Newtown’s Borough Board of Burgesses held its annual meeting on Tuesday, September 8. The meeting, which was less than two minutes, allowed all the reports submitted by Borough Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, the Fire Marshal’s Office, the conservation director, the Borough engineer, the Historic District Commission, and the Health District to be made public. Each report will be available for public view.

Following the annual meeting, Warden Jay Maher began the regular meeting. The first topic of discussion was the insurance policy for the Borough.

“As you know this has been a topic that has been kicked around every month for 18 months in a row,” Maher said. “We had thought all along that the general liability policy for the Borough would be exorbitant, and that we would have to coordinate through town efforts to subsidize that payment.”

Maher noted that there was meant to be a “memorandum of understanding” between the town and the Borough, but he said that they “couldn’t seem to get there.” Maher informed the board that he had a policy that includes general liability, public officials, liability, and theft. The annual policy is $3,658. Maher asked if the other burgesses thought it could be “assumed … in-house.”

Senior Burgess Chris Gardner said he supported it, but wanted to know how they would afford it. Maher said that they would also need to purchase workman’s compensation insurance, which is about $2,040.

Burgess Maureen Crick Owen said she supported the Borough purchasing its own policy. Burgess Jim Gaston suggested making a special appropriation from contingency to cover the costs. A motion was made to purchase the policies and it was accepted unanimously.

At the last meeting, Burgess Sarah Phillips suggested creating an ad hoc committee to discuss the maintenance of trees within the Borough. Maher asked for an update. Phillips informed him that Betsy Kenyon and Maureen Rohmer would like to serve on the committee. Phillips hopes to have the first meeting in November.

Maher said he would like to get some trees in the ground before the first frost. Phillips said she wanted to wait for the cash to recover a bit before planting any trees. Gardner suggested seeking a “Tree City USA” designation, which would allow the Borough to apply for grants. Phillips said she would look into it more.

During the last meeting, Maher and Gaston discussed ways to display banners in town to advertise local events. Banners used to be hung across Queen Street, but Frontier no longer allows banners to be hung from telephone poles. They also used to be hung on the railroad bridge on Church Hill Road. Due to the ongoing construction at 57A Church Hill Road, it is no longer safe to hang banners.

Gaston explained that Public Works Director Fred Hurley was not in favor of putting banners on Queen Street. There has also been a back and forth between First Selectman Bruce Walczak and Director of Land Use Rob Sibley about banners being allowed at Fairfield Hills due to zoning regulations. Gaston left it as a “work in progress.”

Tree Warden Robbie McCulloch did not offer a lengthy report, but expressed his excitement for the tree maintenance ad hoc committee.

Zoning Officer Joe Chapman offered a brief report, too. His report stated that the owners of 69 Main Street have returned.

“Joe had conversations with [the owner] on August 31 about the issue of the shed in the backyard,” Maher said, reading the report from Chapman. “It appeared to be within the 25-foot setback.” Maher added that there is “no evidence” of a nonconforming shed in that location. The owners are “acting” on Chapman’s recommendation of providing setback compliance with a professional property survey.

Maher believes the shed is under 200 square feet, which does not require a permit, and hopes that it is within the setback. He said he will hopefully know more next month.

A discussion between 6 Wendover and 11 Church Hill Roads is ongoing about proper tree maintenance and landscaping buffer. Gardner was approached by the homeowner, and he said he would discuss it more at the meeting.

Gardner said that 11 Church Hill Road needs to maintain the tree line as several are dying now. Gardner let the board know that the homeowner is frustrated. Maher said he will e-mail Chapman and asked Phillips to look at the original approval.

Following this discussion, Maher informed the board that the sidewalk project on Queen Street will be starting soon, and is expected to be finished by the end of the year.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.