April 7, 2003

Present: Barbara Stewart Chair; Brian Boyle; Phil Consentino; Town Administrator Vic Richards.

At 7:30 PM Barbara Stewart called the meeting to order.

Brian Boyle made the motion to accept the minutes of March 31, 2003 Selectmen’s meeting as written. Motion was second by Phil Consentino. Motion passed unanimously.

Police Chief Consentino presented awards for the Police Department’s Music Summer Scholarships to Erin Donnelley, Brittany Hakimi, Margaret Jackson, Alexandra Olivares, Megan Stewart, and Sarah Stewart. Two $250 Scholarships were given: the Arthur Bibbins Scholarship to Brittany Hakimi and the Paul Caradonna Scholarship to Megan Stewart.

The Town Administrator stated that the Town had shipped 41 boxes to the residents serving in the Gulf and that the Town had received $958 in donations for postage. He stated that the Town Clerk’s Office and the Tax Collector were doing all the organizing and shipping.

The Board expressed there thanks to the Town Hall volunteers.

The Administrator continued with an update: Notice of Violation had been sent; letters on the unfounded federal mandates were ready to be signed; letter to three owners on Industrial Way were ready to be signed; the political sign notice was completed; the

Street Light Policy had been rewritten; the PEG Access Coordinator job description was in in the Selectmen’s packet; minutes of Selectmen’s meetings did not verify acceptance of the Vehicle and Traffic Ordinance; fire safety inspections are completed annually; and the Fire Department accounting was independent of the Fire Association. The public hearing on E-911 for address changes for Coventry and Providence Hill was schedule for May 5.

The Animal Control Officer stated that he needed to have as many assistants as possible because he and his assistants worked full time. The Officers were paid by call so it was better to have more officers available. He did want to get vaccinations for one person so he could be a full time officer. The cost was $317 and had not been budgeted.

After discussion over procedures and the cost per call, Brian Boyle made the motion to expend up to $320 for shots for Tim Judge to be given by Parkland Hospital. Motion was second by Phil Consentino and passed unanimously.

Brian Boyle made the motion to appoint Tim Judge and Robin Serratore as animal Control Assistants. Motion was second by Phil Consentino and passed unanimously.

Road Agent Ted Stewart presented the Snow Removal Policy and went through the policy line by line. There was discussion on procedure for moving parked cars during snow plowing and discussion on procedures for fining people who place snow in the roadway and create a hazard. The Police Chief stated that he would respond to any call, which the Road Agent made about parked vehicles or private snow plowing creating a hazard. The two departments should work together. The Road Agent agreed and stated that he just wanted clarification of the procedures and that was the intent of the policy.

There was discussion about whose responsibility it was to insure that objects were not in the road right of way. The issue was not a police enforcement problem but a code enforcement problem. The Code Enforcement Officer should address objects in the right of way.

There was discussion whether the parking ban should be enforced during hours when there was no snow removal.

Bill Anderson called in and asked whether the Road Agent would maintain the right of way in the summer. The Road Agent stated that he would maintain swales for drainage, clean culverts and clean drainage pipes to insure proper drainage. He would replace gravel on the shoulder of the road, but he would not replace landscaping, which was in the right of way.

The Board asked the Town Administrator for a clean copy of the policy with the changes made. The policy would be reviewed again next week.

Philo Consentino asked the Road Agent if he had found the necessary forms for excavation work on town roads. The Road Agent replied that he had talked with Peter Lewis of Walnut Ridge Water Company and Mr. Lewis was going to help him find a form. The Road Agent believed that the each utility had an open bond for roadwork.

Phil Consentino asked the Road Agent if the potholes in the Hemlock Heights area could be filled in. The Road agent started that he was working on this but every time it snowed he had to go back and fill in the potholes. The hot top plant opened April 15^th and use of hot top would increase the chances of the holes staying filled in.

Brian Boyle stated that the Board met with School Board and discussed the traffic situation on Linebrook and East Road. A Committee was formed and hopes to have a report in 60 days.

Mr. Boyle stated that there was a good turnout for Joe DeRosa’s dinner and that he visited with Rep. Flanagan and she is doing well.

Phil Consentino stated that the handicap parking space at the Post Office would be moved. He asked that any correspondence between the Code Enforcement Officer and residents be copied to the Board.

Barbara Stewart asked if the Town had received its franchise fee check from Adlephia. The Town Administrator stated there was a letter in the reading file, which stated that the revenue for this year is $59,000. The letter accompanied a check for that amount.

Barbara Stewart stated that one of the three businesses which the Code Enforcement Officer had referred to the previous week wanted t come in and discuss the situation next Monday night.

Brian Boyle asked the Town Administrator to schedule a meeting with all building inspectors and Planning Secretary for next Monday night o discuss office procedures.

Brian Boyle made the motion to adopt the non-pubic meeting minutes from March 31, 2003 as written. Motion was second by Phil Consentino and passed unanimously.

Brian Boyle made the motion to adjourn. Motion was second by Phil Consentino and passed unanimously.

These minutes are not official until signed. Respectfully submitted by Town Administrator Vic Richards.

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Barbara Stewart, Chair

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Brian Boyle

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Phil Consentino