Date: December 29, 2008
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Town Office
Present: Selectmen Richard Rockwood, Daniel Donovan, III and William
Condra and Recording Secretary Peggy Arn
1) Water Commissioners James Tuttle, Charles McGettigan and Stanley
Schultz attended the meeting to inform the Board of future plans.
Mr. Tuttle brought them up to date on the study that was done on the feasibility
of developing an interconnection between Milford and Wilton for water that
would be used during emergency events. The study and engineering
phases have been completed with the assistance of a grant from the state.
The Commission is now working with Milford to establish what the cost would
be and the percentage to be contributed by each town. They would
also have to investigate the availability of grants for this type of project.
It was agreed that a warrant article could only presented to the town when
they have firm numbers and grant money is approved.
2) The Water Commissioners also discussed the possibility of constructing
a cement water tank in addition to the present metal one located on Abbot
Hill Road. The present tank will be painted on the inside this year.
3) Mr. Tuttle reported that DES had visited the town’s wells and the
surrounding protection area. Mr. Tuttle had accompanied them on their
inspection and they are recommending that the area be enlarged. DES
also suggested that the Blanchard junk yard be closely monitored.
There is also concern about junk vehicles and a house trailer on Davidson
property near the well head protection area. The Water Commissioners
will formally ask the Selectmen to address this issue with Mr. Davidson.
4) The next issue discussed was that of the MACC Base Contract.
Mr. Schultz informed the Board that he had talked to Mark Schultz about
the changes to the Intermunicipal Agreement proposed changes. He
had stated that they were acceptable to him. Chairman Rockwood added
one note concerning the voting. The agreement states that the Milford
representative on the Governing Board shall be entitled to two votes on
any matter and all other members shall be entitled to one vote. Mr.
Rockwood added that all the tie votes will fail. Then a discussion
ensued concerning the Selectmen serving MACC Base notification of withdrawal
from MACC Base effective 12/31/2009. The letter will also state that
Wilton would consider remaining part of MACC Base if the cost of dispatching
services is competitive with other dispatching options. The Board
signed the letter and Mr. Schultz will deliver it to Mark Schultz on Tuesday.
Mr. Schultz stated he did not approve of the letter.
5) The Board then reviewed a letter from Todd Hayward expressing his
concern over the general assessing contract proposal that he had submitted.
He had submitted a bid for three year contract and then was told that it
would be for one year only. Mr. Donovan recused himself from the
discussion and then Chairman Rockwood stated that because he had to recluse
himself also Mr. Condra would have to make the decision. Selectman
Condra stated that he believed that the three year contract should be honored
because that was what was advertised and that was what the bid was based
on. He also stated that it was his impression that they had voted
to change the policy of awarding only one year contracts going forward
and not to change Mr. Hayward’s contract.
6) MOTION: Mr. Condra made a motion to award the three year contract
for the assessing. The motion carried with one aye and two abstentions.
7) The Board received a letter of complaint about the way the Building
Inspector had interacted with a builder. The letter will forwarded
to Mr. Carmen and Mr. Rockwood will talk to him about the issue.
8) MOTION: Selectman Donovan made a motion to abate the taxes
on Lot 48 owned by the Main Street Association. Selectman Condra
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
9) The Board reviewed the 2008 Sales Ratio Survey compiled by Real
Data. Chairman Rockwood made a couple of changes and stated that
it was okay to release the report to the Department of Revenue. The
Certification of the report was signed by the Board and will be sent to
the Department of Revenue.
10) One Intent to Cut and one Veteran’s Credit were reviewed and signed
by the Board.
11) The bills and payroll were reviewed and approved. The correspondence
and informational material was reviewed.
12) Selectman Donovan stated that he wanted to the Board to know that
the Firemen, Policemen and Highway Department did an outstanding job during
the ice storm. They responded to many needs of the town and he feels
they should be recognized for their work. Selectman Rockwood suggested
that pictures could be taken and put on the cover of this years town report.
The meeting was adjourned on a motion at 9:00 PM, with all in favor.
Respectfully submitted;
Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary