Town of Old Saybrook, CT - Board of Selectmen Minutes 9/2/2010

Board of Selectmen Minutes 9/2/2010

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Thursday, September 2, 2010

10:00 a.m.

First Floor Conference Room

MINUTES

Present: First Selectman Michael Pace, Selectman William Peace, Selectman Carol Manning, Planner Christine Nelson, Police Chief Michael Spera, Treasurer Bob Fish, WPCA Chairman Mike Evangelisti, Board of Finance Member David LaMay, Fire Marshal Donn Dobson, Bikeways Committee Chairman Kathy Connolly, Town Counsel Mike Cronin, Bond Consultant Mark Chapman, members of the press and interested citizens.

I.	CALL TO ORDER – First Selectman Pace called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.
II.	PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – First Selectman Pace led those in attendance
III.	COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC – Attorney Houston Lowry representing Eden Harbor addressed the Selectmen. Further discussion would take place during agenda item. Eileen Baker, resident of Old Saybrook complimented the WPCA on her septic system replacement process.
IV.	COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMAN Selectman Peace stated that the Route 1 sidewalk project started about 1 ½ years ago. Original amount approved for project was $400,000. An additional $120,000 has been approved so the entire project can be completed. Selectman Peace is an advocate and member of the Bikeway Committee and attended the Police Commission meeting to ask that where possible the auto travel lanes be narrowed to allow for bike lanes. This produces a traffic calming effect. He continued by stating that 90% of all bike/auto accidents that are fatal for the bicyclist, it is the fault of the auto driver. He had invited and he did accept, DOT Commissioner Jeffery Parker, to come to Old Saybrook for a bike ride. Several members of the Bikeways Committee joined in the ride. The ride included going over the railroad bridge on Route 1 and back then a ride around 154 along the water, which showed the commissioner why it is such a favorite place for biking. He further stated that he met with Town Planner Christine Nelson and Superintendent of Schools Joe Onofrio to discuss improving the sidewalks near the schools. CRERPA is doing a regional study of Route 1 from Clinton to Old Saybrook. Selectman Manning thanked Town Planner for her efforts in getting the informational signs at Fort Saybrook Monument Park replaced. They are environmentally friendly. She stated that she attended “Step Back in Time” the 375^th Anniversary of the town and state held at the Bushnell Farm on Route 1. It was a great experience. Also, on August 25, 2010 the 80’ schooner “Soundwaters” took 70 Middle School students on an educational cruise. This was sponsored by Between the Bridges. First Selectman Michael Pace stated that he has received an update from the Train Museum and they are continuing to remove material from the site on Bokum Road. He said that he is trying to get the DEP to designate the land designated as “Excess Property” so the town can acquire it. The Estuary Transit District reports that ridership is up.
V.	APPROVAL OF MINUTES Special Board of Selectmen Meeting July 15, 2010, Special Board of Selectmen Meeting July 23, 2010, Special Board of Selectmen Meeting August 3, 2010. PEACE/MANNING Motion to approve the minutes of the Special Board of Selectmen Meeting July 15, 2010, Special Board of Selectmen Meeting July 23, 2010, Special Board of Selectmen Meeting August 3, 2010, with the following addition to the 8/3/2010 meeting: Selectman Manning, in making reference to the newspaper article and television coverage regarding signage issues, stated that she was willing to partner with the OS Chamber of Commerce, selected businesses and the Zoning Commission to hold a couple of meetings where ideas and concerns could be aired. Selectman Manning noted that the town of Stonington had just successfully completed such a process. One result was modification of zoning ordinances for the good of all. MOTION CARRIED, with Selectman Manning voting against the minutes of 7/23/2010.
VI.	BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD A. Report, discuss and act on recommendation(s) of the Bikeway Ad Hoc Committee. Kathy Connolly, Chairman of the Bikeways Committee, made a PowerPoint presentation concerning the committee, conditions of roadways in town with some suggestions. PEACE/MANNING Motion to reaffirm to find ways to improve bike safety and acknowledge receiving report. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY It is the consensus of the Board of Selectmen for the Bikeways Committee move forward, but not ready at this time to reduce travel lane width. B. Report on State Elections Enforcement Commission. First Selectman brought this to the board to close the file. The report stated “Conti did not intentionally violate General Statues 9-602, 9-606(a), 9-607(f) and 9-608. Mr. Conte made statements of disclaimer concerning himself and Mr. Goduti and as he stated were oversights of Jean Castagno. First Selectman Pace stated, “I find it a little disingenuous to blame Ms. Castagno who is absent and no longer lives in Town.” During this exchange Ms. Mary Hansen shouted out comments without being recognized. Mr. Pace called her out of order three times then, since she would not stop, requested that the police be called to quiet or remove her. C. Discuss and act on road drainage in Indiantown, Mohican Trail. PEACE/MANNING Motion to direct Public Works to install recommended fix. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY D. Discuss and act on installation of emergency access gateway between Bellaire Manor and Waterhaven Condominiums. PEACE/MANNING Motion to install sliding gate for emergency access between Bellaire Manor and Waterhaven Condominiums. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY E. Discuss and act on settlement with Adam Stuart. PACE/MANNING Motion to accept advice of attorney. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY F. Discuss and act on refunding opportunities and resolution to implement. First Selectman Pace asked Mark Chapman of IBIC, Bond Consultant to review the Bond Refunding. He stated that with the rates that are currently in the Bond Market, the town could see a savings over the life of the bonds of about $625,000. PEACE/MANNING Motion to approve a resolution authorizing First Selectman Pace and Town Treasurer Fish to sign any and all documents related to the Bond Refunding. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY G. Discuss and act on response of Attorney General concerning use of Town seal and website banner. First Selectman Pace reviewed correspondence and read portions of letter from Attorney General Blumenthal. He stated that while the State Seal is protected by state statute, town seals are not. He met with Senator Andrea Stillman to discuss drafting legislation that would protect town seals. PEACE/MANNING Motion to move agenda item N to H-1. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY H. Discuss and act on items concerning Clean Water Fund and update report of WPCA. Mike Evangelisti, Chairman WPCA reported that the funds from the Clean Water Fund are about to be released. $10 million will be available for drawdown over the next 2 to 3 years. MANNING/PEACE Motion to authorize First Selectman Pace to reaffirm, sign necessary paperwork and to move forward. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY H-1. Discuss and act on DEP review of Eden Harbor WPCA agreement and contract. WPCA Coordinator Robbie Marshall addressed the board. She stated that Eden Harbor Homeowners Association wants to decommission the Advanced Treatment System septic plant that serves the condominiums and replace it with a conventional system. She distributed a letter from the WPCA to the DEP and a report from Engineer Peter Grose of Fuss & O’Neill. Eden Harbor was supposed to setup a bank account to fund future repairs on the system. Attorney Houston Lowry addressed the Selectmen. The Selectmen asked questions, Attorney Lowry could not answer when asked to how much was in the bank account. Nor could he state when the account was audited. No action was taken at this time. I. Discuss and act on Police Department Building Committee Task Analysis Report. Police Chief Michael Spera reviewed memo from Tim Conklin, Chairman of the Police Department Building Committee. PEACE/MANNING Motion to acknowledge and accept Committee recommendation to demolish the existing building and to rebuild on same site at 225 Main Street. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY PEACE/MANNING Motion to authorize First Selectman Pace to sign contract with Bianco Giolitto Weston for services in designing new police station. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY J. Discuss and act on specific properties related to seasonal verses winterization 200 List. First Selectman Michael Pace stated they would be reviewing four properties. They reviewed the property located at 98 Chalker Beach Road, Marshall Sonn. PACE/PEACE Motion to remove 98 Chalker Beach Road from the seasonal list, confirmed that septic system has been upgraded. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Property located at 93 Middletown Avenue was reviewed. PEACE/MANNING Motion to table to future review. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 23 Jarvis Road can not be removed under the current ordinance. Selectmen are going to propose a change in the ordinance. 14 Burgey Road. This is a tear down and newly built house. Ordinance no longer applies. PACE/PEACE Motion to remove 14 Burgey Road from the seasonal list. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 32 Pratt Road will be reviewed by Town Counsel The Selectmen stated that they will have Town Counsel review proposed change to Ordinance 62 and refer it to Land Use. K. Discuss and act on Municipal Solid Waste contract between the Town of Old Saybrook and CRRA [FYI to BOS; use(s) of T.S.] PEACE/MANNING Motion to table to future meeting MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY L. Discuss and act on pending union negotiations and grievances. PEACE/MANNING Motion to table to future meeting MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY M Discuss and act on policies of the Board of Selectmen PEACE/MANNING Motion to table to future meeting MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY N. Discuss and act on DEP review of Eden Harbor WPCA agreement and contract. This agenda item was acted on earlier in the meeting. O. Appointments 1. Economic Development Commission - Re-appointment alternate member Bruce Greenfield. Vacancy appointment regular member, this is a 5-year term due to expire 06/2012. PEACE/MANNING Motion to re-appoint Bruce Greenfield as an alternate member. This is a 2-year term due to expire 8/2012. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY PEACE/MANNING Motion to appoint Elizabeth Swenson as a regular member. This is a 2-year term due to expire 6/2012. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 2. Ethics Commission – Re-appointment Ed Casella. This is a 4-year term due to expire 09/2014. PEACE/MANNING Motion to re-appoint Ed Casella to the Ethics Commission. This is a 4-year term due to expire 09/2014. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3. Architectural Review Board – Re-appointment regular member Kingman Snow. This is a 3-year term due to expire 09/2013. PEACE/MANNING Motion to re-appoint Kingman Snow to Architectural Review Board. This is a 3-year term due to expire 09/2013. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY P. Enter into Executive session to discuss pending legal matters No Executive Session held
VII.	COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN – None
VIII.	ADJOURNMENT PEACE/PACE Motion to adjourn at 2:00 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Respectfully Submitted, Roland W. Laine Executive Assistant