Thursday, March 5, 2020


SPECIAL BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

FEBRUARY 21, 2020

Page 1 of 1

 

MINUTES APPROVED – March 3, 2020

 

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

Selectman Gorski left at 4:06p.m.

 

Also in attendance:  Finance Director Sheila Lane

Visitors:  Janice Howard, Nicholas Poulmas, Sharon Huxley and Vincent Ciavarella

 

1.&2. First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco called the Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order at 3:33p.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. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PARKS & RECREATION VAN REPLACMENT

Extensive discussion was held on the current condition of the Parks & Recreation van. Janice Howard, the Parks & Recreation Director, provided information on the history of the van.  It was donated by the Bethany Fire Department and currently has over 200,000 miles on it.  It has recently been inspected by a local mechanic who has determined that the vehicle is in need of approximately $3,800-$4,000 worth of repairs.  Conversation included possible options besides expending the amount of money on a vehicle of that age and condition.  Ms. Howard indicated that she and Mr. Poulmas have reached out to a variety of automobile establishments, both local and out-of-state, to see what might be available.  A used van has been found that would fill the needs of the department.  Ms. Howard did provide some background as to how the van is utilized by the department on a regular basis:  transporting children to and from local activities (i.e., dance, karate, tennis and field trips), picking up students from CCD classes in Woodbridge.  These trips help to allow students to participate in the local programs and to accommodate parents who work until either 5 or 6p.m.  The van is used even more extensively during the summer to transport children back and forth to the lake for various activities held there for summer camp.

 

After lengthy discussion it was decided that no action would be taken at this time and that the issue would be brought forward to a Special Board of Finance meeting and then another Special Board of Selectmen meeting.  If it should be approved at those meetings, then it would be sent to a Town Meeting for a final vote.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

At 4:26 p.m., it was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by First Selectman Cofrancesco to adjourn the special meeting.  Unanimous approval.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Paula Cofrancesco

First Selectman