COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Written questions were submitted by a concerned citizen. The first question was regarding the letter from Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. First Selectman Michael Pace said he has not been able to meet with Mr. Powitz. The second question was regarding the WPCA meeting in which three bills were presented for payment by the town, votes for payment of two bills were passed and the third was deemed confidential and was not discussed. First Selectman Michael Pace stated that he was told that there were only two
bills submitted and the third document was not a bill and therefore not submitted to the town. He stated he would make inquiries to find out what the document was and why it was not discussed. The third question addressed the issue of the public not being able speak at the upcoming WPCA meeting and was only being allowed to submit questions by a post card that are being handed out at the meeting. First Selectman Michael Pace responded that the WPCA is handing out these cards for the purpose of addressing the public’s questions and concerns. The cards are an attempt to have a written record of these questions and concerns and he will check to see if people will be allowed to submit more than one question or concern. The fourth question was regarding parking for the Cultural Arts Center. First Selectman Michael Pace said attendees would be able to park behind the building, in front of the building on Main Street and there will also be
additional parking across the street. The fifth question was regarding Saybrook Commons intentions to buy Executive Suites and add 48 rentals and the concerns for safety. First Selectman Michael Pace stated he agreed with the public, however the Town had lost its case in court and the court had allowed Saybrook Commons to proceed. Selectman William Peace also noted that a letter had been sent to the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation voicing these very concerns and the State seemed to be indifferent to these concerns. He noted that the Legislator has pre-empted by statute to Towns right regarding zoning, however Saybrook Commons will be required to get a Certificate of Approval from the State. The sixth question was regarding the proposed low income rentals opposite Vinnie’s restaurant. Why would a policeman or teacher be considered low income, also parking for the restaurant is an issue and the added traffic would present a
hazard. Executive Assistant Roland Laine explained that there was an error of the presumed location and that the proposed site is located at another section of Ferry Road across from Ragged Rock Marina. The town will not be responsible for these units that this is a Hope Partnership project and that company bares the expense and responsibility. The town in conjunction with Hope Partnership has obtained funding of $50,000 from the State and $8,000 from Liberty Bank. The last question was regarding the agenda not being available on the Town website. Executive Assistant Roland Laine explained that it was sent to the site on Tuesday afternoon, and as sometimes happens with the internet, the agenda had not reached the website. The town has no control over the internet and the speed with which things reach their destination. Another concerned citizen raised the question of why more funding was needed for the theatre project. Selectman William Peace stated that this was what the public had voted on. He had recommended tearing town the old Main Street School building and the public had voted to save the building and renovated it into a New Town Hall. First Selectman Michael Pace stated that when initially discussing a budget for the project a figure was noted and a contingency of 5% was set aside. This figure should have been set at 15%, which is the normal contingency on such a project. There have been a series of unforeseen set backs including the discovery that there were not footings under the old vault in the basement and replacement of support beams that were undersized or non-existent. He went on to discuss several other projects the town had under-taken like the firehouse, Main Street School,
Library, pavilion and now theatre. These buildings have become assets to the community and were all voted on by the town. Each project had issues and thankfully funding was budgeted accordingly as with the firehouse or obtained by private citizens as was the case with the Library. He also noted that 3 families had donated $100,000 each toward this project and mentioned that donation of various sizes from various sources had been received from the community. He went on to say that this had been brought before the town on at least three separate occasions and voted for by the public. He has obtained bonding for the project with public approval and grants to off-set the costs. The town is not in the theatre business and this is why a board of trustees has been established. The Town is responsible for the building and the building is the property of the town. He noted that when the High School renovations were being done an unforeseen
issue arose with the lighting under the flooring and the School Board used $11,000 out of its general funding to cover the additional cost. He stated that they would be using $215,000 of the surplus from this past year to finish the theatre. No more money would be borrowed. He went on to explain that this would bring the contingency to the correct percentage. The balance of the surplus will go to the town savings account. First Selectman Michael Pace explained in anticipating the towns needs and budgeting accordingly that he hoped by 2011 the mill rate would only be at 11 Mills. A question was raised regarding the cost of maintaining the building. Pauline Keezer, a member of the Board of Trustees for the Cultural Arts Center, explained that the Trustees were in charge of
raising funds to operate the theatre and that there were many Board members who were not only experience in running such a business, but also a broad base of volunteers. The hope is that the Theatre will have several different venues, some of which will be self-sufficient and some will require Corporate sponsorship. The Board of Trustees has assumed the cost of running the Theatre. Selectman William Peace stated that the public had voted, roughly 31/2 to 1 for the building to be made into a theatre, the Town will not be running the theatre and the Trustees will bear that responsibility, the Town wanted the building used and not abandoned or torn down and that the recommended contingency of 15% was reduced by vote to 5%. The addition of the $215, 000 would bring the contingency to roughly 91/2
%. He noted that there are always unforeseen circumstances when undertaking such renovations and they are committed to doing this project correctly and not cutting corners. Pauline Keezer stated that the Trustees have a broad experience base and will not be asking the town for support. It will be the Board of Trustees responsibility to insure the theatre is self-sufficient and produces venues that draw and not a production company takes over. First Selectman Michael Pace stated that the Board of Selectman has been meeting with the Architect and Engineers and the $215,000 is the amount needed to finish the project. He
noted that he does not advocate going into debt and in the past the town paid cash for the firehouse project and the Library was bonded for 2 years. He is asking to use the surplus funds to finish the project. The town is due for re-evaluations in 2009 and he has taken this into consideration and budgeted accordingly, so taxes will not be affected. A question was raised regarding the Hepburn family’s contributions. Executive Assistant Roland Laine responded that the Hepburn family is small and they have given funds and permission to use Katherine Hepburn’s name.
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