KENT, Conn.—The town jumped on an opportunity this summer to purchase a vehicle for the fire marshal at an advantageous price.
First Selectman Martin Lindenmayer said that another town posted a truck for sale for less than the $10,000 limit over which he had the spending discretion.
“At the end of the fiscal year, towns list vehicles for sale,” he told his board. “One town listed its truck for less than $10,000 and we had two days to put in a bid or notice of interest. It was a very quick thing.”
He explained that a truck with an enclosed compartment is needed so the fire marshal can sequester “incendiary materials” from fire scenes he is investigating.
Before the retirement of former fire marshal Stanley MacMillan, who fills that role in Sharon, Kent reimbursed Sharon when MacMillan used its vehicle for Kent business. That option disappeared with his retirement.
Tim Limbos, Kent’s current fire marshal, said the vehicle acquired this summer is in good condition and has low mileage.
Selectman Lynn Mellis Worthington asked about town policies governing use of municipal vehicles. Lindenmayer said one is being developed but will include prohibitions of personal use and driving family members around in the vehicle. Nevertheless, Limbos will have the truck at his home because he answers calls from there. He will log all the miles driven.
During the meeting, the Selectmen appointed Troy Kaiser of Washington as second assistant fire marshal. Kaiser is fire marshal in Washington and Warren. He will receive $25 an hour when investigating Kent fires.
Town wants space on communications towers
KENT, Conn.—The selectmen have approved a Resolution on Communication Towers that requests that future towers erected in town provide space at no cost for use by the Kent Public Works Department, Kent Emergency Management Department, and the Kent Volunteer Fire Department.
The resolution notes that there is limited cell service and emergency radio coverage in many sections of Kent and that expanded coverage is vital for these public safety and emergency services.
First Selectman Martin Lindenmayer noted that the town can only recommend to the Connecticut Siting Council that such space be provided. “We can’t require, we can only recommend,” he said.
Cannabis ordinance to go to hearing
KENT, Conn. — The selectmen have voted to send a Regulation of Cannabis ordinance to a public hearing at a time yet to be announced.
The ordinance, which is briefly stated because uses are already defined under Connecticut State Statutes, says that, except for medical marijuana, retail cannabis establishments shall not be permitted in Kent.
Medical marijuana sales would be allowed at dispensaries approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
First Selectman Marty Lindenmayer said the selectmen do not have regulatory authority to decide where medical dispensaries can be located. Planning and Zoning will create its own regulations to decide where they can be situated.
He said he was surprised by the brevity of the draft ordinance when he received it from Town Counsel Randy DiBella. “Randy said we could adopt an ordinance with more words, but brevity is good,” he reported.
“The State has already done the work,” remarked Sarah Chase, who heads the PZC’s cannabis subcommittee. “There is no sense in reinventing the wheel here.”
Selectman Lynn Mellis Worthington said that she has been unable to identify a medical dispensary in the state. “They all seem to be hybrid [retail and medical sales],” she reported. “It may not be economically feasible to just sell medical marijuana.”
But Lindenmayer said the brevity of the proposed ordinance leaves open the possibility of other interpretations in the future. “If you narrowly define it, you could accidently prohibit sales altogether,” said Chase, “but if you leave it broad, then you can have that discussion later.”
She suggested that residents should be “given access to the state’s regulations so people know what they are agreeing to.”
Resident Trooper issues monthly report
KENT, Conn.—Resident State Trooper Vicki Donohoe has submitted her activity report for the period of July 30-Aug. 28. During that time, police did 26 patrol checks, seven traffic services, enhanced school security twice, assisted citizens 13 times, and investigated three suspicious incidents.
Donohoe was involved in trooper liaison activity twice, responded to eight alarms, participated in seven medical assists, assisted to other agencies and made 12 traffic stops. There were no fire responses, domestic disturbances, traffic accidents, assaults, burglaries, criminal mischief or fraud.
