Present: First Selectman Woody Bliss; Selectman W. Glenn Major; Selectman Richard Miller; Town Administrator Tom Landry; Administrative Assistant Judy DeVito; Residents and member of the press.

 

 

 

Discussion/decision regarding a driveway variance for Joseph & Lois Ryan, 13 Bernhard Drive. After much discussion Mr. Bliss said that he would like to see a map drawn that complies with the recommendations that the Town Engineer gave us. Mr. Major said that the Ryan’s should prepare a map that shows a parking area that meets the 28 foot line off of the house so that they can see the area that does encroach.  Mr. Major said the proposal that does come back should include a landscaping plan.

 

Mr. Major asked the Ryan’s to come up and see what the board was requesting. Mr. Miller said if the Board approved the variance they would have to build what was approved. Mrs. Ryan asked what type of a map. Mr. Major said just like what they have, but with the changes so that when it is done someone can go out and make sure it was done correctly.

 

It was decided that the Ryan’s would get a new map and bring it back to us at the next Selectmen’s meeting. Mr. Guidera asked if it would be another public hearing. Mr. Major said that this public hearing was closed. Mr. Guidera objected to the fact that the Ryan’s were going to be able to speak on it and they were not. Mr. Major said that we would have to have a new public hearing because this hearing had been closed.

 

Discussion/ decision regarding the appointment of Robert Uzenoff to fill the vacancy (John Negroni) on the Panel of Moderators for a term to expire December 12, 2007. Robert Uzenoff said that he felt he had the qualities necessary to be a moderator.  He has served on the Parks & Recreation Commission and for six years as chairman. He has had experience in leading meetings and hearings in that job. He was also the chairman of the committee for the Heady House for a couple of years. He has been a resident for 23 years.

 

Mr. Major said that we would have to be careful how we use Mr. Uzenoff in light of Mrs. Uzenoff’s position on the Board of Education. One could argue a potential conflict depending on what the issue was that was coming before them.

 

Mr. Miller made a motion to appoint Robert Uzenoff to fill the vacancy of John Negroni on the Panel of Moderators for a term to expire December 12, 2007. Mr. Major seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

 

Mr. Fleming said that he was very interested in filling the vacancy for Justice of the Peace. He is an attorney and has been in Weston for 23 years. He felt that you have to be very cognizant of the institution of marriage.   Mr. Miller made a motion to appoint David Fleming to fill the vacancy of Charles Fredericks as a Justice of the Peace for a term to expire January 3, 2009. Mr. Major seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

Pamela Bochinski, Chairman of the Cemetery Committee said they were presenting a request of an appropriation of up to $10,000 to retain the services of the professional cemetery design consultant. The current committee does not have any such expertise and are now looking at the current charge for the committee. They felt that they needed an independent professional to help them in evaluating the sites.

 

They have received two proposals from two different experts and that was how they arrived at the figure of up to $10,000. Mr. Wolf said they need a commitment from the Selectmen to fund this.

 

Mr. Major made a motion to make a supplemental appropriation for up to $10,000 from the general fund for purposes of allowing the Weston Select Cemetery Committee to retain a professional cemetery design consultant subject to the Board of Finance approval. Mr. Miller seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

Discussion/decision regarding granting a Utility Easement to AT&T for the purpose of providing service to the cellular tower at 237 Godfrey Road.  Mr. Landry said he did not believe that the Board of Selectmen needed to take any action tonight. He said Town Meeting authorized the Board to grant an easement for utility purposes to CL&P for the cell tower at the landfill site. Cell towers are served by phone lines and we were not aware of that. When they put the conduit in for CL&P and AT&T CL&P said we are not going to give you an easement because it is not ours to give. Mr. Landry said the easement that was given to CL&P is assignable for those purposes by CL&P. He has nothing before the Board tonight because he is hoping they can work it out. Mr. Landry said that CL&P changed their practices January 1^st.

 

Discussion/decision regarding RFQ from Norwalk regarding Solid Waste Disposal.  Mr. Bliss said what they are asking for is for him to negotiate a position for Weston. Mr. Landry said we are looking for options outside of CRRA and the contract with CRRA expires next June. Mr. Major asked why this required Selectmen action. We are authorizing Norwalk in essence to include Weston in that proposal with the understanding that whatever the ultimate agreement is still has to come back to the Board of Selectmen.

 

Mr. Major made a motion to authorize the First Selectman to execute the letter dated February 27^th 2007 addressed to Richard Moccia, Mayor of the City of Norwalk. Mr. Miller seconded and the motion passed unanimously.  

 

Discussion/decision regarding Super 7.  Mr. Bliss said that Super 7 was heating up again. He testified last week as chairman of SWRPA. He testified that they should do a comprehensive study which should involve rail, light rail, bus and highway transportation.  We also need improvements on the Danbury rail line.  Mr. Bliss said State Senator Bob Duff has volunteered to come to a future meeting to talk about this as an advocate for Super 7. Bill Brennan, First Selectman in Wilton, who is opposed to it, will also be happy to come and talk to the Selectmen against it. Mr. Miller said that he would like to see both sides speak to the Town. We would try to do this in May or sometime after that.

 

 

Mr. Major made a motion to approve property tax refunds as set forth on the agenda for a total amount of $19,755.34. Mr. Miller seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

Discussion/decision regarding scheduling Special Selectmen’s Meeting for March 12, 2007 for the purpose of calling a Special Town Meeting. Mr. Miller made a motion to call a Special Selectman’s Meeting for March 12, 2007 for the purpose of calling a Special Town Meeting at 10:00am in the Town Hall Meeting Room. Mr. Major seconded. We are having a public hearing on the 8^th, depending on the outcome of the hearing we may need to call a Town Meeting for a vote. We are calling a special meeting for the sole purpose of calling a town meeting in the future.

 

Discussion/approval of the Board of Selectmen’s minutes for the December 7, 2006, January 4, 2007 and January 18, 2007. This item was tabled to the next meeting.

 

 

Any other business to come properly before the meeting. None

 

 

 

At 9:15pm Mr. Major made a motion to enter into executive session. Mr. Miller seconded and the motion passed unanimously

 

Attendence:  The meeting was convened at 9:17 pm in the First Selectman’s office by Chairman Bliss to consider a salary issue, and a proposed labor contract settlement with the Dispatchers unit on the issue of retiree health care benefits. The Board also received a status report on the status of labor negotiations with the Dispatchers, Highway, and Town Hall units. In attendance were Selectman Mr. Miller, Mr. Major, and Town Administrator Landry.

 

Also present for the salary portion of the discussion were Police Commission Vice Chair Richard Saltz and Police Chief Tony Land, which concluded at 9:51pm.

 

After the departure of Mr. Saltz and Chief Land, Mr. Landry provided a status report to the Board on several labor contract negotiations. These included final year reopener clauses for retiree health insurance benefits for both dispatch and highway units, as well as contract renewals, which expire June 30. He also provided a progress report on negotiations with the new Town Hall unit.

 

At 10:12 pm the Board discussed a possible land acquisition proposal.

 

Adjourn: At 10:28 pm, a motion (Mr. Miller, Mr. Major second) to adjourn executive session and reenter open session passed by unanimous vote.

 

Open Session: At 10:29 pm, Mr. Bliss reconvened the Board in open session with all members and Mr. Landry present.  A motion (Mr. Miller, Mr. Major second) to approve the Settlement Agreement between the Town and the Dispatch unit dated February 26, 2007, passed by unanimous vote.

 

Adjourn: At 10:31pm, a motion (Mr. Major, Mr. Miller second) to adjourn the meeting passed by unanimous vote.

 

Respectfully submitted

Judy M. DeVito

Administrative Assistant

Approved 09/06/07