AMENDED
Town of North Stonington
Board of Selectmen
New Town Hall Conference Room
July 10, 2007
7:00 PM
Call to Order-7:00 PM with Selectmen Mullane, Peterson, and Hescock present
Public Comments and Questions-None presented
Minutes-A motion was made by Selectman Peterson, seconded by Selectman Mullane to approve the minutes of July 3, 2007, carrying. 3-0
Correspondence
• FY 2006/07 draft close out report
• Mosquito Trapping and Testing Report 7/5/07
• National Flood Insurance Program Biennial Report
• Resident State Troopers’ Statistics for FY 2006/2007
• TVCCA request for funding for 07/08
• CCM Research request for Line Item Veto
• Copy of BOF memo from Tim Baas, Little League requesting $5-10 thousand funding for field maintenance to be included in budget considerations
• V. Caracari request for budget to be sent to referendum
• Editorial from New London Day, “A Simpler Plan for Route 2”
• Invitation from Eastern CT Realtors’ to annual breakfast, 9/6/07
• APEX Waterways and Dredge Consulting Services
Old Business-
1. Tribal Recognition-No report
2. Annexation-No report
3. Route 2 Road Modifications update-No response from State to date, OK to draft additional letter
4. Subdivision Review and Planning and Zoning Issues
Milltown Commons-Village Concepts
Garden Court LLC-Affordable Housing
5. Assekonk Swamp Walkway-Shawn Murphy questioned the handicapped accessibility for the bridge on the Eastern side, Selectman Mullane told him it would not be accessible from that side only from the School facilities side. Mr. Murphy expressed his disappointment and hoped that an effort would be made to fix the problem. It will be reviewed again as to whether it can be made handicap acceptable.
6. Permanent School Building Project Committee activities
Bids on Elementary School Fire Alarm System-Bids responses are not exactly to specifications, and higher in cost than what was hoped fore, in all probability this will not be done this Summer. It was noted that since the new detectors were installed there have not been as many false alarm calls.
Sealing of Parking Lots-On hold since no budget is in place for the current fiscal year.
7. Budget 2007-08
Line Item Veto-Letter was sent to CCM Legal Research department for review of the Town’s Attorney opinion.
Ordinance Mandating Referendum Vote-
Mr. Hescock presented a draft ordinance to require a referendum vote on all annual Town Budgets. He argued that 500-600 more people vote at referendums than a town meeting. This demonstrates that people want to vote and will vote if given the opportunity. Mr. Hescock stated that while Town Meetings are fine for ordinary business, real democracy requires a referendum vote for Annual Budgets. Mr. argued that the present statutory scheme allowing referendum by citizen petition or vote of the Selectmen is a good system that works. Mr. Mullane argued that there is no evidence that referendums will result in a different outcome than a Town Meeting vote. He feels Town Meetings provide a forum for discussion and understanding of the budget, and that people will not attend Town Meetings if the actual vote will
be by a referendum at a later date. Mr. Peterson concurred on this last point and state that he would only support such an ordinance if the Board of Finance were eliminated. He feels a referendum vote is preferable in most years, but that it should be optional, not mandatory. No action was taken.
Revision to Budget-A motion was made by Selectman Mullane seconded by Selectman Peterson to reduce the budget as requested by the Board of Finance, for FY 2007-08 by $20,099, carrying. 3-0
Operations and Expenditures
Selectmen’s Meeting Schedule for Budget Town Meeting and Referendum-The Selectmen will post a meeting for Thursday, 7/12 to call a Town Meeting and Referendum if the BOF passes a budget on Wednesday, 7/11.
8. Highway Union Contract Executive Session-Pending Union action, no action by Town.
9. Close Out FY 2006-07-Updated report was provided, no transfers or additional appropriations are needed at this time.
New Business
1. Releasing of Draft minutes and documents-No action
2. Woodco Bond-No action
3. Speed Limit Signage-Selectman Mullane is working with Trooper Lenda and will give a progress report with the next several weeks.
Public Comments and Questions
Adjournment-8:48 PM
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