Town of Goshen, CT - April 22, 2008

TOWN OF GOSHEN

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES – Regular Meeting

Town Hall Conference Room

PRESENT: Robert P. Valentine, H. John Krukar, Ronald F. Nodine

OTHERS: Ed Webber (Gorman Brothers), Comer Contracting representative

Bob Valentine called the meeting to order at 4:08 p.m.

The Board of Selectmen deferred from the original order of business and moved to New Business #9 – Bid Openings – Chip Seal Bids.

Unit Price Bid Amount

Comer Contracting $1.33 $ 179,550.00

All States Asphalt Inc 1.84 248,400.00

Gorman Brothers LLC 1.49 201,150.00

Seymour Sealing Service 1.44 194,400.00

IN A MOTION made by Robert P. Valentine, seconded by H. John Krukar it was VOTED to forward the Chip Sealing Bids to Howard Joray (Public Works Supervisor) for review and recommendation. Vote unanimous.

IN A MOTION made by H. John Krukar, seconded by Robert P. Valentine it was VOTED to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2008 Regular Meeting as amended. Vote unanimous.

The amendment(s) are as follows: Page 1, First Selectman’s report paragraph 2, second sentence should read: Some of the chip sealing did not adhere properly, which, created piles of loose stone besides the road and onto resident’s lawns.

Page 4, Discussion – Town of Goshen – DiMeo, paragraph 1, “Mr,” should read “Mr.” and “and” should read “an.”

Paragraph three should read: The BOS did not feel comfortable bringing to the town’s people anything less than 45 acres deeded to the Town in return for a Quit Claim of the Town’s interest.

MATTERS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES: Bob Valentine noted he has made it clear to Mr. DiMeo, through the attorneys, the BOS did not feel comfortable bringing to the towns people anything less than 45 acres deeded to the Town in return for a Quit Claim of the Town’s interest. The BOS noted they would be happy to discuss the situation with Mr. DiMeo.

IN A MOTION made by Robert P. Valentine, seconded by H. John Krukar it was VOTED to approve the warrant including payroll of April 24, 2008 in the amount of

$53,736.56. Vote unanimous.

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

Marty Connor arrived at 4:30p.m.

FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT:

Bob Valentine noted Richard Calkins (Town Engineer) and Chris Wood (Town Planner) attended the Litchfield’s Planning and Zoning meeting on behalf of the Town of Goshen in regards to School House Ridge subdivision. The Litchfield Planning and Zoning commission has allowed to hold open the public hearing for a little more time, thus allowing for further review from both parties.

Bob Valentine will update the other members when more information becomes available.

Tom Stansfield arrived at 4:35 p.m.

By the request of Bob Valentine, CONN OSHA is schedule to inspect the Public Works, Camp Cochipianee, and Town Hall on April 30, 2008.

Bob Valentine attended the Board of Education meeting on Monday, April 21, 2008. As it now stands the budget has and over all increase of 5.74% and Goshen’s increase at 7%.

Bob Valentine noted he has hired a Working Road Foreman, Bill Gelormino who will commence work on Monday, April 27, 2008.

CORRESPONDENCE: A letter was received from Henrietta Horvay (Chairman, Democratic Town Committee) requesting the use of the Town Hall Conference Room on April 24, 2008, from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

IN A MOTION made by Ronald F. Nodine, seconded by H. John Krukar it was VOTED to approve the request from Henrietta Horvay (Chairman, Democratic Town Committee) to use the Town Hall Conference Room on April 24, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Vote unanimous.

A letter was received from Howard Joray (Public Works Supervisor) tendered his resignation with the Town of Goshen. His last day of employment will be on Friday, May 2, 2008.

CORRESPONDENCE (continued):

The Board of Selectmen would like to thank Howard Joray for his years of dedication to the Town and wish him the best in the future.

IN A MOTION made by Robert P. Valentine, seconded by H. John Krukar it was VOTED to accept Howard Joray’s letter of resignation with regret. Vote unanimous.

IN A MOTION made by Robert P. Valentine, seconded by H. John Krukar it was VOTED to add to the agenda under Old Business, #8, Discussion on Ethics Policy – Zoning Enforcement Officer - Town Planner. Vote unanimous.

Discussion on Ethics Policy – Zoning Enforcement Officer - Town Planner.

The Board of Selectmen invited Tom Stansfied and Marty Connor to the table for discussion.

Bob Valentine explained the BOS reasoning for considering the adoption of an Ethics Code as a standard that the Town’s Planner and Zoning Enforcement Officer would abide by.

Much discussion ensued between the BOS, Tom Stansfield and Marty Connor. The Ethics which the Town is looking to adopt are codes Marty Connor already abides by.

Marty Connor agreed to follow the Code of Ethics of the Connecticut Association of Zoning Enforcement Officials and the American Institute of Certified Planners Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

Marty Connor also agreed not to work with any private contractor within 500 feet of Goshen’s borders.

The Board of Selectmen is planning to form a three member Ethics Committee to recommend an Ethics Code for all Elected Officials, Town Employees and Contractors.

Bob Valentine has two individuals he will contact to see if they would be willing to serve on this committee. Bob Valentine will update the other members of the board when he has more information.

Marty Connor and Tom Stansfield left at 5:07 p.m.

OLD BUSINESS (continued)

Ethics Committee Member Recommendation

Topic discussed earlier in the minutes.

Basin Cleaning and Roadside Mowing Recommendation(s)

Basin Cleaning Recommendation

The Board of Selectmen noted that Howard Joray’s letter of recommendation did not select the lowest bidder because of past performance. Therefore, he recommended the next lowest bidder, Mecator Industries, LLC.

The bid pricing are as follows:

Tyler Lake, Woodridge Lake, Other Locations

Public Works Department Price per Hour

Fred A Cook Jr., Inc $ 3,800.00 $225.00

Mercator Industries, LLC $ 6,160.00 $165.00

Clean Harbors $17,708.00 $326.20

IN A MOTION made by Ronald F. Nodine, seconded by H. John Krukar it was VOTED to accept the recommendation of Howard Joray, Public Works Supervisor, and award the Basin Cleaning to Mercator Industries. Vote unanimous.

Roadside Mowing Recommendation

IN A MOTION made by Ronald F. Nodine, seconded by H. John Krukar it was VOTED to accept the recommendation of Howard Joray, Public Works Supervisor, and award the Roadside Mowing to Woolford Lawn Service. Vote unanimous.

The bid pricing were as follows:

Roadside Mowing Beach Street & Ives Road

Woolford Lawn Service $10,300.00 $ 700.00

Agricare of CT $16,000.00 $1,200.00

IN A MOTION made by H. John Krukar, seconded by Ronald F. Nodine, it was VOTED to add to the agenda under New Business- Public Works Supervisor Job Description. Vote unanimous.

Public Works Supervisor Job Description:

Bob Valentine noted after reviewing the current Public Works Supervisors job description some minor changes needed to be addressed:

Page three - Experience and Training - first sentence should read: Not less than five years employment in highway construction of which three years must have been in a supervisory capacity.

Page two – paragraph eight, remove last sentence reading: Responsible for overseeing maintenance of and repairs to the Old Town Hall.

IN A MOTION made by Robert P. Valentine, seconded by Ronald F. Nodine it was VOTED to approve the changes to the Public Works Supervisor Job Description. Vote unanimous.

Bob Valentine and Debbie Franklin reviewed earlier today the projection as to the budget for fiscal year end 2007-2008. Bob Valentine updated the other Board members as to where the budget currently stands and where it is projected to be at the end of current fiscal year. Bob Valentine also explained to the BOS the process by which he has taken to help absorb some of the line item overages and will also present this to the Board of Finance at the Wednesday, April 23, 2008 meeting.

Bob Valentine listed the budgets that will be presented to the Board of Finance on Wednesday, April 23, 2008. They are as follows:

· Employee Benefits

· Town Office Building

· Capital & Non-recurring

· Contingency Account

· Salaries – Elected Officials

· Waste Management (revisit)

· Board of Assessors (revisit)

· Fire Protection (revisit)

The Board of Selectmen is optimistic the 2008-2009 Town budget will show less than a 5% increase.

IN A MOTION made by Ronald F. Nodine, seconded by H. John Krukar it was VOTED to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Selectman’s Admin. Asst.