Town of Old Saybrook, CT - 6/5/2008 Minutes

6/5/2008 Minutes

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Thursday, June 5, 2008

6:30 p.m.

Old Saybrook Town Hall

First Floor Conference Room

MINUTES

Present: First Selectman Michael A. Pace, Selectman William Peace, Selectman Velma Thomas, Executive Assistant Roland Laine, Town Engineer Geoff Jacobson, Zoning Enforcement Officer Christina Costa, Lt. Michael Spera, Patrolman Jay Rankin, interested citizens and members of the Press

I.	CALL TO ORDER First Selectman Michael Pace called to order at 6:30 p.m.
II.	PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE First Selectman Michael Pace ledge those in attendance in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance
III.	COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Comments were taken regarding the Police Commission meetings. First Selectman Michael Pace responded that although he is an ex-effico of various boards, he does not have a vote at any meetings. He did make a suggestion regarding management structure being needed within the Police Department; however there is a duly elected Police Commission that are responsible for decisions.
IV.	COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN Selectman William Peace stated that while two trees were being planted on the green two middle school students approached and offered assistance. He noted minor modifications to work on Founder’s Park, postponement of work on one of the pathways and the addition of an interior path. Boulders will need to be installed at top to prevent accidents. He commended Larry Bonin and the Public Works crew on the great job. He would like to send a letter to the Town Planners and the Park & Recreation Department requesting a bike path connecting Ingham Hill Road to Schoolhouse Road through Great Cedars. Selectman Peace noted that a meeting has been scheduled between Amtrak and the Connecticut DEP. Selectman Peace mentioned that a neighbor had a medical emergency and Lt. Stuart and Officer Rankin, who were first responders, were highly professional and impressive and suggested a letter be written to the Police Commission. Selectman Velma Thomas asked Officer Jay Rankin to bring in the sample theatre seat and a sample of the stone to be used for the entryway flooring. First Selectman Michael Pace stated that in an effort to save on health care cost, the town will provide a self-funded dental plan as opposed to paying an insurance company a premium for coverage. When the town lost its fireboat, John Manafort offered the town the use of one of his own private boats, which has already been put to use, saving several other vessels from a fire last week. A letter of thanks needs to be sent to Mr. Manafort for his generosity. The Federal Government has been de-commissioning lighthouses and the town has been notified that one of it’s’ lighthouses is to be sold. The budget passed by a 3 to 1 margin. Don Lucas has taken on the extra duties created by Steven Luckett’s resignation. Last summer the town received a grant from Summer Youth Employment Program for $10,856.00. The grant allows the town to employ a youth from a low-income background for 15 to 25 hours a week, learning real job skills.
V.	APPROVAL OF MINUTES Special Board of Selectmen Meeting of May 8, 2008. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to accept the minutes for the Special Board of Selectmen Meeting of May 8, 2008, with addition to the comments of Selectman Velma Thomas that the representative from the seating company brought a sample Theatre Chair. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VI.	BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD A. Discuss and act on required changes in Old Saybrook Flood Plain Management Ordinance. Town Engineer Geoff Jacobson spoke regarding the updating of the Flood Ordinance being required by FEMA of all towns located in Middlesex County. FEMA is requiring all cities and towns in the United States to make updates to their flood maps using data from which measurements are taken. These new maps will be more accurate and the Connecticut DEP has said there will be no major changes, there may be minor variations and some properties may be affected. B. Discuss and act on Call for Town Meeting. First Selectman Michael Pace will check with Town Attorney Michael Cronin to clarify who is allowed to vote at the town meeting. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to approve Call of Special Town Meeting at the Middle School Auditorium, 60 Sheffield Street, Old Saybrook Connecticut, on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 7:30 P.M. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C. Discuss and act on American Red Cross Statement of Understanding as it applies to Red Cross Response in Old Saybrook. First Selectman Michael Pace gave the floor to Lt. Michael Spera as the Emergency Management Director to speak regarding the Statement of Understanding between the Town of Old Saybrook and Middlesex Central Connecticut Chapter of the American Red Cross. Lt. Spera stated that Emergency Management was asking the board to approve a motion allowing the Statement of Understanding to be signed. This is an annual agreement that allows the American Red Cross to use a town facility in the event of an emergency. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to sign any and all documents and to authorize Lt. Michael Spera to work with the American Red Cross on behalf of the town. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY D. Approve First Selectman, Michael A. Pace to sign contract for “License Agreement” between the Town of Old Saybrook and Sprint Spectrum for communications equipment at 430 Middlesex Turnpike. Lt. Michael Spera explained there are three sites for antennas for the new emergency communication system for the town and one of the sites located on Middlesex Turnpike is a tower owned by Sprint. A license Agreement with Sprint has been drafted for the sharing of the tower. The Town Attorney Michael Cronin and the Police Commission have had a chance to review the Agreement. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to allow First Selectman Michael Pace to sign Agreement and all other necessary documents. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY E. Authorize First Selectman Michael A. Pace to sign contract for Provider Service Agreement between the Town of Old Saybrook and the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern Connecticut, Inc. First Selectman Michael noted that $42,973.00 has been budgeted for people in need of services who are not covered by insurance and the Visiting Nurse Association is responsible for pursuing any insurance payments from those who are insured. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to Authorize First Selectman Michael Pace to sign contract for Provider Services Agreement between the Town of Old Saybrook and the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern Connecticut, Inc. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY F. Discuss and act on Town Engineer recommendation regarding a bond reduction for the Rankin Neely Subdivision. Letter was received from Town Engineer Geoff Jacobson recommending reduction of bond. Officer Jay Rankin stated they are just about ready to start paving road. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to accept Town Engineer Geoff Jacobson’s recommendation to reduce bond. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY THOMAS/PEACE Motion to authorize First Selectman Michael Pace to sign Mylar. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY G. Appointments 1. Public Health Nursing Board. Vacancy due to resignation of Thomas McKean. This is a 3-year term due to expire 11/2008. PACE/PEACE Motion to accept recommendation to appoint Joseph Termine; this is a 3 year term due to expire 11/2008. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 2. Planning Commission. PEACE/PACE Motion to appoint Don Renado as a regular member; term due to expire on 11/22/2009. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY PACE/THOMAS Motion to appoint Ken Soudan, who requested position, as an alternate member, term due to expire on 11/22/2009. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3. Economic Development Commission. Re-appointment of regular members, Kenneth Capano and David Cole. These are five year terms due to expire 6/2013. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to re-appoint Kenneth Capano, regular member of the Economic Development Commission; this is a five year term due to expire on 6/2013. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY PACE/PEACE Motion to re-appoint David Cole, regular member of the Economic Development Commission; this is a five year term due to expire on 6/2013. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY H. Enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to enter into Executive Session at 8:00 p.m. Session to include Roland W. Laine, Executive Assistant MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY I. Return to Open Session at 8:10 J. Discuss and act on Executive Assistant employment contract. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to authorize First Selectman Michael A. Pace to sign new four year contract with Roland Laine as Executive Assistant to the Board of Selectmen. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VII.	COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN – None at this time
VIII.	QUESTIONS BY THE PRESS – Were taken
IX.	ADJOURNMENT THOMAS/PEACE Motion to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Respectfully submitted,

Tracy Masterson