Town of Old Saybrook, CT - Minutes 6/7/2007

Minutes 6/7/2007

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Thursday, June 7, 2007

10:00 a.m.

Old Saybrook Town Hall

Main Level Conference Room

MINUTES

Board of Selectmen met in regular session on Thursday, May 7, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., First Floor Conference Room Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Michael A. Pace, Selectman William Peace, Selectman Velma Thomas, High School Principal Scott Schoonmaker, High School Associate Principal Tara Winch, members of the press and interested citizens.

I.	CALL TO ORDER First Selectman Michael Pace called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.
II.	PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE First Selectman Michael Pace led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III.	COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Comments were taken
IV.	COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN Selectman Peace – Continuing to meet on Road Standards, they will be more environmentally friendly, reduce the width of the roadways. Should be ready to bring to the Selectmen in about a month. The Fish Ladder on Ingham Hill Road was recently opened. Selectman Thomas – Celebrating the Heart of Old Saybrook has asked Parks and Recreation to store/display the banners and make them available to groups to use. The Gateway Building flooring material is in, paint to be done, then floor can be installed. First Selectman Pace – He asked Roland W. Laine, Executive Assistant and member of the Town Hall Building Restoration Committee to update the Selectmen. Mr. Laine stated that since construction has started a problem was discovered with the 1960’s vault addition. It was built without proper footings; it is just on a 12” thick concrete pad/floor. A fix has been determined and is underway. First Selectman Pace reported that the pole relocation project is moving forward. The DOT has started the clean up of the Ferry Road property. The cost is about $3 million; Marilyn Giuliano was instrumental in securing the funding. He stated that he, Bob Fish and our Bond Consultants met with representatives of Moody's Investors Service last week. At this time First Selectman Pace invited Deb Desautel and Susan Savage of the Wednesday Weed Wackers to give an update. They reported that two spots have been adopted – the island at Main Street and Maple Avenue and the entrance to the Transfer Station. They have obtained two dispensers to be installed in front of the Police Department and the Fire Department for people pick up plastic bags to dispose of their dog droppings.
V.	APPROVAL OF MINUTES Special Board of Selectmen of Meeting of May 1, 2007 PEACE/PACE Motion to approve Special Board of Selectmen of Meeting of May 1, 2007. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Special Board of Selectmen Meeting of May 10, 2007. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to approve Special Board of Selectmen of Meeting of May 10, 2007. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VI.	BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD A. Recognition of Old Saybrook High School Senior, Emily Suits. Public Works Director Larry Bonin reviewed Emily Suits Senior Project to clean around the town. She enlisted the aid of over 80 volunteers to clean the beaches, parks, upper Great Hammock. Principal Scott Schoonmaker reviewed the graduation requirements that include a senior project. Selectman Thomas read a Proclamation from the Selectmen. She then presented it to Emily. First Selectman Pace introduced Emily’s mother, grandmother and grandfather. B. Acknowledge Ellsworth Grant; State of Connecticut Katharine Hepburn Award. First Selectman Pace acknowledged the receipt from Katharine Hepburn’s brother-in-law, the award that was presented on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 when Kate was inducted into the Connecticut Hall of Fame, as its first recipient. He displayed the award for all to see. C. Discuss and act on authorizing First Selectman, Michael A. Pace to sign the Public Health Nursing Board Provider Contract 2007-2008 between the Town of Old Saybrook and the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern Connecticut. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to authorize First Selectman, Michael A. Pace to sign the Public Health Nursing Board Provider Contract 2007-2008 between the Town of Old Saybrook and the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern Connecticut. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY D. Discuss and act on legal opinion concerning Center Road West. First Selectman Pace reviewed the background of the approval by town referendum to sell a portion of Center Road West to Max’s Place LLC. He asked Town Counsel Mike Cronin to review his legal opinion. Attorney David Roysten representing Max’s Place agrees with Attorney Cronin’s opinion. Howard Huelsman, representing the Economic Development Commission stated that EDC is in favor of this project. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to concur with Town Counsel Michael Cronin’s legal opinion. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY E. Discuss and act on authorizing First Selectman, Michael A. Pace to sign Cross Easement Agreement for Access Parking, Saybrook Country Barn. Christine Nelson, Town Planner presented the background on acquiring of DOT property and expansion of Saybrook Country Barn. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to refer to Planning Commission for concurrent approval as a municipal improvement. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY F. Discuss and act on developing plans to institute an anti-Blight Ordinance. Christine Nelson, Town Planner reviewed the basics a Blight Ordinance. Both Selectmen Peace and Thomas would like it to include commercial property. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to support the development of a Blight Ordinance. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY G. Appointments 1. Water Pollution Control Authority Re-appoint Charles A. Wehrly III. This is a three-year term due to expire 12/2009. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to appoint Charles A. Wehrly III to the Water Pollution Control Authority. This is a three-year term due to expire 12/2009. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 2. Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) Alternate Member. This is a three-year term due to expire 12/2009. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to appoint John Claffey as an Alternate to the Water Pollution Control Authority. This is a three-year term due to expire 12/2009. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3. Regional Mental Health Board. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to appoint Margaret West to the Regional Mental Health Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 4. Katharine Hepburn Ad hoc Committee. PACE/THOMAS Motion to appoint Kenneth J. Capano, Sr. to the Katharine Hepburn Ad hoc Arts Council. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY PEACE/THOMAS Motion to add to agenda “Discuss and act on authorizing First Selectman, Michael A. Pace to sign the CRRA Contract 2007-2008 between the Town of Old Saybrook and CRRA.” MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Discuss and act on authorizing First Selectman, Michael A. Pace to sign the CRRA Contract 2007-2008 between the Town of Old Saybrook and CRRA. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to authorize First Selectman, Michael A. Pace to sign the CRRA Contract 2007-2008 between the Town of Old Saybrook and CRRA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VII.	COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN, none were made as this time.
VIII.	QUESTIONS BY THE PRESS, none were asked.
IX.	ADJOURNMENT THOMAS/PACE Motion to adjourn at 11:15 a.m. MOTION CARRIED Respectfully submitted, Roland W. Laine Executive Assistant