa that the Town Hall would not be able to accommodate this.

·         The Schedule for the Budget Workshops has been distributed and will take place next Friday, February 28, 2020, starting at 4:00 p.m.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

At 7:33 p.m., it was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by First Selectman Cofrancesco to adjourn the regular meeting.  Unanimous approval.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Antonia R. Marek

Meeting Clerk

 

BOARD OF FINANCE

FEBRUARY 11, 2020

Page 1 of 3

 

 

DRAFT MINUTES

 

The following Board members were present:  John Grabowski-Chairman, John Ford, Sally Huyser and Lars Demander.

 

The following Board members were absent:  Sharon Huxley and Catherine Erickson

 

Also in attendance were:  First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco, Finance Director Sheila Lane and Town Attorney Barbara Schellenberg

 

Visitors:  Dr. Jennifer Byars, Amity Regional School District No. 5 Superintendent

                Janice Howard, Parks and Recreation Director

                Nick Poulmas

 

 

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

 

2.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Grabowski called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the regular meeting of     January 14, 2020.  The motion of approval was moved by Member Huyser and seconded by Member Ford.  There were no changes to the minutes.  Voting for:  Grabowski, Ford, Huyser, Demander.  Unanimous approval.

 

3.      AMITY BUDGET PRESENTATION – DR. JENNIFER BYARS

Present for the Amity Budget Presentation was Dr. Jennifer Byars.  Packets of the Amity Regional School District No. 5 – Superintendent’s Proposed Budget 2020-2021 were distributed.

 

Dr. Byars prepared a slide presentation for the Board.  Some items Dr. Byars reviewed were:

·         State Assessment Performance

·         Exceptional Learning Opportunities

·         Amity Pre-Apprentership Program

·         Discussed the budget process

·         Increase of 3.79% in Budget

·         Budget drivers – contractual increases, technology, textbooks, personnel

 

First Selectman Cofrancesco commented on the following items:

·         Pre-Apprentership Program – Is it limited?  Dr. Byars stated it is not limited but there are some issues such as safety limitation with students there, students are working for free, and the amount of students that want to do the program.

 

 

 

BOARD OF FINANCE

FEBRUARY 11, 2020

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·         School Resource Officer – One at high school for 1,600 students and one at each middle school for 400 students.  Seems out of balance to spend that kind of money for middle school.

Dr. Byars replied that they are reluctant to remove due to added layer of security.  Right now there are two unarmed security guards who manage sally port and monitor school.  The School Resource Officer would be an addition.

 

Chairman Grabowski expressed his concern with the budget increase.

 

4.      CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Chairman Grabowski announced there will be a Budgeting Workshop on Friday, February 28, 2020, starting at 4:00 p.m. and that the Board will have various departments present their budget.  Bethany Community School will begin at 4:00 p.m.

 

Chairman Grabowski discussed the Amity School Budget and his concern with the 3.79% increase.  He also mentioned the Towns will have to vote on the budget and that we need to get residents out to vote on this. 

 

Also, Chairman Grabowski brought up the subject of Officer Dave Merriam working at the Amity Middle School - Bethany.  He feels townspeople could be upset with Officer Merriam working at middle school.  Chairman Grabowski asked Town Attorney if Bethany is forced by Amity to hire a School Resource Officer for the Middle School.  Attorney Schellenberg will discuss with Attorney Marino and report back.

 

Chairman Grabowski mentioned there was a clean audit for Amity by Maloney Sabol, CPA’s and Advisors, Glastonbury, Connecticut.

 

5.      FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT

First Selectman Cofrancesco noted the following:

·         All notices were sent out to all Boards and Commissions for their Annual Reports.

·         I will be reviewing all performance evaluations with Sheila Lane, Finance Director, so that any merit raises can be included in the budget.

·         I was given the authority to move forward with Simple Recycling by the Board of Selectmen and this will be no cost to the Town.

·         We are in the process of preparing invitations to bid for the next phase of road work.  BETA may attend the next Board of Selectmen meeting on February 18, 2020, to give us their recommendations for the roads to be completed and review with them their software and how to use it.

 

Janice Howard, Park and Recreation Director, noted the following:

·         Sean Warner from the Bethany Town Crew stated the Park and Recreation van needs mechanical work.

 

 

BOARD OF FINANCE

FEBRUARY 11, 2020

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·         Had Digennaro Service LLC in Bethany look at van for safety issues and was given an estimate of $3,900 for repairs.

·         Is it worth doing work on a 2002 van with over 200,000 miles on it?

·         Do we look for alternative options such as leasing or purchasing a new or used van?

·         Waiting for State price.

 

Chairman Grabowski mentioned this would have to go to Town Meeting for purchase of new or used van and that Mrs. Howard should obtain all the information and numbers to present to Board.

 

 

6.      FINANCE DIRECTOR’S REPORTS

A.    MONTHLY ENDING REPORT FOR FY 2019-20

Finance Director Lane distributed to the Board copies of the two monthly reports listed as follows:

·         2020 Detail Expenditure Year Analysis

·         2020 Expenditure Summary by Month

 

Finance Director Lane briefly discussed Highway and Public Works Department stating that request is higher due to the need for new equipment.

 

7.      ADDRESS CONTROL ISSUES

No discussion.

 

8.      ANY OTHER MATTER PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING

No discussion.

 

9.      ADJOURNMENT

 

At 9:03 p.m. there being no further business, it was moved by Member Huyser and seconded by Member Ford to adjourn the regular meeting.  Unanimous approval.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Antonia R. Marek

Meeting Clerk