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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. -2- 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.~.