MINUTES of SPECIAL TOWN MEETING~ -~ January 22, 2014
MINUTES of Special Town Meeting held January 22, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Old
Saybrook Middle School auditorium, 60 Sheffield Street, Old Saybrook, Connecticut
with approximately 55 persons attending.
Carl Fortuna, First Selectman, called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of
Allegiance.~ Michael Cronin moved, seconded by Madge Fish and unanimously voted
that Ed Cassella serve as Moderator of the meeting.~ Moderator Cassella asked the Town
Clerk, Sarah V. Becker, to read the call of the meeting.
ITEM 1.~ To discuss and vote on a Resolution to appropriate $80,000.00 for the
demolition of the former Police Facility at 225 Main Street and to finance the
appropriation~ by (i) using funds from the bond premium received on the sale of the
Town’s bonds ($45,900.00) issued for the new Police Facility and other capital projects,
and (ii) using monies available in the Town’s Reserve Fund for Capital and Nonrecurring
Expenditures.~ Copies of the full text of the Resolution are on file and available for
inspection at the Office of the Town Clerk.
The Moderator called on First Selectman Fortuna who reviewed the history behind this
request.~ He noted that a structural assessment/feasibility study was done in 2011 and
found the building unsuitable as a Police Station.~ He further advised that renovation of
this building would cost $2.5-$3 million dollars and, again, was found not cost effective.
~ The demolition project had nine (9) bidders who were interviewed at length and in depth
before making a choice.~ Once the building is down Selectman Fortuna advised that he is
working on a grant to make this property an asset to the Town in another venue.~ The
demolition date is set for March 1st.
Liz Steffen moved, seconded by Ron Baldi and unanimously voted to ADOPT Item 1.
ITEM 2.~ To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen to amend Town of
Old Saybrook Public Improvement Ordinance Chapter 110 by adding Section 110-6 to be
as follows:
~~~~~~~~~~~ 110-6 Inspection Fee
~~~~~~~~~~~ An inspection fee for street construction shall be paid to the Town in
~~~~~~~~~~~ accordance with Section 50 of the regulations for Public Improvements.
Attorney Michael Cronin explained the history of this Ordinance which will, upon adoption,
create provision for the payment of fees.
Madge Fish moved, seconded by Barry Maynard and unanimously voted to ADOPT Item 2.
ITEM 3.~ To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen to amend the Town’s
Peddling and Solicitation Ordinance by revising Section 159-4B (1) and (2) to be as follows:
- $25.00 per person for application fee.
- $25.00 per person for each day of activity (or any part thereof).
- $100.00 per person for a 6-month license period of activity (or any part thereof).
- $200.00 per person for a 1-year license period of activity (or any part thereof).
First Selectman Fortuna advised that he researched, thru CCM, other towns of our similar
size to bring our fees in line.~ Barry Maynard moved, seconded by Liz Steffen and unanimously
voted to ADOPT Item 3.
ITEM 4.~ To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen and the Old
Saybrook Fire Department to adopt an ordinance entitled “Fire Department Connection
Ordinance”, the purpose of which ordinance is to provide a system of uniform
identification of Fire Department hose connections on buildings located in the Town of
Old Saybrook.~ A copy of the full text of the Ordinance is on file and available for
inspection in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Deputy Fire Chief Jay Rankin spoke on behalf of this new Ordinance and explained what
it accomplishes.
Barry Maynard moved, seconded by Mike Cronin and unanimously voted to ADOPT Item 4.
ITEM 5.~ To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Finance to appropriate the
sum of $597,259.89 for the purpose of purchasing a new fire truck to be paid for from the
Town Capital Outlay Sinking Fund, which has a current balance of $175,003.00 and the
balance shall be taken from and paid out of the Unappropriated Surplus Account, which
fund shall be fully reimbursed in ensuing fiscal years from said Town Capital Outlay
Sinking Fund.
First Selectman Fortuna advised that the Town will not bond this expense and that paying
cash (borrowing from ourselves) is the most prudent way to handle this purchase.~ We
will add funds (approx $150,000) to each budget year in a three (3) year payback.~ The
new truck will replace a 1982 fire truck.
Barry Maynard moved, seconded by Liz Steffen and unanimously voted, to ADOPT Item 5.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah V. Becker, CCMC
Town Clerk
Attached as part of these minutes are:~ (1) Fire Dept Connection Ordinance, and (2)
Resolution to Recommend an Appropriation of $80,000.00 for Demolition of the Former
Police Facility and to Finance the Appropriation by Using Bond Premium and Monies
Available in the Capital and Nonrecurring Fund.
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