MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
3:30 P.M.
First Floor Conference Room
Present: First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna Jr., Selectman Scott Giegerich, Selectman Steve Gernhardt,
Police Chief Michael Spera, Fire Chief J.T. Dunn, Town Attorney Michael Cronin, Fire Marshal
Donn Dobson, Public Works Director Larry Bonin, Finance Director Lisa Carver, members of the
public and press.
CALL TO ORDER – First Selectman Fortuna called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by First Selectman Fortuna
COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC
Dick Goduti asked why it was necessary to change the elevation of the sidewalks on Maynard Road.
First Selectman Fortuna indicated that Public Works Director Larry Bonin had answered those
questions at the last Board meeting. Mr. Goduti further inquired if a detailed cost was available for
the time put into that project by Public Works’ employees, but was informed that costs are not
allocated by project. He indicated the Town should look into outsourcing sidewalk work and lawn
cutting.
Mary Hansen inquired if Eugene Evangelisti was still a town employee. The First Selectman replied
that he is not. Ms. Hansen indicated there is no termination letter or letter of resignation in Mr.
Evangelisti’s personnel file. The First Selectman repeated his earlier statement that Mr. Evangelisti is
no longer a town employee.
COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN
Selectman Giegerich reported that Tom Boland had too many scheduling conflicts and had to resign
from the Turf, Track and Tennis BOE sub-committee. As Mr. Boland is a member of the Park and
Recreation Commission, Selectman Giegerich proposed replacing him with Bob Burke who is also
on the Commission. The Chairman of the BOE (who officially appoint the sub-committee) has
already concurred with this recommendation.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to add an item to the agenda to recommend Bob Burke to the Board of Education to fill a
vacancy on the Turf, Track and Tennis BOE sub-committee.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
GIEGERICH/FORTUNA
Motion to recommend Bob Burke to the Board of Education to fill a vacancy on the Turf, Track and
Tennis BOE sub-committee.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Board of Selectmen Special Meeting November 19, 2013.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to approve minutes of the Board of Selectmen Special Meeting November 19, 2013.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
A. Discuss and act on Old Saybrook Fire Department recommendation to accept the Pierce
Manufacturing bid for Engine 352.
Fire Chief J.T. Dunn gave a brief presentation on the process for the new fire truck including the
various pricing for different levels of down payment. The truck is 30 years old and national
standards are that these vehicles should be replaced after 20 years. First Selectman Fortuna
discussed that financing through First Niagara was looked into, but the savings from paying 100%
up front for the truck was less than the interest cost. The Fire Department will pay back the
undesignated fund balance through their annual sinking fund appropriation, similar to what was done
for the fire boat. Chief Dunn answered all the Selectmen’s questions, including what comprised the
loose equipment for the truck and future capital needs for the department.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to accept the recommendation of the Fire Department for the replacement of the 1984 Pierce
Engine 352 with the bid received by Pierce Manufacturing and to forward to Board of Finance for an
appropriation for same. .
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
B. Discuss and act on Saybrook Village Housing proposed request to allow the elderly facility
expansion to utilize the drainage system now existing on the Middle School Grounds.
Town Attorney Michael Cronin gave an overview of the situation and distribution some drawings
and maps. Saybrook Village is seeking authorization to use the drainage in order to be able to close
on their financing for the project. All necessary work will be at the expense of the project, not the
Town. The Selectmen had several questions that were not able to be answered as no one from
Saybrook Village or their engineering firm was available and Town Engineer Geoff Jacobsen has
been ill and not able to return Attorney Cronin’s phone inquiries. The Board felt that the applicant
should be presenting, not the Town Attorney, and any involvement by the Town Engineer should be
paid for by the applicant.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to table in order to obtain further information.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
C. Discuss and act on recommendation of Public Works Director Larry Bonin for release of
driveway encroachment bond at 15 Mohican Trail.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to release the driveway encroachment bond at 15 Mohican Trail.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
D. APPOINTMENTS
1. Architectural Review Board. Elevation of alternate member Anita Tilseth-Yust. This is
for a three year term due to expire 9/2016.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to appoint Anita Tilseth-Yust to the Architectural Review Board for a three year term
due to expire 9/2016.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Economic Development Commission. Term re-appointment of alternate member Carol Conklin.
This is a two-year term due to expire 12/2015.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to re-appoint Carol Conklin as an alternate member of the Economic Development
Commission to a two year term due to expire 12/2015.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Historic District Commission. Term re-appointment of regular member Jeffrey Meotti. This
is a five-year term due to expire 12/2018.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to re-appoint Jeffrey Meotti as a regular member of the Historic District Commission
to a five-year term due to expire 12/2018.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. Water Pollution Control Authority. Term re-appointment of regular member Elsa Payne. This
is a three-year term due to expire 12/2016.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to re-appoint Elsa Payne as a regular member of the Water Pollution Control Authority
to a three-year term due to expire 12/2016.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. Water Pollution Control Authority. Term re-appointment of regular member Ian Featherstone.
This is a three-year term due to expire 12/2016.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to re-appoint Ian Featherstone as a regular member of the Water Pollution Control
Authority to a three-year term due to expire 12/2016.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6 . Water Pollution Control Authority. Elevation of alternate member Jason Becker to regular member.
This appointment is for the unexpired portion of a three-year term due to expire 12/2014 due to the
resignation of Nelson Engborg.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to elevate Jason Becker to regular member of the Water Pollution Control Authority for the
unexpired portion of a three-year term due to expire 12/2014.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN:
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to add an item to the agenda regarding the appointment of a Beaver Study Committee.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
First Selectman Fortuna reported that there is a serious problem with damage by beavers in the Chalker
Mill Pond area. Treasurer Bob Fish recommends that a committee be formed to come up with
solutions to the issue.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to appoint an ad-hoc committee regarding the beaver damage issue. Appointments to the Committee are:
Ray Allen, Parks and Recreation; Sandy Prisloe, staff for Inland Wetlands; Colin Heffernan, Zoning Commission Rep.
to Inland Wetlands; Mark Warren, property owner in the affected area; Walter Smith, Conservation Commission
Chair and Joe Nocera from Old Saybrook Land Trust.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to add an item to the agenda regarding a contract with CCM for a review of purchasing of streetlights.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
First Selectman Fortuna reported that the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) is seeking towns
to participate in a program to look at options for purchasing of streetlights from CL&P and then retrofitting
to LED lighting. There is no obligation for us to purchase at this time, this would just be an analysis of how
the program would work and if it would benefit the Town.
GERNHARDT/GIEGERICH
Motion to authorize the First Selectman to enter into a contract with CCM to explore possibilities on the purchase
and retrofitting of streetlights.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
First Selectman Fortuna noted the passing of former Selectwoman Velma Thomas. There was a very moving and
uplifting memorial service for her last week which highlighted her many years of service to the Old Saybrook community.
Selectman Giegerich mentioned that the first meeting of the “Triple T” (Turf, Track and Tennis) subcommittee met
recently and it was a very productive meeting that established timelines. RFQs are out and the group is seeking
stakeholder involvement.
ADJOURNMENT
GIEGERICH/GERNHARDT
Motion to adjourn at 4:29 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Carver
Finance Director
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