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BOARD OF SELECTMEN
August 1, 2017
SELECTMEN PRESENT: J. Christopher Kervick, Michelle L. Hill, and Denise T. Balboni
ALSO ATTENDING: Mike Forschino, Michael Bracken, Eric Refsinder, Mickey Danyluk, Paul Harrington, and Town Residents ------
CALL TO ORDER:
First Selectman Kervick called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was observed.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Mike Forschino – voiced a complaint regarding the June 6, 2017 Town Meeting. He felt that an illegal vote was taken, and stated that he would like a written response from Town Officials addressing his concern.
Michael Bracken – supported Mr. Forschino’s complaint. He also commented on the sale of the old firetruck, the LED street lighting going up sporadically in different areas of Town, and the Blight Ordinance revision.
Eric Refsinder – distributed a flyer regarding a “School Supply Drive” to benefit the students in Windsor Locks. The collection date is August 5th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 252 Main Street, Windsor Locks, CT.
APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 20th & THE JULY 18, 2017 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES:
Selectman Balboni moved to approve the June 20, 2017, Regular Meeting Minutes as presented. Selectman Kervick seconded the motion. The vote was 2 in favor (Selectmen Kervick & Balboni), and one abstention (Selectman Hill). Motion carried.
Selectman Hill moved to approve the July 18, 2017, Regular Meeting Minutes as presented. Selectman Kervick seconded the motion. The vote was 2 in favor (Selectmen Kervick & Hill), and one abstention (Selectman Balboni). Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Notification was received from Ahlstrom Nonwovens LLC regarding their name change to Ahlstrom-MunksjÖ Nonwovens, LLC.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. Update – Revision of the Employee Guide/Personnel Rules & Regulations
The revisions to Employee Guide/Personnel Rules & Regulations that were discussed at the June 18th meeting have been incorporated into the proposed document.
The Selectmen reviewed and discussed the revisions at length. The Selectmen agreed to postpone voting on the document until more clarity on vacation time for non-union employees is provided. The “Technology Guidelines Section” will be updated and incorporated into the Employee Guide per request of the auditors. Department Heads will also be given the opportunity to review the proposed document for suggestion and comment. Further review and discussion will continue at the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting.
b. 2016 STEAP Small Cities Grant (with Town of Ellington) – Regional Housing Rehabilitation
Program.
The Town of Windsor Locks, Ellington, Somers and Suffield have been awarded a Small Cities Grant for Regional Housing Rehabilitation.
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August 1, 2017
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The Program’s purposes are to correct building code deficiencies, improve energy efficiency, and improve housing conditions.
The Program provides funding for assistance with include electrical and plumbing upgrades, heating systems, insulation and energy conservation improvements, roofing, window replacement, septic system repair, asbestos and lead-paint abatement, and accessibility modifications.
To be eligible for participation, the owner-occupants must meet the low-and moderate-income limits established by the Connecticut Department of Housing. Funding is capped at $30,000.00 per unit. When certain conditions exist (e.g., lead paint removal, septic system repair, etc.), the cap may be higher.
Funds are provided in the form of a 0% interest deferred payment loan (DPL). The DPL is only repaid when the property is sold. The DPL amount is secured by a lien filed in the Land Records at the Town Clerk’s Office.
The entire program is monitored by the Town of Ellington at no cost to Windsor Locks. Selectman Kervick urged the Board to “get the word out” to residents about the program. Applications are available at the Ellington Community Development Office and the Ellington, Somers, Suffield, and Windsor Locks Town Offices.
c. Blight Ordinance – Review Revisions
The Blight Ordinance is being revised to include general nuisance, blight and excessive noise within the Ordinance. The ordinance will more specifically address the definition of blight and the methods of enforcement. Scheduling another Public Hearing will be considered once the Selectmen have had time to review and discuss the proposal.
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Connectivity Grant
The Town has filed an application for a Connecticut Community Connectivity Grant Program (CCGP) for the amount of $321,949.00. Funding from the grant will provide an essential pedestrian and bicycle link between the new Hartford Line Commuter Rail Station, the Warehouse Point Section of East Windsor, and the new Montgomery Mills residential redevelopment on the canal bank.
The project involves an enhancement to the existing vehicle bridge spanning the Windsor Locks Canal by adding a pedestrian and bicycle bridge parallel to and immediately north of the vehicle bridge, and then connecting this crossing to the Hartford Line Commuter Rail Station via a multi-use pedestrian and bicycle trail along the east side of Main Street (Route159). Currently there is no way for pedestrians and bicyclists to safely make this connection.
The project complements the ongoing Windsor Locks Main Street Complete Streets project. Once completed, the Warehouse Point section of East Windsor will be within a five to seven minute walk of the Windsor Locks commuter rail station, allowing that area to also reap the benefits of transit oriented development.
The Grant (construction) doesn’t require any matching funds by the Town, and there are only two engineering costs: one has already been paid to the engineers for design work associated with the LOTCIP Grant, and Beacon LLC has agreed to pay any additional engineering costs that are incurred.
Several Grant applications are still pending: The Connectivity Grant ($321,949.00), The TOD Grant (2nd phase for Chestnut Street), and a STEAP Grant for $500,000.00 (Train Station).
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APPOINTMENTS, RE-APPOINTMENTS, RESIGNATIONS: None.
TAX REFUNDS: None.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Mickey Danyluk – thanked the Selectmen for appointing him as the Town Historian. He reviewed a list of requests that was previously submitted to the Board that he would like to have considered. He further stated that he is advising the Library Board of Directors to rename their Community Room.
Selectman Kervick stated that the Ella Grasso Desk & Chair that is in the Ella Grasso Conference Room will be moved to the upper level in front of the podium where they can be sectioned off for display and preservation.
Michael Bracken - had comments relating to suggestions/requests that are made during public input, part-time employees versus seasonal employees, the Employee Guide policy, and revisions to the Blight Ordinance relating to noise offense.
Paul Harrington – recommended using caution when revising the Employee Guide citing examples of lawsuits and comp time issues as a result of changing the current edition.
Mike Forschino - questioned if the revisions made to the Employee Guide would include contracts or agreements for elected employees and if so, would they be made available to the public.
Selectman Kervick stated that elected officials do not enter into agreements with the Town. Their benefits are either provided to them under the State Statutes or what is provided under the Employee Guide.
SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS: None.
COMMENTS – FIRST SELECTMAN: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further discussion or information to come before the Board of Selectmen;
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 p.m. was made by Selectman Balboni and seconded by Selectman Hill. All were in favor. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan R. Barsanti
Susan R. Barsanti
Recording Secretary
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