Board of Warden and Burgesses

Draft Minutes of Regular Monthly Meeting ~ January 19, 2010

 

 

                The regular monthly meeting of the Borough Warden & Burgesses was called to order at 7:30 PM by Warden Don Maranell.  Present were Burgesses, Kathryn Burchenal, Paul Burgess, Jeffrey Callahan, Howard Park, Robert Scala and Clerk-Treasurer, Frederick Souza.  Burgess Edward McCreary was absent.

 

Public Comment:   None

 

Approval of Minutes: 

On a motion by Burgess Scala, seconded by Burgess Callahan, the minutes from the Board meeting on December 21, 2009, were unanimously approved.   Minutes from the special meeting regarding Cannon Square held on January 9, 2010, were unanimously accepted on a motion by Burgess Callahan, seconded by Burgess Scala.

 

Administrative Assistant’s Report (Perry):

  • Received  December collections – $5,128.85
  • Received State Boat Grant - $1,063.84
  • Received Town reimbursement for seawalls - $20,000.00
  • Received payment for 3 of 4 sidewalk snow removals for 1st snowstorm
  • Sent invoices for 4 sidewalk snow removals (2nd snowstorm); 1 repeat offender was assessed $25 fine
  • Processed W-2 forms, working on 1099 forms
  • Updated zoning regulations in Word and on website to include amendments
  • Did coding of Borough motor vehicles (as Assessor)

 

Clerk-Treasurer’s Report (Souza):   

Have had a conversation with People’s Bank through Blunt White regarding possible switching of our accounts to there and found that it would not be particularly different, yet it would be less convenient than the present situation with Washington Trust.  He did point out that Washington Trust charges us for each check written and that perhaps we should attempt to renegotiate that piece of our agreement with them.  Other changes previously recommended by the Board will be pending until such time as CD comes up for renewal.

 

Review of Bills:  Burgesses reviewed bills paid with no issues of note.

 

Correspondence:  None requiring response.

 

Warden’s Report: 

  • Snow removal was successful during our first two storms.
  • Rick Olisky will look into a drainage problem which has developed near 18 Grand Street
  • Burgess Burgess noted that we have not received the Pavement Study and that it would be helpful to plan further repair work and the budget if that information were available.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

 

Fire(Scala): 

  • 14 Calls, one of which was a genuine emergency/fire
  • The fire marshal has not submitted a report.
  • The February meeting will be at the firehouse on February 16, 2010, and will follow a 7 PM inspection of the equipment by the Board of Burgesses.

 

Parks, Trees & Rights of Way (Park):

  • The two dead trees in front of the post office will be removed at the earliest convenience and will not be replaced, enabling patrons to better utilize the area.
  • Two other trees have been posted for removal: the one on Wadawanuck Square at the corner of Broad and Main, and one on LaGrua Park near the corner of Denison and Orchard Streets.

 

Utilities and Sanitation(McCreary):   No report.

 

Public Buildings(Callahan):  . 

·         BOROUGH CLOCK

Appears to not be chiming and Burgess Callahan will inspect and repair as necessary over the weekend.

 

Emergency Management, Sidewalks, & Street Lights (Burgess):

  • As follow up to the Cannon Square meeting last Saturday, I reviewed available information regarding the depth to bedrock at Cannon Square. I spoke to Harold Storrs, WPCA Director, Town of Stonington and reviewed as built sewer construction plans for Main and Water Street directly adjacent to Cannon Square. The sewer was installed 9-10 feet below grade in this area and no bedrock was encountered. The encountered material was described as sand, gravel, and boulders. Therefore, the depth of bedrock in the Cannon Square area should be greater than 9 feet.   Based on this information I recommend that we do not need to spend the money for borings.
  • Two winter storms have occurred since the last meeting and sidewalk snow removal was generally good.  Four or five walks were cleared by the Borough contractor and the adjacent property owners billed and have been paid for.  One was a second time and in addition to the bill a $25 fine was assessed.
  • Several street light outages have been reported to and fixed by CL&P
  • The footbridge drainage issues have been addressed with Amtrack and the Town of Stonington, and solutions will be explored.

 

Police, Public Affairs & Communications (Burchenal):  There were 33 incidents with no discernible pattern of criminal activity.  Commissioner Burchenal also met recently with Capt Desmond and Chief Stewart to discuss Borough related issues.

  • Parking during snowstorms is something the police department has suggested we may want to address.  This is particularly true of timeliness and the snow removal parking schedules with which residents are often not cooperative.  As per this conversation with the police department, Borough residents and business owners will be reminded of the parking ordinances, particularly for snow removal and the year-round  two hour parking limit on Water Street
  • In regards the four-way stop sign proposed for the foot of the viaduct, a study is underway and is being overseen by Tracy Fogarty of the DOT.  In the near future (after the threat of snow is gone) there will be a traffic counter at the intersection as part of the study.
  • Special events in town should be covered by insurance either from the Borough, the Town or the organization holding the event.  Borough policies should be reviewed to assure compliance.  Additionally, for large public events such as the music events at the lighthouse, the organizers should inform the Stonington Police well in advance of the date of the event.
  • The community service officers who have patrolled the Borough during the summer months have worked between 10 AM and 5 PM.  It is possible to consider a shift of some of these hours to cover the evening if desirable.
  • With the help of Burgess McCreary, flyers were posted for the Cannon Square Meeting.
  • There is an issue at the stop sign at the foot of the viaduct on the side inside the Borough as the cars that park there are infringing on the sight lines.  Resolution to this problem is being examined.

 

Old Business:  

  • One of the cannons has completed its time in the hydrolytic bath and the other has begun.  Both should be back sometime in May.
  • SVIA money for the project will be requested as there are some bills to be paid.
  • The ramp portion of the plan will be modified as has been suggested.
  • The full plan will be on the March agenda.
  • It is again noted that the bedrock question has been researched with no apparent reason for concern.

 

New Business:

  • Budget related workshops and meetings were tentatively scheduled.
  • The annual budget meeting will be held at the firehouse on April 17th at 9 AM with the regular meeting of the Board of Burgesses, set for April 19th, scheduled to immediately follow the Annual Borough Meeting, at 10 AM or as soon as the previous meeting is completed.
  • The annual public hearing on the budget proposal is tentatively scheduled for March 15th just before the regular Board of Burgesses meeting.
  • A special meeting may be necessary and was tentatively scheduled for March 25th.

 

Other Business:  

  • The website needs to be updated to reflect the progression of the Cannon Square project.
  • It was noted that the zoning boards are desperate for members and the lack of representives is reaching problematic proportion which may impact their ability to conduct business.  Suggestions were sought to try to encourage more residents to serve on these boards and volunteers are certainly appreciated and welcomed.

 

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:26 PM  (Moved by Burgesses Callahan and Scala)

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Frederick J. Souza ~ Borough of Stonington Clerk/Treasurer