THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on Monday, July 19 2010 in the Council Chambers, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT. First Selectman Llodra called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: First Selectman E. Patricia Llodra, Selectman William F.L. Rodgers.
ABSENT; Selectman William F. Furrier.
ALSO PRESENT: Finance Director Robert Tait, Director of Land Use George Benson, Deputy Director of Land Use Rob Sibley, members of the Pension Committee, two members of the public and two members of the press.
VOTER COMMENTS: Ruby Johnson, 16 Chestnut Hill Rd., Sandy Hook, asked the board to try to have an idea of the cost of the infrastructure, the cost to the town for heating, air conditioning and water, to help the people understand the cost for Kevin’s Community Center. She said that housing brings people to town and people cause taxes to rise; she suggested the board share data as soon as possible. She would like as much open space as possible at Fairfield Hills.
First Selectman Llodra stated that the second meeting in September would probably deal in great detail with Kevin’s Community Center and the cost elements associated with that. Newtown has a $500,000 grant for developing a duplex for the purpose of social service. She noted the Board wants to be careful not to interfere with the review process of Fairfield Hills, at the same time allowing for new ideas, without weighing in on them.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Selectman Rodgers moved to approve the minutes of the Board of Selectman meeting of July 6, 2010 as presented. First Selectman Llodra seconded. All in favor.
COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Llodra noted invitations that included tours of Lake Lillinonah, and Lake Zoar along with a ribbon cutting for a new business The Learning Experience, all taking place the first week of August. Both Mrs. Llodra and Mr. Rodgers are unavailable and the invitations will be extended to Mr. Furrier. Also noted was a date in December scheduled for a tour of Garner Correctional Facility. This will also be extended to Mr. Furrier.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Discussion and possible action:
1. Pension Committee: Tom Murtha, Dunham Smith and Frank Krasowski of the Pension Committee discussed recommendations with the board. Dunham Smith said there was no hurry to reduce the actuarial calculations from 8% to 7.75%; it’s fine if the board wants to wait to see what the numbers look like after the second quarter or to do a study to see what a 3% raise threshold would do to the numbers. Mr. Tait said he would provide the raises over the past few years to the pension committee. There was discussion about investment advisors that advise pension boards. The pension board doesn’t think that is necessary. First Selectman Llodra told the pension board if they feel they need any additional help, any information or resources they can come back to the Selectmen. Selectman Rodgers moved that the Board of Selectman accept the recommendation of the Pension Committee to increase the equity portion of the town’s pension portfolio to no more than 10% in commodity mutual funds and to
grant the investment manager the powers with respect to that as set forth in the May 18th, 2010 letter from the Pension Committee to the board. (Att. A). First Selectman Llodra seconded. All in favor.
2. Senior Center Fees: item carried forward.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion and possible action:
1. Appointments/Reappointment: Selectman Rodgers moved the reappointment of John Madzula and Brian White to the Fairfield Hills Authority for a term to expire 7/31/10. First Selectman Llodra seconded. All in favor. Selectman Rodgers moved the appointment of Gino Scarangella to the Economic Development Commission for a term to expire on 01/06/13. First Selectman Llodra seconded. All in favor. The appointment to fill the democratic vacancy on the Fairfield Hills Authority was tabled until the First Selectman is able to meet with one of the candidates, Ross Carley. The Selectman also felt it was an appointment that Mr. Furrier should be present to weigh in on.
2. Grant Report for July: item tabled.
3. Plan of Conservation and Development: Mr. Benson and Mr. Sibley discussed the Plan of Conservation and Development. Mr. Benson stated the POCD is not a user friendly document. The plan will be updated with new information and reorganized by areas making it easier for boards and commissions to use. Areas of interest will be able to be searched electronically. The basic plan won’t change but the way it is used will. If a project is in the POCD it can be brought into the CIP easier. Several individual items were discussed in detail. The remaining items will be discussed at the following meeting.
VOTER COMMENT: none
ADJOURNMENT: Having no further business, the Board of Selectmen adjourned their regular meeting at 9:07 p.m. and entered into a non-meeting for the purpose of discussing negotiations.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________
Susan Marcinek, Clerk
Att. A: Pension letter dated may 18, 2010
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