Board of Selectmen
Chaplin, Connecticut
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Time 7:00P.M. Regular Meeting
Chaplin Town Hall 
 
 
	1.	Call to Order
Bob Dubos-First Selectman called the meeting to order at 7:04P.M.  Members Present:  Bob Dubos, Gene Boomer and William Rose III.  Others Present:  Betty Urban-Clerk and Karen O’Gorman.  Audience:   Dick Weingart, Fred Worcester, Dennis Thibeau, Doug Dubitsky and Kevin McDonald.
 
	1.	Additions to Agenda 
William Rose III would like to add Report on CL&P.  Bob Dubos said will add as 6D under Old Business.  Gene Boomer wants to move  New Business 7I Fred Worcester  Property-521 Phoenixville Road to #3 First Audience of Citizens.  Bob Dubos wants to add under Old Business 6E Abandonment of Ross Rd and Tuckie Rd.  Gene Boomer made a motion to approve the additions to the agenda as stated.  Seconded by Bob Dubos.  Motion passed. 
 
3 .First Audience for Citizens 
Bob Dubos said he received a phone call about 4.7 acres that will be for sale by Kathy Worcester on Route 198 adjacent to Garrison Field.    She is interested in selling the property and has given the town first choice.  Gene Boomer asked Fred Worcester the amount of frontage and if the property could it be broken into two lots.  Fred Worcester said there seems to be a little more than 400ft frontage on Route 198, but wetlands would prevent it from being broken into two lots. He said since near Garrison Field, the town may want to use for parking etc.  Bob Dubos said to find out the price and get back to him.  Fred Worcester left the meeting.  Bob Dubos said a special BOS meeting will be called to discuss further when price is known. 
 
	1.	Approve Minutes of: Regular Meeting of February 5, 2009
William Rose III made a motion to approve the minutes of February 5, 2009.  Seconded by Gene Boomer.  Motion passed.
 
	1.	Communications and Reports
	A.	Trooper Report-February & March 2009
February 2009   Report:
M.V. Accidents 3     Evading M.V. Accident1      Domestic Disturbance   1 Larceny   1                Criminal Mischief   1           Narcotics Violation       1    Non=Criminal 1        M.V. Stops             18          PRAWN Warrant Served 1
 
March 2009   Report:
M.V. Accidents   3      Burglary    1   Traffic Stops 23                               Disturbances        3      D.W.I        1
	A.	Board Members Reports 
Gene Boomer started working on the Infrastructure.  He will have more information for next meeting.  Bob Dubos asked William Rose III if the fence for the cemetery can be put back up.  William Rose III said the fence is bent, but he will have it put back up. 
 
	1.	Old Business
A. Infrastructure     Tabled till next month
B.  Animal Response Team
Dennis Thibeau would like Chaplin to be responsible for two trailers that would hold supplies to take care of animals in a disaster.  Grants have been received in the amount of $100,000.  Groton has accepted one trailer.  The Board voiced concerns about Chaplin’s liability and expense, such as tires etc.  It has become mandated by the state that animals have to be protected during an emergency.  After three years, the trailers would belong to Chaplin.  Registration is provided by the state, but the town would have to provide insurance.  Also, the generator would need to be run every 6 months to make sure it is working.  Doug Dubitsky said it is important to be able to collect large animals in case of an emergency for their safety as well as the safety of others.  The vehicle to pull the trailer was discussed.  Dennis T hibeau said he would make sure the hitch was adjustable, so town vehicles would be compatible.  Dennis would like to have in Chaplin or close by, because he lives in Chaplin and is the Vet who would man the trailers.  Bob Dubos will talk to Jim Randall to see if someone could check the generator and the brakes periodically.    The Board asked what would happen if Chaplin no longer wanted to maintain the trailers.  Dennis Thibeau said the contract states that with a 60 day written notice the town can request the trailers to be moved.  Gene Boomer made a motion to agree to the acceptance of the custody of two animal response trailers for the Emergency Management Program. Bob Dubos seconded the motion.  Motion passed.
C. Chaplin Solar City Proposal
Bob Dubos said that Alteris would like to make Chaplin a hub for Green Energy.  They want to do an event to teach people about solar energy.  They will give out $100 coupons to anyone who participates.  They are asking the town for a suitable location to hold the event and they would like a waiver on the permit fees.  Bob Dubos made a motion to back the event but not to waive the permit fees.  Seconded by Gene Boomer. Motion passed. 
D. Report on CL&P 
Bob Dubos said a letter was sent to CL&P to tell them the Town of Chaplin is not in favor of power lines running through Chaplin.  Mansfield sent a similar letter.  The suggestion was made that CL&P look for alternate routes along the Massachusetts turnpike and Route 91. The area that is mostly served by this project is Fairfield County and power lines would destroy the Rural Atmosphere of Eastern Connecticut.  Bob Dubos said that CL&P wants double lines and two separate systems, so if one goes down the other would be working.  The Army CORP  has not made a decision yet on where the lines will be located. 
            E. Abandonment of Ross Rd and Tuckie Rd
The Department of Transportation inspected the dirt roads in town.  They said that Ross Rd and Tuckie Rd are not passable, and will not support these roads unless the town of Chaplin upgrades.  Bob Dubos said these roads need to be formally abandoned in the minutes.  Gene Boomer said roads can be abandoned or discontinued.  One has to go through a Town Meeting. Also, he remembers that land owners had eight months to appeal in Superior Court.   Bob Dubos will research further so a decision can be made.   
 
 
7. New Business
	A.	Tax Collector Refunds 
Bob Dubos made a motion to approve the tax refunds as presented.  Seconded by Gene Boomer.  Motion passed.
	A.	Resignations and Appointments   None at this time
	B.	Discuss & Set Annual Town Meeting Agenda &Discuss & Act on Method to Approve the Annual Town Budget
Bob Dubos said by State Statute the Annual Town Meeting is held on the second Monday in May.  The Town Meeting will be held on May 11th at the Chaplin Senior Center.  The method to approve the Town Budget will be a referendum to be held on Monday May 18, 2009.  A special Board of Selectmen meeting will be scheduled in the third week in April. 
	A.	William Ross Library
Diane Brady had an agreement with the town to pay $100 a month to use the William Ross Library building for storage.   Marvin Cox is working with a group to apply for a grant for the Historical Society, but would need the building empty.  Marvin Cox would like to use the building for a museum to hold an Art Collection.   William Rose III wants to stipulate that there will be no cost to the town.  Gene Boomer said the agreement with Diane Brady was temporary.  Bob Dubos will talk to her to arrange a time frame to vacate. 
	A.	Chaplin Country Store 
Bob Dubos said the use of the old Post Office for a Country Store depends on how the property is written with the Planning and Zoning.  The town could control the hours that the store was open.  Doug Dubitsky said he spoke to the Historical Society and they were reasonable.  The Board of Selectmen will work with the Historical Society and Planning and Zoning on this request.
	A.	Single Stream Recycling
Bob Dubos said the contract with Willimantic Waste Paper Company is up as of June 30, 2009.  They have asked the Town of Chaplin to extend the contract for 5 years.  Willimantic Waste has purchased a new machine that will do Single Stream Recycling.  Cans and paper etc would not need to be separated.  The machine does this.  Also, Chaplin would be reimbursed $5.00 per ton on all recyclables.  If a 5 year contract is signed, a savings of approximately $8500 a year over present cost would be realized.  Dick Weingart questioned if Willimantic Waste would be willing to roll over the first year without extra cost built into the contract.  Bob Dubos will talk to Willimantic Waste about this.  This item will be put on the agenda for next month.  
	A.	Webpage Discussion
Bob Dubos said an e-mail was received from Cathy Wilson.  She said she will no longer post minutes on the Town Webpage.  The minutes are required by law to be posted to provide Freedom of Information.  A discussion followed whether someone could be hired or if the individual clerks could be asked to do this.  Dick Weingart and Kevin McDonald said the statutes say the Town Clerk is responsible for maintaining public records.  At this time, the state is trying to repeal the law that requires posting the minutes, due to the fact that is has posed a problem for many small towns. 
	A.	May Board of Selectmen Meeting
Bob Dubos would like to reschedule the May Board of Selectman Meeting.  It will be held on the second Tuesday on May 12, 2009 at 7:00P.M. 
	A.	Fred Worcester Property-521 Phoenixville Road
Discussed under First Audience for Citizens’
J. Request for Approval for Refinancing-Hampton Small Cities Program
Bob Dubos made a motion to approve the request to allow Leslie A. Eldredge to refinance her home through the Small Cities Program with a deferred payment loan.  Seconded by William Rose III.  Motion passed.
 
	1.	Other Business
Bob Dubos said that many people are having trouble paying taxes, and are having financial problems, due to the economy.  Only $500 is in the budget to help people.  Many are calling the Town Hall to speak to the Social Service Department, which we do not have.  Bob spoke to Mansfield, and they are looking to branch out to other towns to keep their Social Service working.  He will be meeting with Mansfield on Tuesday next week at 1:00 P.M.  to see what could be worked out in regards to a regionalized program. 
 
	1.	Second Audience of Citizens
Dick Weingart brought up the subject of the Budget.  On April 13, 2009 at 7:00P.M. at the Senior Center the Public Hearing on the Budget will be held.  He feels that taxes will change due to the reevaluation, but the mill rate should go down.  Most agencies came in with a 0 increase on Budgets. 
 
	1.	Agenda Suggestions for Next Meeting
Animal Response Team
Infrastructure
Single Stream Recycling
Worcester Property
Road Abandonment
 
	1.	Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on May 12, 2009 at 7:00P.M. at the Town Hall. 
Gene Boomer made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Seconded by William Rose III.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:25P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
 Betty G. Urban