SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
3:30 P.M.
First Floor Conference Room
MINUTESPresent: First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna Jr., Selectman Scott Giegerich, Selectman Steve
Gernhardt, Police Chief Michael Spera, Finance Director Lisa Carver, members of the public.
I. CALL TO ORDER – First Selectman Fortuna called the meeting to order at 3:30 P.m.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Board of Selectmen Meeting July 9, 2013.
GIEGERICH/GERNHARDT
Motion to approve minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting July 9, 2013.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
- III. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
A. Discuss proposed changes to Town of Old Saybrook Bid Ordinance.
First Selectman Fortuna gave an overview of the proposed changes. One change is to raise
the competitive bidding threshold from $7,500 to $10,000. The other change is to add a
section with a preference for local vendors and contractors. A local company that has a
principal location in Old Saybrook is deemed to be a “town based bidder” and if they come
within 7.5% of the low bid and are willing to match that price, they are awarded the bid.
This change will be supportive of local businesses by keeping local tax dollars in the
community at no additional cost to the Town. Finance Director Lisa Carver mentioned that
all the safeguards of the Town’s purchasing process, including those regarding the
qualifications of bidders, are maintained.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to recommend the two proposed amendments to the Town’s bidding ordinances to
Town Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
B. Authorize the First Selectman to sign an agreement with First Niagara Leasing Inc. for the lease
purchase of police vehicles.
First Selectman Fortuna indicated that a possible lease purchase of police vehicles has been
discussed and researched for several months. With a proposed interest rate of 1.688% from
First Niagara Leasing, the Town will be able to catch up on the replacement of the Police
vehicle fleet at a total financing cost over the four year program of around $9,000. This
will ultimately allow the Police Department to save up to half of their vehicle maintenance
costs as all cars will be under warranty. This would also allow the Department to maintain
a long term replacement plan which would mean stable budget amounts in the Police
Capital line item. There would be ten vehicles leased through this program. An eleventh
car will be funded by the JAG grant that was previously approved by the BOS pending
Town Meeting approval.
GIEGERICH/GERNHARDT
Motion to authorize First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna, Jr. to sign a lease-purchase agreement
with First Niagara Leasing Inc. for police vehicles.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
C. Discuss and act on approving the Call for Town Meeting August 19, 2013.
First Selectman Fortuna reviewed the eight (8) items on the Call. Many of these items
have already been discussed and acted upon by the Board of Selectmen, including the
appropriations for barriers at Saybrook Point, the JAG Grant, CL&P’s Small Business
Advantage Program and the electrical work at the Town Garage. Also on the agenda will
be the changes to the bidding ordinances, the sea wall work on road endings, the carryover
of FY 2013 for paving and the close out of the FY 2013 budget. For the FY 2013 budget,
only two accounts went over $25,000: Water System by $40,826 and Employee
Benefits by $72,057. Both overages were not unexpected due to miscalculation of
budget estimates, including 11 months of Water invoices paid in one year forcing 13 month
in the next year.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to approve the Call for Town Meeting August 19, 2013
D. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
- Discuss and act on property located at 111 Plum Bank Road and year round classification.
First Selectman Fortuna reported that all approvals by CRAHD and Town departments
have been received.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to approve the winterization and removal from seasonal classification of
111 Plum Bank Road.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN:
First Selectman Fortuna mentioned that Connecticut Water will be decreasing its rates
slightly for the two year period form 4/1/2014 to 4/1/2016 which will help with next
year’s budget.
V. ADJOURNMENT
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to adjourn at 3:53 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Carver
Finance Director
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