MINUTES of ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - November 26, 2012
MINUTES of ANNUAL TOWN MEETING held Monday, November 26, 2012, at 7:00
p.m. in the Old Saybrook Middle School auditorium, 60 Sheffield Street, Old Saybrook,
Connecticut, with approximately 75 persons attending.
Carl Fortuna, First Selectman, called the meeting to order and led the assembly in the
Pledge of Allegiance. Michael Cronin moved, seconded by Barry Maynard and
unanimously voted that Ed Cassella be Moderator of this meeting. The Moderator then
asked 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, 2001 to June 20, 2012.
Moderator Cassella called on Selectman Fortuna who was very happy to announce that
the Town Report was on time this year and recognized Janet Vinciguerra for her efforts
in making this happen. The 2012 Report has been dedicated to Tony Mammola who
worked tirelessly as Chairman of the Memorial Day Parade Committee since 1969 as
well as in other military service endeavors. Tony lived from 1921 to his passing on March 17, 2012.
On a motion duly made and seconded, Item 1 was unanimously ADOPTED.
Selectman Fortuna took this time to thank and recognize the Emergency Management
team, Fire Department, Police Department, Heather McNeil (Director of Youth & Family
Services), as well as the many volunteers who did such a phenomenal job during storm
Sandy. He noted that the school hosted some 350 people as well as dogs, cats and a
bunny. Carl noted that Chief Spera has become our FEMA expert. A round of applause
was heard for the remarkable people in Old Saybrook !!
ITEM 2. To act upon the recommendation of the Town of Old Saybrook Board of
Finance to appropriate and add to the budget of the following departments the sums
indicated for the fiscal year July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012:
Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center $ 42,848.00
Legal 57,196.00
Water System 87,148.00
Capital Expenditures 47,023.00
Catastrophic Illness 58,230.00
Health Insurance 247,998.00
The above transfers represent the reconciliation of the individual
Town budget items for the last fiscal year, as allowed under the
provisions of Section 7-347 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
As recommended by the Town Auditor, all such consolidation amounts
exceeding $25,000.00 should be approved by the Old Saybrook Town
Meeting. The total net budget expenditures for the fiscal year in the
amount of $317,078.00 were offset by additional General Fund revenue
received during that fiscal year in the amount of $321,960.00.
The Moderator called on Selectman Fortuna who advised that this was the last budget of
the previous administration. He reviewed each item explaining that he and Lisa Carver,
Finance Director, had studied the auditor’s findings and forwarded these to Town
Meeting since they were items over-expended by $25,000 or more. The actual fiscal year ended
$4,000 in the black. This Item is the mechanics which we reconcile the 2011-2012 budget.
Mike Cronin moved, seconded by Bob Fish and unanimously voted to ADOPT Item 2.
ITEM 3. To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Finance to appropriate the sum of
$40,000.00 for the purpose of constructing a Public Works Building on the site of the present
Town Garage facility at 497 Middlesex Turnpike, Old Saybrook, Connecticut. The total anticipated
cost of the project is $140,000.00. The additional $100,000.00 has already been appropriated for
this project and was shown as a carryover in the previous fiscal year.
The Moderator called on Selectman Fortuna to speak to this request. Selectman Fortuna advised
that the Public Works facilities sit on an aquifer and the DEEP has requested that we comply with
regulations which Selectman Fortuna listed. To conform to these regulations from DEEP Selectman
Fortuna noted an approximate cost of $500,000 to $750,000 with $250,000 of those figures being for paving.
Discussion was heard and questions raised were responded to by Selectman Fortuna.
Grant Westerson moved, seconded by Barry Maynard, and on a voice vote Item 3 was ADOPTED.
ITEM 4. Goodwin School Construction Project: To act upon the proposed following resolutions
with regard to the Goodwin School Construction Project:
1. RESOLVED: that the Town Meeting of the Town of Old Saybrook
authorizes the Town of Old Saybrook Board of Education to apply to the
Commissioner of Education and to accept or reject a grant for the
renovations and repairs (including window and door replacements) at
the Goodwin School.
- RESOLVED: that a Building Committee, consisting of nine (9)
members, is hereby established as the Building Committee with regard
to the renovations and repairs (including window and door replacements)
at the Goodwin School.
- RESOLVED: THAT THE Old Saybrook Town Meeting hereby authorizes
at least the preparation of schematic drawings and outline specifications
for the renovations and repairs (including window and door replacements)
at the Goodwin School.
Moderator Cassella called on Selectman Fortuna regarding this Item. Selectman Fortuna advised
that this item was requested prematurely and further research and discussion needs to take place
with the interim Superintendent and others involved in the project before being acted upon. Selectman
Fortuna respectfully requested that this Item 4 be withdrawn from this Town Meeting. On a motion
duly made and seconded it was unanimously agreed to withdraw this Item from the agenda.
On a motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah V. Becker, CCMC
TOWN CLERK
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