1961/01/03 AGENDA
Bcard of Selectmen Meeting
Tuesday, January 3, 1961
e
Approve. minutes of last week's meeting.
Letter from James F. Dawson - re Compilation of Ordinances
and Special Acts.
Report on Incinerator Contract with City of New Britain.
Also Notice to private collectors re charge.
Letter dated December 29, 1960 from Planning Commission -
re Sale of Town-owned Land behind Modern Electronic Co.
Acceptance of land from Maude Pickett - deed to be signed.
Report on Squash Pipe, Webster Square Roa~.
Report on Redevelopment as it concerns Town of Berlin -
Messrs. Gentile and Dawson.
8. Any other business.
Minutes of the Meetin~
January $, 1961
TOWN OF BERLIN
OFFICE OF THE SELECTMEN
The meeting opened at 7~50 P.M. with the three Selectmen present.
~'~ Mr. Wallace and Mr. Covini were present for the Press.
Mrs. Mahan,
Item I item V of the Minutes of the Meeting of December 27, 1960, was amended to readt
On recommendation of Angelo Barcella, that someone with police powers be appointed,
the Board unanimously appointed William Scalise as Deputy Dog Warden.
The minutes of the meeting of December 27, 1960, were then accepted as written.
Item II Mr. Powers read letter from Attorney Dawson which accompanied copies of
Compilation of Ordinances and Special Acts. The detailed letter gave an outline
of future additions to this work. The Board unanimously agreed to convey thanks to
both Mr. Dawson and Mr. Bombs on a job well done. Selectmen each received a copy for
study.
Item III Mr. Powers advised he had met with officials of the City of New Britain
regarding Incinerator Contract. The contract is being drawn up by Town Counsel Dawson
and under its terms we will pay the City of New Britain $2.60 per ton. Under previous
contract we paid on a population basis. Mr. Powers went on to explain that in 1955,
prior to the actual operation of the incinerator, it was estimated that Berlins
annual cost would be about $$,500.00. In no event was it to exceed this amount. This
figure was arrived at through error, much to our benefit, so when the actual operation
took place, we had a good deal. Actually, we should have paid to the 0ity of New
Britian immediately, on a population basis, approximately $6,000.00. The contract
called for renewal in 1960, after the Federal Census. We have the option to renew it,
based on population, at this time. If we sign the same type contract the cost to
us now would be approximately $10,500.00 per year for the next ten years. The agree-
ment we are working on now would be that we pay $2.60 per ton for the nex~ ten years,
but regardless of how much tonnage we send, the total sum per year will not exceed
$10,500.00. This would be our maximum figure. If the tonnage per year goes down,
t~'then we would receive the benefit of the lower cost. We will fare be~ter going on
a tonnage basis. Our cost this year will be approximately $~,O00.00 on a tonnage basis.
Mr. Xerin stated we should get a higher reduction from the City of New Britain
for being a dumping ground. He felt we were not getting a break since they are tax-
free and they are ruining the appearance of our town along with the roads leading to
the dump.
Mr. Powers advised that in negotiating with the City of New Britain these
points were brought out and that the Town of Newington is being charged over $1.00 more
per ton than the Town of Berlin. Mr. Powers stated that it was the opinion of Town
Counsel that the tonnage deal would be a better one for us. We have the option to
cancel within ~wo months notice while the City of New Britain cannot cancel only in
the event that Berlin did not live up to rules and regulations.
Mr. Powers went on to explain that in the past, private contractors have not
been charged for dumping their trash. It was agreed by Town Engineer Kissane, Town
Counsel and Mr. Powers that they too should be charged by the Town on a. tonnage basis.
Since we are now paying $2.60 per ton, a figure of $3.00 has been proposed to charge
private contractors.
Mr. Powers moved, the Board concurred, that we charge private contractOrs $3.00
per ton and that we accept Town ~ineer's offer of being in charge of ~he bookkeeping.
Mr. Powers read notice drawn up by Engineer Kissane, stating that dumping
priviliges will be suspended for private contractors unless bills are paid promptly
within 10 days of billing.
Item IV Mr. Powers read letter from Nunzio Rosso, Secretary, Planning Commission,
dated December 29, 1960, in which recommendation is made for sale of town-owned 1~
behind Modern Electron Corp., to an abutting property owner and that land be filled in.
~.~Board of Selectmen will go before Town Meeting, asking to be empowered to sell the
land. This item will be placed on agenda for nex~c To~ Meeting, set fOr January
1961.
-2-
Item V Selectmen signed Warranty Deed, accepting triangle cf land given to the Town
by Maude Pickett. This item also will be placed on Town Meeting agenda.
Item VI Mr. Powers advised the Board that he had taken it upon himself to write to
Mr. David Chase, advising him that unless, by January 5, 1981, he made arrangements
~/~. to have squash pipe put in on Webster Square Road, we would close the road because
Orlando would be covering the p~e with fill for the new by-pass. This would cause
~'~p-stream flooding and create much difficulty.
George Closson came in and he was concerned with his property. Under the bond
which ~r. Chase has, he has two years in which to complete necessary work before we
can call for the bond. Later in the day, ~r. Closson called to say that he had
conferred with the State and they had agreed not to fill in new, but to wait until
the squash pipe is installed.
~r. Kerin stated that we had provided Mr. Chase with a service and new he is
stalling off. He felt that if Mr. Chase isn't worried about it, we should let it go
and take his bond. We decided to provide the squash pipe, thinking that the Planning
Commission was in favor and that he would like to go on record to recind the offer
of providing the squash pipe.
Mr. Kerin moved, Mr. Lanzoni seconded, that we recind our previous action in
providing squash pipe, due to lace of cooperation on the part of Mr. Chase and due
to his laxity in conforming to our request.
Mr. Powers asked reporters present to makeit clear to the public that this in
no way ch-~ges the Boards philisophy of helping industry in any way possible.
Mr. Kerin explained that the fact that we were authorized to give him the pipe
and that no action was taken is why the Board is recinding the offer.
Mr. Powers explained that we were worried about the road and the flooding problem.
The Board briefly discussed whether it would be legal to close the road
Town Counsel will be asked for an opinion on this matter.
Irma VII Edward Gentile informally discussed redevelopment and outlined procedure
for the project, stating that redevelopment is a process of eliminating deteriorating
buildings in a particular area in a Town or City. Where such an area exists, they
are not usually income producing to a Town. Ne is convinced that Farmington Avenue
? could be made into a beautiful street. 'Mr. Gentile emphasized that existing buildings
ch conform to the over-all plan would be allowed to stand. It is his opinion that
e railroad underpass could be widened, thus eliminating the flooding problem which
exists there. The first step in starting a redevelopment program is to make application
for a survey and planning fund. In the application you will submit a map, showing the
area that you would wish redeveloped. When you define boundried on this map, they are
not definite, but tentative lines, subject to change. Cost of hiring a consulting firm
to draw up your application would cost between one thousand and fifteen hundred dollars.
Mr. Gentile felt it would be wise for the Selectmen to set up a Redevelopment Commission
or Agency and they would study the particular area first, and when.they have set a
definite are, then call a Town Meeting to get approval to submit an application.
With the survey and planning application m~st go a workable program. This is in
essence what the Town has done as far as Building Code, Planning, etc., and what they
propose to do in the future, informing the Federal Government of progress you are
making. This way, the Federal Government follows through as to what you are plaAnning
or have done.
Mr. Powers questioned Mr. Gentile as to the mixed uses of Farmington Avenue, where
there are residences as well as Business establishments.
Mr. Gentile stated the Federal Government t_~__.h~s all these things into consideration
and if the plan is accepted, the Federal Government will pay two-thirds of the actual
cost, with the remaining one-third divided evenyly between the State and the Town.
Mr. Gentile stated that the Redevelopment Commissions thinking should be in line with
the Planning Co_m~_~i. ssions thinking.
Mr. Powers moved, the Board 6oncurred, appointment of a five man Redevelopment
Commission, in accordance with State Statue.
The Board of Selectmen$ decided to give considerable thought and study to filling
this Commission.
~'~ ~.~tem VIII Charles McOabe, Insurance Co--,tttee, met briefly with the Board and advised
f~ ';hat at a meeting this evening the possibility of setting up a pension plan will be
discussed by the Insurance Committee.
Rt. Powers ad~lsed that me~eographed sheets ~111 be sent to all department heads
shortly for a complete inventory of town property°
Mr. Powers advised the Board that he felt a stenographer should be available at
all Town Meetings to keep an accurate record of proceedings. The Beard of Finance will
be asked where the money will come from to pay for this service.
At the suggestion of Mr. Kerin, the Board un~mouslywent on record to congratulate
Philip Doran and the Board of Finance for their stand regarding the heating problems
at the Willard and Percival Schools. Mr. Powers wilt write to the Board of Education,
offering to help in anyway they can.
The
plan.
lo
2.
Board met with the Main Street Parking Committee, who outlined a very brief
The Post Office Department would like 5 minute parking in front of the P.O.
Hold up 1 hour parking until something has been settled about parking facilities
on Main Street.
5. The Committee w~uld like either Giana property or Cianci property; also,
Co-~ttee will look into the possibility of cooperation from the N.B. National
Bank and the Berlin Savings
The Committee felt that the main congestion is caused by the people working in
the va~ous establishments on Main Street. Mr. Ferrero felt his employees would be
willing to pay for parking priviliges if they could be found. Mr. Pulcini questioned
how far the Town would go in providing parking facilities. Mr. Kerin questioned him
as to just how far the merchants would go. The possibility of contacting Mr. Giana
was discussed, and hew ill be asked to present a more realistic figure.
Mr. Austin and Mr. Pulcini suggested cutting dvw~ sidewalks on Main Street
to provide diagonal parking.
Mr. Xerin suggested having Engineer Kissane look the area over and see how many
parking places could be gained and just what the cost would be.
The Come, freewill write to all business establishments on Main Street, asking their
employees to try to find their own place to park, off the street. The Committee will
report to the Selectmen again at a later date.