Town of Old Saybrook, CT - 1/27/2008 Minutes

1/27/2008 Minutes

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Thursday, January 17, 2008

6:30 p.m.

Old Saybrook Town Hall

Main Level Conference Room

MINUTES

PRESENT: First Selectman Michael A. Pace, Selectman William Peace, Selectman Velma Thomas, Town Counsel Michael Cronin, Deputy Director of Emergency Operations Mike Gardiner, members of the press and interested citizens.

I.	CALL TO ORDER First Selectman Michael Pace called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
II.	PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE First Selectman Michael Pace led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III.	COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC – Mary Hanson read a statement requesting more information to be released concerning recent deaths in the Town over the past several months. First Selectman Pace asked Officer Gardiner to relay Ms. Hanson’s questions to the Chief of Police and the Police Commission.
IV.	COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN – Selectman Bill Peace updated the Board on the progress of Founders Park, traffic concerns on North Main Street and Route 1, and his efforts with the Police Commission to request a stop sign near the railroad bridge on Elm Street. Selectman Peace complimented the Police Department’s professionalism in response to his daughter’s recent automobile accident and other incidents around Town. Selectman Peace discussed his concerns about the increased traffic at North Main Street and Route 1, which will result from the proposed residential development at the end of North Main Street. He requested the First Selectman to send a letter to the DOT and requested this matter be added to the meeting as an agenda item. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to add agenda item to this meeting requesting a letter be sent to the Commissioner of the DOT regarding traffic concerns at North Main Street and Route 1. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Lastly, Selectman Peace reported that the Town’s tree planting endeavor is complete and the Garden Club is hosting an event at the Acton Library on January 20, 2008 to help educate town residents on how they can help with beautification efforts. Selectman Thomas reported that the KHCAC Building Committee is working on carpet selections and bathroom finishes. She is working with the Public Works Department and the Chamber of Commerce on furniture arrangements for the Gateway Building. Selectman Thomas stated that the Chamber is hoping to move into the Gateway Building by the end of February. First Selectman Pace reported that the Gateway Committee is awaiting the final drawings for the dome and anticipates that the Chamber will move into the building by February 1^st. The First Selectman provided a detailed description of local budget concerns with the State. Local officials of both small towns and large cities are working together to demonstrate to the State that the property tax model is not working with the decreases in State funding. With that said, the First Selectman stated that he is confident the Town will meet the budget projection for 2009.
V.	APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the Board of Selectmen Special Meeting of December 27, 2007. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting of December 27, 2007 as presented. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VI.	BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD A. Tax Refunds 1. Carl P. Fortuna, Jr. $124.76 PEACE/THOMAS Motion to accept the recommendation of the Tax Collector and issue the tax refund to Carl P. Fortuna, Jr. in the amount of $124.76. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY B. Report by Department of Police Services of Town Communications System installation. Officer Mike Gardiner, Deputy Director of the Emergency Operations provided an update of the progress of upgrading the Town’s new communications system. Police Headquarters is 75% complete. The water tower in Westbrook, which is a secondary receiving site, is complete. The town hall Emergency Operations Center is almost complete. Work at the Fire Department is currently underway and acquisition on a portion of a cell tower on Middlesex Turnpike, which is the last remaining piece of the system, is currently underway as well. Officer Gardiner expects the system to be complete in 10 to 15 weeks. Once the installation is complete there will be a testing phase and then a training phase. This system is completely separate from the old system so the old system will continue until the new system is fully operational which will eliminate any interruption of services. PACE/PEACE Motion to add agenda item to review and authorize the First Selectman to sign the updated Emergency Operations Plan. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C. Review Emergency Operations Plan and Authorize the First Selectman’s signature. Deputy Director of Emergency Operations, Mike Gardiner, provided a brief update of the Town’s plan. This plan, which is not a public document, was last updated in 1999. The Town is mandated to review the plan on an annual basis and update as needed. The plan provides the protocol for various types of emergencies and having an updated plan allows the Town to be eligible for certain state and federal grants PACE/PEACE Motion to authorize the First Selectman to sign the Town’s Emergency Operations Plan and subsequent Annexes dated January 2008. Discussion: Selectman Thomas asked for examples of the updated items. Officer Gardiner could not provide specific details but he described the updated information as demographics, landmarks, structures and new resources. He stated that there is no change in authority and the plan designates a public safety team. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Officer Gardiner added that he and Director Mike Spera are hoping to issue a plan of emergency procedures for the general public. First Selectman Pace stated that the Town is planning to replace the town signs in front of the KHCAC and by Pat’s Kountry Kitchen and add a new sign on the west end of town. The new signs will be electronic and will display emergency information as needed in addition to general town information and events. D. Discuss Blight Ordinance. Town Counsel Mike Cronin updated the Board on the Town’s efforts to create a blight ordinance. The town is using the Town of Clinton’s blight ordinance as a model. Clinton’s ordinance has been distributed to town officials and department heads for review. Clinton’s ordinance is designed for residential and mixed-use districts. Attorney Cronin suggests that the Town hold at least one well-publicized public hearing before bringing any such ordinance to town vote. First Selectman Pace stated that the Building Official and Zoning Enforcement Officer suggest that such ordinance should address commercial districts as well. Attorney Cronin will continue to work on this and will come back with a draft ordinance. PACE/PEACE Motion to add agenda item to authorize the transfer of the website for the KHCAC to the KHCAC Board of Trustees. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY E. Transfer Website for the KHCAC to the KHCAC Board of Trustees. Robert Welsh, President of the KHCAC Board of Trustees, spoke on behalf of the Board, stating that such transfer will allow the Board of Trustees more fundraising opportunities by using the website. Attorney Cronin stated that the Town has domain of the website and therefore has the right to grant such authorization. The KHCAC Board of Trustees will draft an agreement statement with the Town to document this agreement. PACE/PEACE Motion to authorize the transfer of the website for the KHCAC to the KHCAC Board of Trustees. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY F. Updated report on State property on Ferry Road site clean up and possible uses. First Selectman Pace stated that the State has substantially cleaned up the site. The bad soil has been removed and playground-grade soil will be trucked in. The Town identified this site to be used as recreation, either for ball fields or possibly a dog park. The First Selectman would like to start the process with Park and Recreation to identify all possible uses. First Selectman Pace also stated that a portion of this site could be considered for attainable housing opportunities. Attorney Cronin stated that the Town has designated this site for recreation use; therefore there are no height restrictions. The site has public water, three-phase power and large deposits of gravel. Selectman Thomas stated that if housing were allowed on this site, she would like the housing to be on the street front to blend with the existing houses on Ferry Road. G. Discuss and act on potential grant initiatives regarding Small Cities and STEAP. First Selectman Pace stated he would like to explore what type of grant funding may be available. These types of grants are competitive and the timing is such that the Town needs to act quickly. First Selectman Pace has scheduled a meeting with a grant writer to start the process of seeking funding. Along the subject of grants, Selectman Peace informed the Board that he has been invited to apply for a $100,000 Harvard Innovation grant for de-illumination to lower wattage and eliminate certain types of external fixtures; basically saving energy and money. He will initiate this paperwork for the First Selectman’s signature. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to authorize First Selectman Pace to apply for and sign Small Cities, STEAP and the Harvard Innovation Grants. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. H. Acknowledge and approve Public Health Nursing Board recommended changes to their by-laws. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to accept the recommended changes to the Public Health Nursing Board by-laws. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. I. Discuss Connecticut River Area Health District’s new location. The Connecticut River Area Health District will be moving from the Old Saybrook Town Hall to their new location on Main Street behind Liv’s Oyster Bar. J. Discuss Lighthouse(s). First Selectman Pace will be meeting with Congressman Courtney’s office, the General Services Administration and the Coast Guard to try to get the Outer Light off the auction list. The First Selectman is also discussing other possible strategies with Fenwick residents. K. Discuss and act on Marine Patrol Engine Replacement. The Board of Selectman received a recommendation from the Board of Finance to replace the engine for the Marine Patrol boat based on imminent failure and public safety. PEACE/THOMAS Motion that the Board of Selectman support the Board of Finance and the First Selectman’s recommendation to purchase a new engine for the Marine Patrol Boat on behalf of public safety. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. L. Discuss the State’s Energy Assistance Program. The First Selectman sent out a letter to residents who qualified for the Elderly/Disabled Tax Relief Program through the Assessor’s office. The letter informed these residents of the State’s Energy Assistance Program and encouraged them to take advantage of this program if they qualify. By consensus, the Board of Selectman gave support of the First Selectman’s letter dated January 17, 2008. M. Discuss and Authorize the First Selectman to send a letter to the Commissioner of the DOT regarding traffic concerns at North Main Street and Rte 1. Selectman Peace drafted a letter for the First Selectman’s signature. This letter will be sent to the Commissioner of the DOT regarding the Town’s concerns about increased traffic at the intersection of North Main Street and Route 1. The DOT is in the process of determining and issuing a certificate for the proposed residential development at the top of North Main Street. Selectman Peace believes that the current traffic study may not include the recent increase in traffic from the new CVS, improvements at the railroad station and traffic caused by Interstate 95 closures that are re-routed onto Boston Post Road. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to authorize the First Selectman to send a letter to the Commissioner of the DOT as drafted by Selectman Peace. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. N. APPOINTMENTS 1. COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY PACE/PEACE Motion to appoint Charles Sohl, representing the Zoning Commission, and Jason Smith, representing the business community, to the Council on Environmental Quality. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to add agenda item Inland Wetland Commission appointment. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. INLAND WETLAND COMMISSION THOMAS/PEACE Motion to appoint Brendan McKeown as a regular member of the Inland Wetland Commission. This is a two-year term to expire November 2009. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
VII.	COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN – none.
VIII.	QUESTIONS BY THE PRESS – none.
IX.	ADJOURNMENT THOMAS/PEACE Motion to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Respectfully submitted, Janet S. Vinciguerra Recording Clerk