SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN Tuesday, September 17, 2013 6:30 P.m. First Floor Conference Room MINUTES
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Present: First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna Jr., Selectman Scott Giegerich (by phone),
Selectman Steve Gernhardt, Police Chief Michael Spera, Finance Director Lisa Carver, Bond
Counsel Bruce Chudwick and members of the public.
I. CALL TO ORDER – First Selectman Fortuna called the meeting to order at 6:35 P.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by First Selectman Fortuna.
III. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMAN. This meeting is to send these two resolutions to Board
of Finance for their 7:00 pm meeting this evening at the Middle School Library. Unfortunately, there
is no public comment at tonight’s Board of Selectmen meeting as this is a special meeting.
Selectman Fortuna urged those who wanted more information on these projects or to voice their
opinion to attend the 7:00 pm BOF meeting.
IV. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
Discuss and act on resolution to recommend an appropriation and bond authorization of $9,995,000
for a new police facility and related improvements.
First Selectman Fortuna stated that action tonight puts this matter to the Board of Finance, then back
to the Board of Selectman before moving on to Town Meeting and Referendum. There will be plenty
of opportunities for information, questions and opinions along the way. He pointed out that included in
each resolution is issuance costs for the bonds ($70,000 for the police facility and $19,000 on the
school projects). If both pass, we will not need the $19,000 for the school projects. This is done this
way in case only one of the resolutions passes on Referendum. The issue of what to do about the police
station has gone on for years, even before the flooding made the current building unusable. The rent at
6 Custom Drive this year for the temporary facility is $166,000. The Town needs a permanent solution.
Selectman Giegerich commented that this is the responsible action to take. The Police Building
Committee (the third since 2007) is made up of qualified individuals of character who have spent
the last nine months studying this issue and the dollars are what they need to be.
Selectman Gernhardt said both the design building firm, Downes Construction, and the architect,
Brian Humes of Jacunski and Humes, have extensive experience in building public safety facilities.
The design is based on a space needs study and is not a wish list.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to recommend and send to the Board of Finance a resolution for an appropriation and bond
authorization of $9,995,000 for a new police facility and related improvements.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Discuss and act on resolution to recommend an appropriation and bond authorization of $5,100,000
for replacement of the roof at Old Saybrook Middle School and the windows and doors at Goodwin
School, and construction or reconstruction of athletic facilities at Old Saybrook High School.
First Selectman Fortuna indicated that while we are required to authorize the bond for the full amount
of these projects, there is some reimbursement from the State. Finance Director Lisa Carver confirmed
that the reimbursement would be $550,000 for the Middle School roof and $50,000 for the doors at
the Goodwin School for a total of $600,000.
Selectman Giegerich said that both the roof and windows were a pressing need and that the synthetic
field has been requested by many people and groups due to the lack of available fields in Old Saybrook
for practice and play. Better sports facilities can be an economic driver to bring people to town to
patronize restaurants and stores.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to recommend and send to the Board of Finance a resolution to recommend an appropriation
and bond authorization of $5,100,000 for replacement of the roof at Old Saybrook Middle School
and the windows and doors at Goodwin School, and construction or reconstruction of athletic
facilities at Old Saybrook High School.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
V. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN: None
VI. ADJOURNMENT
GIEGERICH/GERNHARDT
Motion to adjourn at 6:50 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Carver
Finance Director
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