1955/04/25Minutes ~f the. Meeting
April 25, 1955
TOWN OF BERLIN
OFFICE OF THE SELECTMEN
The meeting opened at 7:30 P.M. with the three Selectmen present.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and accepted.
Mrs. Mahan and Mr. Covini of the press were present.
Mr. Graham reported that Miss Hutchinson was ill and had not
worked since Tuesday, and he had approved the payment of her wages.
Mr. Nilsson stated that she should be entitled to her weekly payj
as s~e has been working on a salary basis. ~
Mr. Graham pointed out that Miss Hutchinson had n~ taken~r
vacation in 14 years.
In a discussion that followed, Mr. Graham recommended that Miss.
Hutchinson be transferred to handle welfare work only, and that a book-
keeper and full time secretary for the First Selectman be hired,
effective during the next fiscal year. ~,
Mr. Graham said that he felt it was more important to have a part
time per,on to keep the books and a person to act as a f~ll time
Secretary to the First Selectman. ~
Mr. Nilsson moved, Mr. Dehan seconded, authortzin~ Mr. Graham to
contact Mrs. Mahan to see if she would take the temporary job of
assisting Mr. Graham with Miss Hutchinson's duties, while she is out
ill.
Motion unanimously carried.
Mr. Dehan pointed out that it would be wise at this time to look
into the availability of a young person to eventually take over this
Job.
Mr. Graham to make a study of the situation. ,~
Mr. Graham reported that the rate book for this year had been
bound and that Mr. Durity was to have the rate book for last year bound,
also. ~
Mr. Graham reported that a higher glass enclosure around the tax
collector's counter in his office was necessary to protect the sums of
money which was kept there.
Mr. Graham further said that Mr. Dennis and Mr. Hu$~ c~ ld make a
temoorary glass enclosure at little expense~
Mr. Denan suggested that Mr. Strand check the Tax Collector's
office to see that the monies were being handled properly.
Mr. Graham agreed to contact Mr. Strand, he said that the Town was
insured up to $1~,000 for robbery.
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Bids for the installation of ashphalt tile in the basement of
the Town Hall as ~pecified, were opened as follows:
1. Edwards Linoleum and Carpet 0o.
~ C M~d~he~Q~n, Z~nn.
2. Griffin Floor Covering Co. 456 South Main St.
New Britain, Conn.
submitted a price of $399.00
submitted a price of $410.O0
Henry Goldsmith Co.
Arch St.
New Britain 0cnn.
submitted a price of $385.00
Youngs Maintenance Supply Co.
54 Rockwell Ave.
New Britain, Conn.
submitted a pr.ice of $336.78
Mr. Nilsson moved, Mr. Dehan seconded,' that the contract for the
installation of asphalt tile in the basement of the Town Hall as per
specifications, be awarded the low bidder, Youngs Maintenance Supply
Co.
Motion unanimously carried.
Mr. Graham read a summons served the Firs~ Selectman regarding the
taxation placed on the International Business Machine Company's property
at the Conn. Light & Power Co.
Mr. Graham moved, Mr. Nilsson seconded that this summons be
forwarded to tl~e Town Counsel.
Motion unanimously carried.
Mr. Grah~n read a letter from the Town Counsel in answer to the
Selectmen's letter of last week asking the following:
1. If the hearing to be held by the State regarding the construction
of an outdoor theatre at the corner of Route 5 and Deming Rd. cound be
held in Berlin instead of Hartford.
Re--~~e site of the hearing is for the State Police Commission to
decide, but could be held in Berlin.
2. If a $5.00 filing fee oer per.on was required as prescribed
by law.
A $5.00 filing fee per person was required, as presclibed by law.
ether or not this hearing was for Fire Regulations specifically.
Reply Fire regulations are not the sole Durpose for granting or
rejecting this application.
Mr. Graham reported that he called Commissioner Kelly and requested
that he move the hear.~ng to the Berlin Town Ho.ll in the evening, but
that the Commissioner felt that it was not going to be a large public
hearing, and that it would be held in hi~ office during the day, and
those having paid the, filing fee would be heard.
-3-
Mr. Graham said that he was going to attend the hear~ng on
Wednesday, at whtc~ time he would introduce a member of the Town Planning
Commission, who. iv ~.icvcd by this oroposal.
Mr. Graham said that he has offered his help in getting some of
the Beckley people to the hearing.
~r. Nilsson said that he thought it might be advisable to have the
Town Counsel accompany him to this meeting, to which Mr. Graham replied
that according to counsel this is not a town problem, but one for the
aggrieved parties.
Mr. Graham said that the aggrieved people of Beckley have retained
John Downes as their counsel.
Mr. Dehan said that after checking found that an injunction
be placed on the State Police Commissioner on grounds that this is not
a fair hearing.
Mr. Graham replied that the law states that they may use their
discretion, which the Commissioner has.
Mr. Dehan said that he thought this law should be ammended.
Mr. Dehan moved, Mr. Nilsson seconded, authorizing Mr. Graham to
bring to the Town Counsel's attention that the Selectmen were in favor
of an injunction against the State Police Commissioner, subject to
their approval, to see if the public hearing for the outdoor theatre
could be moved to the Town Hall in Berlin.
Mr. Graham to contact Mr. Nilsson and Mr. Dehan be telephone on
April 26th A.M. after consulting Town Counsel.
Motion unantmously carried.
Mr. Graham to arrange a joint meeting of the Town representatives
and the Selectmen for the purpose of discussing an sJ~mendment to Section
3700 of the 1949 Revision of the General Statutes of Conn..as recommended
by Mr. Dehau.
Mr. Sraham reported that the legislators in both the House and
Senate have agreed to pass the bill, which would stop traffic in both
directions when a school bus comes to a stop, as is the law in other
St ate s.
Mr. Graham reported that Mr. Glenn Hall, representative of the
Motorola Corp. visited him, and says that the trouble with the police
cruiser radio had been found and repaired.
Mr. Graham arranged a Joint meeting of Mr. Hall and the Selectmen
on May 3, 1955.
Mr. Graham reported that a radio now has been installed in Mr.
Skinner's pick up truck.
A discussion on the repairing of the High Road bridge took place
this evening.
Mr. Graham moved, Mr. Nils'son seconded that the Town make the
necessary temporary repairs and that an appropriation be set up in
the next fiscal bUdget for the rebuilding of this bridge.
Motion unanimously carried.
Mr. Dehan submitted the names of Mr. Fred Henricson, Kensington and
Pat Holligan of East Berlin as desirable candidates to fill the vacancies
on the Safety Commission.
Mr. Dehan submitted the names of Phillip Holmes, Arthur Powers, Jr.
and Mr. Graham and Mr. Nilsson submitted the name of Alfred Tee, as
desirable candidates to fill the vacancies on the Park & Recreation
Commission.
After some discussion Mr. Dehan moved, Mr, Nllsson seconded that the
above names be accepted, and t~at Mr. Graham contact each of the
individuals to see if he or sue would serve on the respective commissions.
Motton unanimously carried.
Mr. Graham read a letter received from the Berlin Board of Education
dated April 92, 1955, and signed by Kenneth MacKenzie, informing the
Selectmen they will have no further use for' the Percival School after
June 1955, and therefore place it under the control of the Board of
Selectmen.
Mr. MacKenzie stated that they would retain use of the driveway
as an entrance and exit to the new school.
The above letter was placed on file.
Mr. Graham reported that the Plauning Commission was making a
complete study of the Percival School.
It was unanimously agreed tnis evening to have the town crew clean
up the old cemeteries prior to Memorial Day.
Mr. Graham to arrange a Joint meeting of Constable Zipadelli and
the Selectmen regarding accidents on Route 5.
Meeting adjourned at lOS05 P.~.