MINUTES of SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - March 8, 2016 .
MINUTES of SPECIAL TOWN MEETING held March 8, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Saybrook Middle School, 60 Sheffield Street, Old Saybrook, Connecticut, with approximately 150 persons in attendance.
First Selectman, Carl Fortuna, called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. He introduced Selectman Giegerich and newly elected Selectman Carol Conklin. Michael Cronin moved, seconded by Grant Westerson and unanimously voted that Christopher Rixon act as Moderator of this meeting. Mr. Rixon introduced himself and asked the Town Clerk, Sarah V. Becker, to read the call of the meeting. Moderator Rixon reminded those present that in order to vote on the issues you must be an elector of the Town or a property owner having at least $1,000 assessment.
ITEM 1. To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Finance and the Board of Selectmen to recommend to town meeting an appropriation in the amount of $74,568.15 for the purpose of purchasing a 25 foot marine patrol boat and accessories, said funds to be taken from and paid out of the Marine Patrol Budget Item Account #4274 in the amount of $52,500.00 and the balance of said funds, $22,068.15 to be paid out of the Town’s Municipal Reserve Account.
Item 1 was moved by Barry Maynard, seconded by Gerri Lewis.
The Moderator called on First Selectman Fortuna to speak regarding this Item. Selectman Fortuna advised that this Ad Hoc Committee was created to study and make recommendations concerning the replacement of the Police vessel. He thanked the committee: Joe Masseli, Don Cooper, Brad Thorpe, Barry O’Nell and ex officio members Patrol Sergeants Jeff DePerry and Ryan Walsh; for their detailed and demanding discussion in their four meetings. He noted that the committee voted unanimously to purchase the safe boat with trailer from the US Coast Guard for $25,000, to repower the vessel with new engines that are under 3 year warranty and outfit the vessel with necessary electronics and how it would be funded. Further he noted the impact on Old Saybrook the 9 marinas, two major
bridges and Plum Island Ferry, commercial and recreational boating has on our Town. A significant portion of the town’s tax base is derived from the river and the sound. He also reviewed the Mission Statement of the Marine Patrol Program goals and objectives and a letter from Chief Spera addressing matters of concern such as the patrol area of the vessel, staffing, current status of the program, a defined season, and budget controls. The primary use of the boat will be to provide patrol related services to encourage compliance with and enforcement of marine safety laws and the vessel will also respond to calls for mutual aid and emergencies where law enforcement is necessary. Approval of this Item will mean that the vessel should be outfitted and ready for patrol on July 1, 2016.
No questions were raised and the Moderator called for a vote which unanimously ADOPTED ITEM 1.
ITEM 2. To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen to recommend to town meeting an appropriation for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Planning Grant in the amount of $125,000 to perform a Community Coastal Resilience Study & Infrastructure Evaluation, said funds to be taken from and initially paid out from the Town’s Unappropriated Surplus Account. The funds will be reimbursed to the Town under the provisions of CDBG grants through the State of Connecticut, Department of Housing.
Item 2 was moved by Grant Westerson, seconded by Gerri Lewis.
The Moderator called on First Selectman Fortuna who explained that the Sea Level Rise Ad Hoc Committee studied the situation for 18 months and recommended to the Board of Selectmen to apply for this Grant.
This is not a matching grant and the Town will spend the money and be reimbursed.
The Moderator called for a vote which unanimously ADOPTED ITEM 2.
ITEM 3. To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen to recommend to town meeting an appropriation for a Brownfield Area-wide Revitalization (BAR) Planning Grant in the amount of $200,000, said funds to be taken from and initially paid out of the Town’s Unappropriated Surplus Account. The funds will be reimbursed to the Town under the provisions of an agreement between the Town of Old Saybrook and the State of Connecticut, Department of Economic and Community Development.
Item 3 was moved by Grant Westerson, seconded by Gerri Lewis.
The Moderator called on First Selectman Fortuna who noted the advantages to developing this area of Town (Mariner’s Way) as well as looking to the future 20 years of diverse uses in this area. He called on Selectman Carol Conklin speaking as Chairman of the Economic Development Commission who advised that this Commission drafted regulations for this project. The plan of development stretches from Mystic Market to Ferry Point. The cost to the Town is $20,000.
Questions raised were responded to by First Selectman Fortuna.
The Moderator called for a vote which unanimously ADOPTED ITEM 3.
On a motion duly made and seconded , it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah V. Becker, CCMC
Town Clerk
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