Town of Old Saybrook, CT - Minutes 10/25/2007

Minutes 10/25/2007

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Thursday, October 25, 2007

6:30 p.m.

Old Saybrook Town Hall

Main Level Conference Room

MINUTES

Board of Selectmen met in special session on Thursday, October 25, 2007 at 6:30 p.m., First Floor Conference Room Town Hall.

PRESENT: First Selectman Michael A. Pace, Selectman William Peace, Selectman Velma Thomas, Jane Sypher, Chairman, Municipal Cemetery Committee, Barbara Guenther, Chairman, Founders Memorial Park Committee, Wally Hirsch, Chairman, Town Hall Restoration Building Committee, Torrance Downes, Town Hall Restoration Building Committee, Wilma Asch, Vice-Chairman, Town Hall Restoration Building Committee members of the press and interested citizens.

I.	CALL TO ORDER First Selectman Michael Pace called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
II.	PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE First Selectman Michael Pace led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III.	COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC – No comments were taken.
IV.	COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN –Selectman William Peace commented on the Tree Committee’s planting of approximately 40 trees. The Tree Committee has planted close to 450 trees since the start of the Tree Planting program. Selectman Velma Thomas entered the meeting at 6:36 PM. Selectman Peace noted that work on de-illumination, reducing wattage use, continues as he along with the Police Department and Town Planner visit additional sites. Selectman Peace stated he was invited to apply for a $100,000.00 Innovative Grant for new conservation approaches, and submitted an application. Selectman Velma Thomas commented that the Village Gateway Building Committee and Chamber of Commerce met to discuss their needs for interior space at the Village Gateway Building. The Design Committee for the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Committee met and moved forward on the selection of floor finishes. Selectman Thomas reported that she recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to celebrate Old Saybrook as one of the 100 Best Communities For Young People. At the event she received a book that included a page on Old Saybrook. Selectman Thomas submitted for the record the excerpt and read it aloud. First Selectman Michael Pace received a check for $200,000.00 from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, Historic Restoration Grant for the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center and Theatre, totaling one million dollars received in grants for this project. First Selectman Pace noted he received a preliminary letter stating the Town was successful in obtaining a $300,000.00 grant to assist the elderly and limited income residents for septic system repair. First Selectman Pace introduced Wally Hirsch, Chairman, Town Hall Building Restoration Committee to speak on the progress of the project. Wally commented that the delivery of steel is due to be received tomorrow and the outside work will begin weather permitting. Overall the project is proceeding well. Inside electrical and piping is moving forward and the petitions are being installed in the lower level where the Office of the Judge of Probate will be located. The Board of Selectmen has worked out a plan that there will be a Board of Trustees Committee to operate the building. A study was made on the seating with no decision being made at this time. The seating remains as removable seating as originally planned but open to suggestions. The Board of Trustees completed the business plan that took 2 years developing and will likely have modifications; it shows resources to keep the theatre going for 2-3 years once completed and operational. Torrance Downes, Katharine Hepburn Building Committee and Board of Trustees member commented on his disappointment to see a full page add in the Harbor News placed by Dan Moran, Democratic candidate that raises questions about the project. Torrance stated that the Building Committee and Board of Trustees have addressed, continue to work on and included in numerous planning discussions all issues questioned. Torrance noted he is not aware of Mr. Moran’s awareness or involvement of work that has been completed or now in progress and wished the concerns raised came directly to the Committee for answering rather than becoming a political issue in the public forum. Wilma Asch, Vice- Chairman of the Building Committee stated that the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism named three projects that they look forward to supporting; The Bushnell, Cheney Hall and the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Art Center and Theatre. Wilma invited anyone who has any concerns to review the plans available in her office at Town Hall.
V.	APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the Board of Selectmen Special Meeting of September 20, 2007. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting of September 20, 2007 as presented. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VI.	BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD A. Discuss and act on re-adopting an Affirmative Action Policy Statement. First Selectman Pace read the Affirmative Action Policy Statement and reaffirmed the Town’s commitment to Affirmative Action. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to re-adopt an Affirmative Action Policy Statement. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY B. Discuss and act to authorize First Selectman, Michael Pace by certification of resolution to adopt as the Town’s policy support of the nondiscrimination agreements and warranties as required under Connecticut General Statutes. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to authorize First Selectman Michael Pace by certification resolution to adopt a Non Discrimination Agreement as required under Connecticut General Statutes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C. Report from Town Attorney Michael Cronin on the developing plans to institute an anti-Blight Ordinance. First Selectman Pace reported this issue was brought to table approximately 1-2 month ago and Attorney Cronin after review states that a municipality may take action with regard to adopting an ordinance regarding “housing blight” under specific authorization of Section 7-148 (C) (7) (H) (xv) of the Connecticut General Statues. The Town of Clinton has enacted an Anti-Blight Ordinance and a copy has been forwarded to Land Use. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to forward format to the appropriate Land Use Boards/Commissions to continue review and refer back to the Board of Selectmen. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY D. Discuss and act on approval of Municipal Cemetery Board’s acceptance and recommendation of Grove Gardens Landscaping proposal for construction of walkway at Municipal Cemetery. First Selectman Pace commented on the clean-up effort at Municipal Cemetery and further enhancement plans of the municipal property with the “bowl” and walking path. Jane Sypher, Chairman, Municipal Cemetery Committee noted plans to construct a perpetual garden enabling the Committee to sell plots as a continuing source of revenue. First Selectman Pace stated the Planning Commission approved the improvement plans. The Municipal Cemetery Committee approved Grove Gardens proposal for construction of the bowl and walking path. Jane Sypher confirmed funding. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to accept the recommendation of the Municipal Cemetery Committee for Grove Gardens Landscaping construction of the walkway at Municipal Cemetery in the amount of $18,500.00. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY E. Discuss and act on approval of The Founders Memorial Park Committee acceptance and recommendation of Tidewater Institute proposal for natural landscaping at Founders Memorial Park. First Selectman Pace invited Barbara Guenther, Chairman, Founders Memorial Park to speak on the development of the old landfill into a park. Barbara noted the project is moving forward with Public Works establishing part of the area as a Leaf Compost. The next phase is a Planting Design plan. Judy Preston, Director of Tidewater Institute presented the Founders Memorial Park Committee with a proposal for natural, native non-evasive plants using rocks to make cedar island areas. The Founders Memorial Park Committee unanimously accepted the Tidewater Institute proposal. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to accept the recommendation of Founders Memorial Park Committee for Tidewater Institute proposal in the amount of $1,950.00.
VII.	QUESTIONS BY THE PRESS - none were taken.
VIII.	ADJOURNMENT THOMAS/PEACE Motion to adjourn at 7:01 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Respectfully submitted, Georgiann Neri Administrative Assistant