BOARD OF SELECTMEN
OCTOBER 28, 2019
Page 1 of 3
DRAFT
Attendance: First
Selectman Paula Cofrancesco, Selectman Donald Shea, Selectman Derrylyn Gorski
Visitors: Attorney
Vince Marino, Sheila Lane
The October 28, 2019 meeting of the Board of Selectmen was
held in the Selectman’s Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:30
p.m. First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco
asked all to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco called for a motion of
approval for the minutes of the regular meeting of October 15, 2019. The motion was moved by Selectman Shea and
seconded by Selectman Gorski. There were no changes to the minutes of this
meeting. The vote was called. The vote taken was two yes votes. Selectman Gorski abstained from voting as
she was absent from that meeting.
First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco called for a motion of approval
for the minutes of the Special Meeting of October 16, 2019. The motion to approve as written was moved by
Selectman Shea and seconded by Selectman Gorski. The vote was called. The vote was two yes votes, Selectman Gorski abstained from voting as she
was absent from that meeting.
First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco called for a motion of approval
for the Special Meeting minutes of October 17, 2019. The motion of approval was moved by Selectman
Shea and seconded by Selectman Gorski.
The vote was called. The vote was
two yes votes and one abstention, that of Selectman Gorski, as she was absent
from that meeting.
NEW BUSINESS/OTHER
MATTERS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING
First Selectman Cofrancesco asked for a motion to move new
business up on the agenda of this meeting, so that Sheila Lane, Finance
Director, could make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen, regarding
replacement of Michael Batista as auditor. The motion was moved by Selectman
Shea and seconded by Selectman Gorski to move new business up on the agenda of
this meeting. The vote taken was
unanimous. Sheila then made the recommendation to hire
Seward and Monde, CPA’s to prepare for this year’s audit. Michael Batista has been the Town Auditor
for thirty-two years. Selectman Gorski wanted to add that during her terms of
office, Michael had been very helpful in getting the Town ready for the audit,
and for many years had completed the audit without the assistance of an outside
firm. Selectman Shea asked what the
hourly rate for Michael was compared to Seward and Monde. The firm of Seward and Monde will charge from
$110 - $150 per hour depending if the worker is a partner or staff member. For several years Michael has charged about
$25 per hour for his services. Following
discussion Selectman Shea moved the motion to hire Seward and Monde, CPA to do
the pre-audit work. Selectman Gorski
seconded the motion. The vote taken was
unanimous.
OTHER MATTERS
PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING
The Selectmen discussed the Access Agreement between Olin
Corporation and the Town of Bethany. The property was previously owned by Olin
and used as the Olin Gun Club Range.
Several years ago the land was purchased from Olin by a private owner,
who tried to develop it. Lead
contamination was found in the soil.
The location of the contamination is in 80 acres of the Carrington Preserve
and portions of Atwater Road and the Olin property. DEEP is monitoring the situation. Olin has recently re-purchased the
property. The motion to approve the
Access Agreement between Olin Corporation and the Town of Bethany as presented
and to authorize the First Selectman to sign the agreement was moved by
Selectman Shea and seconded by Selectman Gorski. The motion was called. The vote was unanimous.
TAX REFUNDS
Selectman Shea moved to refund to the following: CCAP Auto
Lease LTD the sum of $197.72, to Christine or Mark Derienzo the sum of $73.80,
to David Kuelewind the sum of $55.35, to Dylan Roy-Davis the sum of $12.36, to
Edmond Sandora, Jr. the sum of $8.35, to Francis LaGaipa the sum of $127.17, to
Elizabeth L. Thornquist the sum of $17.34, to Jeannie Barletta the sum of
$97.04, to John E. Ford 4th the sum of $22.87, to Pamela M. Ford the
sum of $32.84, to Pamela and John Ford the sum of $32,.47, to Robert Galinsky
the sum of $4.20, to Robert H. Kelly the sum of $7.63, to Scott S. Davis the
sum of $62.73, to Seth H. Davis the sum of $184,.50 and to Toyota Lease the sum
of $1,285 all for overpayment of taxes for a total of $10,128.31. Selectman Gorski seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous.
SMALL CITIES GRANT
MORTGAGE RELEASE
The mortgage release for the Small Cities Grant was tabled
until more information was available.
DISCUSSION OF
WELLS – KNOLLWOOD ROAD
First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco gave an update on the
Knollwood Road well problem. The
contracts are ready to be signed by the three residents affected by the salt
contamination. The Town would like to
complete the contracts as soon as possible.
The Town would like to see the new wells drilled before the start of
winter.
APPOINTMENT OF
AGENT TO THE ELDERLY
First Selectman Cofrancesco called for a motion to appoint
Robin Glowa, to a two- year term as Agent to the Elderly, effective November 1,
2019. The motion was moved by Selectman
Shea and seconded by Selectman Gorski.
The vote taken was unanimous.
UPDATE ON MAJOR ROAD
WORK
First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco gave an update on the
progress of major road work being done.
Presently Tilcon Connecticut is paving Brooks Road, Downs Road and
Sperry Road on the eastern side of Bethany.
Wooding Hill and Carmel Roads have been chip sealed by Seymour Sealing. Tilcon Connecticut has another crew working
on the westerly side of Bethany, on Bethmour Road, Bear Hill Road, Fairwood and
Northrop Roads.
CEMETERY
COMMISSION BY-LAWS
The discussion and possible action regarding the Cemetery
Commission By-laws was tabled.
WAIVE RENTAL FEE
FOR USE OF THE LODGE FOR AMITY POP WARNER 14U PARTY
The Selectmen discussed the request of the Amity Pop Warner
14U Party Committee to waive the fee for use of the Lakeview Lodge for their awards
dinner. Selectman Shea moved a motion to waive the rental fee, with the
stipulation that no alcoholic beverages can be brought to the Lodge for this
banquet, since this banquet is for children.
The motion was seconded by Selectman Gorski. The vote taken was unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 8:30 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
