Town of Old Saybrook, CT - Board of Selectmen Minutes 9/22/2009

Board of Selectmen Minutes 9/22/2009

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

10:00 a.m.

First Floor Conference Room

MINUTES

Present: First Selectman Michael Pace, Selectman William Peace, Selectman Velma Thomas, Superintendent of Schools Joe Onofrio, Old Saybrook High School Principal Oliver Barton, School Psychologist Gretchen Holthausen, Town Treasurer Robert Fish, Deputy Chief Michael Spera, Sergeant Michael Gardner, Deputy Fire Chief JT Dunn, Building Official & WPCA Coordinator Don Lucas, Fire Marshal Donn Dobson, Town Planner Christine Nelson, Board of Finance Chairman Carl Fortuna.

I.	CALL TO ORDER – First Selectman Pace called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
II.	PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Selectman Pace lead those in attendance in the Pledge
III.	COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN Selectman Peace stated that the Tree Committee will be planting at least 10 more trees, Sycamores, Oaks, Hearty Maples as well as a memorial tree in honor of Jan Fenger. He will be attending a meeting with the DOT along with Larry Bonin, Christine Nelson and Geoff Jacobson concerning the ARRA stimulus funds for Route 1 sidewalks from Main Street to Guilford Savings Bank. Under federal and state guidelines when roadwork is done a percentage must be earmarked towards bicycles. He is going to write the CT DOT to ask that when the re-stripe roads that they narrow the driving lanes to 10’ which will widen the shoulder which will make it safer for bicyclists. He further stated that he attended a meeting in New Haven with CT DOT concerning the railroad and requested 400 additional parking spaces. He also met with Christine Nelson and discussed rear store parking and travel on Main Street. Selectman Thomas stated that she met with Hope Partnership and their attorneys to review the final plan for Ferry Road attainable housing. It is an attractive and functional plan. The application was approved by Inland Wetlands and is before the Planning Commission tonight. Met with Ferry Road neighbors and they are in favor and excited about the park, which includes a multi-use field, Lacrosse, Soccer and Field Hockey. She related some of the opening activities at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, September 2, 2009 a free concert on the Green with between 1,200 – 1,500 people in attendance. An open house on Sunday, September 6, 2009. First performance was Friday, September 11, 2009, Pure Prairie League, which was SOLD OUT! On Sunday, September 13, 2009 the Men’s Chorus of Cappella Cantorum preformed to a SOLD OUT house. First Selectman Michael Pace worked with Hope Partnership and secured a $50,000 grant for planning costs for the Ferry Road project. Met with the Senior Housing Board, will be applying for a $400,000 grant to purchase additional land and to make improvements to the existing housing. WPCA/WWMD working on the financial model. Working with EDC and a couple of developers that want to come to Old Saybrook. Received a letter from the property manager at the train station thanking Public Works and Larry Bonin for their assistance. Chalker Beach also sent a letter of thanks to Public Works for the drainage improvements. Received a rebate check from CRRA for $ 5,846.25for 1,300 tons of recyclables. Received a letter of thanks from Regional Mental Health Board for the financial support provided by the Board of Selectmen. Received a notice from the Freedom of Information Commission that their final decision on an FOI complaint filed by Mary Hansen against the Ethics Commission. The Commission ruled in the Town’s favor and dismissed Ms. Hansen’s complaint.
IV.	APPROVAL OF MINUTES Board of Selectmen Meeting June 18, 2009 THOMAS/PEACE Motion to table. MOTION CARRIED UNAMIMOUSLY Special Board of Selectmen Meeting June 26, 2009 PEACE/THOMAS Motion to approve the minutes of the Special Board of Selectmen Meeting June 26, 2009. MOTION CARRIED UNAMIMOUSLY Special Board of Selectmen Meeting July 10, 2009 PEACE/THOMAS Motion to approve the minutes of the Special Board of Selectmen Meeting July 10, 2009. MOTION CARRIED UNAMIMOUSLY Special Board of Selectmen Meeting July 14, 2009 THOMAS/PEACE Motion to approve the minutes of the Special Board of Selectmen Meeting July 14, 2009. MOTION CARRIED UNAMIMOUSLY Special Board of Selectmen Meeting September 10, 2009. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to approve the minutes of the Special Board of Selectmen Meeting September 10, 2009. MOTION CARRIED UNAMIMOUSLY
V.	BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD Tax Refunds 1. Mary Ellen Worthen $ 1,460.34 PEACE/THOMAS Motion to accept Tax Collector’s recommendation and approve tax refund. MOTION CARRIED UNAMIMOUSLY B. Report on 2009 Summer Youth Work Experience Program First Selectman Pace asked Gretchen Holthausen to address the board. Gretchen reviewed the 2009 Summer Youth Work Experience Program, which was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA); she handed out an overview of the program (attached). She invited Christina McDonald’s parents to talk about their experience. The stated how positive it was and how it had an effect on home life, as did Christina’s grandparents. Gretchen then asked Superintendent Joe Onofrio to speak; he echoed the sentiments of the McDonalds. As did High School Principal Oliver Burton. Gretchen then asked Christina to address those in attendance. She thanked everyone for their assistance while working in the Assessor’s office and how much she learned. Gretchen had place on the table photographs that were taken of each of the students in their respective workplaces. She thanked the Selectmen for their support. As well as Joanne Messner for coordinating the placement of the students. First Selectman Pace stated that this is another example of a Positive Exemplary Community, giving students a chance to work. Student Empolyment.pdf C. Report on the Wastewater Management Program and next phase. First Selectman Michael Pace asked Don Lucas, Building Official and WPCA Coordinator to report on the status of the Wastewater Management District (WWMD). Don’s report is attached to the minutes. WPCA WWMD.pdf D. Report on current status of fireboat purchase. First Selectman Michael Pace asked JT Dunn, Deputy Fire Chief to report on the status of the fireboat purchase. JT reviewed the status of the construction; he showed the board photographs of the boat under construction. The Fire Chief and an Assistant Chief will be onsite October 18, 2009 to review construction and oversee the installation of equipment in the cockpit. The engines are onsite ready for installation. Construction should be complete in January and members will be onsite for sea trials. Delivery will be the end of January or first week of February. Will be in the water by March. E. Report on Communication System. First Selectman Michael Pace asked Sergeant Gardner to report on the status of the Communications System. Sergeant Gardner stated that the system is 80% complete, it will be about an additional six-to-eight weeks to completion at which time training will commence. The two old towers will be coming down soon. Final step will be installation of radios in vehicles then training. F. Report on Incentive Housing Plan. Christine Nelson reported that a 1980’s study on affordability of housing is being updated. She is working with Hope Partnership on the Incentive Housing Zone. Report on grant money for Old Saybrook Fire Department furnace replacement. Donn Dobson, Fire Marshal, reported that the town has received a grant (ARRA funding) of $55,000 that will be used to replace the furnace at the Fire House. Working with Southern Connecticut Gas. The will connect at no cost to the town. Discuss and act on authorizing First Selectman Michael A. Pace to sign Notice of Non-Seasonal Status, 7 Barnes Road as recommended by Town Attorney. First Selectman Michael Pace read a letter from Town Counsel Michael Cronin. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to authorize First Selectman Michael Pace to sign the letter with the stipulation that the property has a code compliant septic system. MOTION CARRIED UNAMIMOUSLY I. Appointments 1. Architectural Review Board. Term Expirations. Re-appointment of regular members David Wight and Guy Pendleton. These are 3 year terms due to expire 9/2012. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to re-appoint David Wight and Guy Pendleton to the Architectural Review Board. These are 3-year terms due to expire 9/2012. MOTION CARRIED UNAMIMOUSLY Ethics Commission. Term Expiration. Re-appointment of Sylvia Schmitt. This is a 4-year term due to expire 9/2013. PEACE/THOMAS Motion to re-appoint Sylvia Schmitt to the Ethics Commission. This is a 4-year term due to expire 9/2013. MOTION CARRIED UNAMIMOUSLY Executive Session Pending Litigation PEACE/THOMAS Motion to enter Executive Session at 11:30 a.m., session to include Deputy Chief Spera and Executive Assistant Roland Laine. MOTION CARRIED UNAMIMOUSLY The Board of Selectmen returned to open session at 12:00 p.m. THOMAS/PEACE Motion to accept recommendation of Attorney McQuade concerning Jay Rankin’s Heart & Hypertension claim. MOTION CARRIED UNAMIMOUSLY PEACE/THOMAS Motion to further investigate Hypertension claim of Lieutenant Adam Stuart, as there are significant questions. MOTION CARRIED UNAMIMOUSLY Letter of Notification to Board of Finance; Labor Claim heart/hypertension First Selectman Pace informed the Board that he had sent a letter to Board of Finance Chairman Carl Fortuna informing him of these two potential claims and that there is potential for significant costs.
VII.	ADJOURNMENT THOMAS/PEACE Motion to adjourn at 12:05 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNAMIMOUSLY Respectfully Submitted, Roland W. Laine, Executive Assistant