Potential Collinsville Cell Tower and Highway Garage Site Among Topics Selectmen Will Look at Wednesday

At its Wednesday night meeting, the Board of Selectmen will discuss several ongoing issues, including a proposal for a cell tower in Collinsville and a potential property for a new highway garage.

For the cell tower, selectmen will further discuss the recent balloon test at the Collinsville fire station.

The town flew the balloon on March 14 based on preliminary discussion with Global Tower Partners, a company that has expressed interest in placing a tower there.

At the selectmen’s meeting that same night several residents expressed concern about the visual impact after seeing the 150-foot balloon.

Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner said selectmen will further discuss the idea Wednesday. He also emphasized that there is no final plan and has told selectmen that if they want to go forward with the concept of a tower, they could pick a site and set parameters and then request quotes from companies.

Wednesday, selectmen will also talk about the search for a new town garage site, particularly land owned by Canterbury Heights Condominium Association.

After some initial interest from the association, the town was looking at 14 acres to the east of the units, some along route 44, as one potential site in its search for a new garage. The town wants to build a new facility on a new site to replace its aging structure near the Farmington River.  

The association then took a “straw poll” and while it hasn’t ruled out the possibility, there was “insufficient interest in selling the property to the town,” according to a memo from association president Barbara Hinman to Skinner.

The memo stated that many questions remain and welcomed the town to meet with members to further discuss issues such as noise and traffic.

Skinner said one challenge with the site could be the topography.

“We are kind of limited in where we could locate the building,” he said.

Tuesday night, the Permanent Municipal Building Committee will also discuss whether it feels the town should pursue the site any further.

Another issue before selectmen Wednesday will be the payment policy for the town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department volunteers.

Currently members are paid for $5 per call no matter the duration.

A new proposal by Fire Chief Richard Hutchings would change the system during large storms or extended emergencies.

For such events, Hutchings has proposed firefighters get $5 per hour. That would compensate both those on call and those who spend their time at a fire station ready to respond, according to the proposal.

While a 24-hour incident with 40 members would cost the town $4,800, it typically receives federal reimbursement of approximately 75 percent, the proposal states.

Selectmen would have to approve the proposal for it to take effect, Skinner said.

Wednesday, the board will also discuss its goals for the next three and a half years, which include:

• Streamlining town agencies
• Reviewing the Land-Use Process
• Relocating the Town Garage
• Improving Maintenance on Town Recreation Fields
• Improving the Monthly Report
• Improving Selectmen presence at town agency meetings
• Upkeep of town facilities/replacing carpets
• Update of town personnel policies
• Creating a competitive process for vehicle maintenance
• Creation of performance measurement standards for town agencies.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. April 11, 2012 in the . It begins at 7 p.m.