MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
3:30 P.m.
Town Hall – First Floor Conference Room
MINUTES
PRESENT: First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna Jr., Selectman Carol Conklin, Selectman Scott Giegerich, Finance Director Lee Ann Palladino and Facilities Director Dan Moran.
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: The First Selectman reported on the following: The Connecticut Port Authority will be locating its headquarters in Old Saybrook with an office at Saybrook Junction [a press conference will take place at 10am on July 12, 2017 at Oak Leaf Marina]; the construction projects at North Main and on Main Street are in full swing; Lee Ann Palladino gave an update on the accounting system conversion; and supervisor and support union contracts have been negotiated and are awaiting ratification.
Due to an employee being out on medical leave, additional coverage is being added in the building office. We estimate the amount to be about $7200.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Board of Selectmen Meeting June 27, 2017.
FORTUNA/CONKLIN
Motion to approve Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes June 27, 2017.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VI. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
A. Discussion Town’s existing OPEB funds.
Lee Ann Palladino spoke to new GASB (74/75) reporting requirements with regard to OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) obligations and GASB 54 requirements to categorize certain funds. After the demutualization of Anthem, the Town received a payout which has now grown to over 1 million dollars. The town holds these funds in a reserve account. The town, pursuant to GASB and at the request of the auditors, should either place these funds in an OPEB trust (with its reporting and actuarial requirements), have these funds simply go to the general fund (the town’s “rainy day” fund) or go to the pension fund. The Finance Director explained it should be an all or nothing decision. As we pay our OPEB liability on a pay as you go basis, and do not contribute actively to the Anthem funds, the pension fund
option is attractive. The pension board will be making a recommendation this September.
B. Discussion and action to present to the Board of Finance a recommendation to transfer funds received from Southern Connecticut Gas Co., to pave Cricket Court in the amount of $67,571 from the FY 17 administrative exchange fund to the FY18 Highway and Streets Capital expenditure.
These funds were paid to the town instead of allowing Southern Connecticut Gas to do a partial repair. As Cricket Court is slated for resurfacing, these funds are recommended to be allotted to the Highway and Streets fund.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to recommend to the Board of Finance the transfer of funds received from Southern Connecticut Gas Co., to pave Cricket Court in the amount of $67,571 from the FY 17 administrative exchange fund to the FY18 Highway and Streets Capital expenditure.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
C. Discussion and action to present to the Board of Finance a recommendation of using its portion of a rebate check from CIRMA in the amount of $33,633 toward replacing the Town Hall parking lot lights.
Many of the parking lot lights are bent or not working. These funds would go towards removing, relocating or replacing lights.
FORTUNA/CONKLIN
Motion to recommend to the Board of Finance usage of a portion of a rebate check from CIRMA in the amount of $33,633 toward replacing the Town Hall parking lot lights.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
D. Discussion and action to present to the Board of Finance a recommendation to perform lead abatement and reconstruction of the Youth & Family Services building and move this recommendation to Town meeting for a vote.
Dan Moran, Facilities Director gave a brief summary of the history of this project. FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to recommend to the Board of Finance the lead abatement and reconstruction of the Youth & Family Services building and move to Town meeting for a vote.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
E. Discussion and action on recommendation of Public Works Director to release the following Encroachment Permit fee:
1. 29 Howard St. J.T.R. LLC - road cross/waterline $1,500
FORTUNA/CONKLIN
Motion to release $1,500 encroachment permit bond to JTR LLC.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. 7 Knollwood Dr. Earth Wind Fire Farm - driveway/apron $1,500 FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to release $1,500 encroachment permit bond to Earth Wind & Fire Farm.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
F. Appointments
1. Connecticut River Area Health District (CRAHD). Term re-appointment.
This is a three year term due to expire 8/2020.
FORTUNA/CONKLIN
Motion to re-appoint Jeff Goldblatt as the Old Saybrook representative to the Connecticut River Area Health District.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Motion to add to the agenda appointment to the Connecticut River Gateway Commission.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Connecticut River Gateway Commission. Vacancy appointment. This is appointment is for the unexpired portion of a two year term due to expire 7/2018.
FORTUNA/CONKLIN
Motion to appoint Bill Webb to the Connecticut River Gateway Commission.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VII. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN- None
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to adjourn at 4:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carl P. Fortuna Jr.
First Selectman
| 