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Wednesday, July 21, 2010
, 7:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Category: Board of Selectmen.
Added by: admin
Town of Franklin
Board of Selectmen
7 Meetinghouse Hill Rd
Franklin, Ct. 06254
THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
FRANKLIN BOARD OF SELECTMEN HELD AT THE
FRANKLIN TOWN HALL AT 7 PM ON WEDNESDAY,
JULY 21, 2010.
The Town of Franklin is an equal opportunity provider & employer.
1 . Call to order: First Selectman Richard Matters called the meeting of the
BOS to order at 7pm. PRESENT: Selectmen Russell Beisiegel and Charles
Grant.
2 . Recognition of Visitors: Ronald Oschner; Town Attorney, Melissa McGuire;
Tax Collector, John McGuire; PCZ Chairman, Richard Handfield; BOF
Chairman
Marian & David Walter.
3 . Additions to the Agenda:
The following was added to the agenda under New Business
a . Discussion on delinquent tax payers
b . School roof project
c . Approval of library clerk
d . Letter from citizen on blight property in Town.
Mr. Grant made a motion to approve the additions to the agenda. Mr. Beisiegel
seconded the motion. Motion passed.
As a courtesy to Mr. & Mrs. Walter, the discussion for New Business began first.
4 . New Business:
a . Discussion on delinquent taxpayer.
Mr. Matters addressed the BOS to say several political offices from
the State concerning the taxes of the Walters had contacted him. It was
discussed with Mr. Oschner, the Town Attorney on this matter. He
suggested several options. 1. Tax Collector- turn it over to the State
Marshall
2. Payment plan over a period of time.
Mrs. Walter spoke to the BOS stating that because of personal and health
concerns, the payments of $100 a month to the Tax Collector did continue
up until June of 2010. Their home is currently on the market to be sold.
The taxes incurred are approximately $ 5900 have to be paid before the
house can be sold. Mr. Walter assured the BOS the taxes would be paid
on a monthly payment plan.
Mr. Grant made a motion to the Board of Selectmen the Walters continue
on a payment plan to the Tax Collector. Also the taxpayer has to pay all
fees to the State Marshall. Mr. Beisiegel seconded the motion.
2.
b . Blighted property:
Mr. Matters received a letter from a concern citizen on a vacant property
located on Lebanon Road. The house is open, lawn is several inches tall
and there is 3 ft of water in the basement. The house could be subjected to
vandalism. The house is in a reverse mortgage and will be turned over to the
State Marshall’s office.
c . School Roof project.
Mr. Matters received two bids for the roof. Both came within $50,000
for low bids. The first low bid was $675,300. The other bid was $874,130
with contingency and other costs. The Town will receive $ 478,910 from
the State of Conn. and will also take a short-term 120-day loan for $375,219
with a 1 % interest. The rest of the interest would be approximately 4%.
Discussion followed.
Mr. Beisiegel made a motion to accept the low bid with alternates. Mr. Grant
seconded the motion. Motion passed.
d . Approval of Library Clerks.
The Library Board of Directors sent a letter to request hiring two part
time library clerks. Each would work 12 hours a week at $9.70 an hour. This
would total 24 hours. Discussion followed.
Mr. Beisiegel made a motion to approve of hiring two part time library clerks
for the Town library as long as they stay within their budget. Mr. Grant
seconded the motion. Motion passed.
e . Approval of Revised Policy on Pautipaug Cemetery.
The BOS reviewed the contract policy for the cemetery. Mr. Matter stated
he placed markers on the graves; there are fees for digging and opening
the plots. Charles Grant made a motion to approve the proposed revised
policy on Pautipaug Cemetery. Russell Beisiegel seconded the motion.
Motion passed.
f. Approval of Resolution for Town Clerk Grant.
Russell Beisiegel made a motion to approve the resolution. Charles
Grant seconded the motion. Motion passed.
g . Approval of Tax Refund
Mr. Beisiegel made a motion to approve a tax refund of $58 to the
taxpayer who overpaid in taxes. Mr. Grant seconded the motion. Motion
passed.
h . Approval of Paving Rindy Road and Robinson Hill Road.
The cost for repaving Rindy Road is $68,781.50 and Robinson Hill
would be $63,416 from Tesser’s farm to Rt. 203. Curbing would also be put
in place on Robinson Hill. The budget available for Rindy Road is $60,000
and $58,000 for Robinson Hill, with also $25,000 in CIP; which would cover
the rest of the cost. Discussion followed. It was decided to contact the Town
engineer to get his input on the paving of these two roads. Also the topic was
Tabled until more information was obtained.
3.
i. Discussion of Letter from St Nicholas Orthodox Church.
There is a 3 acres parcel of land on Rt. 87, behind the BP gas station and
railroad tracks owned by the Church. The value of the land is $8,190 and
the taxes are $ 158. The letter stated they wanted to give the land to the
Town of Franklin. Discussion followed. It was decided to write a letter of
thanks to the Church to decline the offer.
5 . Approval of Bills:
Charles Grant made a motion to approve the bills as presented. Russell
Beisiegel seconded the motion. Motion passed.
6 . Approval of Minutes:
a . June 9, 2010
Charles Grant made a motion to approve the minutes of June 9th. Russell
Beisiegel seconded the motion. Motion passed.
b . June 15, 2010 Special Meeting.
Charles Grant made a motion to approve the Special Meeting minutes of
June 15th. Russell Beisiegel seconded the motion.
c . June 15, 2010 Emergency Meeting. Motion passed.
Charles Grant made a motion to approve the Emergency meeting minutes
of June 15th. Russell Beisiegel seconded the motion. Motion passed.
7 . Review of Reports.
a . Department of Public Works:
Mr. Matters reported on the activities for the last month.
b . Financial Offices
The Tax Collector has 98.61% of collected taxes to date. The concern
over the expenditure of the FES stating in one report, they had spent $131,000
over budget and the School claims only $78,858 was spent. The Auditor will
come in next month to check the complete records of the School’s spending.
The goal is to have only one bookkeeper to handle all the School’s payroll and
direct deposit.
8 . Correspondence:
a . Received a notice from the State Department of Environmental
Protection.
The letter stated concerns from the former Getty Gas Station on RT. 32 a
lack of bookkeeping in the dispensing of gasoline.
b . Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce.
Due to the budget cuts, the Town of Franklin had to withdraw its
membership from the Chamber of Commerce. The letter from the
Chamber stated they would give Franklin a free years membership in the
Commerce.
4.
9 . Old Business:
a . Approval of Policy on Commission Packets.
There was a brief discussion on some Board preferring the minutes/agenda
being sent by email or through the regular mail. Most Boards have decided to
stay with email, while others will go with the regular mail.
1 0 .Legal Traffic Authority:
None
1 1 .Public Comments: BOF Chairman Richard Handfield commented on
the taxpayer ‘s dilemma. He was pleased at their courtesy and willing to
work with the Town. Mr. Matters also commented the political pressure he
received about the Walters situation. PZC Chairman John McGuire also
stated the State Govt. can’t tell local towns how to run their business.
1 2 . Announcement of Next Meeting.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen will be August 18, 2010.
1 3 .Comments for the Good of the Order: none.
1 4 . Adjournment:
Richard Matters made a motion to adjourn. Russell Beisiegel seconded the
motion. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Shaun Moll/ Temp Clerk for BOS
Location: Town Hall
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