Board of Selectmen

September 23, 2019

DRAFT

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

Visitors:  Dr. Jennifer Byars, Superintendent of Amity Regional School System, Terry Lumas, Finance Director Amity Regional School System, Attorney Vincent Marino, Bethany Town Counsel,  Sheila Lane, Town of Bethany Finance Director,  Sharon Huxley, Bethany Board of Finance, Jeremy Bachman, Amity High School student,  Jennie Turner, Amity Board of Education

First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Selectmen’s Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.  First Selectman Cofrancesco asked all to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance as the first order of business. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

First Selectman Cofrancesco called for a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 9, 2019.  The motion was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by Selectman Gorski.  Selectman Gorski moved to amend the minutes as follows:  (Amended) Selectman Gorski mentioned that in the past  Fire Marshal agreement was called a Memorandum of Understanding rather than Interlocal Agreement.  Selectman Gorski also amended the minutes regarding the BETA Program as follows:   (Amended) Selectman Gorski would like to see a clerk hired for the Highway Department before the BETA software is installed.   The amended minutes were then accepted on a unanimous vote.

PRESENTATION BY AMITY – DR. JENNIFER BYARS

Dr. Jennifer Byars gave an informational session regarding the upcoming referendum for Amity for the proposed bonding referendum set for December 4, 2019.  Amity is a three A school, meaning that they excel in the fields of academics, art and athletics.  Question #1 for the referendum includes air handler and air conditioning repairs, refurbishing the chiller, parking lot paving (phase 3 of 3), Acoustic improvements. The total cost of question #1 is $3,194,300. Question #2 would include new post -tensioned concrete track, LED lighting and poles, LED Scoreboards –Stadium & Field 3, and All-weather field that would accommodate from 75 to 400 athletes.  Bleachers & ADA compliant walk – Field 3.  Total cost of question #2 would be $3,538,000.  Amity would be the last school in the 29 DRG schools to get an all- weather field, if the referendum passes.  The bond would be for a total of $6,732,000 for both questions.  Selectman Shea questioned the life of the field.  Dr. Byars indicated that it would have a ten-year guarantee on the field.  The last time this was presented for referendum that failed, the field was guaranteed for ten years, but the bonding was for twenty years. This time the bonding is for ten years.   Selectman Shea questioned if special zoning would be necessary for new lighting.  Superintendent Byars did not think it would.

TAX REFUNDS

First Selectman Cofrancesco called for a motion for refunding of taxes.  The motion was moved by Selectman Gorski.  The motion was seconded by Selectman Shea.  The following refunds were made to Barbara Larson for $20.96, to CCAP Auto Leasing for $777.26, to Christina Urbano for $6.79, to Debra Christman for $106.61, to Fengting Xu for $7.50, to Fiore and Janicer Saviero,  to Gary Cantino for $9.64, to Gordon Carmichael for $114.65, to Hynda Lease Trust for $966.88, to Jacques and Theresa Obernessor for $28.90, for Jason and Ruth Ornstein for $49.63,  to JP Morgan Chase Bank for $9.20, to Ronald Pepe Jr for $38.30, to USB Leasing LT for $189.00 and to Gary Cantino for $9.50 all for overpayment for taxes.  The vote was called.  The vote was unanimous. 

APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

First Selectman Cofrancesco called for a motion to appoint Barrie Collins, Kristine Sullivan and Steven Massey to the West Rock Ridge Advisory Commission for a four year term.  The motion was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by Selectman Shea.  The vote taken was unanimous. 

MORTGAGE RELEASE – SMALL CITIES GRANT – UPDATE

There was no information available at this time on updating of the mortgage releases for the Small Cities Grant.

 WAIVE FEE FOR USE OF LAKEVIEW LODGE

Selectman Shea moved a motion to waive the fee for the use of Lakeview Lodge for a dinner sponsored by the Shriners, Republican Town Committee, and Bethany Athletic Association.  The motion to waive the fee for use of the Lodge on September 21, 2019 was  seconded by Selectman Gorski.  The vote was unanimous for approval. 

DOG PARK FENCING AND PROPOSAL/ACTIOJN

Tabled to another meeting when more information was available. 

OTHER MATTERS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING

The Selectmen briefly discussed the well contamination of the three houses on Knollwood Road.  First Selectman Cofrancesco and Town Counsel Marino will be in touch with DEEP on September 26, 2019, to discuss this matter before contracts are signed for the well drilling. 

 First Selectman Cofrancesco had nothing new to report on road work plans at this time.

The Selectmen briefly discussed the lead contamination on Atwater Road and the remediation of this lead contamination on the Carrington Preserve.  This open space area owned by the Carrington Family was purchased partially through the Land Acquisition Fund and a STEAP grant from the State of Connecticut.   As part of the Carrington Preserve agreement with the Town, the contamination is to be cleaned up.  Olin has recently purchased the land known as the Winchester Gun Club adjoining the Carrington Preserve.  Most of the contamination is on the Olin Gun Club land.  The company Down to Earth has done some testing, however no reports were available.   

Storm damage to the Airport Hangar was discussed with Attorney Marino and Building Official Bob Walsh prior to this meeting.  The Town will need to get estimates for storm damage repair to the Hangar, from CIRMA the Town’s insurance company.   Bob Walsh indicated that the workmanship on the structure did not meet acceptable standards when it was built and had never been accepted by the Town.   The manufacturer of the building has been questioned about adequate design.   The building had a permit to be a storage facility only, not a recreation facility according to Bob Walsh.  A third party engineer may need to be hired to evaluate the complete structure and design.  Attorney Marino asked if the Town had a performance bond from the contractor before the project was started?  

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment was called at 8:31 p.m. after a motion was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by Selectman Gorski.  The vote taken was unanimous.

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                `               June G. Riley  

                                                                                                Secretary, Board of Selectmen

 

 

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