2510
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
April 19, 2016
SELECTMEN PRESENT: J. Christopher Kervick, Michelle L. Hill, and Denise T. Balboni
ALSO ATTENDING: Michael Sinsigalli (Fire Marshal), Dennis Gragnolati (Fire Commission
Chairman), Joseph Calsetta, and two members of the public
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CALL TO ORDER:
First Selectman Kervick called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was observed.
PUBLIC INPUT: None.
APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 5, 2016 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES:
Selectman Hill moved to approve the April 5, 2016 regular Meeting Minutes as presented. Selectman Balboni seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
a. BOE Community Workshop Re: School Facilities Study
The Selectmen received an invitation from the Board of Education for a series of three community workshops that will be held to gather input on the future use of the Windsor Locks Public Schools Facilities. The first workshop will be held at the Windsor Locks High School on Monday, April 25th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Anyone interested is encouraged to attend.
b. Spring Festival – Saturday, May 7, 2016
The Annual Spring Festival will be held on Saturday, May 7th at Town Hall from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00
p.m. rain or shine. All events are free to the public and refreshments are for sale. The event is sponsored by the Windsor Locks Community Advisory Council, the Youth Services Bureau and the Park & Recreation Department.
c. Windsor Locks Heritage Day – Saturday, May 21, 2016
The Windsor Locks Heritage Day celebration will take place on Saturday, May 21st from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Windsor Locks Middle School Field. Admission is free and any proceeds will go to restorations for the Windsor Locks Historic Train Station. All are encouraged to attend to celebrate our past and help build our future.
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Set Budget Town Meeting date for May 17, 2016 @ 7:30 a.m.
Brief discussion took place regarding the remaining uncertainty of the final budget however the Selectmen agreed to set the Town Budget Meeting date as required by Town Charter.
Selectman Balboni moved to set the Budget Town Meeting date for Tuesday, May 17, 2016, @ 7:30 p.m. at the Windsor Locks Town Hall. Selectman Hill seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried.
b. Animal Control Facility Discussion
The Town of Suffield and the Town of East Granby have requested sharing the Windsor Locks Animal Control facility. East Granby does not have an animal control facility and currently contracts with the Town of Suffield for those services (approximately $16,000/year), however Suffield has become unable to provide animal control services because of a lack of staff along with some significant repairs that need to be made to their facility.
Currently Windsor Locks has two (2) part-time Animal Control Officers, but would probably need to increase the manpower to cover the facility if strays from Suffield and East Granby are brought in. There are currently 10 kennels; 8 for regular impounded dogs and 2 for dogs that need to be
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quarantined. Based on numbers provided by the Animal Control Officer for the last three years, the average use was only one kennel per day. In the unlikely case of an overflow, a back-up arrangement has been made with a local veterinarian. Once the usage numbers have been received from Suffield it will be easier to determine if the Windsor Locks facility can accommodate two additional towns.
Selectman Kervick speculated that the income generated from Suffield and East Granby to use the Windsor Locks facility could more than cover the operational costs even if another part-time officer was hired.
Part-time versus full-time staffing was discussed. Per State Statute, if the population utilizing the facility consists of 25,000 people or more, a full-time Animal Control Officer is required and is treated the same as a Police Officer in terms of benefits. Both towns have agreed to discuss entering into a long term contract with Windsor Locks that would include provisions for payouts in the event that they decided to not house their strays at the facility.
There is also an option to establish a Regional Animal Control Facility that would require approval from the State Animal Control Officer. The downfall would be that each town would then pay their expenses directly to the Regional Office so it wouldn’t be as financially beneficial to Windsor Locks.
After more discussion the Selectmen agreed to explore all options and to continue to collect any necessary data before making a final determination. The Board of Finance will be consulted for additional input relating to the proposal.
Selectman Kervick moved to authorize the First Selectman to enter into a temporary, not to exceed 90-days, agreement with the Towns of East Granby and Suffield for the provision of Animal Control Officer and Animal Control Facility services. The compensation to be received shall result in either a neutral or net gain to the Town of Windsor Locks. Selectman Balboni seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. Proposed Ordinance to Implement Fees for Fire Marshal Plan Reviews
Mike Sinsigalli, Fire Marshal, distributed handouts to the Selectmen that outlined two separate examples of a Project Review Analysis and the three different methods that could be used to calculate Fire Marshal Plan Review Fees. Revenue Method 1 (as proposed in the ordinance) uses a 65% rate calculation of the Building Permit fee, with Revenue Method 2 using a flat fee of $125.00/hour, and Revenue Method 3 (Fire Commission Recommendation) using a 35% rate calculation of the Building Permit fee. A sample Task Analysis was also provided reflecting the number of hours that is spent by the Fire Marshal in reviewing plans depending on the size of the project.
Justifying a standard fee schedule was discussed at length between the Selectmen, Mr. Sinsigalli and Mr. Gragnolati (Fire Commission Chairman). The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) has recommended a 65% calculation rate of the Building Permit fee rate following recently adopted Fire Code Regulations, however the Fire Commission felt that 35% would be a more moderate approach. Currently no fees are collected for Fire Marshal reviews.
Collection of the fees once they are determined was discussed with everyone in agreement that a percentage base rate would be the simplest to implement as opposed to a tier structured rate. Establishing an “Appeals Process” with appeals going before the Fire Commission was discussed at length. Also discussed was the collection process with the consensus that the Building Department should be able to collect it along with the Building Permit fee.
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First Selectman Kervick stated that the Town Attorney felt that the fees charged should bear a relationship to the cost to the town of reviewing such plans. He also suggested that the Town not try to recoup 100% of such costs.
Selectman Kervick felt that the Town should have a fee structure that is defensible in a court of law. He thought that the Town Attorney did not feel that the proposed fee structure could stand if challenged in court.
Mr. Sinsigalli stated that he would email the CCM documentation supporting the 65% fee rate to the Town Attorney to give him more background information on the proposal. He also stated that he would have more comparisons with what other towns are charging before the next Selectmen’s meeting.
The Selectmen agreed to give the proposal more thought to see if another solution for larger construction projects could be realized for the Fire Marshal permit fees that would be acceptable. They also agreed that the fee structure needed to be consistent, fair and defendable in court. The proposal will continue to be discussed at the May 3, 2016 Selectmen’s Meeting.
b. Update - Amtrak Lease Agreement
Selectman Kervick stated that he has spoken with the roofing contractor who believes he can do the entire job from Main Street. The labor costs will only be slightly higher to do the reconstruction under those constraints. The Architect and contractor will determine if a Change Order can be done instead of modifying the existing Contract. In either event, Amtrak can be bypassed.
c. Employee Vehicle Policy
The Selectmen were given a summary of employees that use Town vehicles either once they get to work, or take them back and forth to home. Various policies from different Towns were also distributed for review. The Selectmen were asked to review the information and report any suggestions back at the next meeting. Selectman Balboni will do some additional review with other area towns.
d. Employee Personnel Rules & Regulations
A review of the Employee Personnel Rules & Regulations will also be discussed at an upcoming meeting in June. Selectman Hill will do some additional review of what other surrounding towns have adopted.
APPOINTMENTS, RE-APPOINTMENTS, RESIGNATIONS:
a. Appointment:
Chester Pohorylo (R) to the Historic Commission for a term expiring on 05/13/19
The appointment is to fill the vacancy created by William Fournier.
Selectman Balboni moved to appoint Chester Pohorylo to the Historic Commission for a term expiring on 05/13/19. Selectman Hill seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed.
b. Re-Appointments:
1. Shirley King (R) to the Housing Code of Appeals for a term expiring on 01/05/21
2. Beckie Refsnider (R) to the Housing Code of Appeals for a term expiring on 01/05/21
Selectman Balboni moved to re-appoint Shirley King and Beckie Refsnider to the Housing Code of Appeals each for terms expiring on January 5, 2021. Selectman Hill seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried.
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TAX REFUNDS:
Selectman Balboni moved to approve the Tax Refunds dated April 19, 2016, in the amount of $3,703.83. Selectman Hill seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried.
A copy of the April 19, 2016 Tax Refunds is attached to these Minutes as Schedule A.
PUBLIC INPUT: None.
SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS: None.
COMMENTS – FIRST SELECTMAN:
Productive meetings are taking place with Beacon Communities LLC (Montgomery Building) personnel and Town Staff.
The Town of Windsor Locks will receive the $3-Million Dollar LOTCIP Grant for Main Street renovations subject to the CRCOG Policy Review Committee. The $1.7-Million Dollar TOD Grant has yet to be awarded.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further discussion or information to come before the Board of Selectmen;
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 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
Schedule A
Refund Request for April 19, 2016
Name / Bill Number / Reason for Refund / Refund AmountPrior Year Refunds
ADT Security Services
P.O. Box 310773
Boca Raton, FL 33431 / 2012-2-40007 / Over Payment / $ 60.25
Craig & Debra Cauchon
65 Chapman Chase / 2012-1-0762 / Over Payment / $ 80.98
Windsor Locks, CT 06096 / 2013-1-0762 / Over Payment / $ 86.56
Hyundai Lease Titling Trust
4000 MacArthur Attn: Property Tax
Newport Beach, CA 92660 / 2013-Attached / Over Payment / $ 846.52
Current Year Refunds
Daryous Babaeian-Koopaei
10 South Elm St Apt A1
Windsor Locks, CT 06096 / 2014-4-80114 / Vehicle Sold / $ 15.62
Shamim & Ahmed Bhatti
492 Ash Drive
Windsor Locks, CT 06096 / 2014-3-51068 / Vehicle Sold / $ 86.53
Craig & Debra Cauchon
65 Chapman Chase
Windsor Locks, CT 06096 / 2014-1-0774 / Over Payment / $ 88.40
General Parts Distribution
430 Spring Street
Windsor Locks, CT 06096 / 2014-3-56073 / Reduced Assessment / $ 28.13
Hyundai Lease Titling Trust
4000 MacArthur Attn: Property Tax
Newport Beach, CA 92660 / 2014-3-58893 / Over Payment / $ 161.73
Immaculate Cleaning
10 Northgate Drive
Windsor Locks, CT 06096 / 2014-3-58924 / Reduced Assessment / $ 336.16
Nissan Infinity
P.O. Box 650214 / 2014-3-61713 / Over Payment / $ 240.58
Dallas, TX 75265 / 2014-4-84380 / Over Payment / $ 217.53
Northeast Industrial Floorings
90 King Spring Road
Windsor Locks, CT 06096 / 2014-3-61804 / Vehicle Sold / $ 11.06
Riverside Building Association
332 Elm Street
Windsor Locks, CT 06096 / 2014-1-4048 / Reduced Assessment / $ 366.49
Michael & Leslie Sheahon
30 Jackson Street
Windsor Locks, CT 06096 / 2014-3-67387 / Over Payment / $ 296.85
Gerard & Deborah Staves
350 South Elm Street
Windsor Locks, CT 06096 / 2014-Attached / Over Payment / $ 643.95
Toria Truck
548 Spring Street
Windsor Locks, CT 06096 / 2014-3-68395 / Over Payment / $ 23.12
Toyota Lease Trust
P.O. Box 105386
Atlanta, GA 30348 / 2014-3-68459 / Reduced Assessment / $ 113.37
Prior Year Refunds / $1,074.31
Current Year Refunds / $2,629.52
Total Refunds / $ 3703.83