302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741
BOF MINUTES REGULAR MEETING July 7, 2015 7:00 P.M. First Floor Conference Room |
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BOF Attendant Members Absent Members
David LaMay, Chairman Greg Gernhardt
John O’Brien
Brad Thorpe, V. Chairman
Tom Stevenson
Barry O’Nell
Breck Lindley
In Attendance
Larry Bonin, Public Works Director
Bob Fish, Treasurer
Carl Fortuna, First Selectman
Chief Spera, Department of Police Services
Mr. LaMay called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. LaMay led in the pledge. .
III Public Works Director –Discussion to replace the loader: $90K in public works capital sinking fund + additional $60K needed to buy the new loader. Fortuna said he is here to discuss the options to see if BOF supports the purchase and if so, which financing method they preferred. It will need Town Meeting approval. Bonin stated the average life of a loader is 6K hours our current loader has 10K
Thorpe moved to table for 2 weeks until financing pro forma options can be prepared and presented to BOF. Motion passed 6-0
Bob Fish estimated that town general government budget, by the end of August when all remaining bills have been paid, should have a $100K unspent surplus and a $200K net revenue surplus.
V. SELECTMAN REPORT:
Town received a $595K from FEMA for seawalls and recreational areas. He said he had written a letter thanking Police Chief Spera for his efforts in securing these funds (to repair damaged assets due to Storm Sandy). New state law in effect all Towns to recoup 50 percent of cost to train a new police officer recruit within two years of traning if that officer leaves for another town. Fortuna discussed contents of letter from Stephen Mongillo to DEEP on status of WPCA program. Amtrak is upgrading their train station building and stormwater management system. A library subcontractor recently updated the landscaping. Noted that Dept. of Police Services asked to carry over $16,994.82 from 15-16 budget for a three month boat lease.
VI. Marine Patrol : Chief Spera summarized the request for the carry-over and offered to pay $405 difference between carry-over amount and lease cost from his own pocket. Spera said any cost to outfit the boat would come from the police departments’ operating budget. O’Nell suggested dollars be put towards boat purchase but that he first wanted to see the whole plan. Not in favor of carryover request. O’Brien stated we don’t have data on patrol or what type of asset is needed. Lindley-the role of the marine patrol, we do need something but (this lease is a waste of money). She can’t support the carryover request. Spera’s response: there were 45 marine rescues, 16 accidents, plus assists over a 5 year period. Fortuna recounts a
Sea-doo accident and the fire boat’s response from Jeff True had said a police presence would have been helpful. Motion was made by LaMay, to approve carry over but there was no second. Motion was made by O’Brien, seconded by LaMay to provide the carry over $16,994.92 if all data concerning boat was provided. Motion failed 4-2.
VII. Public Comments: Eleanor LaPlace stated that boat traffic has declined over the years. George Wall said he did not hear any credible discussion of why the fire boat couldn’t have a police presence on it. There’s a boat, there’s water - they can share the time on the water and benefit the whole town.” Dorothy Tissair thanked BOF for not proceeding with motion. John Duhig questioned the need of the police boat.
VIII. Comments from the Chair- None
XII. ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn was made by Thorpe at 8:46 p.m. and seconded by Stevenson and it was so voted unanimously.
Minutes taken by Brad Thorpe for Gerri Lewis
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