Minutes
Fairfield Hills Ad Hoc Management Committee
April 19, 2005
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Dr. John Reed at 7:45 P.M. in the lower level meeting room of Town Hall South.
Also in attendance were committee members: Robert Geckle, Andrew Willie, Amy Dent, Moira Rodgers and Richard Sturdevant. Absent: William Lavery and Donald Studley.
The minutes of the March 15, 2005 meeting were approved upon a motion by Amy Dent and a second by Robert Geckle.
Report by Maria DeMarco, Facility Manager:
With the advent of warmer weather, several buildings have been broken into. A second security guard will be hired for night time hours. The NPD will be patrolling the perimeter of the campus more frequently during darkness.
Significant water problems have been encountered in several buildings. Maria will be working with Fred Hurley, PWD, for a solution.
Parapet walls are falling off various buildings creating a safety hazard. Bob Geckle and Dick Sturdevant will be meeting with Maria to create a plan for keeping people a safe distance from the buildings.
Maria reported that she will proceed with bids to replace the screened porch and the roof of the Security Building. These and other maintenance items will be addressed.
She will also be obtaining estimates for mothballing buildings that are slated to be kept. Herb Rosenthal reminded us that there are no funds for mothballing in the bond issue authorization and any funds for this activity will have to come from the operating budget of the Committee.
Officer’s Report
There will be a meeting with a real estate consulting firm to discuss the feasibility of limited private development on the campus.
There will be a meeting on April 20th of a subcommittee to interview three companies presenting proposals for Project Manager to oversee remediation, demolition, construction of a new Town Hall and the construction of ball fields.
Signage for the use of the campus was discussed and will be moved forward by the Security and Safety Committee.
Dr. Reed brought the committee up to date on the status of the CT Master Gardner program to beautify the entrance to the campus. Bob Geckle also presented a landscaping scheme for the Security Building done by Hollandia Nursery of Bethel.
Dick Sturdevant gave an update on the meeting that was held with personnel of Acquarion on the plan to make improvements to the water treatment facilities.
Bob Geckle and Dick Sturdevant will consult with the appropriate members of the Newtown Tercentennial Commission and the Police Commission to plan for crowd management and parking for the town picnic.
Legislative Update
Herb Rosenthal reported that enabling legislation allowing the Town to establish a permanent management agency appears to be moving along satisfactorily in the State Legislature.
The First Selectman expressed his intent to have a meeting to discuss limited private development on the campus.
Public Participation
Ruby Johnson advised the Committee that she lobbied various State legislators to vote against the proposed enabling legislation mentioned previously.
Committee Actions
Motion: Bob Geckle and Dick Sturdevant will meet with Maria DeMarco to come up with recommendations to make the buildings safer form public access. Moved by Bob Geckle and seconded by Amy Dent. Passed unanimously.
Motion: Ms. DeMarco will go ahead with getting estimates for mothballing designated buildings. Moved by A. Dent and seconded by A. Willie. Passed unanimously.
Motion: Removal of dangerous trees will be expedited. Moved by A. Dent and seconded by A. Willie. Passed unanimously.
Ed Marks of Parks and Recreation will communicate scheduling needs for ball fields to the Committee.
Meeting adjourned at 9:36 P.M.
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