Date:  December 21, 2009
Time:  6:30 PM
Place:  Town Office
Present: Selectmen Daniel Donovan, III and Richard Rockwood and Recording Secretary Peggy Arn

Chief Hautanen attended the meeting with Steven Yurcak, a local builder, to discuss the roof problems at the Police Department building.  There has been a problem with ice build up on the roof for years so Chief Hautanen has been getting quotes on correcting the problems.    Mr. Yurcak inspected the building discovered that there are many problems in the attic and the second floor storage area.  He had taken pictures of the area that reflected the many bad areas and poor workmanship done when the building was constructed.  The entire attic does not have proper insulation and no provision was made for air to circulate in the attic.   All new insulation needs to be put in, a thermostat and corrections made to the existing ductwork.  There would be an insulated door fabricated and installed so access would be made easier to the attic space from the second floor.  Proper vents in the rafter bays need to be installed that would allow airflow from eve to ridge.  Correcting all the issues would reduce the fuel costs, electrical bills and stop the ice buildup on the roof.  He estimates that the cost would be $18,300.   Insulation alone would be over $6,000.  The Board agreed that the repairs need to be done.  Discussion ensued and the Board agreed that the cost of the repairs should be added to the regular police building budget and not a warrant article.

Spencer Brookes and Lynne Draper attended  the meeting representing the Conservation Commission. Spencer stated that they have been working on acquiring this piece of property for some time.  The property is partly in Milford and Wilton.  There is 52 acres of land in Milford and 22 acres in Wilton.  The asking price is $30,000 plus closing costs.   Spencer stated that it is a very desirable piece of conservation land.  Selectman Rockwood stated that if Milford buys the property, it would not be a very valuable piece of land because it would become a land locked parcel.    Mr. Brookes stated that he would like to use the money that the Conservation Commission has saved for the purchase of land and then ask to have the town repay the money at town meeting.   Discussion ensued as to the possibility of the land being developed if it is not brought for conservation land.  Chairman Donovan asked if Milford would still consider the purchase if Wilton decided not to purchase the land in Wilton.  The Board did not have an issue with the Conservation Commission purchasing the land with money they have set aside for land.  Lynne stated that it is important to keep large parcels of land available for recreation and wild life.

Water Commissioners Jim Tuttle and Charles McGettigan attended the meeting.  Chairman Donovan reminded them that he would like a draft response to the 2 letters of deficiencies.  He also spoke to Attorney Little and Attorney Little took it upon himself to speak to Brian Desfosses of the Department of Environmental Services.  Mr. Donovan stated that he is concerned that the Water Department has neglected the dam for years and now the Water Commissioners are trying to put the responsibility on the town taxpayers.  Mr. McGettigan stated that repairs have been made and they have been responsible.  Mr. Donovan stated that Brian Desfosses, Dam Safety Engineer at DES says there are only two options, either to fix the dam or breach it.  The breaching would consist of removing the dam which would require a stream restoration plan.   DES also stated that leaving the gate of the dam open for the moment and periodically inspecting the dam is an appropriate interim solution to the Notice of Deficiency the Town has received.  Mr. McGettigan’s response to the deficiencies was reviewed and Mr. Rockwood stated that he felt that the answer to the defincies should have indicated what it being planned and to bring the issue to the town meeting to get money for a study of what needs to be done.  Attorney Little stated that he thought DES could live with a 16 month plan to either fix or breach the dam.  Mr. Tuttle stated that he wanted it to be in the minutes that the deed to the town stated that town purchased the land and the dam.

Mr. Tuttle stated that this reservoir feeds Sand Hill Reservoir so if it goes away, eventually that goes away also.

Discussion ensued as to the two separate responses to DES written by Jim Tuttle and one by Charles McGettigan might be combined as one.  Mr. McGettigan stated that he did not have a problem with using Mr. Tuttle’s response to DES.  Mr. Rockwood and Mr. McGettigan will meet tomorrow and put together with a response.  He will then review it with Mr. Tuttle, Stanley Schultz and Chairman Donovan.  The final decision on the issue is that a warrant article will be presented for approval of the retaining of an engineer to give a report of what needs to done to the dam.  Discussion ensued as to the possibility of state grants but Mr. Tuttle stated that he has talked to the state and was told that there is no grant money for Wilton water projects.  He stated that the town has 5 projects that he has applied to the state for grants.

Gary Zirpolo asked the Board if they would approve a request the purchase of studded tires for the 2001 ambulance.  The Board approved the purchase if the budget can support it.

The bills and payroll for the week ending December 19, 2009 were reviewed and approved.

The Board signed the Health Officer Nomination application that will be sent to the Department of Health and Human Services naming Mary Leavett.

The Board approved and signed an abatement request for Map and Lot Number B-052.

The Board approved the date of March 11, 2010 for town meeting.

The meeting was adjourned on a motion, with all in favor at 8:35 pm.

Respectfully submitted;

Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary