The Board of Selectmen met on Thursday, Feb. 1. The selectmen approved the minutes of the Board of Selectmen meeting for Jan. 18, with a minor amendment. The selectmen also approved three tax refunds as recommended by Krista Kot, Tax Collector. The Board of Selectmen accepted the resignation of Florisca Carter from the Board of Ethics and appointed Robert Van Malderghem to the Honorarium Review Committee. Police Chief Doyle addressed the public regarding concerns about harassment. Members of the public expressed ongoing concerns about the harassment of private individuals and public officials.
The Board of Selectmen approved the creation of a task force to study and make recommendations regarding the protection of town officials and civility in governance. Town officials were defined as volunteer members of boards and commissions, town employees, and elected officials. The lease agreement between the Town of Easton and New England Prayer Center, Inc. was discussed. The Board of Selectmen voted to accept the lease and put it to a Town Meeting. Chair of the Tax Relief for the Elderly Committee, Paul Lindoerfer, recommended a change to the current Tax Relief ordinance. The Board of Selectmen voted to accept the recommended change and to put it to a Town Meeting. The Board of Selectmen approved a non-union employee wage increase of three percent.
Public comment is at the beginning and the end of each meeting. Members of the public commented on topics including the proposed lease agreement between the Town of Easton and New England Prayer Center, Inc.; the ongoing planning and zoning issues regarding 422 Sport Hill Road; concerns over possible recommendations by the newly created task force; the vetting by the town political party committees of proposed appointees; and the need to better enforce social media and harassment policies for town officials.
During board comments, First Selectman David Bindelglass discussed the procedural process for approving the proposed lease agreement between the Town of Easton and New England Prayer Center, Inc. at a Town Meeting. Selectman Nick D’Addario thanked everyone involved in helping to secure the $396,000 from the State Bond Commission towards site work at the EMS Building Project.
