MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN Tuesday, November 12, 2013 3:30 P.m. First Floor Conference Room MINUTES
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Present: First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna Jr., Selectman Scott Giegerich, Selectman Steve Gernhardt,
newly elected town officials, members of the public and press.
I. CALL TO ORDER – First Selectman Fortuna called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by First Selectman Fortuna
III. COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC
Dick Goduti expressed concerns about the recent paving of Maynard Road, including height of sidewalks
and curbing. All Mr. Goduti’s questions were addressed by Public Works Director Larry Bonin.
Mr. Goduti also asked about the status of signatures by WPCA staff of the conflict of interest statement.
First Selectman Fortuna responded that all had signed but Mike Evangelesti and that the situation with
Mr. Evangelesti was a personnel matter.
Fern Trion asked for better use of the Town’s electronic sign boards for notice of referendums so that
more people will come out and vote. She also asked that better lighting for the Town Hall parking lot be
looked into.
Doug Cassie asked for improved handicapped access to the front door of Town Hall with automatic
doors and better curbing by the handicapped parking spaces. Selectman Fortuna will look into and respond.
He will also refer to the Town Safety Committee.
Tom Stevenson reported that he spoke to IT Manager Larry Hayden about keeping the website calendar of
meetings updated. Finance Director Lisa Carver responded that clerks from the various boards and
commissions were going to receive instructions on how to place meetings on the calendar.
IV. SWEARING IN OF ELECTED OFFICIALS
Town Clerk Sarah Becker swore in Carl Fortuna for his second term as First Selectman.
The Town Clerk then swore in Selectman Scott Giegerich, Selectman Steve Gernhardt, Treasurer
Robert Fish, and various members of the Board of Finance, Board of Education, Board of Police
Commissioners, Zoning, Zoning Board of Appeals and Board of Assessment Appeals.
V. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN
First Selectman Fortuna thanked all the elected officials for their service. He felt that both political parties
have worked together on appointments and other issues.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Board of Selectmen Special Meeting October 23, 2013.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to approve minutes of the Board of Selectmen Special Meeting October 23, 2013.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VII. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
A. Discuss and act on Call of Annual Town Meeting.
First Selectman Fortuna reported that because the FY2013 financial items were dealt with at a previous
Town Meeting, the agenda is limited to three items: Acceptance of the Town’s annual report, naming
of alternates to the Zoning Commission and naming of alternates to the Planning Commission. He stated
that while it previously had been thought that raising of fees by the Harbor Management Commission
had to be done by town meeting, Town Counsel Mike Cronin has determined that that is not necessary –
it can be done by the Commission.
GERNHARDT/GIEGERICH
Motion to accept the Call of the Annual Town Meeting to be held Monday, November 25, 2013 at 7:00 pm
at the Middle School.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
B. Discuss and act on resolution to authorize, issue and sell Town of Old Saybrook General Obligation
Refunding Bonds.
First Selectman Fortuna reported that this is to refund the remaining bonds outstanding from the bonds
issued for the Kate. This will result in the Town saving money on debt service. Because this is a refunding,
the only action necessary is this resolution by the BOS.
GIEGERICH/GERNHARDT
Motion to adopt the resolution to authorize, issue and sell Town of Old Saybrook General Obligation Bonds.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
C. Discuss and act on authorizing First Selectman Fortuna to enter into contract with L. Wagner &
Associates to provide professional and technical services required to prepare a 2014 Small Cities
Community Development Program application.
First Selectman Fortuna reported that an RFP had gone out for services to help the Town apply for grants.
L. Wagner was the only response and they have ably performed services for the Town in the past.
FORTUNA/ GIEGERICH
Motion to authorize the First Selectman to enter into a contract with L. Wagner & Associates to
to provide assistance to the town in preparing a 2014 Small Cities Community Development grant.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
D. Discuss and act on the disbanding of Route 1 Task Force.
First Selectman Fortuna reported that Town Planner Christine Nelson has sent a letter requesting that the
Task Force be disbanded as they have fulfilled their charge with their recent submission of the Mariner’s
Way plan. He added that the implementation of the Task’s Force recommendations will be a priority task
for new Economic Development Director Susan Beckman. The BOS also thanked all Task Force members
for their service and a job well done.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to disband the Route 1 Task Force.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
E. Discuss and act on recommendation of Public Works Director Larry Bonin for release of driveway
encroachment bond, 38 Clearwater Road.
First Selectman Fortuna reported that a review of the work had been done by Public Works and there
were no issues.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to release the driveway encroachment bond for 38 Clearwater Road.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
F. GERNHARDT/FORTUNA
Motion to add an item to the agenda to discuss and act on appointing the Board of Education as the
building committee for the track, turf and tennis court projects subject to their appointment of a subcommittee.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
First Selectman Fortuna reported that the subcommittee would consist of people like Selectman Giegerich
who have a strong commitment to Old Saybrook’s athletic facilities for our youth. Building Committees have
already been appointed for the two other school projects: Middle School roof and Goodwin School windows.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to appoint the Board of Education as the building committee for the track, turf and tennis court projects
subject to their appointment of a subcommittee consisting of Scott Giegerich, Todd Hart, Mike Pitruzzello,
Tom Boland, Maura Richards, Bill True and Phil Broadhurst.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VIII. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN: First Selectman Fortuna was pleased to have served with both Selectmen
Giegerich and Gernhardt and is appreciative of how the Board of Selectmen has worked well together over the
past two years and how much he values their input
IX. ADJOURNMENT
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to adjourn at 4:10 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Carver, Finance Director
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