BOARD
OF SELECTMEN
APRIL
7, 2020
Page
1 of 5 - VIA ZOOM
MINUTES – Approved 4-21-2020
Attendance: First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco, Selectman
Donald Shea and Selectman Derrylyn Gorski
Also
in attendance: Town Attorney Vincent
Marino, Finance Director Sheila Lane
Visitors: Sheila Wade, Marie Pulito, Sharon Huxley and
Fred Niven
Via 1. First Selectman
Paula Cofrancesco called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order via Zoom
at 7:02
p.m.
2.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
First
Selectman Cofrancesco called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the regular
meeting of March 3, 2020. The motion of approval was moved by
Selectman Shea and seconded by First Selectman Cofrancesco. There were no changes to the minutes. Selectman Gorski abstained. Voting for:
Cofrancesco, Shea. Unanimous approval.
3. PRESENTATION BY SHEILA WADE AND MARIE PULITO
– POLLINATOR PATHWAY PROGRAM
Present for this discussion were Sheila Wade and
Marie Pulito.
Some comments in discussion made by Sheila Wade
were:
·
This program is
formed of a group of environmental concerned citizens that want to create a
conservation movement for pollinators.
·
Need the Board
of Selectmen to endorse this project.
·
Would be going
for a grant from Sustainable CT to purchase the plants/seeds.
·
Would plant along
the trails in Town or identify different properties, such as, First Church and
Clark Memorial Library.
·
We are still in
conversations of Stage 1.
·
Would like to
promote in the Bethany Bulletin.
·
Will update
Board of Selectmen on progress.
It was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by
Selectman Shea to put forth a motion to support the Pollinator Pathway Project
as presented at meeting by Sheila Wade and Maria Pulito.
Voting
for: Cofrancesco, Shea, Gorski.
Unanimous
approval.
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APRIL
7, 2020
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4. APPROVAL OF MEMBERS TO THE CONSERVATION
COMMISSION:
A. Robert Huxley – Regular Member
B. Ali Beres-Nork – Alternate Member
It was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by
Selectman Shea to approve and appoint the following members to the Conservation
Commission: Robert Huxley – Regular
Member and Ali-Beres-Nork – Alternate Member.
Voting
for: Cofrancesco, Shea, Gorski.
Unanimous
approval.
5. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – TAX REFUNDS
– POST ISSUANCE
First Selectman Cofrancesco stated that the refund list
was unavailable for the March 3rd BOS meeting and then the March 17th
meeting was cancelled and that the refund checks have already been issued. First Selectman Cofrancesco previously
emailed in the meeting packet a list of tax refunds to be acted on by the Board
totaling in the amount of $1,045.15. It
was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by Selectman Gorski to approve the tax
refunds totaling in the amount of $1,045.15, as shown on report dated April 2,
2020.
Voting
for: Cofrancesco, Shea, Gorski.
Unanimous
approval.
6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – APPROVE RESOLUTION
TO AUTHORIZE BOARD OF FINANCE TO ADOPT FINAL BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF BETHANY IN
ACCORDANCE WITH EXECUTIVE ORDER 7I, SECTION 13
First Selectman Cofrancesco had emailed all members
a copy of the resolution and stated that Governor Lamont has given the
authority to suspend the in-person budget adoption requirements for
municipalities.
Finance Director Sheila Lane stated next week the
Board of Finance will approve a draft budget and then a modified version of the
draft budget will be sent to residents in the mail and that a complete version
will be posted online. Residents will be
able to call in or email their comments. They will offer to residents a hard
copy option if needed. Also Ms. Lane
stated all the information from the residents will be given to the Board of
Finance for their review. Ms. Lane
stated the procedures will be finalized with the Board of Finance next week,
April 14, 2020, at their meeting.
It was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by
Selectman Shea to approve the resolution of the Board of Selectmen in
accordance with Executive Order No. 7I, Section 13 (copy attached).
Voting
for: Cofrancesco, Shea, Gorski.
Unanimous
approval.
BOARD
OF SELECTMEN
APRIL
7, 2020
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7. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – AUTHORIZING
A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXECUTIVE ORDER 7S, SECTION 7,
FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS
First Selectman Cofrancesco had emailed all members
a copy of the resolution and stated that Governor Lamont has given the
authority to the Board of Selectmen regarding the budget, and this resolution
consists of three items for supplemental appropriation from the Board. Also, she stated Latricrete is donating $5,000
towards the van and the Bethany Athletic Association has offered a donation
(amount not confirmed yet) towards the van.
During discussion, Selectman Shea, stated some of his
concerns:
·
Park and
Recreation shut down right now due to pandemic, what would hardship be if we
put this item (van) off at this time?
·
Electrical
system for the Town – Why wasn’t this addressed before we purchased the
generator?
Sounds
like we are hiding items and then it becomes an emergency.
Finance Director Sheila Lane stated when work on the
generator was taking place contractor found that the annex electrical is
connected to the Town Hall and the Building Official stated it is not safe and
can cause fire danger and there were other updates needed for safety reasons.
Selectman Gorski mentioned holding off on the van
because the van can’t be used right now and we can put it in the budget under
capital items.
Sharon Huxley mentioned that if the Park and Rec
doesn’t have the money available there is a possibility they would lose an
opportunity to put a deposit on a used van if they find one.
Selectman Gorski then mentioned she would approve
$25,000.00 for a van, not the $35,000.00 as requested.
It was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by
Selectman Shea to approve the resolution as amended of the Board of Selectmen
in accordance with Executive Order No. 7S, Section 7 (copy attached).
Voting
for: Cofrancesco, Shea, Gorski.
Unanimous
approval.
8. DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION – SIMPLE
RECYCLING (SOFT RECYCLABLES) – UPDATE
First Selectman Cofrancesco noted that she does have
final contract with all corrections made and it has been reviewed by the Town
Attorney. We will be holding off on
implementing this due to the pandemic. Tabled.
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APRIL
7, 2020
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9.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – ROAD WORK – MOVING FORWARD – UPDATE
Selectmen Shea noted the following:
·
Three excavating
companies working on catch basin repairs.
·
Tilcon will be
starting in a couple weeks.
·
Tilcon has given
us 5 different routes and they want to go in order. If we do not go in order that will raise the
price a little.
·
The way the
drainage is going we won’t be ready for Zone 1.
Zone 2 and 3 are ready.
·
Will be meeting
with Tilcon tomorrow with the Acting Public Works Director to discuss this
further.
·
We will be
putting a bid out for Chip Sealing. If
we don’t like bids, we will go off the State Website.
10.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – SIMPSON PROPERTY – UPDATE
First Selectman Cofrancesco stated this is on hold
and in probate court. Tabled.
11.
DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION – CEMETERY COMMISSION BYLAWS – UPDATE
First Selectman Cofrancesco stated this is on hold. Tabled.
12. DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION – STATUS OF
AIRPORT HANGAR
Town Attorney Marino noted the following:
·
I have contacted
Attorney Kevin McSherry.
·
Town needs to
decide what action to take.
·
Insurance will
pay to put structure back to pre-tornado condition but then Town needs to
decide if we want to sue the manufacturing company or contractor due to
unusable leaky building.
·
We can contact
the State to let them know building was hit by tornado and they might forgive
the grant and we can just tear it down and Town will have to pay cost to tear
down.
Selectman Gorski noted the following:
·
The Building
Department should have information from engineer that we had hired to review
building for damages and what needs to be repaired to make building safe.
Attorney Marino then stated we will locate
information from engineer, will have to get estimates for cost to repair the
leaks and will have to get approval for money for project.
Tabled.
BOARD
OF SELECTMEN
APRIL
7, 2020
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13.
OTHER MATTERS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING
None
14.
ADJOURNMENT
At
7:58 p.m., it was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by Selectman Gorski to
adjourn the regular meeting. Unanimous approval.
Respectfully
submitted,
Antonia
R. Marek
Meeting
Clerk
