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BOARD OF SELECTMEN October 4, 2016

SELECTMEN PRESENT: J. Christopher Kervick, Michelle L. Hill and Denise T. Balboni ALSO ATTENDING: Attorney Carl Landolina, Michael Bracken, Douglas Glazier, Paul Harrington, Angelo D’Aleo, Kevin Casey, Joe Calsetta, Bob Charrette, Mike Russo, Doulas Hamilton, and members of the public ------

CALL TO ORDER: First Selectman Kervick called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was observed.

First Selectman Kervick announced that the Town Attorney would be attending tonight’s meeting for item #13 Executive Session: Pending Litigation re: Town of Windsor Locks vs. Angelo D’Aleo. Due to the Town Attorneys schedule that item will be moved up on the Agenda as soon as he arrives.

First Selectman Kervick also reminded everyone that Public Input would be limited to 3 minutes per person.

PUBLIC INPUT: Public Input was received from: Michael Bracken, 12 Tinker Drive – was concerned that the Town is giving a 7-year medical insurance severance package to a former Police Department employee whose contract was not renewed. Douglas Glazier, 167 Taft Lane – Distributed a copy of Section 604 of the Town Charter to the Selectmen thought that Board & Commission Chairmen should be able to independently contact the Town Attorney without first getting permission first from the First Selectman. Paul Harrington, 10 Meg Way – had concerns with the TIF items on tonight’s agenda. He thought that the Board of Finance should be involved in sending approval of the program to a Town Meeting.

APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Selectman Balboni moved to approve September 20, 2016 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented. Selectman Hill seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried.

CORRESPONDENCE: A letter was received from Thatcher Tiffany, Development Director of Beacon Communities supporting the Windsor Locks Tax Increment Financing District. In the letter he stated “The TIF District will ensure that Main Street receives needed investment in infrastructure in order to support the creation of a vibrant town center around the future train station.” It is also critical in Beacon Communities “ability to attract investment in the Mill by phasing in real estate tax increases during this important transition period”.

OLD BUSINESS: a. Taxpayer Complaint re: Assessor Mr. Mike Russo had asked the Selectmen to assist him in getting an answer to the assessment of his business vehicles from the Assessor at the last Board of Selectmen’s meeting. The Selectmen received a copy of emails from Mr. Russo regarding the subject that were sent to the Assessor. Mr. Russo also voiced a complaint regarding the unprofessionalism that he felt was displayed to him. 252

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The Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA) met to review Mr. Russo’s appeal and made a determination based on the information that was provided, however the Assessor was not in agreement with their decision, so the matter remains unresolved. The BAA has not issued a written opinion on the subject. The Selectmen agreed that this is an ongoing proceeding that should be tabled until such time it might be necessary to resume discussion. b. Schedule Public Hearing Date to Introduce the Building Official & Blight Officer The Selectmen agreed that a better approach to a holding a Public Hearing would be to instead hold a public forum in which the new Building Official and Blight Officer can introduce themselves and have an informal discussion with those attending. The forum will be scheduled for Wednesday, November 2nd at 5:00 p.m. Local contractors, developers and residents will be invited to attend.

Selectman Balboni moved to amend the agenda to move item #13 to item #7. Selectman Hill seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. Selectman Balboni then moved to enter into Executive Session to discuss Pending Litigation re: Town of Windsor Locks vs. Angelo D’Aleo. Selectman Hill seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. Attending Executive Session were Selectmen Kervick, Hill and Balboni, and Attorney Carl Landolina. Executive Session was ended. No votes were taken.

NEW BUSINESS: a. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) 1. Consultant Agreement- Camoin Associates, Inc. 2. Approval of Policy 3. Schedule Public Hearing 4. Schedule Town Meeting Date to approve Main Street TIF Master Plan Lengthy discussion regarding the TIF District ensued. Points of conversation included: Consultant Agreement: is a contract for a consultant to review the proposed TIF Policy and Master Plan, and the Montgomery Building assessment and financial projections. This item will be billed against the Main Street “On Call” Account. TIF Policy: is an outline for the procedure to follow if a TIF program is sought. Adopting the Policy does not commit the town to establish a TIF District. The Policy can be adapted if needed. Board of Finance involvement: a determination will be sought from the Town Attorney on how much involvement the Board of Finance must have in the TIF program process. Selectman Hill moved to adopt the Tax Increment Financing Policy dated for 10/01/16. Selectman Balboni seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. Selectman Hill moved to set a Public Hearing date for Tuesday, October 18th at 7:00 p.m. Selectman Balboni seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. The Selectmen agreed to table setting a Town Meeting date until the November 1st meeting. The Board of Finance will be asked to add discussion of the TIF Program to their next agenda. b. Police Officer Retiree Health Insurance Benefits The Selectmen received a draft letter addressing Police Officer retiree health insurance benefits. The new contract between the Town and the Police Union only allows the Blue Cross Blue Shield Lumenos High Deductible Plan (HSA) for current officers. The former Century Preferred PPO Plan is no longer available. Several police officers have retired with the Century Preferred PPO 253

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plan, so the decision will need to be made to allow the retired Officers to continue with the former plan, or to switch them all to the HSA Plan. Selectman Hill moved that the retired Police Officers only be offered whatever insurance policy is available to the actively employed members of the Police Department. Selectman Balboni seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. Discussion then centered on the HAS insurance deductible. As an incentive, the current members of the Police Department were offered a 100% deductible for the first year. The Selectmen considered if that would also apply to the retirees; they agreed to table the amount of the deductible for the retirees until input on the financial aspect is received from the Board of Finance. c. Reed Park Issues The pump on the sprinkler system at Reed Park broke during the spring, and as a result, the field conditions are deplorable. There are no funds in this year’s budget to pay for the replacement, but there may be other capital funds that can be realized for this purpose. If it is determined that the field needs extensive repair (sod, reseeding, etc.) in the spring, the expense will need to go into the Capital Budget request for the next fiscal year.

APPOINTMENTS, RE-APPOINTMENTS, RESIGNATIONS: None.

TAX REFUNDS: None.

PUBLIC INPUT: Kevin Casey, 3 Ella Grasso Turnpike (BDL Real Estate Holdings) – spoke in favor of the TIF Policy and would like to apply for the funding for the project on Rt. 75. Michael Bracken – inquired on the location of the proposed casino; didn’t think the Town would benefit from the Beacon property because it will be facing the river; had comment relating to the Executive Session; wondered if there is any backup to the Beacon renovation plan if the project falls through. Joe Calsetta – asked for a copy of the Tax Increment Financing Policy when it is available. Selectman Kervick stated that it will be on the town’s website tomorrow. Bob Charrette – wanted to know if he could appeal his personal property tax on his vehicle; was concerned if there would be enough police and fire protection if the casino is located in Windsor Locks; wondered who was responsible for the maintenance around the bus shelters on Rt. 75 because there is always a lot of garbage around them. Paul Harrington, 10 Meg Way – thought that the Human Resource Director and/or the Town’s Labor Attorney should attend the Board of Finance meeting when they discuss the Police Union Retirees Health Insurance to determine what the Town’s legal liability is; thought that the TIF Policy should have a system to make sure there is some type of check and balance with the Board of Finance. Douglas Glazier, 167 Taft Lane – suggested that the Town could save a lot of time and energy if a Referendum was held now instead of waiting until a casino site location is announced; felt the taxpayers would be overwhelmingly opposed to having a casino in Windsor Locks. Mike Russo, 395 Ella Grasso Turnpike – spoke of his appeal process with the Board of Assessment Appeals. Nothing was determined, however the Assessor is not customer service friendly. Michael Bracken – spoke regarding the termination of the former Police Captain’s contract and if any benefit package was offered. 254

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Douglas Hamilton – commented on the Board of Assessment Appeals meetings regarding Mr. Russo’s appeal; why haven’t fines been issued for blighted property; didn’t think there is enough information to make any determination on a TIF Policy; medical insurance for the former Police Captain. Kevin Casey – commented on if the appropriate steps were taken with Planning & Zoning for a TIF Policy for Main Street. Doulas Hamilton - didn’t think November 4th would be a good date to hold a Town Meeting because it’s so close to the election; offered crime statistics for the Town of Ledyard.

SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS: Selectman Hill questioned if the Human Resource Director had reviewed the suggestions that she had made regarding the Employee Handbook. Selectman Kervick will address the question with the Human Resource Director.

COMMENTS – FIRST SELECTMAN: None.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further discussion or information to come before the Board of Selectmen; A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:06 p.m. was made by Selectman Hill and seconded by S electman Balboni. All were in favor. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted, Susan R. Barsanti Susan R. Barsanti Recording Secretary