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BOARD OF SELECTMEN
March 15, 2016
SELECTMEN PRESENT: J. Christopher Kervick and Denise T. Balboni
SELECTMEN ABSENT: Michelle L. Hill
ALSO ATTENDING: Douglas Glazier, Joseph Calsetta, William Rousseau, Richard Balboni,
Paul Harrington and several members of the public
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CALL TO ORDER:
First Selectman Kervick called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was observed.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Douglas Glazier gave input on how he thought the Town should proceed with over-expenditures within the budget and over-expenditures that are separate from the budget.
Mr. Glazier also suggested that the Town Attorney look into how the town can modify or allow small modifications to the Town Charter in between Town Charter revisions, and relayed his frustration with the lack of accomplishment from the recent Charter Revision.
First Selectman Kervick stated that the current Town Attorney is examining the issue to give the town guidance on this provision. A Charter Revision to clarify the matter would be the best solution, however that option is not available to the town right now.
In regards to Mr. Glazier’s comments on an expenditure process, Selectman Kervick thought that the payment of an item should be determined by the Board of Selectmen and that the Board of Finance should determine how it is budgeted for.
On another matter, Mr. Glazier felt that the Assessor’s Office should have three people on staff (as it has been in the past) to be sure that the town has accounted for all the tax assessments allowed by law.
First Selectman Kervick stated that the Assessor has requested an additional staff member be added as part of her budget request to the Board of Finance.
Joseph Calsetta stated that the recent Charter Revision Commission made their recommendations to the Board of Selectmen, however on action was taken.
William Rousseau defended the work that was done by the Charter Revision Commission. He thought they brought forward a lot of good ideas.
Mr. Rousseau also stated his frustration with the current form of government – he felt that the Board of Selectmen should have more authority over the Boards and Commissions.
APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 29, 2016 BUDGET MEETING AND THE FEBRUARY 29, 2016 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES:
Selectman Balboni moved to approve the February 29, 2016 Budget Meeting Minutes as presented. Selectman Kervick seconded the motion. Both were in favor. Motion carried.
Selectman Balboni moved to approve the February 29, 2016 Special Meeting Minutes as presented. Selectman Kervick seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE: None.
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March 15, 2016
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NEW BUSINESS:
a. Adopt a Resolution for a 2016 Small Cities Housing Rehabilitation Grant with the Town of
Ellington
Windsor Locks participated in this same Grant application with the Town of Ellington last year, however the funding was not awarded. The Town of Ellington has asked the town to
enter into a joint application for the funding again this year and have agreed to perform all of
the administrative tasks associated with the grant. The block grant funds can be used for
renovations, or it could offer revolving loans to homeowners especially those facing zoning or blight enforcement issues.
Selectman Balboni moved to enter into the “Joint Community Application Cooperation Agreement for the Connecticut Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program” with the Town of Ellington, and to authorize First Selectman Kervick the ability to execute all documents relating to this grant on behalf of the Town of Windsor Locks. Selectman Kervick seconded the motion. Both were in favor. Motion carried.
A copy of the Agreement is attached to these Minutes as “Schedule A”.
b. Set Town Meeting Date to Adopt a Revised Resolution from the April 1, 2014 Town Meeting
re: Board of Education Civil Rights Compliance Projects at the Windsor Locks High
School
A Board of Education’s ADA Civil Rights Compliance Project Resolution was adopted at a Town Meeting on April 1, 2014. Because the Resolution did not clearly state that the project was for the Windsor Locks High School, the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) will not award a project number to complete the remaining interior Civil Rights Compliance issues that were determined. To move the project forward a Town Meeting will now need to be held to adopt a “Revised Resolution” to include the wording “High School” in items b. & c.
Selectman Kervick moved to set a Town Meeting date for Tuesday, April 5, 2016 @ 7:30 p.m. to adopt a revised Resolution from the April 1, 2014 Town Meeting to include the wording “High School” in items b. & c. of the Board of Education Civil Rights Compliance Project. Selectman Balboni seconded the motion. Both were in favor. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. Proposed Ordinance to Implement Fees for Fire Marshall Plan Reviews
The Fire Marshall requested that the Board of Selectmen consider adopting an ordinance to implement fees for Fire Marshall Plan Reviews. The item was tabled until input was received from the Town Attorney, the Town Planner, and the Planning and Zoning Commission with regard to their thoughts on the legality and practicality of the ordinance, and whether it would have a negative impact on future development.
Attorney Carl Landolina (Town Attorney) responded that the town has the authority to enact an ordinance for implementing a fee ordinance for Fire Marshall Plan Reviews. He provided similar Ordinances that have been adopted by the Thompsonville and Warehouse Point Fire Districts for the Selectmen to review. Attorney Landolina felt that the amount of the fees charged should bear a relationship to the cost to the town of reviewing such plans, and also suggested that the Town not try to recoup 100% of such costs. He thought that the town should also consider an Ordinance similar to the one enacted by the Town of West Hartford that allows for charging a fee for Fire Marshall Plan reviews as well for annual Fire Marshall inspections. Attorney Landolina recommended that the Fire Marshal be present at the meeting to adopt the ordinance so that he can specifically give an estimate of his costs and from that information a fee structure can be set.
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March 15, 2016
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Jennifer Rodriguez (Town Planner) brought the subject before the Planning & Zoning Commission for their comments. They were in favor of the collection of fees in general but thought that the percentages were high and it would be better to phase in the fees incrementally rather than come in at 200% more than applicants/developers are paying now. They also want to learn more about how other towns were dealing with this enabling legislation.
An intern in Building Department will be drawing up a comparison spread sheet between what Windsor Locks is considering for an ordinance as opposed to what other towns are doing. The information will then be circulated to the Town Attorney, Town Planner and Planning & Zoning for their comment.
The Selectmen agreed to have the Fire Marshall attend the next Board of Selectmen meeting to go over all of the information before a final proposal is drafted. Discussion followed on how the collected fees would be administrated.
APPOINTMENTS, RE-APPOINTMENTS, RESIGNATIONS:
a. Re-appointments:
Kevin Deneen as the Town Labor Attorney
Attorney Deneen was originally appointed after the November 2015 election for a three month period to give the new Board of Selectmen some time to evaluate his performance.
Selectman Kervick stated that he has been pleased with the services that Attorney Deneen has provided. He further stated that the Selectmen have several options at this point:
1. to not re-appoint Attorney Deneen
2. to roll over the appointment for another short period of time
3. to re-appoint him for the remainder of the Selectmen’s terms
Selectman Balboni stated that although she has not had any issues with Attorney Deneen’s performance, she would like to postpone this decision to give it some further thought.
The Selectmen agreed to table the matter until the April 5, 2016 Board Meeting.
TAX REFUNDS: None.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Joseph Calsetta: the only time the Assessor’s Office had three (3) full-staff members was during the Grand List season. He further stated his support for an Ordinance to allow Fire Marshall to collect fees. He offered some thoughts on how the fee structure could be set, and additionally that he felt another employee should be added to the Building Department staff.
First Selectman Kervick stated that the proposal to add additional staff to the Building Department is currently before the Board of Finance.
First Selectman Kervick stated that the Grand list up 3.2% which he felt was due to the expertise of the Assessor.
Douglas Glazier: to his knowledge there were always three people working in the Assessor’s Office.
William Rousseau: spoke in favor of the Fire Marshall charging a fee and wondered who would be in charge of collecting the fees – the Fire Department or the Building Department.
SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS: None.
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March 15, 2016
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COMMENTS – FIRST SELECTMAN:
There should be some positive announcements this week regarding Main Street.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further discussion or information to come before the Board of Selectmen;
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m. was made by Selectman Balboni and seconded by Selectman Kervick. Both were in favor. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan R. Barsanti
Susan R. Barsanti