Date: April 2, 2007
Time: 7:00 PM
Place Town Office
Present: Selectmen Daniel Donovan, III, Chair and Richard Rockwood
and Recording Secretary Peggy Arn
1) Chairman Donovan called the regular session to order at 8:35. Debbie McGettigan asked to speak to the Board to inform them that she is concerned for the safety of school children at crosswalks. She would like to see adult volunteers at all the crosswalks. She would be willing to organize the volunteers and be one herself. Selectman Rockwood suggested that she go back to the High School and see if they would bring back to the system that was utilized in the past. Someone at the Junior or High School might put together a program again. Chief Hautanen stated that there could be some liability to the town and that any program would have to be under the his direction. Brent said he would make some inquiries at the school. He will report back to the Board to let them know how the school responds.
2) Members of the Conservation Commission and the Wilton Temple Community Farm attended the meeting. Conservation Chairman Lynne Draper informed the Board that the Community Farm would like to purchase some farmland on Abbot Hill Road and when purchased, be put into conservation. They have been working with various agencies for funding. They have come to the Conservation Commission to ask for support and money towards the purchase. Lynne stated that the Conservation Members have looked at the land and they consider it to be prime farmland. It is their belief that argricultural land is very important and needs to be protected. They would also like the Conservation Commission hold the conservation easement on the land.
Lynne stated that the Commission had made a resolution to help with the purchase of the land. With the Selectmen’s approval, they would like to have a public hearing on this purchase and also use the money they have in the land acquisition fund. The cost would not exceed $45,000 and would be for lots H-015, H-038 and H-041 consisting of approximately 18 acres. The town would be the holder of the conservation easement and the Conservation Commission is the monitor of the land.
Selectman Rockwood had to recluse himself from comment. Chairman Donovan stated that he was in favor of the purchase and it was agreed that a public hearing will be held on Monday, April 9, 2007 at 7:00 PM at the town office to hear comments concerning the use of the Acquisition Funds for this purchase of land. The public hearing notice will be posed tonight.
3) Spencer informed the Board that Gretchen Dunn had requested that the legal fees associated with the Conservation Easement granted to the town be paid by the town. It was noted that this was not part of the original agreement. Chairman Donovan made a motion to deny this request as it was not part of the original agreement. Selectman Rockwood seconded the emotion which passed unanimously.
4) Spencer then asked the status of a few issues that they had informed the Board of. previously. He is concerned that cars are still parked on the town’s property on the entrance to the Frog Pond. He will work with Bill Condra to inform the person that the vehicles have to be removed or the town will issue a Cease and Desist order. Spencer also informed the Board that there has been some vandalism at the Frog Pond. He will speak to the owner of the entrance to the Frog Pond that is in Milford.
5) Peggy presented a request to purchase the following equipment:
A laser printer, two 21” LCD Monitors, and a MicroSys Pentium 4 –3.4 System. This computer will replace one in the Town Clerk’s office and the one being replaced will be utilized in the lobby.
Chairman Donovan made a motion to approve the purchase of this equipment, which was seconded by Selectman Rockwood. Motion passed.
6) Selectman Richard Rockwood made a motion to appoint the following persons to their respective positions for 2007:
Tax Collector Jane Farrell
Chief of Police Brent Hautanen
Highway Agent Steven Elliott
Recycling Manager Maurice Guay
Building Inspector William Condra
Health Officer Risë Smythe-Freed
Welfare Officer Maria Brown
Deputy Welfare Officer Carla Walter
Auditors Plodzik & Sanderson
Fire Chief Raymond Dick
Ambulance Board Member Bruce Henry
Selectman Donovan seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
7) The Board reviewed and signed the following:
1 Intent to Cut Timber
4 Notices of Intent to Excavate
1 Veterans Exemption Application
1 Application for Current Use
Report of Appropriations Actually Reported
An added tax for Cingular Wireless
Appointment of new Police Officer Gerry Reppucci
The bills and payroll for the week ending March 31, 2007 were reviewed and approved.
8) The correspondence and informational material was reviewed.
9) The meeting was adjourned on a motion at 10:35, with all in favor.
Respectfully Submitted;
Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary