Town of North Stonington

                                           Board of Selectmen

                                           New Town Hall Conference Room

                                           June 30, 2015--7:00 PM

 

MINUTES

Call to Order-7:00 pm with Selectmen Mullane, Testa, and Donahue present

Public Comments and Questions-None presented

Minutes-A motion was made by Selectman Donahue and seconded by Selectman Testa to approve the minutes of June 16, 2015,

carrying.  3-0

Correspondence

A proposal by Eversource has been received and agreed to by First Selectman Mullane subject to approval of the Town to install a solar array on Town Property on Wintechog Hill Road and share the income of the sale of the electricity.  Selectman Mullane stated the opportunity came in-between Selectmen’s Meetings and I did not have the opportunity to get the Board involved on short notice but contract can be voided if not approved by the Town.

Ethics Committee-  Attorney Bruce Chudwick-Presentation and Discussion of formation of an Ethics Committee, inter-local committees, commission can not change rule of town meetings, members should be trained and certified, etc.

Boards/Commissions/Official’s Comments

                             Marc Tate-Community Engagement-Discussion of communication with public in emergencies and on a regular basis

Action Items

•            1.  Tax Refund(s)-None presented

•            2.  Tribal Acknowledgement/Annexation Issues –The BIA has issued its new rules on tribal acknowledgement 140 pages. A complete review has not been completed but the preliminary review, the rules are changed, which some are beneficial to the State of Connecticut and North Stonington.  One clause states “That allowing the repetitioning is not appropriate” but another clause “Deletes interested party status”. A complete review and analysis is being made.

•            3.   Status of Center for Emergency Services Project-OK to hire Lenard Engineering for engineering to assist new EMS design to include enhanced pump for the EMS Center use to eliminate the fire suppression tank.

o            Clerk of the Works, Project Manager/Owner Representative, and Administrative Assistant

o            Borrowing and Note Payments-Provided

o            Tentative Schedule for Phase II-Not yet available

o            Mediation v. Court for Phase II Contract-Board of Selectmen agreed to recommendation of Court v. Mediation by EMS Committee

•            4.   Tri-Board Meetings-School Modernization Meeting – Next meeting August 27, 2015

o            Reactivation of Ad Hoc School Committee-Volunteer are coming forward

•            5.   North Stonington/Preston Cooperative-No report

•            6.   Budget FY 2015-16-General Comments

o            FY 2014-15 Close Out-General Comments on high activity and administrative duties .  Preparing for Audit

•            7.   Implementation of State Budget-FY 2015-2016  Resident Troopers’ Program/Rural Road Grant/Grants-No new 2015-16 information ready.  Rural Road Grant was approved for only $8,900 vs the $25,700 applied for.  We do not have the invoice for the FY 14-15 Contract for Resident Trooper services to date.  There is not enough information at this time on the cost estimates for next fiscal year and whether the Town can have two or three troopers but if we keep 3 troopers the town will be approximately $50,000 to $80,000 over budget in order to provide the same level of services to the town, schools, and community.  General discussion of continuation of service immediately after the beginning of the new fiscal year including the North Stonington Fair support.  Should we still support the Fair, the Board agreed to continue at this time.

•            8.   Hewitt Property

o            Dam Repairs –Executive Session-None

New Business

Reports

1.           Special Town Meeting-June 29, 2015-RESULTS-Both items passed

•            Rural Road State Police Grant $25,700 

•            STEAP grant for the Village Waterline Extension Capital v CNR

2.           Permanent School Building Project Committee

                             Permanent School Building Committee Projects List Estimates                 

3.           Boombridge Road Bridge-Letter to Representative Joe Courtney requesting assistance.

4.           Grant Applications/administration

            Water Study Ex 92 x I95-Draft Report

            Sewer Study I95--Exit 92 & 93

            2014 STEAP Grant Extension of Village Water System

            2015 STEAP Grant-Submitted-Pending Awards

            Housing Grant Administration

•            101A Anthony Road-waiting on proposal Julie Savin

Public Comments and Questions

Adjournment-10:42 PM