BOARD
OF SELECTMEN
JUNE
2, 2020
Page
1 of 3
MINUTES – APPROVED 6-16-2020
Via Zoom
Attendance: First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco, Selectman
Donald Shea, Selectman Derrylyn Gorski
Also
in attendance: Town Attorney Vincent
Marino and Finance Director Sheila Lane
Visitors: Sharon Huxley, Clark Hurlburt, Cynthia
Megyola, E.J. Maher, Jamie Stirling
1. First Selectman
Paula Cofrancesco called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order via Zoom
at 7:01
p.m.
2.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
First
Selectman Cofrancesco called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the regular
meeting of May 19, 2020. The motion of approval, with a correction,
was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by First Selectman Cofrancesco. The correction to the minutes is on Page 3,
Item #11, Second Bullet – Change mill rate to “36.56”. Voting for:
Cofrancesco, Gorski, Shea. Unanimous approval.
3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – TAX REFUNDS
First Selectman Cofrancesco stated that there are no
tax refunds at this time.
4. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – REAPPOINTMENT
OF BRIAN EITZER AS THE BETHANY REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SOUTH CENTRAL CONNECTICUT
REGIONAL WATER DISTRICT –
First Selectman Cofrancesco stated that Brian Eitzer
has been on the Representative Policy Board for Bethany and has shown interest
in continuing this position. It was
moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by First Selectman Cofrancesco to
reappoint Brian Eitzer as the Bethany Representative of the Policy Board for
the South Central Connecticut Regional Water District.
Voting for: Cofrancesco, Gorski, Shea. Unanimous
approval.
5.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – ROAD WORK – MOVING FORWARD – UPDATE
Selectman Shea reported on the following:
·
Working on North
Humiston Drive, Lacey Road, Edwards Road and Grant Road.
·
Should be in
good shape in a few weeks.
·
Chip sealing
will be starting soon.
·
We will need to
talk about crack sealing maintenance which is beneficial to the roads.
·
Finance Director
Lane will give update by end of week on money spent at this point on road work.
BOARD
OF SELECTMEN
JUNE
2, 2020
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6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – STATUS OF
AIRPORT HANGAR – UPDATE
Town Attorney Marino reported on the following:
·
For purposes of
making a decision, the Board of Selectmen need to review their options:
o First option is to do nothing which is not a viable
option.
o Second option is to use insurance proceeds and
restore building to pre-tornado status then there would be a defective building
and can bring to litigation with manufacturer or contractor but construction
litigation is very expensive and would be costly to the Town.
o Third option is to use insurance proceeds and
restore building to pre-tornado status.Tthere is approximately $230,000 to $250,000
of grant money left and Town can use this money to correct pre-tornado
defective structure to good condition.
Would have to get quotes for work to bring structure to good condition.
Selectman Gorski recommended speaking with Bob
Walsh, Building Official, who has all the information from previous dealings
with the Airport Hangar.
Attorney Marino stated he did speak to the Building
Official and that Mr. Walsh said there were onsite modifications made by the
contractor and no question there were defects in the construction process or
the manufacturing process.
Selectman Shea mentioned that there was a bond taken
out on the structure.
Attorney Marino stated he would have to read the
terms of the bond. Also, Attorney Marino
stated he did speak to the Building Official and his opinion was the contractor
performed defective workmanship. Attorney
Marino mentioned the fact that the bond should cover defective workmanship. If the
Town went with litigation, this would be a substantial expense on the Town; or
can we use the balance of the grant money to correct the defective workmanship.
First Selectman Cofrancesco stated the Board will
not make a decision tonight and we will follow-up with Bob Walsh, Building
Official.
Tabled.
7. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – SIMPSON
PROPERTY – ON HOLD (IN PROBATE) First Selectman Cofrancesco stated this is on
hold and is still in probate court. Tabled.
8.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – CEMETERY COMMISSION BYLAWS –
First Selectman Cofrancesco emailed the Board
members a copy of the amended version of the Cemetery Commission Bylaws, which
included the Board of Selectmen’s recommendations.
The Board reviewed and discussed and then found a
discrepancy in Sections 2.1 and 2.2 with Sections 3.3 and 3.4. First Selectman Cofrancesco will notify the
Cemetery Commission and will correct the discrepancy.
BOARD
OF SELECTMEN
JUNE
2, 2020
Page
3 of 3
It was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by
Selectman Shea to approve, as amended, the Cemetery Commission Bylaws prepared
by the Cemetery Commission. Voting for: Cofrancesco, Gorski, Shea. Unanimous
approval.
9. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – SIMPLE
RECYCLING (SOFT RECYCLABLES) – ON HOLD
First Selectman Cofrancesco stated she has reached
out to Simple Recycling and is waiting on a reply. They may possibly be closed
due to pandemic, but she will follow up to see is we can possibly start the
program in July 2020. Tabled.
10.
OTHER MATTERS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING
·
First Selectman
Cofrancesco mentioned there is a contract for the shared trooper with the Town
of Prospect which will run for one year.
It was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by Selectman Shea to
authorize First Selectman Cofrancesco to sign the contract for the shared
trooper with the Town of Prospect which will be a 50/50 cost split.
Voting
for: Cofrancesco, Gorski, Shea. Unanimous
approval.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
At
7:41 p.m., it was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by Selectman Shea to
adjourn the regular meeting. Unanimous approval.
Respectfully
submitted,
Antonia
R. Marek
Meeting
Clerk
