Date: May 15, 2006
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Town Office
Present: Selectmen Daniel Donovan, III, Jerry Greene and Richard Rockwood
and Recording Secretary Peggy Arn
1) Maurice Guay attended the meeting to discuss Recycling Center issues. He asked the Board if they had any problem with a representative from DES helping him review all the new requirements for the Recycling Center. Maurice stated that he would like to have the representative from DES make sure he is compliance with DES. The Board agreed that this would be a good idea.
2) Margaret Bluhm Cary of Dwight Road was next to address the Board. She informed the Board that her property has been in her family for many years and Dwight Road, on which her property is located, has been a class V road for many years. Discussion ensued as to the definition of a Class V road and it was agreed that it consists of all traveled highways that the town has the duty to maintain. The duty to maintain a Class V road by the town is regardless of the condition of the road or how little maintenance is done. A Class V road can consist of a one lane dirt road. Ms. Cary did acknowledge that the road is not maintained during the winter but that it was graded in the spring. She also stated that it has become badly eroded and there is no drainage.
Ms. Cary then informed the Board that she would like to have the classification of the road changed to a Class VI status or discontinued. She stated that one of her reasons for this classification change was because of the possibility of development in the area that would affect traffic on Dwight Road. She stated that she was at this meeting to ask the Board for guidance on which avenue to pursue. Mr. Greene stated that he did not like to see town roads discontinued and asked if she had ever considered moving the road, to which she answered she had but it was cost prohibitive. Selectman Rockwood stated that she would have to write a Warrant Article supported by a petition signed by 25 registered voters of the Town of Wilton. It would then be presented to the town for approval at the next town meeting in March of 2007.
3) ZBA members Joanna Eckstrom, Jim Tuttle, Robert Spear and Neil Faiman, were next to address the Board. Chairman Donovan read a memo from Joanna stating the three issues they would like addressed by the Board of Selectmen.
1) The ZBA would like to request permission to have an independent counsel.
Discussion ensued as to the background of the request and the instance
when an independent counsel was needed which was Chalet Suisse’s appeal
of the Planning Board’s denial of its subdivision application. Ms.
Eckstrom stated that the request is being made because of the Zahn/Kennedy
request for an variance of the gravel excavation ordinance. It was
a concern that Attorney Little could possibly have a conflict because of
his working with other Boards, specifically the Planning Board. Selectman
Greene stated that Attorney Little should be given the opportunity to decide
if he has a problem. Selectman Rockwood suggested that one member
be designated to discuss this issue with Attorney Little. The Selectmen
agreed that Attorney Little should be contacted and asked if he would have
a conflict giving his legal advice to the ZBA concerning this hearing.
2) The second question was concerning the videotaping of public
meetings. Chairman Donovan stated that videotaping is allowed but
that it has to be impartial and can be by Board members also. It
was also noted that video taken by the ZBA can become part of the town
records.
3) The third request was for a policeman to be present at the site
visit scheduled on June 11, 2006 at 10 am. The Board agreed that
this was not a problem for them and they should contact Chief Hautanen.
Chairman Donovan stated that it should noted that the site walk of the
property is just that and not a meeting. No questions can be asked
of the ZBA members and no discussion between Board Members will take place.
Joanna made the statement in conclusion of the meeting that it be in
the record that any taxpayer in the Town of Wilton has the right to appeal
any ordinance in the Town of Wilton. The Board agreed with this statement.
4) Conservation Chairman Lynne Draper informed the Board that the Milford Planning Board was holding a hearing on Tuesday, May 16, 2006, concerning the development of land off Mason Road in Milford. She was concerned that the Town of Wilton was not given notice of this meeting as an abutting landowner. She is going to attend the meeting to make a statement from the Conservation Commission. It was also noted that the issue should be discussed by the Planning Board to see if they wanted to make any statements concerning this development. The Board agreed.
Ms. Draper informed the Board that the Conservation Commission is still trying to work on a conservation easement with Mr. Hoover but have not as yet been able to agree upon the easement. She asked if Attorney Little could review the easement when one was agreed up and the Board stated that it was fine with them.
Selectman Rockwood asked Ms. Draper why a metal gate had been installed at the entrance to the Frog Pond and who has the key. Ms. Draper was not sure but will get back the Board. Mr. Rockwood suggested maybe a wooden fence would be more appropriate.
Lynne asked if the Board had any objection to putting a telephone pole at the bottom of Carnival Hill to try to curb ATV's. They did not voice any objection.
Ms. Draper stated that the NRI, National Resource Inventory, project is progressing. They have given the Historical Society a map that they can use for their purposes.
5) The Board reviewed a letter from Attorney Silas Little asking if the bell and cubicle on top of the Grange Hall is listed under the Town’s liability insurance. Past deeds transferring the property state “not included in this conveyance are the bell and the cubicle located on the top of the Grange Hall which are the property of the Town of Wilton.”. The Board agreed that it should be put on the town’s liability insurance and the Town Assessor should be put a value on it.
6) The Board reviewed a memo from Town Assessor Todd Haywood with his recommendations on the 2005 property tax abatement requests. The Board reviewed the 6 requests and had a question on one. Peggy will ask Todd to review this one parcel. Selectman Rockwood made a motion to approve the abatements as presented by Mr. Haywood. Selectman Greene seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
7) The Board reviewed two Yield Tax Assessments and signed them. They also reviewed and signed the 2005/2006 Excavation Activity Tax assessments warrant.
8) A Public Hearing will be scheduled for Monday, June 5, 2006 to hear comments on the Wilton Police Department accepting a grant from the State to conduct speed enforcement patrols.
9) The bills and payroll for the week ending May 13, 2006 were reviewed and approved. The correspondence and informational material was reviewed.
10) Peggy informed the Board that Ray Fangmire from Label Art had called and wanted the Board to know that there will be a noise level testing at the Label Art facility and that he will call to let the Board know when that will be scheduled.
The meeting was adjourned on a motion at 9:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted;
Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary