MINUTES of ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - November 24, 2008
MINUTES of the ANNUAL TOWN MEETING held at the Old Saybrook Middle School auditorium, 60 Sheffield Street, Old Saybrook, Connecticut, on Monday, November 24, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. wit approximately 120 persons attending.
Michael A. Pace, First Selectman, called the meeting to order and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. On a motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously voted that Carl Fortuna serve as Moderator of this meeting. The Moderator then requested the Town Clerk, Sarah V. Becker, to read the call of the meeting.
ITEM 1: To receive and act upon The Reports of The Town Officials As Printed In The Annual Town Report For The Fiscal Year July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.
Selectman Pace remarked about the Dedication this year to Louis Elwood Sugland who tirelessly served the Town of Old Saybrook as a former Selectman as well as a recently elected Board of Finance member until his passing on June 20, 2008. Carl Fortuna also spoke about working with Lou on the Board of Finance and his admiration for the way he made his position known always with his soft-spoken manner.
Selectman Pace called attention to the cover of this year’s Report which is an outstanding photograph taken at our new Founders Memorial Park.
On a motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously voted to ADOPT ITEM 1.
ITEM 2: To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen to adopt an ordinance entitled “Blight – An Ordinance Regarding Unsightly Materials and Abandoned Vehicles in Residentially Zoned Areas”. The purpose of this ordinance is to define, prohibit, and abate blights and nuisances, and to protect, preserve, and promote all public health, safety, and welfare for the preservation and protection of property values, as authorized under the provisions of Section 7-148c (7) (H) (xv) of the Connecticut General Statutes. A copy of this proposed ordinance is on file in the Old Saybrook Town Clerk’s Office.
Selectman Pace spoke on the substance of the ordinance. Michael Cronin, Town Counsel, advised that this proposed ordinance is based on ordinances passed by several communities in the area. Attorney Cronin reviewed the definitions of blight and the process that would be followed upon written complaints submitted to the First Selectman or his/her designee by the public. Questions were raised and comments were heard from those in attendance.
Adam Stillman moved, duly seconded, that Item 2 be voted on by paper ballot. Moderator Fortuna called for a vote and asked the Registrars of Voters to count. Motion defeated overwhelmingly with only 19 voting in favor of the motion.
Following considerable discussion Rexford McCall moved, duly seconded, to move the question. Moderator Fortuna noted that this means no more discussion/debate could be heard and must pass by a 2/3 vote. Motion PASSED 72-10.
Grant Westerson moved, seconded by George Gwizd to adopt Item 2 of the call. The Moderator called for a standing vote and the Registrars counted 54 opposed to 55/56 in favor. Since the count was not conclusive the Moderator declared that the Registrars should count again which they did three additional times and the final count was 50 opposed and 54 in favor. The Moderator declared Item 2 ADOPTED.
ITEM 3: To act upon the recommendation of the Old Saybrook Harbor Management Commission for the Town to adopt a revised Fee Schedule as provided and allowed under the provisions of Section 28-113s. The Fee Schedule establishes fees for moorings and tackle in the North Cove Dredged Area, a mooring fee for other Town waters, fees for slips at Ferry Road dock, a fee for the North Cove “Clothesline Marina”, and fees for the North Cove Dredged Area waiting list. A copy of the proposed Fee Schedule is on file in the Old Saybrook Town Clerk’s Office.
Ray Collins, Harbor Management Commission Chairman, requested that this item be withdrawn from the call of the meeting since the information was incorrect and the Commission had decided to deliberate further and bring this item back to a future Town Meeting. The Moderator advised that this item is withdrawn from the call.
ITEM 4: To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Police Commissioners to revoke Chapter 202 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Code of the Town of Old Saybrook. The reason for the recommendation is that the present ordinance appears to allow legal operation of golf carts and golf cart type vehicles, on town highways. Under recently enacted State law, such operation is specifically prohibited on all State and Town highways under all circumstances (with the sole exception of when crossing a highway from one part of a golf course to another).
Moderator Fortuna called on Michael Spera, Deputy Chief of the Old Saybrook Police Department, who reviewed the State law and explained the need to revoke our present ordinance. Selectman Pace explained why we established the original ordinance, however, after we passed it the State enacted new law which means we must conform to the State law. Selectman Pace also advised that the Board of Selectmen intend to bring this problem to the attention of our State Senators and State Representative.
Following considerable discussion Ted Levy moved, duly seconded and unanimously voted, to amend Item 4 to include that the legislative body of the Town of Old Saybrook November 24, 2008 Annual Town Meeting opposes the State regulation in relation to operation of golf carts and that the Board of Selectmen convey the electorate’s displeasure to the appropriate State Legislators and Motor Vehicle Department. Grant Westerson moved, seconded by Barbara Maynard and unanimously voted, to ADOPT ITEM 4 AS AMENDED.
ITEM 5: To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Finance to appropriate an addition to the Labor and Personnel Account #284 in the amount of $47,616.00 for the fiscal year July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008, said funds to be taken from and paid out of the unaudited estimate of budget surplus for the Town fiscal year July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008.
Selectman Pace explained that labor contracts and grievances had caused this budget overage.
Grant Westerson moved, seconded by Brad Thorpe and unanimously voted to ADOPT ITEM 5.
On a motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah V. Becker, CCMC
TOWN CLERK
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