Town of Old Saybrook, CT - 11/20/2007 Minutes

11/20/2007 Minutes

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

10:00 a.m.

Old Saybrook Town Hall

First Floor Conference Room

MINUTES

Board of Selectmen met in special session on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., First Floor Conference Room Town Hall.

PRESENT: First Selectman Michael A. Pace, Selectman William Peace, Tax Collector Barry Maynard, Tax Assessor Norman Woods, Town Planner Christine Nelson, members of the press and interested citizens. ABSENT: Selectman Velma Thomas.

I.	CALL TO ORDER First Selectman Michael Pace called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. First Selectman Pace stated that this meeting commences the newly elected Board of which are the same members from the previous Board. The Board, collectively and individually, thank the voters of the town for their support over the years and for this election.
II.	PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE First Selectman Michael Pace led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III.	COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC – Resident Peter Lutz of 46 Fairview Avenue read a statement for the record questioning the balance of the Sewer Avoidance Fund. Mr. Lutz referred to a rumor that 2 to 3 million dollars is unaccountable and funds have been transferred to the Katharine Hepburn Theater Fund. Mr. Lutz further referred to the WPCA board members as “drunken sailors on shore leave in Hong Kong.” Selectman Peace responded that no funds have been illegally transferred or spent and the BOS is legally bound procedurally to obtain approvals by the Board of Finance and the voters of the Town before any such funds can be spent. First Selectman Pace informed Mr. Lutz that the Town would respond to a specific request for information in the form of a FOIA request rather than deal with rumors. Mr. Pace further stated that any funds spent from the Sewer Avoidance Fund are only for the purpose of the WPCA. This fund was established in the 1980’s with monies set aside by the Town and the fund is in an investment account. The Town Treasurer was not available for a precise figure but Mr. Pace referred to a document dated September 2006 which listed the Sewer Avoidance Fund balance as slightly under $1.4 million.
IV.	COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN – none at this time.
V.	APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the Board of Selectmen Special Meeting of November 15, 2007. PEACE/PACE Motion to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting of November 15, 2007 as presented. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VI.	BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD A. Tax Refunds 1. Camrac Inc. $2,552.51 Tax Collector Barry Maynard stated that Camrac Inc. is an automobile leasing company. The tax refund is a result of a Certificate of Change as issued by the Assessor’s Office. PEACE/PACE Motion to accept the recommendation of Tax Collector Barry Maynard and refund $2,552.51 to Camrac Inc. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY B. Discuss and act to authorize First Selectman Michael Pace to sign a contract with Flanagan Associates for real property valuation services. Assessor Norman Wood stated that the contract will be for real property valuation effective October 1, 2008. First Selectman Pace stated that carry over funds from the previous fiscal year will used to pay the majority of the cost of this contract. PEACE/PACE Motion to accept the recommendation of the Assessor and authorize the First Selectman to enter into this contract in the amount of $93,000 with Flanagan Associates for real property valuation services. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C. Discuss and act upon the proposed 2008 Board of Selectmen Meeting Schedule. The BOS meetings for 2008 will be held on the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. PEACE/PACE Motion to approve the 2008 Board of Selectmen Meeting Schedule. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY D. Discuss and act upon the proposed 2008 Holiday Schedule. First Selectman Pace stated the proposed Town Employee Holiday Schedule for 2008 is mostly contractual and the Town is legally obligated to provide these holidays. PACE/PEACE Motion to approve the 2008 Town Employee Holiday Schedule as per contract and legal obligations. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY E. Discuss and act upon reminding all residence of the Code of the Town of Old Saybrook, House Numbering. First Selectman Pace stated that members of public have expressed concern about the lack of house numbering in the Town of Old Saybrook. This creates delays in emergency services such as police and fire department response. Mr. Pace recommends the Land Use departments in conjunction with the Police Department to review this issue both individually and cooperatively to notify the public that every house should have large numbering. Mr. Pace requested the Town Planner, Christine Nelson, to initiate this plan of action and suggested to Mr. Sipe of the Pictorial Gazette to contact the Police Department for specific information to share with his readers. Selectman Peace suggested that Emergency Management Services could send out a letter or publish an article in Saybrook Events. PACE/PEACE Motion of consensus to carry forth this initiative. F. Appointments 1. ACTON PUBLIC LIBRARY- Term expiration of Betty Butler(R), William Suits (R) and Paula Gibble (R). These are six-year terms due to expire 11/2013. PEACE/PACE Motion to re-appoint Betty Butler (R), William Suits (R), and Paul Gibble (R) for 6-year terms each due to expire 11/2013. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 2. CEMETERY, MUNICIPAL- Term expiration Andrew McKenzie. This is a six-year term due to expire 7/2013. PACE/PEACE Motion to table this agenda item. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3. CONNECTICUT RIVER ESTUARY REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY (CRERPA)-Board of Selectmen Representative term expiration of Karen Marcolini (R). This is a 2-year term due to expire 11/2009. PEACE/PACE Motion to re-appoint Karen Marcolini (R) for a 2-year term due to expire 11/2009. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 4. CONSERVATION COMMISSION-Term expiration of Kim Gallagher(U), Patrick Ingellis(R), Michael Kelley(D) and Robert Siegelman(U). These are 2-year terms due to expire 11/2009. PEACE/PACE Motion to re-appoint Kim Gallagher (U), Patrick Ingellis (R), Michael Kelley (D) and Robert Siegelman (U) for 2-year terms each due to expire 11/2009. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 5. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION- Alternate term expiration Robert MacDonald (D). This is a two-year term due to expire 12/2009. PEACE/PACE Motion to re-appoint Robert MacDonald (D) for a 2-year term due to expire 12/2009. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 6. INLAND WETLAND COMMISSION – Term expiration of William Pollock(R), Paul Smith (D), Alternate,Charles Wehrly (R), and Alternate,Brendan McKeown (R). These are two-year terms due to expire 11/2009. PEACE/PACE Motion to re-appoint William Pollock (R), Paul Smith (D), Alternate Charles Wehrly (R) and Alternate Brendan McKeown (R) for 2-year terms each due to expire 11/2009. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 7. PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING – Term expiration of Sharon Craft (D). This is a 3-year term due to expire 11/2010. PEACE/PACE Motion to re-appoint Sharon Craft (D) for a 3-year term due to expire 11/2010. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 8. REGIONAL BUILDING CODE BOARD OF APPEALS – Term expiration of Edmund Binder. This is a 5 year term due to expire 11/2012. PEACE/PACE Motion to re-appoint Edmund Binder for a 5-year term due to expire 11/2012. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 9. SHELLFISH COMMISSION – Term expiration of James Mitchell (R). This is a 2-year term due to expire 11/2009. Term expiration of Paul Labriola (R). This is a 2-year term due to expire 6/2009. PEACE/PACE Motion to re-appoint James Mitchell (R) for a 2-year term due to expire 11/2009 and Paul Labriola (R) for a 2-year term due to expire 6/2009. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 10. WATER POLLUTIONCONTROL AUTHORITY (WPCA) – Term expiration Elsa Payne (D), Nelson Engborg (R), George Gwizd (R), Robert Powitz (U), Doris Zumbroski (U). These are 3-year terms due to expire 12/2010. PACE/PEACE Motion to re-appoint the following members of one of our most dedicated and ethical boards, Elsa Payne (D), Nelson Engborg (R), George Gwizd (R), Robert Powitz (U) and Doris Zumbroski (U) for 3-year terms each due to expire 12/2010. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 11. ETHICS COMMISSION – 4-year term due to expire 9/2010. PACE/PEACE Motion to appoint Ed Cassella (D) for a 4-year term due to expire 9/2010. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 12. ELDERLY BENEFIT COMMITTEE PEACE/PACE Motion to sunset and re-establish this committee, effective today, and appoint William Childress (U), Cornelius McCrudden (D), Ruth Fitzgerald (R), Gloria Fogg (R), and June Wilson (R) with Norman Wood as staff advisor. DISCUSSION: First Selectman Pace stated that this committee was established in 2002 for the purpose of recommending tax relief for the elderly by means of fuel assistance, energy assistance (electricity), and septic tank replacements through the WPCA. Mr. Pace would like to charge this committee with these same tasks as well as establishing a new initiative to look for tax relief based on need on personal automobiles. Mr. Pace said that automobiles are very important to the elderly’s sense of independence and the Town can look for opportunities in this area to assist the elderly in our community. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 13. KATHARINE HEPBURN CULTURAL ART CENTER & THEATRE (KHCAC) – Board of Trustee PEACE/PACE Motion to table this agenda item. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 14. OLD SAYBROOK COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY PEACE/PACE Motion to table this agenda item. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 15. Assessor – Norman Wood PEACE/PACE Motion to re-appoint Norman Wood as Assessor. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 16. Building Official - Donald Lucas, P.E., R.S. PEACE/PACE Motion to re-appoint Donald Lucas, P.E., R.S. as Building Official. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 17. Town Engineer - Nathan L. Jacobson Associates PEACE/PACE Motion to re-appoint Nathan L. Jacobson Associates as Town Engineer. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 18. Emergency Management Director - Michael Spera PEACE/PACE Motion to appoint Michael Spera as Emergency Management Director. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 19. Emergency Management Deputy Director - Michael Gardner PEACE/PACE Motion to appoint Michael Gardner as Emergency Management Deputy Director. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 20. Fire Marshal - Donn Dobson PEACE/PACE Motion to re-appoint Donn Dobson as Fire Marshal. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 21. Town Counsel- Michael Cronin PEACE/PACE Motion to re-appoint Michael Cronin as Town Counsel. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 22. Tree Warden - Guy Pendleton PEACE/PACE Motion to re-appoint Guy Pendleton as Tree Warden. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VII.	COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN – First Selectman Pace informed the audience that the Town received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District, Inc. for the Town’s contributions and support of the District activities. Selectman Bill Peace noted that the advantage of scheduling BOS meetings in the morning is the availability of staff to report of various projects. Selectman Peace asked the Town Planner, Christine Nelson to report on the bike plan for the Town. Ms. Nelson stated that she is in contact CRERPA which is also creating a bike plan for the region and the Town will work cooperatively with CRERPA to further develop this plan. Ms. Nelson reported that Founders Park is in its final stages and commented on the beautiful view of the river. Lastly, Ms. Nelson reported that the Land Use department is continuing to work on road and sub-division regulations. First Selectman Pace reminded the audience of the Saybrook Stoll on November 30, 2007 and the Torchlight Parade on December 8, 2007. Today, at 5:00 p.m. Anthony Mammola will be inducted into the CT Veterans Hall of Fame. There is a new Gateway Building brochure. Mr. Pace stated that he is working with the committee and the Chamber of Commerce to try and have the Gateway Building open for the public to view for the Saybrook Stroll.
VIII.	QUESTIONS BY THE PRESS - none were taken.
IX.	ADJOURNMENT PACE/PEACE Motion to adjourn at 10:59 a.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Respectfully submitted, Janet S. Vinciguerra Recording Clerk