BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD A. Public Hearing input: Proposed Blight Ordinance. First Selectman Michael Pace spoke regarding the drafting of the proposed Blight Ordinance. They have worked hard to define blight
and the town does not want the ordinance to become an argument between neighbors. First Selectman Michael Pace opened the floor for questioning and outlined comments and questions of the Public with Board of Selectmen suggested understandings. All complaints must be in writing, signed and sent to the Selectman’s office. A non-interested representative would be sent to assess the complaint and the property owner would be notified, in writing, of the violation. Each complaint will be on a case-by-case basis and decided by the Board of Selectman. The property owner has the
right to appeal and this will provide a ‘grace period’. The Police should be called in the event of retaliation. A definition of ‘abandoned vehicle’ will have to be added. Zoning does enforcement of unregistered vehicles. Property values being affected, potentially causing difficulty in the sale of adjacent property. Abandoned recreational vehicles pose a different hazard and might be considered an attractive nuisance. Ordinance states one unregistered ‘vehicle’, does that include boats, RVs, trailers, etc or are they different? There was a discussion regarding the penalties and fines and enforcement. The town wants to encourage the property owner to correct the problem. An example was given; 72 hours would be plenty of time to cut an over-grown lawn. If the violation is not corrected and the $100 per day penalty is not sufficient the Town has the right to pursue the case in court. The Town does not have the right to enter the property and correct the problem and a case
would have to be brought to the Superior Court in the event that the property owner is unwilling to correct the violation. The Town already has an ordinance for snow removal on sidewalks and if it is not done by property owner the town does and charges the owner, but this does not involve entering the premises. Certain violations will require quicker time frames, such as grass cutting. First Selectman Michael Pace will have to check with Town Attorney re: if property owner loses appeal, are penalties and fines retroactive. Zoning covers commercial and construction vehicles. The ordinances for the towns of Clinton and Guilford were looked at when drafting the one for the town of Old Saybrook. A wife cannot file a complaint against her husband for not doing his yard work. First Selectman Michael Pace and those in attendance were in agreement that an ordinance was a good idea and the final draft should be presented at regularly scheduled Board of Selectman Meeting in September, before going for a vote before the public at the Annual Town Meeting in November. If the ordinance passes in November, it will take 30 to 45 days to become effective.
B. Report of Founder’s Park Committee. The park is located at the end of Coulter Street where the old dump used to be. The committee and volunteers have been working hard the past three years and will be having an opening on September 22, 2008. The Clark family had donated the land and the wife and son of one of the brothers will be coming from California for the opening.
C. Discuss and act on resolution authorizing First Selectman Michael A. Pace to execute on behalf of the Town of Old Saybrook a contract with the Connecticut State Library for a Historic Documents Preservation Grant. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to authorize First Selectman Michael Pace
to execute the contract with the Connecticut State Library for a Historic Documents Preservation Grant. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
D. Discuss and act on resolution that the Town of Old Saybrook adopts non-discrimination agreements/warranties as required under Connecticut General Statutes. First Selectman Michael Pace gave a brief review of the document. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to authorize First Selectman Michael Pace to execute the non-discrimination agreements/warranties. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
E. Discuss and act on Call for Town Meeting, September 4, 2008, 7:30 p.m. at the Old Saybrook High School Auditorium. THOMAS/PACE Motion to call Town Meeting, September 4, 2008 at 7:30 p.m at the Old Saybrook High School Auditorium. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
F. Discuss and act on recommendation of Town Attorney Cronin and the Police Commission to revoke the golf cart ordinance. First Selectman Michael Pace stated that the State of Connecticut has enacted legislation that has made the Golf-cart Ordinance invalid. Selectman William Peace stated the statute becomes effective as of October 1, 2008. PACE/PEACE Motion to table action until the Board of Selectmen has had the chance to review with the Legislators, Department of Transportation and Town Attorney Michael Cronin. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
G. Discuss and act on Harbor Management proposed increase in fees. Discussion on fee increases. First Selectman answered question regarding residency of person docking at sites and he stated a person does not have to be a resident of Old Saybrook to moor at the sites. Selectman Velma Thomas noted that one of the fees was raised by $100.00, twice as much as the other fees, and asks that an explanation be obtained. PEACE/PACE Motion to accept recommendation of Harbor Management. MOTION CARRIED. SELECTMAN THOMAS ABSTAINED. 1. Contract for Harbor Commission Dock: PEACE/PACE. Motion to add to the agenda: authorize First Selectman Michael A. Pace to sign contract. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY PEACE/PACE Motion to authorize First Selectman Michael Pace to sign any/all documents to Move forward on engineering grant to add a dock at the end of Ferry Road. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
H. Discuss and act on resolution authorizing First Selectman Michael A. Pace to execute and deliver any/all documents with the State Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS). THOMAS/PEACE Motion to authorize First Selectman Michael Pace to execute and
deliver any/all documents with the State Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
I. Authorize First Selectman Michael A. Pace to sign State Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). First Selectman Michael Pace gave overview of Memorandum, which sets forth that Old Saybrook is eligible to participate and the duration and gives the authority to the State to oversee the fund. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to authorize First Selectman Michael Pace to execute the Memorandum as presented. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY J. Appointments 1. Architectural Review Board. Term expiration. Re-appoint Jonathan Gibbs and Arcangela Claffey. Both are 3-year terms due to expire 9/2011. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to re-appoint Jonathan Gibbs
and Arcangela Claffey to 3-year terms due to expire 9/2011. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Board of Education. Vacancy. Vacancy created when Carol Hanover left. Recommendation by the Board of Education to appoint Donna Dunn. She is Director of Education Foundation and has 2 children currently enrolled in Goodwin School. Her husband is also a member of the Old Saybrook Fire Department. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to accept the recommendation of the Board of Education. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Estuary Transit District. Vacancy created by resignation of Cornelius McCrudden. This is a 4-year terms due to expire 11/2012. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to temporarily appoint First Selectman Michael Pace to position until such a replacement can be
appointed. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 4. Ethics Commission. Term expiration. Reappoint Dr. Richard Reece. This is a 4-year terms due to expire 09/2012. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to re-appoint Dr. Richard Reece. This is a 4-year term due to expire 09/2012. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Bike Committee. PEACE/PACE. Motion to add to the agenda: Adding additional members to the Bike Committee. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY PEACE/PACE Motion to add Patrick Ingelis to the Bike Committee. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY PEACE/THOMAS Motion to add Susan Watson to the Bike Committee. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. Economic Development Commission. PACE/PEACE. Motion to add to the agenda: Fill two alternate openings on the commission; these are 2-year positions. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY PACE/PEACE Motion to follow the Commissions recommendation to appoint Mark Maquire, Jr. and Charles Polka to the alternate positions, these are 2- year positions. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY
K. Communication Tower. PEACE/PACE. Motion to add to the agenda: Authorize First Selectman Michael A. Pace to sign contract for use of Communication Tower located at 430 Middlesex
Turnpike. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Sgt. Gardner gave brief update on new communication system. Site 1 is operational, site 2 is ready and site 3, subject to this motion, has had some delays. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to authorize First Selectman Michael Pace to sign contract with Sprint for use of tower and platform located at 430 Middlesex Turnpike. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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