COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMAN- -New police station still on time and on budget -There is an Eagle Scout ceremony at Grace Church this Friday at
7pm -Old Saybrook Fire Department to pay homage to David Heiney with his picture on the new fire truck. This is to be unveiled tonight. -The Acton Library, after a few rough months of retirements and illnesses, is back at full strength as of March 16th with Michele Van Epps return and two new hires. Nancy Walsh commented favorably on the First Selectman’s involvement getting things back to normal. The First Selectman in turn thanked Lisa Carver for her efforts. -The Preserve closing should occur soon, as in within the next few weeks. -North Main Street- The state parking lot will commence in the next few weeks, Eastpointe may have Zoning approvals soon and the Town is in design to rebuild N. Main Street (which will occur next year). -Town Hall phone system vendor chosen. Should increase productivity and efficiency at the same price we pay now. Exhaustive process conducted by IT Director Larry Hayden. -Electricity purchase- We have joined with Town of Old Lyme. Old Lyme Library and Lyme/Old Lyme Schools to go out to bid for electricity.
V. Approval of minutes- Minutes from February 10, 18 and 24 approved unanimously. Minutes of the 18th were amended to properly reflect Steve Gernhardt’s question about ongoing costs associated with the WPCA after completion of all systems, not just community systems and their ongoing costs.
VI. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD A. Estuary Transit District (ETD) presentation by Roland Laine. Mr. Laine discussed the history of ETD, all about deviated fixed routes and the various lines they run, new funding requested from DOT, fares, dial a ride fares, the district budget, the request for new buses, the amount of people who rely on this service to get to work (50%), how a facility to house the buses would be useful and cost efficient, and each town’s contributions. All town contributions only make up 6.5% of the ETD budget, most of which comes from bi-yearly federal grants. The Board of Selectmen
recognized what an important service the ETD provides and thanked Mr. Laine for his report.
B. The First Selectman commented on the Making Places Grant received in the amount of $49,750 for strategic planning, property redevelopment and market feasibility of the old Shoreline Electric Railway Power House. The First Selectman gave a brief history of the building and details of the grant. The contract from DECD will be forthcoming in a few weeks. This is a reimbursable grant that will have to go to the Board of Finance and Town Meeting. Ms. Beckman will address the Board of Selectmen next time when the contract is in hand.
C. Preserve Ad Hoc Committee- The First Selectman handed out the proposed ad hoc committee members that will report to the First Selectman pursuant to the cooperative management committee set up with the State. Eight members were named. This committee can be added to at any time with a Board of Selectmen vote. Unanimously approved.
D. Girl Scout Proclamation-Read and unanimously approved. |
