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MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN Tuesday, June 10, 2014 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,
Fire Chief J.T. Dunn, 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 - None
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMAN – First Selectman Fortuna noted that the
third grade classes from Goodwin School will be visiting Town Hall for a tour of the
offices for part of their civic and social studies.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
GIEGERICH/GERNHARDT
Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 13, 2014 with clarifications for Item D.
Discussion and possible action on an act for renewal of a lease agreement between the Town of
Old Saybrook and Saybrook Manor Cove Association. Selectman Gernhardt noted the Association
made improvements to improve the beach not the road. Selectman Giegerich asked to add the word
and to the sentence “the agreement has been implemented over a long period of time and
considered a lease between the Town and the Association.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VI. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to add to the agenda release of Encroachment Bond – 95 Middletown Avenue.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to release encroachment bond at 95 Middletown Avenue.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(The order of business began with Item B, C, E, D, F, G and A)
- Discussion on scenic roads in Old Saybrook - A Corridor Management Plan.
Consensus from the Board is that the Board of Selectmen will endorse the Scenic Roads Plan for
the next decade.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to endorse the Scenic Road Plan
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
- Discussion and possible action on adoption of amended and restated Old Saybrook Fire
Company Pension plan.
Fire Chief J.T. Dunn explained that an actuarial study in conjunction with Selectman’s office was
prepared approximately a year and a half ago. When the pension plan first began the payment
was $174 per year of service when retired divided by twelve. Ten years into the plan a cost of
living increase was made to $215 for active members. The actuarial study brings the cost of living
to $270 and increases the years of service to 30 with an officer incentive per year of service for
leadership positions. The amended plan is scheduled to begin July 1. First Selectman Fortuna
noted a death and disability benefit is added. The vesting period is ten years for pension but
immediate for death or disability.
.FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion on adoption of amended and restated Old Saybrook Fire Company Pension plan.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
- Discussion and possible action on authorizing First Selectman Fortuna to sign a contract
between the Town of Old Saybrook and the Department of Economic and Community
Development/State Historic Preservation Office for grant funding in the amount of $30,000.00.
First Selectman Fortuna stated he met with members of the Old Saybrook Historical Society seeking
to apply for grants to help preserve historic homes, such as the Whitteysey house, in Old Saybrook.
Over a year ago resident Tedd Levy and former high school intern Andrew Heckler worked with the
Historic Commission on the Town becoming a Certified Local Government (CLG) which would then
allow the Town to apply for certain historic preservation grants. The Town was accepted as a CLG
and Mr.Levy took on applying for a grant for a historic resources inventory. The Town has received
a funding contract for a $30,000.00 grant. This will go to Town meeting for authorization of spending.
Mr. Levy explained that the money will be used to hire an architectural historian to survey historic
structures in the community. The contract calls for a minimum of 150 buildings to be surveyed. A
report will be prepared and forwarded to the Historic District. This is the first step in protecting the
Town’s historic resources. The last report was completed in 1980. Mr. Levy noted that the firs
t step is to advertise and interview qualified interested candidates and is hopeful to have the
survey process underway by July 1. First Selectman Fortuna thanked Mr. Levy for his hard work.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to authorize signing a contract between the Town of Old Saybrook and the Department
of Economic and Community Development/State Historic Preservation Office for grant funding
in the amount of $30,000.00 .
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
- Discussion and possible action on a resolution authorizing the First Selectman and
Treasurer to execute and deliver all documents for the extension of the Clean Water Fund
interim funding obligations for Phase I of the Decentralized Wastewater Management
District Program.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to authorize the First Selectman and Treasurer to execute and deliver all documents for the
extension of the Clean Water Fund interim funding obligations for Phase I of the Decentralized
Wastewater Management District Program.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
- Discussion and possible action on “adoption of causeway sidewalk” by the Kiwanis Club.
First Selectman Fortuna stated that new “No Littering” signs have been installed on the causeway
and a garbage receptacle at entrance to Fenwick but is bothered by the amount of garbage (cans,
bottles, fishing lines, fishing guts etc) being left behind. A letter has been drafted “rules of the
causeway” to be put on bio-degradable paper and handed out, however, concerned with
enforcement. First Selectman Fortuna introduced Lynn Farrell, President of the Kiwanis Club
of New London who will transfer to the new 18 member Old Saybrook/Old Lyme Club. The
Kiwanis Club is a service organization with a mission for communities and children. The club
has offered to “adopt the causeway” to help cleanup the sidewalk area through volunteers.
Ms. Farrell will reach out to the high school for volunteers (Ecology Club). The Town will
fund supplies as needed.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to accept the “adoption of causeway sidewalk” by the Kiwanis Club.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
F. Discussion on Town Blight Ordinance and receipt of petition – 9 Briarwood.
The Board of Selectmen reviewed the petition. A letter with the petition will be forwarded to the
property owner.
G. Appointments
1. Economic Development Commission.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to re-appoint Maura Z. Richards. This is a five year term due to expire 6/2019.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Economic Development Commission.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to re-appoint David M. Shearer. This is a five year term due to expire 6/2019.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Shellfish Commission.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to re-appoint Larry Bonin. This is a two year term due to expire 6/2016.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. Shellfish Commission.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to appoint Earl Endrich. This is a two year term due to expire 6/2016.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. Shellfish Commission.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to appoint Howard E. Clark. This is a two year term due to expire 6/2016.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VII. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN.
Selectman Fortuna noted that a Town Meeting may be held in late June early July on the Preserve
and other small appropriations to include new benches on Main Street, paving at Cypress cemetery,
fencing at Riverside cemetery and steel backed timber guiderails in the North Cove Historic District.
The total amount of appropriation is $50,000 - $60,000 to be paid from the capital non-recurring fund.
The Board will look to fund maintenance to the Main Street peninsula planters that the Wednesday
Weed Whackers volunteer to maintain. The Chamber building has been repainted. First Selectman
Fortuna reported that the Town is still in negotiations with the unions for a contract.
Selectman Giegerich reported on the 3-T (Turf, Track and Tennis) committee and the “charge” that
is based on a consensus of a six person team with input from students and other stakeholders and
drafted by the Town attorney along with review by the Board of Education. Anticipated opening
of the new field is September 19th.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to adjourn at 4:50 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully submitted,
Georgiann Neri
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