2257
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
January 21, 2014
SELECTMEN PRESENT: Steven N. Wawruck, Jr., Dennis Gragnolati and Michael Russo
ALSO PRESENT: Attorney Kevin Deneen, Jennifer Rodriguez (Town Planner), Chief Eric Osanitsch,
Kevin Brace, Scott Paluck, Patrick McMahon (EIDC Consultant)
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CALL TO ORDER:
First Selectman Wawruck called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was observed.
PUBLIC INPUT: None.
Selectman Russo moved to add the Adoption of the Dispatchers Contract to the Agenda. Selectman Gragnolati seconded the motion. All were in favor.
The Adoption of the Dispatchers Contract will be discussed upon the arrival of the Town Attorney.
APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 7, 2014 MEETING MINUTES:
Selectman Gragnolati moved to approve the Minutes of the January 7, 2014, Regular Meeting as published. Selectman Russo seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed.
Selectman Gragnolati noted that the question he had about why the tax deadline is published as February 3rd rather than January 31st is because taxes are due on February 1st which falls on a Saturday this year.
CORRESPONDENCE:
An anonymous letter was received regarding the “junkyard/used equipment” condition of the Winlox Farm on West Street. The Zoning Enforcement Official determined that the farm pre-existed before the Zoning Regulations were adopted and is therefore exempt from the zoning regulations.
Selectman Russo suggested that the resident should address his concern with the owner of the farm.
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Planning Grant Application – Jen Rodriguez, Town Planner
Jen Rodriguez, Town Planner, came forward to give a brief overview of a $20,000.00 Grant in incentive Housing Zone through the Housing for Economic Growth Program. The Grant will facilitate a study which will coordinate and refresh the Town’s efforts toward inclusionary housing. The proposed study is expected to include an assessment of the Town’s housing market and workforce housing needs for personnel such as town employees, teachers, police officers, etc. It will also provide a review of existing residency and identify areas where an Incentive Housing Zone would be appropriate. It could also be a catalyst and an economic benefit for the downtown area or for future housing on Route 75. The project will include opportunities for public outreach, community input and education along with specific policy recommendations as it pertains to housing. This type of study has been highly recommended for the Town of Windsor Locks in relations to Fair Housing requirements and future Small Cities and other Grant funding. The town would not be obligated to seek workforce housing or to create the zone itself however If a developer becomes interested in building this type of housing a detailed process will be available to follow.
Ms. Rodriguez spoke of the benefits of having workforce housing in town especially with the possible relocation of the Train platform to the downtown area. She further stated that a
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coordinated inclusionary housing study, a summary of activities, and final set of recommendations is expected to be demonstrated to the Board of Selectmen for review within six (6) months from the funding commitment.
Selectman Gragnolati moved that the Town of Windsor Locks apply for a $20,000.00 Incentive Housing Zone Funding Grant through the Housing for Economic Growth Program to facilitate a study. Selectman Russo seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed.
b. Adoption of Dispatcher’s Union Contract (added Agenda item)
Attorney Kevin Deneen summarized the contract changes:
● Changing from a 5/2 work week schedule to a 4/2 schedule (24 hours/day x 7 days/ week
coverage)
● Wages will remain the same for 2011 & 2012, and upon ratification of the contract, they will
receive a lump sum of $1,500.00 for 2013, followed by a 2% increase for 2014, and a 2%
increase for 2015.
● Changes to the overtime rotation were made in order to utilize part-time personnel instead of
paying overtime wages for full-time Dispatchers or Police Officers.
● Change in Health Insurance to the same plan as Police Officers; premium share increasing to
17% upon ratification followed by 18% on July 1st for the final year of the contract.
The Dispatchers Union has ratified the Contract with the Police Commission also endorsing it at their last meeting.
Selectman Russo moved to adopt the Civilian Dispatcher’s Union Contract as stated by the Town Labor Attorney. Selectman Gragnolati seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed.
c. Set Town Meeting Date – Algonquin Tax Abatement
Patrick McMahon gave a brief overview of the proposed tax abatement that will be going to a Town Meeting for final adoption. Algonquin has developed a new power turbine (approximately 14 megawatts) on the same footprint as the existing facility. The former facility has become inefficient and is only operating about 200 hours per year because it has become too costly to run. Algonquin has come to the Town to request a tax abatement to help recover some of their upgrade costs.
The Assessor, Finance Chairman, Patrick McMahon and First Selectman have met to formulate an abatement package that was presented to Algonquin. The Board of Finance has reviewed and adopted the proposal that is on a sliding scale starting at 80% in year one and then going down to 40% in year five.
The tax abatement and Algonquin’s assessment were briefly discussed. The point was clarified that the abatement is extra tax revenue from the new entity.
Selectman Russo moved to set a Public Hearing/Town Meeting for Tuesday, February 18, 2014 beginning @ 7:00 p.m. Selectman Gragnolati seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed.
d. NAGE RI-177, Town Hall Union Contract
The Labor Attorney has begun the process for the upcoming Town Hall Union Contract negotiations.
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e. Set Annual Town Meeting Date
Selectman Russo moved to set the Annual Town Meeting Date for Tuesday, February 25, 2014 @ 7:30 p.m. Selectman Gragnolati seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. Public Works & Selectmen’s FY 2014-15 Operating Budgets
The Public Works Director presented the Department’s Operating Budget for FY 2014-15 at the Board of Selectmen’s Budget Workshop earlier this evening.
Selectman Russo moved to accept the Public Work’s Operating Budget for FY 2014-15 as presented by the Public Works Director for the amount of $1,431,568.00. Selectman Gragnolati seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed.
The Public Works Director will now submit the budget to the Board of Finance for their review and consideration.
b. Waterworks Property Update
The clean-up of the property has started with more area being covered than originally thought. The Connecticut Water Company would like to turn the land over to the Town although the proper steps to proceed with that process will need to be worked out through the Town Attorney.
c. Town Newsletter Update
An email went out to all Boards & Commissions looking for their input for a Town Newsletter. One submission has been received from the Youth Services Bureau. Any information that is received will be put together by Selectmen Gragnolati and distributed as a newsletter.
d. Ethics Policy
The Democratic Town Committee has stated that they would prefer to see an Ethics Policy developed versus creating an Ethics Commission. The Human Resource Department will be looking at State Regulations as well as other towns in the area to see what is in place.
The matter will be left on the Agenda for further updates as they are provided.
e. Charter Revision
Items that have been suggested for Charter Revision consideration are agricultural, open space, ethics, appointments as opposed to elected positions, and First Selectman terms.
Both Town Committees will discuss the matter at their respective meetings. The goal will be to get everything in motion by April in order to have the proposed revisions ready for the ballot during the next election cycle.
APPOINTMENTS, RE-APPOINTMENTS, RESIGNATIONS:
a. Appointment of Sandy Sylvester to the Committee on the Needs of the Aging
b. Appointment of William Fournier as an Alternate to the Conservation Commission for a 4-year term of office.
Selectman Gragnolati moved to appoint Sandy Sylvester to the Committee on the Needs of the Aging for a term expiring on May 31, 2014, and also to appoint William Fournier as an Alternate Member to the Conservation Commission for a 4-year term of office. Selectman Russo seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed.
TAX REFUNDS: None
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PUBLIC INPUT: None
SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS:
Selectman Russo commented on a conversation he had with a Windsor resident (Debbie Samson) concerning combining a Dog Pound for Windsor with the Windsor Locks Animal Control Facility. Ms. Samson strongly felt that the Town of Windsor should have their own building. Selectman Russo suggested that her concerns be directed to the Windsor Town Council.
Discussion ensued on regionalizing services between towns as a cost saving measure.
Discussion then centered on the February 4, 2014 Board of Selectmen’s Meeting as Selectman Gragnolati will be unable to attend that meeting.
Selectman Russo moved to cancel the February 4th Regular Meeting and to hold a Special Board of Selectmen’s Meeting on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 @ 6:00 p.m. Selectman Gragnolati seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed.
COMMENTS – FIRST SELECTMAN:
Selectman Wawruck urged the Board to visit the new restaurant (Bobby V’s) on Schoephoester Road. He stated that it is an upscale establishment that will be a destination spot for airport travelers as well as visitors from surrounding towns.
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 Russo and seconded by Selectman Gragnolati. All were in favor. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Barsanti
Recording Secretary
A full recording of this meeting is available on CD in the Town Clerk’s Office and on the Town’s Website @ www.windsorlocksct.org