MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
3:30 P.M.
First Floor Conference room
MINUTES
Present: First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna Jr., Selectman Scott Giegerich (by phone), Selectman Steve
Gernhardt, IT Manager Larry Hayden, Zoning Enforcement Officer Chris Costa, Finance Director
Lisa Carver, members of the public and press.
I. CALL TO ORDER – First Selectman Fortuna called the meeting to order at 3:30 P.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Recited
III. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Marty Ladd expressed his personal and the Democratic Town Committee’s support, including tax
dollars, for the Preserve.
Richard Swan questioned the bid process at the WPCA, specifically for engineers Fuss & O’Neill
Mr. Swan claims that there have been 13 amendments to a contract which no one can locate. First
Selectman Fortuna responded that he has been working with WPCA Program Manager Stephen
Mongillo on reviewing the original RFQs for the project to determine if other engineers can be
brought on board..
Robert Sanger indicated he is still interested in serving as an alternate for the WPCA Board.
Barry Moore questioned why residents are being asked to pay WPCA soft costs as previous town
administrations had said that all administrative costs would be borne by the Town. First Selectman
Fortuna responded that he cannot speak to what was said by previous administrators, he is bound by
what is in the legal WWMD project documents, which indicate that all costs, including soft costs are
a 50/25/25 split.
Richard Keel, 6 Thompson Road had several complaints about the WPCA, including conduct of
meetings, billing and damage on his road by heavy equipment.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMAN
First Selectman Fortuna introduced Eric Mitchell an Old Saybrook High School student who is
serving as an intern in the Selectman’s Office. Among other things, Eric is working on a “Citizen’s
Guide to the Budget” to aid residents in understanding the Town budget.
NOTE: Selectman Giegerich left the meeting at 3:55 pm due to a family commitment. Items were
taken out of order to accommodate his schedule. Business items were taken up in the following
order: H1, H2, Approval of Minutes, A, C, F. At this point Selectman Giegerich went off the call
and so was not present for the rest of the agenda: B, D, E & G.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
FORTUNA/ GERNHARDT
Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 11, 2014.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to approve the minutes of the special meeting of February 19, 2014.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VI. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
A. Tax Refund in the amount of $451.96 for Scott and Katrina Julius.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to issue a tax refund in the amount of $451.96 to Scott and Katrina Julius.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
B. Discussion and possible action to approve applying for grants in support of the Nutmeg Network.
IT Manager Larry Hayden gave an overview of the State’s Nutmeg Network program which
provides assistant to municipalities to connect to high capacity fiber optic networks. In addition to
faster data speeds, this has the potential for cost savings to the Town by eliminating higher priced T-
1 lines. The grant of $22,000 will assist with the cost of installation, equipment and first year
maintenance. Applying for the grant is non-binding should the Town not wish to proceed with the
fiber.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to endorse the Town of Old Saybrook’s application to apply for grant funding for possible
inclusion in the State of Connecticut Nutmeg Network Initiative.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
C. Recommendation to the Planning Commission for approval as a municipal improvement
acquisition of 1,000 of vacant land.
First Selectman Fortuna stated that in order for the Town to move forward on the acquisition of the
Preserve, the Planning Commission would need to do a 30 day review as it would be considered a
municipal improvement.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to make a recommendation to the Planning Commission that it hold a 30 day review on the
acquisition of 1,000 acres in accordance with CGS Sec. 8-24.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
D. Discussion and possible action to consider approving amending the flood permit fee schedule as
necessary to reflect current operating costs as permitted under CGS Section 25-68i.
Zoning Enforcement Officer Chris Costa gave a history of the flood permit fees which were put into
the regulations in the 1970’s. Although the current fees were approved in 2011, they are not
covering the cost of engineering reviews.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to amend the permit fee schedule for flood permit application review fees in accordance with
the recommendation of the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
E. Discussion on purchasing streetlights and conversion of streetlights to LED lights. (Information
Only no action required)
First Selectman Fortuna gave an update on the CCM sponsored project looking into towns
purchasing streetlights from CL&P and retrofitting the lights to LED. There are substantial yearly
savings, but ongoing maintenance is the key issue.
F. Discussion and possible action on DEEP Open Space Grant application by CT River Gateway
Commission.
First Selectman Fortuna reported that the CT River Gateway Commission endorsed DEEP open
space grant funding for the Preserve and is seeking the endorsement of same from its member towns.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to endorse CT River Gateway correspondence for an open space grant for the Preserve.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
G. Discussion and act on proclamation for 102nd Anniversary of Girl Scouts of America.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to approve the proclamation naming March 12, 2014, the 102nd anniversary of the Girl
Scouts of America, as Girl Scout Day in Old Saybrook.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
H. Appointments
1. Economic Development Commission. Regular member vacancy.
First Selectman Fortuna reported that EDC member Todd Roberts has submitted his resignation. Dr.
David Shearer, who was chair of the recent Route 1/Mariner’s Way Committee, is interested in
serving and would be a good addition to the Commission.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to appoint Dr. David Shearer as a regular member of the Economic Development
Commission to fill the unexpired portion of a five year term expiring in 6/2014.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Water Pollution Control Authority. Two alternate member vacancies.
First Selectman Fortuna indicated that there are two alternate member vacancies on the WPCA.
Peter Stump, a professional engineer with extensive experience, is interested in serving as is Robert
Sanger, who is recommended by the Democratic Town Committee.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to appoint Peter Stump as an alternate member of the WPCA to fill the unexpired portion of
a two year term expiring in 12/2014.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to appoint Robert Sanger as an alternate member of the WPCA to fill the unexpired portion
of a two year term expiring in 12/2014.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VII. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN – None.
VIII ADJOURNMENT
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to adjourn at 4:20 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Carver
Finance Director
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