Board Of Selectmen’s Tenure Ends

With A Routine Agenda And Subdued Thanks

By Kendra Bobowick

“People may say a lot of things, but thanks once in a while is nice,” said resident George Trudell during the last regularly scheduled Board of Selectmen’s meeting for First Selectman Joe Borst, and Selectmen Herb Rosenthal and Paul Mangiafico.

The agenda Monday, November 16, began with words of thanks and ended in hand shakes as the current three-man board conducted some final business at the end of its tenure just one week before the newly elected members are sworn to office.

“I wish you well,” said Republican Town Committee member Barbara O’Connor.

Beside her, Fairfield Hills Authority Chairman Bob Geckle added, “I personally thank you for your service. You should also be commended for what you’ve done for citizens.” He said, “I know what it’s like for public servants. I commend you, bravo.”

The board quickly moved through agenda items. Public Works projects, room rental fees for the Senior Center, animal control facility policy, money transfers, and Edmond Town Hall repairs all entered conversation.

Lighting projects at the Fairfield Hills campus and adjacent properties could cost as much as $100,000, Public Works Director Fred Hurley explained.

The work, and subsequently the costs, could span several years, which is “not an unreasonable” period, Mr Mangiafico noted. He was less impressed with discussion regarding room rental fees for space at the Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road. Current costs to rent space there for a local civic group, for example, is $15. Was the fee too low, did it account for costs incurred, custodial staff, and a uniformity with other fees for town facility use? The board members knew too little to make a decision about fee increases Monday.

With too many questions unanswered, the selectmen tabled the subject. Looking at Pat Llodra, who will soon occupy his seat, Mr Borst added, “Sorry…” This and other business will carry over to her term, which begins next month.

The three then flipped through what Mr Rosenthal termed a “thorough report” provided by Director of Planning and Community Development Elizabeth Stocker. Her report detailing grant updates included one item that concerned Mr Mangiafico: “The town has an outstanding loan [for the Batchelder property] for $45,000, and it’s accruing.” As the town attorney Dave Grogins helped to explain, a series of loans in past years were acquired to help assess a contaminated property and form a remediation plan, sell the property, and get it back on the tax rolls one day. The state grant may never require repayment. “It’s my understanding that the debt will eventually be forgiven,” Mr Grogins said. The contamination on the site is currently stable, and he hopes the town will “find enough money to clean it up and a developer will buy it.”

Seeking clarification, Mr Mangiafico asked, “Ten years goes by and no one asks us for money?”

“No. No one,” said Mr Grogins, who will send the selectmen information clarifying the grant’s conditions.

Mr Rosenthal moved to amend language in the animal control facility policy to specify which volunteers need to belong to groups that must carrying liability insurance naming the town. Mr Borst moved to amend the policy contingent on information “regarding the involvement of volunteers handling animals…”

Rather than transferring funds significantly higher than an anticipated bid price to make repairs at the Edmond Town Hall, selectmen have asked that the project first go out to bid, the amount to be covered by the town’s contingency fund. Thousands will be needed to make repairs to and weatherproof the building’s south side. The board moved to authorize that the town hall’s Board of Managers solicit bids for “repointing masonry work.” All were in favor.

Soon the board broke for a recess prior to an executive session. Outside the new Newtown Municipal Center’s meeting room, Mr Rosenthal shook hands and spoke briefly with a small group before reentering the meeting. Mr Mangiafico stepped into the handful of people attending the meeting and also traded handshakes. Mr Borst nodded to those thanking him for his past two years as Newtown’s first selectman.