Town of Old Saybrook, CT - Board of Selectmen Meeting 10/28/2014

This table is used for column layout.

Board of Selectmen Meeting 10/28/2014 MINUTES FROM THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN Tuesday, October 28, 2014 7:00 P.m. Second Floor Conference Room Present: First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna Jr., Selectman Steve Gernhardt, Selectman Scott Giegerich and members of the public. I. CALL TO ORDER – First Selectman Fortuna called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-RECITED III. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC- Kathy Connolly spoke about the private fundraising effort being coordinated for the Preserve. There have been two. One million raised to date with a goal of 2.9 million. Still working on it. She spoke of the larger gifts that have been given, many from outside of Old Saybrook which emphasizes the regional interest in the piece. The mailer sent out raised about 20k from over 300 individuals. She also handed out a template fundraising letter. This informal working group approached Park & Recreation and Conservation commissions to ask them to form an ad hoc working group, just as one would do with any large building project. Tom Stevenson asked what the funds will be for: closing costs, stewardship, overhead, legal defense. First Selectman Fortuna noted that the Moody’s rating conference call is November 12th and that there is a meeting with The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land and DEEP October 31st to discuss the Conservation Easement and the Management Agreement. Selectman Gernhardt asked about encroachments which the owner is currently working on. There are numerous encroachments. Chris Cryder will be organizing a cleanup. Selectman Gernhardt asked about closing, which is still scheduled for December 15th or so, and about how it will be managed thereafter. First Selectman Fortuna stated that for the first year or so, Chris Cryder has volunteered to spearhead trail management until the State and Town are fully ready to apply for financial resources. Kathy Connolly would like a “visioning taskforce.” Barbara Maynard commented on how people lined up to buy the Saybrook Point bonds many years ago. IV. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMAN: First Selectman Fortuna showed the Board of Selectmen the large poster “thank you” for pumpkins delivered to the Goodwin School. Also commented on meeting with energy brokers to prepare for July 1, 2015, and current projects: ▪OSPD BUILDING PROJECT - On time and appears to be on budget. ▪TURF FIELD PROJECT - The contractor is back on site after recent letter sent by Board of Education lawyer. Selectman Gernhardt asked if it will now be done this year. While it is possible the field could go down this year, the track will be the spring. Selectman Gernhardt also asked about grants and the process. First Selectman Fortuna showed an example of a Youth & Family Service grant request on which he was copied. The First Selectman cannot recall grants being requested without his input so he believes it is already the process. There is full agreement amongst the Board of Selectmen that grant requests should be analyzed to make sure that ALL costs associated with the grant are known ahead of time. First Selectman Fortuna noted the added expense of the Route 1 sidewalk project a few years ago, and also his pre-notification to the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance of the North Main Street grant and its associated engineering costs. Tom Stevenson questioned whether the First Selectman signed the application for the OSPD boat. The First Selectman said no he did not though it was discussed beforehand with the Chief of Police. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES GERNHARDT/FORTUNA Motion to approve the minutes of the regular Board of Selectmen Meeting October 14, 2014. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY VI. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD Discussion on Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) soft cost allocation for FY 2015- 2016 budget. First Selectman Fortuna stated that the memo directed to the WPCA simply stated that this difficult issue had no simple formula that was found workable. As a result, the budget that will be presented to the Board of Selectmen in January will include soft cost expenses. Selectman Gernhardt’s only concern revolved around the controlling of those expenses as we move forward. The First Selectman explained this action does not preclude the governing commission, the WPCA, from taking further action on this matter. B. Authorize First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna Jr. to sign any and all documents relative to the Town’s Pension Plan Management being transferred from Merrill Lynch to Morgan Stanley. First Selectman Fortuna explained that the Pension Board decided to follow its Merrill Lynch advisor to Morgan Stanley and move all town pension and health investment funds to Morgan Stanley. This came about as a result of Bank of America (which owns Merrill) not wanting anything to do with municipal pension funds. GIEGERICH/GERNHARDT Motion to Authorize First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna Jr. to sign any and all documents relative to the Town’s Pension Plan Management being transferred from Merrill Lynch to Morgan Stanley. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C. Discuss and act on Call of Annual Town Meeting November 24, 2014. There was discussion about the overages though it was made clear that this has occurred for at least the last 20 years. Bottom line is that the Town ended the year with a $228,000 surplus. Selectman Giegerich and Selectman Gernhardt expressed great displeasure with the OSPD overages and encouraged better management and accountability of resources. GERNHARDT/GIEGERICH Motion to approve Call of Annual Town Meeting November 24, 2014 MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY D. Appointments 1. Conservation Commission. Term re-appointment Robert Fish. This is a two year term due to expire 11/2016. 2. Conservation Commission. Term re-appointment Walter K. Smith. This is a two year term due to expire 11/2016. 3. Conservation Commission. Term re-appointment Jerry Brophy. This is a two year term due to expire 11/2016. 4. Public Health Nursing Board. Term re-appointment regular member Joseph Termine. This is a three year term due to expire 11/2017. 5. Public Health Nursing Board. Term re-appointment regular member Elizabeth Owen. This is a three year term due to expire 11/2017. 6. Public Health Nursing Board. Term re-appointment alternate member Linda Demas. This is a three year term due to expire 11/2017. 7. Regional Building Code Board of Appeals Term re-appointment Old Saybrook representative Ken Gibble. This is a five year term due to expire 11/2019. 8. Tree Committee Term re-appointment Paul Baldi. This is a three year term due to expire 10/2017. 9. Tree Committee Term re-appointment Barbara Maynard. This is a three year term due to expire 10/2017. GERNHARDT/GIEGERICH Motion to approve all re-appointments. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY FORTUNA/GERNHARDT Motion to add to the agenda a non-binding resolution to apply for State grant funding to connect Old Saybrook Town Hall facilities to the Connecticut State Nutmeg network MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY The First Selectman explained that this is non-binding and even if we receive the grant, we can price out the service and reject the grant if we find the Nutmeg Network to not be cost effective for the Town. GERNHARDT/GIEGERICH Motion to approve resolution to authorize the First Selectman to apply for State Grant funding to connect Old Saybrook Town Hall facilities to the Connecticut State Nutmeg Network. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY VII. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN- Selectman Gernhardt commented that emotions ran high concerning the OSPD boat. His feeling is that he has done right by the Town and that is his only interest. He feels this Board of Selectmen works very well together. Selectman Giegerich agreed and said there have been disagreements that are talked out. Opposition to some items put forward have occurred but the process in doing so is civil. VIII. ADJOURNMENT GIEGERICH/GERNHARDT Motion to adjourn at 8:30 P.M. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Respectfully submitted, Carl P. Fortuna Jr., First Selectman

Board of Selectmen Meeting 10/28/2014

MINUTES FROM THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

7:00 P.m.

Second Floor Conference Room

Present: First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna Jr., Selectman Steve Gernhardt, Selectman Scott Giegerich

and members of the public.

I. CALL TO ORDER – First Selectman Fortuna called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-RECITED

III. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC- Kathy Connolly spoke about the private fundraising

effort being coordinated for the Preserve. There have been two. One million raised to date with

a goal of 2.9 million. Still working on it. She spoke of the larger gifts that have been given,

many from outside of Old Saybrook which emphasizes the regional interest in the piece. The

mailer sent out raised about 20k from over 300 individuals. She also handed out a template

fundraising letter. This informal working group approached Park & Recreation and Conservation

commissions to ask them to form an ad hoc working group, just as one would do with any large

building project. Tom Stevenson asked what the funds will be for: closing costs, stewardship,

overhead, legal defense. First Selectman Fortuna noted that the Moody’s rating conference call is

November 12th and that there is a meeting with The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land

and DEEP October 31st to discuss the Conservation Easement and the Management Agreement.

Selectman Gernhardt asked about encroachments which the owner is currently working on. There

are numerous encroachments. Chris Cryder will be organizing a cleanup. Selectman Gernhardt asked

about closing, which is still scheduled for December 15th or so, and about how it will be managed

thereafter. First Selectman Fortuna stated that for the first year or so, Chris Cryder has volunteered

to spearhead trail management until the State and Town are fully ready to apply for financial resources.

Kathy Connolly would like a “visioning taskforce.” Barbara Maynard commented on how people lined

up to buy the Saybrook Point bonds many years ago.

IV. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMAN: First Selectman Fortuna showed the Board of Selectmen

the large poster “thank you” for pumpkins delivered to the Goodwin School. Also commented on

meeting with energy brokers to prepare for July 1, 2015, and current projects:

▪OSPD BUILDING PROJECT - On time and appears to be on budget.

▪TURF FIELD PROJECT - The contractor is back on site after recent letter sent by Board of

Education lawyer. Selectman Gernhardt asked if it will now be done this year. While it is possible the

field could go down this year, the track will be the spring.

Selectman Gernhardt also asked about grants and the process. First Selectman Fortuna showed an

example of a Youth & Family Service grant request on which he was copied. The First Selectman cannot

recall grants being requested without his input so he believes it is already the process. There is full

agreement amongst the Board of Selectmen that grant requests should be analyzed to make sure that

ALL costs associated with the grant are known ahead of time. First Selectman Fortuna noted the added

expense of the Route 1 sidewalk project a few years ago, and also his pre-notification to the Board of

Selectmen and Board of Finance of the North

Main Street grant and its associated engineering costs. Tom Stevenson questioned whether the First

Selectman signed the application for the OSPD boat. The First Selectman said no he did not though it

was discussed beforehand with the Chief of Police.

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

GERNHARDT/FORTUNA

Motion to approve the minutes of the regular Board of Selectmen Meeting October 14, 2014.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

VI. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD

Discussion on Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) soft cost allocation for FY 2015-

2016 budget.

First Selectman Fortuna stated that the memo directed to the WPCA simply stated that this

difficult issue had no simple formula that was found workable. As a result, the budget that will

be presented to the Board of Selectmen in January will include soft cost expenses. Selectman

Gernhardt’s only concern revolved around the controlling of those expenses as we move forward.

The First Selectman explained this action does not preclude the governing commission, the WPCA,

from taking further action on this matter.

B. Authorize First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna Jr. to sign any and all documents relative to the

Town’s Pension Plan Management being transferred from Merrill Lynch to Morgan Stanley.

First Selectman Fortuna explained that the Pension Board decided to follow its Merrill Lynch

advisor to Morgan Stanley and move all town pension and health investment funds to Morgan

Stanley. This came about as a result of Bank of America (which owns Merrill) not wanting

anything to do with municipal pension funds.

GIEGERICH/GERNHARDT

Motion to Authorize First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna Jr. to sign any and all documents relative

to the Town’s Pension Plan Management being transferred from Merrill Lynch to Morgan Stanley.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

C. Discuss and act on Call of Annual Town Meeting November 24, 2014.

There was discussion about the overages though it was made clear that this has occurred for at

least the last 20 years. Bottom line is that the Town ended the year with a $228,000 surplus.

Selectman Giegerich and Selectman Gernhardt expressed great displeasure with the OSPD

overages and encouraged better management and accountability of resources.

GERNHARDT/GIEGERICH

Motion to approve Call of Annual Town Meeting November 24, 2014

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

D. Appointments

1. Conservation Commission. Term re-appointment Robert Fish. This is a two year term due to expire 11/2016.

2. Conservation Commission. Term re-appointment Walter K. Smith. This is a two year term

due to expire 11/2016.

3. Conservation Commission. Term re-appointment Jerry Brophy. This is a two year term due

to expire 11/2016.

4. Public Health Nursing Board. Term re-appointment regular member Joseph Termine. This is

a three year term due to expire 11/2017.

5. Public Health Nursing Board. Term re-appointment regular member Elizabeth Owen. This is

a three year term due to expire 11/2017.

6. Public Health Nursing Board. Term re-appointment alternate member Linda Demas. This is

a three year term due to expire 11/2017.

7. Regional Building Code Board of Appeals Term re-appointment Old Saybrook representative

Ken Gibble. This is a five year term due to expire 11/2019.

8. Tree Committee Term re-appointment Paul Baldi. This is a three year term due to expire 10/2017.

9. Tree Committee Term re-appointment Barbara Maynard. This is a three year term due to expire 10/2017.

GERNHARDT/GIEGERICH

Motion to approve all re-appointments.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

FORTUNA/GERNHARDT

Motion to add to the agenda a non-binding resolution to apply for State grant funding to connect Old

Saybrook Town Hall facilities to the Connecticut State Nutmeg network

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The First Selectman explained that this is non-binding and even if we receive the grant, we can price out

the service and reject the grant if we find the Nutmeg Network to not be cost effective for the Town.

GERNHARDT/GIEGERICH

Motion to approve resolution to authorize the First Selectman to apply for State Grant funding to connect

Old Saybrook Town Hall facilities to the Connecticut State Nutmeg Network.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

VII. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN- Selectman Gernhardt commented that emotions

ran high concerning the OSPD boat. His feeling is that he has done right by the Town and that

is his only interest. He feels this Board of Selectmen works very well together. Selectman

Giegerich agreed and said there have been disagreements that are talked out. Opposition to

some items put forward have occurred but the process in doing so is civil.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

GIEGERICH/GERNHARDT

Motion to adjourn at 8:30 P.M.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Respectfully submitted,

Carl P. Fortuna Jr., First Selectman