TOWN OF BETHANY

AUGUST 24, 2015

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DRAFT

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

Visitors:  Bruce Loomis, Eric Frieden, Fran Doba, Stuart Horton, Bart Piccarelli, Alan Green, Todd Ryker

First Selectwoman Gorski called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order at 7:35 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

First Selectwoman Gorski called for a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting or July 27, 2015.  The motion of approval was moved by Selectman Hurlburt and seconded by Selectman Shea.  The vote taken was unanimous.

ADDITION TO AGENDA

First Selectwoman Gorski called for a motion to add to the agenda of this meeting for Waiving of Fee for Use of Lakeview Lodge.  The motion was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by Selectman Hurlburt.  The vote taken was unanimous. 

WAIVE FEE FOR USE OF LAKEVIEW LODGE

Selectman Shea moved to waive the fee for use of the Lakeview Lodge for the Delatore Family for an after funeral dinner.  Selectman Hurlburt seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous. 

SOLID WASTE STUDY COMMITTEE

Members of the Solid Waste Study Committee presented to the Board of Selectmen, results of their completed study for Solid Waste for the Town of Bethany.  The Committee looked at Municipal Solid Waste with regarding to curbside pickup of cooking and consumption of products used primarily in private homes.  They looked at alternatives for bulky waste and solid commercial and industrial refuse.  Handling and disposal of single stream recyclables was also studied.  If curbside single stream recycling is done containers would be supplied.  Alternatives for handling of mattresses was explained by Bruce Loomis. 

TAX REFUNDS

A motion to refund a total of $5,580. 82 to the following was moved by Selectman Shea:

B & B Transportation $234.50, Complete Excavating Services $90.61, Craig Riegelhaupt $194.61, Daimler Trust $715.59, David Reyes $16.82, Donna Viscovi $27.58, Ellen Nicole $23.16, Frank Pepe Jr. $15.59,  Frederick Haversat $399.06, Frederick Scalese $86.83, Honda Lease $83.83, Honda Trust $173.80, Jacques Francois $30.00, Jason Halpern $72.96, Jennifer Tittle $67.83, JP Morgan Chase $195.80, Katherine Abbott $16.61, Kenneth Murphy $18.33, Lawrence Tischer $43.52, Mark Marenholz $7.29, Nissan Infiniti $69.52, Peter Radsziunas $54.94, Philip Casoria Jr. $69.03, Renuka Umashanker $14.44, Richard Floyd $22.67, Robert Esposito $67.17, Ronald Blakey $64.96, Sal Amaeo $69.94, Seth Weiss $191.11, Steven Thornquist $60.00, Toyota Lease $1,126.04, USB Leasing $901.29, VW Credit Leasing $65.42, William Schuchmann $283.80 and Yousaf Kashimiri $90.00 all for overpayment of taxes.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence was received from Lee Ann Fallon requesting a traffic study for the intersection of Grant and Cheshire Road.  She feels that the site line when exiting Grant Road on to Cheshire Road is poor.  Alan Green, Road Forman who was present at the meeting agreed with her as the Highway Department employees have made the same complaint especially when snow plowing.  Since Grant Road intersects with Cheshire Road which is a State road.   First Selectman Gorski will contact the State regarding a study.

HEART OF BETHANY – RID LITTER DAY

Stuart Horton, spokesman for the Heart of Bethany was present to discuss with the Selectmen the possibility of holding a Rid Litter Day April 9, 2016.  The Selectmen all liked the concept. 

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment was called at 8:40 p.m. after a motion was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by Selectman Hurlburt.

 

                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                                June G. Riley

                                                                                                                Secretary, Board of Selectmen

 

 

MINUTES OF THE BETHANY BOARD OF FINANCE SPECIAL MEETING OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2015                                                               Page 1 of 4

The Special Meeting of the Board of Finance on Tuesday, September 15, 2015, was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chair Grabowski in the Selectmen’s Conference Room at the Bethany Town Hall. 

 

The following Board members were present:

            John Grabowski, Chairman

            John Ford IV

            Robert Brinton Jr.

            Sharon Huxley

            Chip Spear

            Sally Huyser, arrived at 7:50 p.m.

 

Visitors:   Derrylyn Gorski, First Selectman

                 Tom Broesler, Finance Manager

     Fran Doba

     Carol Goldberg

     Bruce Loomis

     Eric Frieden

                 Bart Piccirillo

                 Don Shea

                 Clark Hurlburt

 

 

Approval of Minutes – Tabled.

 

 

It was moved by Brinton and seconded by Ford to move the Solid Waste and Recycling Committee Presentation before the Finance Manager’s Report.  Unanimous approval.

 

 

Presentation by Solid Waste and Recycling Committee (SWARC)

 

Present from the SWARC were:  Bruce Loomis, Chairman, Eric Frieden, Carol Goldberg, Don Shea, and Bart Piccirillo.

 

Eric Frieden led the presentation and noted the following:

·         The Committee has assessed other towns and Bethany as to current services for Recycling and Municipal Solid Waste.

·         Goal is to improve recycling rate and reduce the cost of Municipal Solid Waste disposal which will improve compliance with State of Connecticut Recycling Regulations.

·         Received quotes from Trash Master, John’s Refuse & Recycling and Residential Waste Systems.

·         On the State of Connecticut website, the Statewide Municipal Solid Waste and Recycling Statistics are only current to 2011.

·         SWARC is preparing the final Request for Proposal and will send out for bid.

·         Will include a clause in RFP that states the Town of Bethany has the right to refuse all bids.

 

 

 

In discussion, some members of the Board noted:

·         Concerned with State of Connecticut not having up-to-date reports on Municipal Solid Waste and Recycling.

·         Showing an increase in cost to the Town to do curbside recycling not a savings at this time.

·         When RFP’s go out and new numbers are received by the SWARC, the BOF will review and proceed accordingly.

 

 

Finance Manager’s Report

 

Tom Broesler, Finance Manager, presented a brief overview of his credentials and some items that he noted are as follows:

·         Not impressed with report on Town’s internal controls; serious internal control issues.

·         Will make recommendations.

·         Reviewed audit from 2014 to get an idea of accounts.

·         Current accounting system called iFIPS.  Meet with Dennis Cardiff who wrote current program and will work to make program more effective.

·         Will rework chart of accounts and design an improved system.

·         Anticipating going live with new system by July 1, 2017.

·         Reviewed and edited Financial Policy Manual.  Will email draft to members.

·         Budget prep sheets – all sheets can be populated out of iFIPS.

·         Making progress with budget sheets.

·         Need more info to do cash analysis.

·         Will speak to auditors.

·         Making progress and will take recommendations from the Board to make the budgeting process smoother.

 

 

Chairman’s Report

Some items Chairman Grabowski noted are as follows:

·         In August Amity Meeting there was a lot of discussion on Amity surplus which is over a million dollars.

·         This was due to the large amount of dollars put in the budget the previous year for insurance.

·         End result was the finance people from Bethany, Woodbridge and Orange meet and determined the money should go back to Towns.

·         Will support the gas conversion to the Orange Middle School.

·         Will get more information at next meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Selectwoman’s Report

Some items First Selectman Gorski noted are as follows:

·         Board of Education has not contacted Bond Counsel or Financial Advisor Barry Bernardi.

·         Bethany’s Financial Advisor ran some figures for the roof project cost for a six year bank loan.

·         Proposed price quote for roof project is $1.25 million, based on estimates from several architects.

·         Board of Education hiring new superintendent this week.

·         Will forward to new superintendent what the Bond Counsel is looking for and will work together.

·         Have Chris Pittenger, Board of Education Chairman, or another member from the BOE attend to next Board of Finance meeting and update Board.

·         Answered question on combining school roof with Fire Department radio.  Fire Department did not like the RFP that was prepared.  Fire Department would like to use their person to draw up the RFP.

·         Will meet again with the Fire Department to discuss.

 

 

Action Items:

·         A member of the Board of Education to attend next Board of Finance meeting.

·         Financial Manager will give update at next meeting possibly with some reports.

·         Chairman Grabowski will email draft Financial Policy Manual to all BOF members.

·         RFP’s will go out for the SWARC and when they obtain information needed, they can come back to BOF and present.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Board, it was moved by Husyer and seconded by Spear to adjourn the special meeting at 9:09 p.m.

Unanimous approval.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Antonia R. Marek

Pro tempore

 

 

MINUTES OF THE BETHANY BOARD OF SELECTMEN SPECIAL MEETING  OF

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2015                                                                      Page 1 of 1

The Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, September 15, 2015, was called to order at 6:46 p.m. by First Selectwoman Gorski in the Selectmen’s Conference Room at the Bethany Town Hall. 

 

The following Board members were present:

            Derrylyn Gorski, First Selectwoman

Donald Shea, Selectman

Clark Hurlburt, Selectman

 

Visitors:   Fran Doba

                 Carol Goldberg

 

Tax Refunds

It was moved by Shea and seconded by Hurlburt to approve tax refunds in a total amount of $772.95.  Unanimous approval.

 

Waive Lakeview Lodge Fee for Lockets Meadow Farm

It was moved by Hurlburt and seconded by Shea to waive the fee for the use of the Lakeview Lodge located on Beacon Road in Bethany for Lockets Meadow Farm, a nonprofit organization.

Unanimous approval.

 

Update on Bethany Community School Roof Project

First Selectman Gorski noted the following:

·         The Committee wants to move forward on the roof project.

·         The Board of Education has not contacted Bond Counsel or Financial Advisor Barry Bernardi.

·         Bethany’s Financial Advisor ran some figures for the roof project cost for a six year bank loan.

·         Proposed price quote for roof project is $1.25 million, based on estimates from several architects.

·         Board of Education hiring new superintendent this week.

·         Will forward information to new superintendent as to what the Bond Counsel is looking for and will work together.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Board, it was moved by Shea and seconded by Hurlburt to adjourn the Special Meeting at 6:55 p.m.

Unanimous approval.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Antonia R. Marek

Pro tempore

                              Bethany Conservation Commission

                          Minutes for August 13, 2015

 

      The meeting was called to order at 8:15 PM by chairman Bruce Loomis.  Also present was member Shaukat Kahn and Alternate Patsy Winer.

 

      1)Absent were Cathy Rives, Dorothy Seaton, Brian Eitzer and Matt Popp.

      2)Patsy Winer was appointed to vote in place of Brian Eitzer.

      3)Election of a chairman for 2015-2016 was tabled until next meeting due to the low attendance.

      4)The Minutes for the June 11, 2015 meeting were reviewed and Bruce made a motion to accept and Patsy seconded.  It was noted that Shaukat Kahn was at the meeting and his name needed to be added to those present.  Also, in items 1 and 6 the word “motioned” should be replace with the phrase “made a motion”.

The minutes were approved as corrected.

      5)Under correspondence we had Thank You Notes from the 2015 Community school Conservation Award recipients.  They were Julia Ryack and Christopher Uscilla.

      6)There was nothing new to report on the Woodward/Mesa Drive property.

      7)A possible zone or status change for Woodhaven Country Club was briefly discussed before being tabled for later discussion.

          8)Zoning regulation revision discussions were tabled.

 

Shaukat made a motion to adjourn and Patsy seconded and the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Bruce Loomis, Chairman

 

 

 

MINUTES OF THE BETHANY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015                Page 1 of 7

The regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:05 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, Member

            Donna Shea, Member

            Bradford Buchta, Alternate Member

            Carol Lambiase, Alternate Member, seated as a voting member

            Eric McDonald, Alternate Member, seated as a voting member

 

The following Commission Members were absent:

            Michael Sullivan, Vice-Chairman

            Douglas Goldner, Member

 

Also present were:

             Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant

             Isabel Kearns, Zoning Enforcement Officer  

 

 

APPOINTMENT OF STAFF -  Tabled.

 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

            

1.      It was moved by Shea and seconded by Calhoun to approve the minutes of the August 5, 2015, Regular Meeting, with the following amendments:

·         Page 4, Second Paragraph, First Sentence – Reads “The Commission received a letter from Luiza DaSilva, dated July 13, 2015, regarding a request to waiver the fees for this zoning text amendment application.”   Change to “The Commission received a letter from Luiza DaSilva, dated July 13, 2015, regarding a request to waive the fees for this zoning text amendment application.”

·         Page 4, Second Paragraph, Second Sentence – Reads “The Commission briefly discussed this and it was mentioned that Staff has spent hours on the zoning violation at the applicants property and would like to discuss further.”  Change to “The Commission briefly discussed this and it was mentioned that Staff has spent hours on the zoning violation at the applicant’s property and would like to discuss further.” 

     Voting for:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Lambiase, McDonald.

     Unanimous approval.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BILLS

 

1.      It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Lambiase to approve the payment of $1,200.00 (monthly pro rata basis), for services rendered for August 2015, by          Hiram W. Peck III, AICP, Planning Consultant.

Voting for:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Lambiase, McDonald.

Unanimous approval.

 

2.      It was moved by Lambiase and seconded by Calhoun to approve the payment of $105.00 for recording services rendered at the public hearing held on September 2, 2015,            (67 Mesa Drive) by Anne Sohon.

Voting were:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Lambiase, McDonald.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

 

1.      Letter from Isabel Kearns, ZEO, to Anthony Vallillo dated August 6, 2015, Re:           788 Amity Road, email received regarding dogs and hours of operation.

2.      Letter from Isabel Kearns, ZEO, to Mr. & Mrs. William Grieger, dated August 12, 2015, Re:  Notice of Violation, Use Permits from tenants, 429, 437, 443 Fairwood Road.

3.      Letter from Isabel Kearns, ZEO, to Mr. & Mrs. William Grieger, dated August 12, 2015, Re:  Second Notice of Violation, Use Permits from tenants, 63 Sargent Drive.

4.      Letter from Isabel Kearns, ZEO, to Mr. & Mrs. Michael Patel, dated August 14, 2015, Re:  Notice of Violation, Landscaped plantings, 6 Sargent Drive.

5.      Letter from Isabel Kearns, ZEO, to Mr. Christopher Lussier, dated August 24, 2015, Re:  Second Notice of Violation, Junkyards, 286 Falls Road.

6.      Letter from Isabel Kearns, ZEO, to Ms. Sharon Stoyer, dated August 27, 2015, Re:  Matter resolved, unregistered motor vehicles, 108 Miller Road.

7.      Letter from Isabel Kearns, ZEO, to Mr. & Mrs. Roger Kergaravat, dated August 27, 2015, Re:  Matter resolved, storage container, 23 Carriage Drive.

8.      Notification from Prospect Planning and Zoning Commission, dated August 5, 2015, Re:  Proposed amendments to Prospect Zoning Regulations:  Commercial Outdoor Recreational Uses.

 

 

PUBLICATIONS AND WORKSHOPS

 

1.      The Connecticut Landscape Architect, Summer 2015.

 

 

ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S REPORT

 

Isabel Kearns, ZEO, reported on the following:       

·         Submitted report on Building Permits dated September 2, 2015.

·         33 Old Amity Road – Owner will be submitting application for construction of building in October.

 

 

 

 

·         63 Sargent Drive and 429, 437 and 443 Fairwood Road – Sent Notice of Violation but Grieger’s have not responded.  Next will issue Cease and Desist.  Received a complaint of someone working on cars late at night at 63 Sargent Drive and approval states no automobile repair.  Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant, recommended asking owners if you can investigate the property and if you don’t hear back then take action.

·         6 Sargent Drive – Working with owner on approved planting plan.

·         286 Falls Road – Property owner has a lot of junk in back.  Neighbor selling their home and would like removed.  Issued a violation notice.

 

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

·         67 Mesa Drive, Application #2015-015 submitted by Connecticut Basement Finishing for a Special Exception Permit for an Accessory Apartment –

 

At 7:20 p.m., Chair Brinton called the public hearing to order.   Roll call was taken.         Chair Brinton read the legal notice for the public hearing.  Chair Brinton reviewed the complete application file.

 

Isabel Kearns, ZEO, stated that on the application and statement of use it lists 2 full bathrooms and a craft room but there will only be 1 full bathroom and no craft room.          Ms. Kearns asked that the applicant amend the application and statement of use.

 

Present for the public hearing was Bill Turner of Connecticut Basement Finishing, applicant.  Mr. Turner amended the application and statement of use and submitted new plans dated September 2, 2015.

 

During the course of the public hearing, Chair Brinton noted that the Commission has received the following item relative to the subject application.  Exhibit identification was assigned as noted:

A.    Exhibit 1A – Plans submitted by Bill Turner entitled, “Partial Basement Finishing Project”, dated September 2, 2015, with no revisions prepared by Total Basement Finishing.

 

Also, Ms. Kearns stated that the application meets all the regulation requirements and the applicant has received all department signoffs.

 

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 7:34 p.m., it was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Shea to close the public hearing on the subject application.

Voting for:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Lambiase, McDonald.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

1.      Request to waive of fees for Application #2015-013, Luiza DaSilva, Zoning Regulation Amendments –  It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Lambiase to decline the request to waive the application fees for Application #2015-013 submitted by Luiza DaSilva for Zoning Regulation Amendments based on the information submitted by the Town Planner and the Zoning Enforcement Officer.

Voting were:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Lambiase, McDonald.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

1)      67 Mesa Drive, Application #2015-015 submitted by Connecticut Basement Finishing   for a Special Exception Permit for an Accessory Apartment –

 

Isabel Kearns, ZEO, prepared a draft resolution for Application #2015-015.  Commission members reviewed and proceeded to deliberate.

 

It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Lambiase to approve the following resolution for Application #2015-015:

 

Whereas, Connecticut Basement Finishing applied to the Commission on August 5, 2015, for a Special Exception Permit for a 608 square foot accessory apartment (including bath, bedroom, kitchen and family room) to be located within a portion of the basement of the existing home located at property known as 67 Mesa Drive;

 

Whereas, the Planning and Zoning Commission received an e-mail addressed to Isabel Kearns, Zoning Enforcement Officer, dated July 30, 2015,  in which Paul Bukowski, owner of 67 Mesa Drive, authorized Connecticut Basement Finishing  to apply to the Planning and Zoning Commission on their behalf for this accessory apartment;

 

Whereas, the Planning and Zoning Commission opened a public hearing on Application     #2015-015 for a Special Exception Permit for an accessory apartment located at 67 Mesa Drive on September 2, 2015.  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. Alexis Rinaldi, Quinnipiack Valley Health District Representative, signed off on the back of the application form on July 28, 2015, indicating her approval of the accessory apartment.
2. Roderick White, Fire Marshal, signed off on the back of the application form on     August 28, 2015, stating that he has no jurisdiction over single family homes.
3. The application and Statement of Use dated July 31, 2015, demonstrate that the proposed accessory apartment would contain only 608 square feet of living space, and the Town of Bethany Zoning Regulations allows a maximum of 700 square feet of living space.

 

 

Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that pursuant to Section 4.4.J. of the Bethany Zoning Regulations, amended to February 27, 2015, the Bethany Planning and Zoning Commission approves the application of Connecticut Basement Finishing for a Special Exception Permit for a 608 square foot accessory apartment (Application #2015-015) (including bath, bedroom, kitchen and family room only) as shown on submitted floor plan entitled “Partial Basement Finishing Project”, dated September 2, 2015, with no revisions prepared by Total Basement Finishing and as per the Statement of Use dated July 31, 2015.          

 

And with the following conditions:

1)                 The owner of the property shall provide to the 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 any construction.

3)                 Craft room and common entry area are not a part of this accessory apartment.

Voting were:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Lambiase, McDonald.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

2.      Continue discussion with Tony Falcone regarding possible future ideas for creating a cluster zone concept for saving the golf course at Woodhaven Golf Club, 275 Miller Road, Bethany –

 

Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant, briefly discussed housing regulation options that would possibly be appropriate for this property.  Tabled until October.

 

 

3.      Application #2015-013 submitted by Luiza DaSilva for a Zoning Regulation Amendment to Section 1.2 and Section 4.4.E – Public hearing scheduled for   October 7, 2015.

 

 

4.      Discuss future Land Use Plan (possible insertion in Town Plan of Conservation & Development) –  Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant, will get 11” by 17” copies of maps for Commission Members to work on.  Tabled.

 

 

5.      Discussion regarding types of signs – Will discuss with Town Attorney McSherry at October 7, 2015, regular meeting.  Tabled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.      Discussion regarding the rewriting of the current Zoning Regulations –

 

Isabel Kearns, ZEO, submitted copies of bids received to Commission members.  Commission members discussed.  It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by McDonald to recommend to the Board of Selectmen to select Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant, for the project to rewrite the Bethany Zoning Regulations.

Voting were:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Lambiase, McDonald.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by McDonald and seconded by Lambiase to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:30 p.m.

Voting were:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Lambiase, McDonald.

Unanimous approval.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Antonia R. Marek, Clerk

for the Planning and Zoning Commission