Thursday, July 9, 2020


BOARD OF SELECTMEN

JUNE 2, 2020

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                                                                     MINUTES – APPROVED 6-16-2020

 

Via Zoom

 

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

 

Also in attendance:  Town Attorney Vincent Marino and Finance Director Sheila Lane

 

Visitors:  Sharon Huxley, Clark Hurlburt, Cynthia Megyola, E.J. Maher, Jamie Stirling

 

1. First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order via Zoom at        7:01 p.m.   

 

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

First Selectman Cofrancesco called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the regular meeting of   May 19, 2020.   The motion of approval, with a correction, was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by First Selectman Cofrancesco.  The correction to the minutes is on Page 3, Item #11, Second Bullet – Change mill rate to “36.56”.   Voting for:  Cofrancesco, Gorski, Shea.  Unanimous approval.

 

3.  DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – TAX REFUNDS

First Selectman Cofrancesco stated that there are no tax refunds at this time.

 

4.  DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – REAPPOINTMENT OF BRIAN EITZER AS THE BETHANY REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SOUTH CENTRAL CONNECTICUT REGIONAL WATER DISTRICT

First Selectman Cofrancesco stated that Brian Eitzer has been on the Representative Policy Board for Bethany and has shown interest in continuing this position.  It was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by First Selectman Cofrancesco to reappoint Brian Eitzer as the Bethany Representative of the Policy Board for the South Central Connecticut Regional Water District.

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

 

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

Selectman Shea reported on the following:

·         Working on North Humiston Drive, Lacey Road, Edwards Road and Grant Road.

·         Should be in good shape in a few weeks.

·         Chip sealing will be starting soon.

·         We will need to talk about crack sealing maintenance which is beneficial to the roads.

·         Finance Director Lane will give update by end of week on money spent at this point on road work.

 

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

JUNE 2, 2020

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6.  DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – STATUS OF AIRPORT HANGAR – UPDATE

Town Attorney Marino reported on the following:

·         For purposes of making a decision, the Board of Selectmen need to review their options:

o   First option is to do nothing which is not a viable option.

o   Second option is to use insurance proceeds and restore building to pre-tornado status then there would be a defective building and can bring to litigation with manufacturer or contractor but construction litigation is very expensive and would be costly to the Town.

o   Third option is to use insurance proceeds and restore building to pre-tornado status.Tthere is approximately $230,000 to $250,000 of grant money left and Town can use this money to correct pre-tornado defective structure to good condition.  Would have to get quotes for work to bring structure to good condition.

 

Selectman Gorski recommended speaking with Bob Walsh, Building Official, who has all the information from previous dealings with the Airport Hangar.

 

Attorney Marino stated he did speak to the Building Official and that Mr. Walsh said there were onsite modifications made by the contractor and no question there were defects in the construction process or the manufacturing process.

 

Selectman Shea mentioned that there was a bond taken out on the structure.

 

Attorney Marino stated he would have to read the terms of the bond.  Also, Attorney Marino stated he did speak to the Building Official and his opinion was the contractor performed defective workmanship.  Attorney Marino mentioned the fact that the bond should cover defective workmanship. If the Town went with litigation, this would be a substantial expense on the Town; or can we use the balance of the grant money to correct the defective workmanship.

 

First Selectman Cofrancesco stated the Board will not make a decision tonight and we will follow-up with Bob Walsh, Building Official.

Tabled.

 

7.  DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – SIMPSON PROPERTY – ON HOLD (IN PROBATE)  First Selectman Cofrancesco stated this is on hold and is still in probate court.  Tabled.

 

8. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – CEMETERY COMMISSION BYLAWS –

First Selectman Cofrancesco emailed the Board members a copy of the amended version of the Cemetery Commission Bylaws, which included the Board of Selectmen’s recommendations. 

 

The Board reviewed and discussed and then found a discrepancy in Sections 2.1 and 2.2 with Sections 3.3 and 3.4.  First Selectman Cofrancesco will notify the Cemetery Commission and will correct the discrepancy.

 

 

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

JUNE 2, 2020

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It was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by Selectman Shea to approve, as amended, the Cemetery Commission Bylaws prepared by the Cemetery Commission.  Voting for:  Cofrancesco, Gorski, Shea.  Unanimous approval.

 

9.  DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – SIMPLE RECYCLING (SOFT RECYCLABLES) – ON HOLD

First Selectman Cofrancesco stated she has reached out to Simple Recycling and is waiting on a reply. They may possibly be closed due to pandemic, but she will follow up to see is we can possibly start the program in July 2020.  Tabled.

 

10. OTHER MATTERS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING

·         First Selectman Cofrancesco mentioned there is a contract for the shared trooper with the Town of Prospect which will run for one year.  It was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by Selectman Shea to authorize First Selectman Cofrancesco to sign the contract for the shared trooper with the Town of Prospect which will be a 50/50 cost split.

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

 

11. ADJOURNMENT

At 7:41 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