Town of Old Saybrook, CT - Board of Selectmen Meeting 08 27 2013

Board of Selectmen Meeting 08 27 2013

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

7:00 P.m.

First Floor Conference Room

MINUTES

Present: First Selectman Carl Fortuna Jr., Selectman Scott Giegerich, Selectman Steven

Gernhardt and members of the public and press.


	I. CALL TO ORDER – First Selectman Fortuna called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.
	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 commented on the reduction in property values from 2009 to be approximately down 16.5%. He also commented on the ground breaking ceremonies for Tractor Supply and Big Y/Kohl’s.
	V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Board of Selectmen Meeting August 13, 2013. FORTUNA/GIEGERICH The minutes of August 13, 2013 were approved with Steve Gernhardt abstaining. Motion to approve the minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting August 13, 2013. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
	VI. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD A. Discuss and act on Resolution recognizing September as Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma Awareness Month. FORTUNA/GERNHARDT A resolution recognizing September as LL & M Awareness month was unanimously passed. MOTION CARRIED UNANAMOUSLY Presentation to the Board of Selectmen from Downes Construction Company. B. Presentation from Downes: Michael McDonald introduced himself and the Downes team. He discussed the project and passed out a handout. He stated he hoped the building could be opened in April of 2015. He went over the master plan for the entire site from Main Street to Lynde Street. He introduced Brian Humes who presented the project. He noted the building is approximately 22,000 square feet, 8.8m in hard costs and 1.043m in soft costs. Detailed estimates of costs will be given after referendum and Downes will guarantee the price at that time. Downes was hired by the Building Committee as a Design-Builder. They in turn hired Brian Humes, who has extensive experience conducting Space Needs studies, and designing Public Safety facilities. Brian Humes stated this will be the last Police Department Building Old Saybrook may build so it has to be built for today and 20 years from now. Mr. Humes stated how the site and building is adequate and well located. The front of building will be Lynde Street. Property will be screened from neighbors. Refueling will be on site. He then reviewed inside of building: public access, administration, offices, mechanicals, patrol functions, fleet storage, prisoner processing, and detention. Mr. Humes then went over outside details: aesthetics, roof slope and allowing natural light into the center of the building. He talked about this building being a good neighbor in a residential area.
	VII. PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION AND COMMENT: New Police Building Maureen Augur from Lord Place was concerned with the change in character to the neighborhood. Brian Humes addressed this and the First Selectman stated that, from day one, he instructed the Builder and Architect to be sensitive to the residential characteristics of this area. Mr. Humes then responded to a question about separate detention areas for Juveniles. John DeCristofaro asked about the old Police Department Building. The First Selectman stated it was not in this bond because bonding for a teardown did not make sense. Similarly, Adam Stillman asked about FFE and a similar answer was given: why bond for chairs and fixtures? Paul Connolly felt two sally ports were unnecessary and felt there were too many cells. Grant Westerson asked when Town Meeting or Public Hearings may be. There is no schedule yet but late September, early October is targeted. Robert Yust asked about alternative energy in the new building. It was stated that this building will have natural gas and diesel generators. Mr. Yust also stated that he wished the department could be “more” downtown. The First Selectman stated that this is, for all intents and purposes, a downtown Police Department. Tom Stevenson stated that he has seen Downes do the same presentation a couple of times and it is consistent each time. The First Selectman had Brian Humes talk about his credentials as well as Downes credentials with public safety facilities. Lastly, Tom Stevenson brought up a dedication to Ernie Linder that will be done shortly in the P & R gymnasium.
	VII. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN. None IX. ADJOURNMENT GIEGERICH /GERNHARDT Motion to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Respectfully Submitted, Carl P. Fortuna, Jr., First Selectman