Town of Old Saybrook, CT - Board of Selectman Minutes 9/11/2012

Board of Selectman Minutes 9/11/2012

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

10:00 a.m.

First Floor Conference Room

MINUTES

Present: First Selectman Carl Fortuna Jr., Selectman Scott Giegerich via telephone, Selectman Steven Gernhardt, Finance Director Lisa Carver,

Police Chief Spera and members of the public and press.


I.	CALL TO ORDER – First Selectman Fortuna called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
II.	PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – First Selectman Fortuna led those in attendance
III.	COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC – None Taken
IV.	COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMAN First Selectman Fortuna asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of the 11^th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Selectman Giegerich commented on the progress of the field at Ferry Landing that is part of the Hope Partnership project organized by the town of Old Saybrook and Parks & Recreation. The Town should have a field by end of October and playable by a year from now. First Selectman Fortuna stated that the parking lot, for the same project, our Public Works Department would like to obtain many thousands of yards of road millings and coincidentally the State just began a paving project on I-95 between Old Saybrook and Guilford. Some of the millings from that project will be stored in Old Saybrook and the Town is working on an arrangement to get some. Selectman Gernhardt noted he received some concerns about Pennywise Lane, specifically, “speeding” on Pennywise and the need of a pedestrian crosswalk/crosswalk sign at the intersection of Pennywise and Old Boston Post Road. Police Chief Spera stated a “speed box” is being used in Town as a deterrent for speeding and Pennywise can be put onto the rotation. Chief Spera stated that all DOT guidelines must be followed in regards to a request for a crosswalk/crosswalk sign and it is typically brought before the Police Commission and then to him for his opinion then to vote. Talks have been made on updating safety signs at various spots in Town and signage at all crosswalks in Town. First Selectman Fortuna noted that the Selectman’s Office created a vital statistics form and asked all Town employees to fill it out. The form was established to ensure any changes with employees are reflected to be accurate with the benefits the Town provides. Finance Director Lisa Carver stated that she has had a good response. First Selectman Fortuna stated the Town received an $81,000 check for Municipal Revenue Sharing; the Town budgeted $77,000. Last year $77,000 was budgeted and we received $9,000; now knowing it was a new tax that the Governor instituted and did not have a full fiscal year to collect the revenue. First Selectman Fortuna shared a letter he received, from resident John Conklin of Southview Terrace, that is highly complimentary of the work the WPCA did at his home.
V.	APPROVAL OF MINUTES Board of Selectmen Meeting August 14, 2012. GIEGERICH/GERNHARDT Motion to approve the minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting August 14, 2012. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VI.	BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD A. Discuss Town of Old Saybrook policy concerning waiver of medical insurance benefit participation by eligible employees and retirees. FORTUNA/GERNHARDT Motion to table to future Board of Selectman Meeting. MOTION CARRIED UNANAMOUSLY B. Discuss Town of Old Saybrook Sick Leave Policy. FORTUNA/GERNHARDT First Selectman Fortuna stated that Connecticut is one of the first states to set up, pass and make into law the Sick Leave Policy. It is the law and needs to be passed and moved on in accordance with Connecticut Public Act 11-52. The Town is a unionized government and the policy does not affect full time employees. It does effect part-time employees; predominately library staff and board & commission clerks. The policy will be posted in Town Offices. Finance Director Lisa Carver noted that there is a requirement to accumulate 680 hours of work to accrue the sick time during the duration of employment; the Accounting Department will take on the record keeping. Motion to adopt Sick Leave Policy. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C. Discuss and act on disbanding the Old Saybrook Department of Police Services Facility Study/Building Committee re-established April 7, 2011 under 2^nd charge. FORTUNA/GERNHARDT First Selectman Fortuna noted that the Committee has not met for approximately one year. One of their last meetings was a structural integrity report with regard to the old building and it was determined to have no fixing to, construction in, on or on top of. The Town is coming up on the end of the lease term for the temporary Police facility. The Board of Selectmen is diligently working on securing a new site or looking at the current site and all options. The Board of Selectmen would like to form a new Committee and disband the former committee. Motion to disband Old Saybrook Department of Police Services Facility Study/Building Committee re-established April 7, 2011 under 2^nd charge. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY D. Discuss and act on the formation and membership of the Police Building Committee. FORTUNA/GIEGERICH Motion to propose the following persons to serve as members on the Police Building Committee, Patrick Maher, Dan Moran, David Wight, Vito Savino, Ben Akin, John O’Brien, Jerry Brophy, Lee Sparaco and Carol Hanover. First Selectman Fortuna noted that credentials were reviewed and this is a highly qualified group. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Discuss and act on Police Building Committee charge. FORTUNA/GIEGERICH First Selectman Fortuna reviewed the charge and will likely amend the timeframe for the first report. Motion to approve as written. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY F. Discuss and act on removing property located at 62 Hartford Avenue from seasonal classification recorded in Volume 200. FORTUNA/GIEGERICH First Selectman Fortuna noted the homeowner provided actual evidence and efficiently demonstrated year round status prior to 1980. Motion to remove 62 Hartford Avenue from seasonal classification recorded in Volume 200. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY G. Discuss and act on removing property located at 33 Bellaire Drive from seasonal classification recorded in Volume 200. FORTUNA/GERNHARDT Motion to reclassify 33 Bellaire Drive from seasonal to year round use. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY H. Discuss and act on removing property located at 115 Middletown Avenue from seasonal classification recorded in Volume 200. FORTUNA/GERNHARDT Motion to reclassify 115 Middletown Avenue from seasonal to year round use. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY I. Appointment of Safety Committee. FORTUNA/GERNHARDT First Selectman Fortuna invited Chief Spera to address the Board. Chief Spera stated that statutorily the Town is required to have a Safety Committee and to meet quarterly. The Committee is required to be comprised of 50% management and 50% labor. Discussions have been made to reform and revitalize the Safety Committee and to schedule quarterly meetings with CIRMA Motion to table appointment of membership of the Safety Committee. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VII.	COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN – None at this time.
VIII.	ADJOURNMENT FORTUNA/GIEGERICH Motion to adjourn at 10:40 a.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Respectfully Submitted, Georgiann Neri, Administrative Secretary