MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
3:30 P.M.
First Floor Conference Room
MINUTES
Present: First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna Jr., Selectman Scott Giegerich, Selectman Steve Gernhardt,
Town Attorney Mike Cronin, Finance Director Lisa Carver, and 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
Two members of Saybrook Manor Beach Association had questions on the proposed lease of
Bayside Avenue between the Town and Saybrook Manor Cove Beach Association. Access to
Vincent Avenue, which has been blocked by large rocks, was a concern. Questions were answered
and further information provided during Comments by the Selectman. First Selectman Fortuna will
also reach out to the Association president to meet and discuss the issue further.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMAN
First Selectman Carl Fortuna gave an update on the lease on Bayside Avenue with the Saybrook
Manor Cove Beach Association. Due to concerns expressed by some residents and members of the
Board of Selectmen on renewing the lease, two alternatives are being considered: Do an entire
review process with Planning Commission to determine if the lease fits the Town’s Development
Plan or to abandon the road after the Schaller property and have that become open space.
First Selectman Fortuna read a thank you note to the BOS and Board of Finance for their support of
the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries in the FY 2015 budget.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
GIEGERICH /FORTUNA
Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 8, 2014.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VI. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to add to the agenda the release of an encroachment bond at 64 Vincent Avenue.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to approve the release of an encroachment bond at 64 Vincent Avenue based on the
recommendation of the Public Works Director.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
A. Tax Refund – Joyce A. Baker Trustee for $223.80
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to approve a tax refund for Joyce A. Baker Trustee for $223.80.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
B. Discussion on residential Solar Challenge.
First Selectman Fortuna gave an overview of the CT Solar Challenge Program. This program was
reviewed and researched by the Sustainable Saybrook Committee. It is currently underway in
Westbrook and Essex. The Program will hold informational meetings and hopes to sign up 15-20
residents for the program. There is no cost to the Town. Consensus of the Board (no vote) was to
support the program and allow the meetings to be held in Town facilities.
C. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation to the Board of Finance that they authorize
and recommend to Town Meeting the expenditure of $500,000 to redevelop “Main Street
Connecting Park” to be reimbursed to the Town by a $500,000.00 DEEP STEAP Grant.
First Selectman Fortuna indicated that this grant will not cover the entire cost of the park. It will
cover the parking lot and some/all of the walkway to Lynde Street. When the Town applied for the
STEAP grant, it was explained that this was Phase I of the project.
FORTUNA/ GERNHART
Motion to recommend to the Board of Finance that they authorize and recommend to Town Meeting
the expenditure of $500,000 to redevelop “Main Street Connecting Park” to be reimbursed to the
Town by a $500,000.00 DEEP STEAP Grant.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
D. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation to the Board of Finance that they authorize
and recommend to Town Meeting the expenditure of $1,000,000 for North Main Street
improvements, said funds to be reimbursed to the Town through the Local Transportation Capital
Improvement Program Grant.
First Selectman Fortuna stated that this grant will cover most of the project, with the exception of
$30,000 - $50,000 in engineering fees. Project includes 10 on street parking spaces and sidewalks.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to recommend to the Board of Finance that they authorize and recommend to Town Meeting
the expenditure of $1,000,000 for North Main Street improvements, said funds to be reimbursed to
the Town through the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program Grant.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
E. Discussion and possible action on appropriating monies in the Police building construction budget
towards Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment.
First Selectman Fortuna stated that per Bond Counsel Bruce Chudwick, it was necessary to bring this
matter to the Board of Finance and then to Town Meeting as Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment was
not included in the original scope of the Bond Resolution. There is currently approximately
$230,000 in the construction budget for this purpose.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to refer appropriating monies in the Police building construction budget towards Furniture,
Fixtures and Equipment.to the Board of Finance.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
F. Discussion and possible action on authorizing the First Selectman to sign the Road End Transfer
and Drainage Reconstruction Agreement between Island Cove Marina, LLC and the Town of Old
Saybrook.
Attorney David Royston along with Marina owner Jon Manafort gave an overview of the issue.
Sunrise Avenue currently ends surrounded by Marina property. This agreement would transfer the
road end to the Marina. The Marina would then undertake improvements (estimated at $50,000 in
value) to the current drainage system and give the Town back an easement to maintain that drainage
system. All necessary regulatory approvals (Zoning for the Marina and Planning and Town Meeting
for the Town) would need to be in place for the transfer to take place. In the interim, the Marina will
give the Town a $5,000 deposit. Attorney Cronin has reviewed the document and his suggested
revisions have been incorporated.
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to authorize the First Selectman to sign the Road End Transfer and Drainage Reconstruction
Agreement between Island Cove Marina, LLC and the Town of Old Saybrook.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to add to the agenda the referral of the North Main Street improvement project and the Island
Cove Marina road end transfer to the Planning Commission.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
FORTUNA/GERNHARDT
Motion to refer the North Main Street improvement project to the Planning Commission in
accordance with CGS 8-24 to ensure it is compliant with the Town’s Development Plan.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to refer the transfer of the Sunrise Avenue road ending to Island Cove Marina LLC to the
Planning Commission in accordance with CGS 8-24 to ensure it is compliant with the Town’s
Development Plan.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
G. Discussion and possible action on an Employment Agreement between the Town and Finance
Director Lisa Carver.
FORTUNA/ GERNHART
Motion to approve the Employment Agreement between the Town and Finance Director Lisa Carver.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
H. Discussion and possible action on release of bank passbook with regard to the bond for the By the
River Subdivision.
First Selectman Fortuna explained that this was an oversight that after all work was completed and
approved in 2000 for this subdivision on Sheffield Street the remaining bond of $1647.90 held in a
passbook was not returned.
FORTUNA/ GERNHART
Motion to release of bank passbook for the remaining bond for the By the River Subdivision.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
I. Appointments
1. Connecticut River Health District: Re-appointment of Old Saybrook representative
Michael Dunne MD to a three-year term due to expire 5/2016.
2. Connecticut River Health District: Re-appointment of Old Saybrook representative David
Shearer MD to a three-year term due to expire 8/2017.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to re-appoint both Dr. Dunne and Dr. Sherarer to the Connecticut River Health District for
their respective terms.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Economic Development Commission: Re-appointment of alternate member Bruce
Greenfield for a two-year term due to expire 8/2016.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to re-appoint Economic Development Commission alternate member Bruce Greenfield for a
two-year term due to expire 8/2016.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VII. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN.
Selectman Giegerich reported that the 3-T (Turf, Track and Tennis) project has made much progress
since the groundbreaking on July 9th and they are on track to open the track on October 1st. The turf
has been ordered.
Town Attorney Mike Cronin gave an update on this year’s tax appeals. This revaluation with 24 tax
appeals is much better than the last revaluation year that had 74 appeals. There has been a
settlement with the largest of this year’s appeals. Atty. Cronin is confident there will not be a large
decrease in the amount of tax revenue and that some of it can be postponed to take effect in the FY
2016 tax year.
VIII. FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to adjourn at 4:50 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Carver
Finance Director
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