Town of North Stonington
Board of Selectmen
New Town Hall Conference Room
October 2, 2007
7:00 PM
Call to Order-7:07 PM with Selectmen Mullane, Peterson and Hescock present
Public Comments and Questions-None
Minutes-A motion was made by Selectman Mullane, seconded by Selectman Hescock to approve the minutes of September 25, 2007, carrying. 3-0
Correspondence
· Proposed Kidds and Co. letter from DPH-Review of capacity evaluation
· Letter on Submarine construction from Governor Rell’s office
· CERC program availability for towns
· Letter to Governor Rell regarding DOT/STC
· Letter of confirmation to DOT for pre-emption system
· CCM Exposition, 10/24
· Crawford Award to John Casey, November 15th ceremony
· Memo from Bill Hescock to Nick Mullane regarding question, “Has campaign letter writing been added to the bookkeeper’s job description?” Selectman Mullane responded “No” and there were no further questions or comments raised.
Old Business-
1. Tribal Recognition-Draft testimony to the US House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee was presented for the Board’s consideration on the new Tribal Recognition Legislation. It was also noted that the Towns of Ledyard and Preston are also willing to consider to be co-signers on the testimony. Annexation-No report
3. Route 2 Road Modifications update-The letter to Governor Rell has been mailed in regard to the Town’s concerns about DOT/STC procedures for approving road changes in local towns without Town consideration as in case of Route 2, MPTN.
4. Subdivision Review and Planning and Zoning Issues
Milltown Commons-Hearing Closed
Garden Court LLC-Selectman Mullane provided some concerns and research that he had done stating that the 1960 aerial photos show the way of Cranberry Bog Road not going through the property to Boombridge but going South over I-95 and entering on Boombridge at a much lower point near Anthony Road. He also stated that he has concerns over the proposal provided by the Developer to move the roadbed of Boombridge by the project’s driveway and installing a 3 way light. This does not take into consideration the right of way driveway across the street and that
installing a 3way light, raising and relocating the roadbed may not be in good highway design standards and as the local traffic authority the Board of Selectmen will have to take a position on this.
5. Assekonk Swamp Walkway-The Highway Foreman has recommended that the rock stonedust not be installed due to the fact the ground is to dry at this time and when the rain comes there could be a washout and have to be redone.
6. Permanent School Building Project Committee activities
Schools Facilities Master Plan
7. Budget 2007-08-Education Budget was approved at referendum on Monday.
Line Item Veto
Ordinance Mandating Referendum Vote-Selectman Hescock presented an Ordinance for discussion including both line item veto and automatic referendum for Annual Town Budget. Selectman Mullane felt the ordinance was not properly written, and had concerns regarding the legality of line item veto. Selectman Mullane asked what information he had to dispute past legal opinion of Attorney Eppinger, and how this could be considered legal. No information was provided, Selectman Peterson stated he would consider support of this concept if the Town disbanded the Board of Finance. Selectman Hescock stated it would be put in final form. It was agreed to ask Town Attorney for a legal opinion. In regard to mandatory referendum Selectman
Mullane and Peterson noted the item can be petitioned or the Selectmen can use their judgment of the necessity of a referendum on a case by case basis, but did not feel that every budget needed to be sent to a referendum. No action was taken. The Board will continue discussion next week.
8. Woodco Bond-No response from Attorney Tobin authorizing engineering study to date. Selectman Peterson made a motion to tear up the asphalt road, but there were no seconds.
9. SCWA Appointment-No action
10. WPCA Appointments-No action
11. Revisions to financial reporting (B. Borden Letter 9/10) response-Waiting on BOF request or recommentations.
New Business
1. Emergency Vehicle Pre-Emption for Mystic Road intersection-Letter sent to DOT to confirm price and provide information on vehicles for authorization.
2. Anna Farm Road petition-After discussion, it was decided to direct the Highway Foreman to fix potholes, leave alone, with no undo maintenance. Selectman Peterson argued it was a dirt road with a few houses and it should not be considered a priority at this time.
3. Town In-Kind Services for Little League Field Project-After general discussion the Selectmen felt it would be OK to provide hauling for the stumps but not payment of grinding or disposal.
4. Voting Machine Disposal-After October 15th all the old voting machines can be disposed of . Selectman Mullane called attention to letter from registrars regarding redesign of Conference Room prior to election in November with new voting machines. It is likely that we are going to have to purchase a cart for chairs for mobility and the large 12 foot table will have to be disposed of and replaced because the legs have been
damaged over the years. Selectman Mullane stated that we should buy a new table arrangement of a stackable or foldable type that can be easily moved for elections and alternate uses of the room. He will research pricing and recommendations for next week.
5. Fall Festival Support – October 27, 2007-Selectman Mullane asked if there was any problem in closing Main Street for the Fall Festival, no objections.
6. Right to Farm Ordinance-A copy was given to the Board of a model ordinance from Woodstock for discussion next week.
7. Proclamation – National Federation of the Blind-A motion was made by Selectman Mullane, seconded by Selectman Peterson to approve the proclamation presented. Carrying 3-0
8. Tax Refund-No action
Other Business:
· Selectman Mullane called to the attention of the Board that there appears to be a violation of a new stonewall built for the Shunock River Estates, Babcock Road. His research has shown that PZC approval required the wall be built 25 feet from the centerline, currently it is only 11 feet from the centerline. This means that with the steep bank on opposite side of the road and the new stonewall on the development side the road is only 19 feet wide. There will be no place to dispose of snow and it creates a hazard being to close to the road. It appears that the Conservation Easement was incorrectly marked to edge of road when in reality it is setback 25 feet from centerline. The
Board will have to determine if wall needs to be correctly relocated.
· Selectman Mullane brought up the subject of Kinswood Meadowwood study with Patrick Lafayette, engineer and Steve Holliday, Highway Foreman were present to participate in the discussion. Mr. Lafayette addressed the survey done by the town of the entire drainage system and his analysis of the problems. Mr. Lafayette stated that after investigating the pipe it was found it is not a closed system, no connections between pipes and groundwater in area is affecting flow capacity. What this means is that not only do you have surface water in system but water coming up from groundwater table. The drainage system is basically flat and that explains why some cathbasins and piping are so
deep in some areas and in relation to the Assekonk Swamp water level and the dam there is very little difference. Mr. Lafayette identified three or four locations where additional piping may be installed to help drainage, with the survey, and observations he still did not feel enough information was available to make concrete prediction of results. There were two locations, one at Kingswood and Old Colony and the second at Kingswood and Sharon where he thought additional piping would be most helpful. He stated that first preference would be Old Colony and Sharon intersections and he recommended a pipe to run cross lots to Ravenwood but he felt the excavation would be so severe that the only method of installation would be horizontal boring which would require four homeowners approval. Mr. Lafayette was to get an estimate on borings and Mr. Mullane would talk to the landowners regarding right-of-way easements.
Public Comments and Questions
Adjournment-9:29 PM
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