2289
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
May 6, 2014
SELECTMEN PRESENT: Steven N. Wawruck, Jr. and Michael Russo
SELECTMEN ABSENT: Dennis Gragnolati
ALSO PRESENT: Peter Juszczynski (Tax Collector), Jennifer Rodriguez (Town Planner), Patrick McMahon (Consultant), Michael Bracken, William Rousseau, Kevin Brace, Lisa Wawruck, Joe Calsetta and a Reporter from the Journal Inquirer
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CALL TO ORDER:
First Selectman Wawruck called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was observed.
PUBLIC INPUT:
● Michael Bracken of 12 Tinker Drive had concerns relating to a coyote in his neighborhood, the trees next to the roadway at the Ambulance Garage on Spring Street; the speed bumps on Center Street; line of sight issues; sidewalks with overgrown bushes & shrubs; and the number of street lights that are out, or that remain on in Town.
The coyote matter will be addressed with the Chief of Police. Both Selectmen urged Mr. Bracken to take up his other concerns with the appropriate Departments (Police Commission & Public Works – Tree Warden).
● William Rousseau of 407 Elmwood Drive had comments relating to the Code of Ethics Policy. He also felt that the Board of Selectmen meetings should be held later in the evening.
APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 15, 2014 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES:
Selectman Russo moved to approve the Minutes from the April 15, 2014 Regular Meeting as published. Selectman Wawruck seconded the motion. Both were in favor. Motion passed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Selectman Wawruck read an email into the record as follows:
“Dear Chief Osanitsch,
On behalf of my family, I want to thank you for the improvements to the Windsor Locks Police Department. I know it hasn’t been easy, but we can see how hard you are all trying.
My family and I have moved out of town, but we have kept a close eye on the progress of the police department. We have heard and read in disbelief as some of the town’s people namely; Michael Bracken, William Rousseau, and Peter Tomalonis have continued to be unfairly critical of the Windsor Locks Police Department. My brother is Henry Dang and my family and I ask that they STOP using my brother’s name to do it. Those men never knew Henry, and need to stop using his name to try and bring the department down and let them put their time and energy into moving Windsor Locks into the positive direction it seems to be heading.
I am saddened by the decision of the Labor Board to bring Robert Koistinen back. I want to thank those who had the courage to vote to appeal his reinstatement.
Please continue to honor Henry’s memory by fixing the police department and making Windsor Locks a safe place to live in and raise a family.
Sincerely, Ha Tran”
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May 6, 2014
Page 2
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Set Annual Budget Town Meeting Date – Tuesday, 05/20/14 @ 7:30 p.m. – WLHS Auditorium
Selectman Russo moved to set the Annual Budget Town Meeting date for Tuesday, May 20, 2014 @ 7:30 p.m. at the Windsor Locks High School Auditorium.
b. Amtrak Agreement
The Agreement of Sale outlines the details of the purchase transfer of the Amtrak Train Station building and the surrounding perimeter of the building for the amount of $1.00. The Agreement has been reviewed and approved to move forward by the Town Attorney.
Selectman Russo moved; that the Town of Windsor Locks Board of Selectmen approve the purchase of the Historic Train Station from the National Railroad Passenger Corporation for the amount of one dollar. Selectman Wawruck seconded the motion. Both were in favor. Motion passed.
Selectman Wawruck added that there is a 2005 STEAP Grant in place for the amount of $225,000.00 and some other funds that have been donated that will be used toward the restoration efforts.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. CCAT Agreement (Town Hall Servers) - $32,304.00
The proposed service will provide an offsite dual system of servers to the Town of Windsor Locks with the ability for disaster recovery in the event that it’s needed. The system will also be part of the CEN network. The start-up is expected to take place on July 1st.
b. Attorney Fees – Collection Effort
Mr. Peter Juszczynski (Tax Collector) came forward to give the Selectmen an overview of the delinquent taxpayer collection proposal and to explain the services that will be required from the Town Attorney as part of the process.
Demand letters have been sent out to the top 20 delinquent tax payers asking them to make arrangements for payment. A significant amount of these delinquent taxes have been collected within the past two weeks.
Mr. Juszczynski explained that the Town Attorney is seeking reimbursement at a reduced rate of $150.00 per hour from the town for the up-front costs for matters resolved prior to the initiation of legal process or settled prior to judgment. These services will include all title search expenses, court fees, marshal fees, appraisal fees and other out-of-pocket expenses. Court awarded attorneys fees for prosecuting the foreclosure and/or collection of tax liens shall be considered as additional compensation.
Any unused funds that are set aside for these services will be turned back into the town’s general fund at the end of the fiscal year with new funds appropriated for the next fiscal year.
Mr. Juszczynski agreed to provide progress updates to the Selectmen on a regular basis.
Selectman Russo moved to request that the Board of Finance allow the First Selectman and the Tax Collector to move forward with the proposal as proposed by the Town Attorney to collect past due taxes. Selectman Wawruck seconded the motion. Both were in favor. Motion passed.
c. Main Street Investment Fund Grant Opportunity
Town Planner Jennifer Rodriguez and EIDC Consultant Patrick McMahon came forward to explain the application for the Main Street Investment Fund. Towns with less than 30,000 residents can
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May 6, 2014
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apply for up to $500,000.00 for streetscape and other aesthetic improvements in their Town Center areas. The application is due on May 30th and must receive Town Meeting approval for submission. It is recommended that Windsor Locks apply for $350,000.00 toward Phase 1 Roof and Exterior Restoration of the Windsor Locks Historic Train Station which is a $500,000.00 project. The 2005 STEAP Grant funds of $150,000.00 will go toward the remainder of the Phase 1
project. The goal of the renovation would be to begin to show tangible change downtown and preserve a welcoming and historic feature on Main Street. A preliminary cost estimate was provided.
The Selectmen agreed to present the grant application proposal to the Board of Finance for their approval before setting a Town Meeting date.
d. Ethics Policy – Send to Town Attorney
Selectman Russo’s changes to the proposed Ethics Policy were reviewed and discussed.
The Selectmen agreed to move the draft Policy forward to the Town Attorney for his determination.
e. Non-Union Employee Compensation Time Policy – Send to Labor Attorney
New verbiage has been proposed to strengthen the language of the Exempt Employees Compensation Time Policy in the current Personnel Manual. The proposed revision has not been reviewed yet by either the Town or Labor Attorney.
Brief discussion followed with the Selectmen agreeing that a structure should be in place where the First Selectmen’s Office is notified when an employee has earned compensation time and then again when they are taking it. They also felt that they would like any accrued compensation time used in a reasonable timeframe and to have it not be eligible as a payout when the employee leaves. They agreed to forward the proposal to the Town Labor Attorney for further review and determination.
f. Town Building Committee
This item has been left on the agenda for future discussion.
APPOINTMENTS, RE-APPOINTMENTS, RESIGNATIONS:
a. Appointment of Collin O’Brien to the Youth Services Advisory Board as a youth member.
Selectman Russo moved to appoint Collin O’Brien as a youth member to the Youth Services Bureau. Selectman Wawruck seconded the Motion. Both were in favor. Motion passed.
Selectman Wawruck moved to re-appoint William Hamilton to the Housing Authority for a five-year term of office, and to appoint Curtis Ruckey as a regular member of the Planning & Zoning Commission to fill the unexpired term of Peter Juszczynski that ends on October 1, 2015. Selectman Russo seconded the motion. Both were in favor. Motion passed.
TAX REFUNDS:
Selectman Wawruck moved to approve the Refund Request for May 6, 2014 in the amount of $5,989.20, as defined in Schedule A. Selectman Russo seconded the motion. Both were in favor. Motion passed.
A copy of Schedule A is attached to the Minutes of the May 6, 2014 Board of Selectmen Meeting.
PUBLIC INPUT:
● Mr. Bracken commented on the height of the fences at the car company on North Street; that as a former Police Officer he should be exempt from having to give out his home address for the record; and the condition of the train station building.
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● Mr. Rousseau wanted to know if he could contact Ha Tran (Henry Dang’s brother), and stated that the proposed Ethics Policy does not address how to remove someone from office if there is unethical and/or criminal misconduct.
SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS:
Selectman Russo addressed Mr. Bracken’s concerns regarding giving out his address during Public Input, and felt that he should attend a Train Station meeting to relay his thoughts on the building to that committee.
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 5:55 p.m. was made by Selectman Russo and seconded by Selectman Wawruck. Both 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
Schedule A
Refund Request for
May 6, 2014
Name / Bill Number / Reason forRefund / Refund
Amount
Current Year Refunds
American Honda Motor Co.
1919 Torrance Blvd
MS300-1-1R / 2012-3-
Torrance, Calif. 90501 / Attached / Over Payment / $ 3682.08
ARI Fleet LT
4001 LeadenHall Road / 2012-3-50448 / Over Payment / $ 27.90
Mt Laurel, NJ. 08054 / 2012-3-50460 / Over Payment / $ 246.88
LaurelBeth or William Daly
59 Ward St. #3
Vernon-Rockville, CT 06066 / 2012-3-52808 / Repo / $ 57.14
Adrienne Donohue
212 Southwest Avenue
Windsor Locks, CT 06096 / 2012-1-1322 / Over Payment / $ 713.92
Ean Holdings LLC
8 Ella T. Grasso / 2012- / Assessment
Windsor Locks, CT 06096 / Attached / Adjusted / $ 1071.89
Jerre & Jane Forbes
1129 Landall Avenue / Out of State
Rib Lake, Wisconsin 54470 / 2012-3-55565 / Registration / $ 96.70
Park Shuttle & Franchise
320 William F. Callahan Hwy
East Boston, MA 02128 / 2012-3-63095 / Vehicle Sold / $ 39.79
Darlene Swazey
26 Windwood Drive
Windsor Locks, CT 06096 / 2012-3-70135 / Over Payment / $ 20.41
Ira Wettenstein
44 Dibble Hollow
Windsor Locks, CT 06096 / 2012-3-71491 / Over Payment / $ ,, 32.49
Current Total Tax Due / $ 5,989.20