SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
4:00 P.m.
Town Hall – First Floor Conference Room
PRESENT: First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna Jr., Selectman Scott Giegerich and members of the public. Selectman Carol Conklin had previously indicated she would be absent.
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
II. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC-None
III. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMAN- The First Selectman commented on the following:
1. All the new police boats being purchased by towns around us, including Essex, Clinton, Westbrook (and of course Old Lyme and Old Saybrook).
2. State funding is coming in nicely and town expects to receive the next traunch of Town Aid Road funds, which should easily place the town in the position of receiving more funding from the State than it budgeted.
3. Roland Laine has resigned from the Estuary Transit Board after years of service on that board. The First Selectman also thanked Mr. Laine for his years of service as the Executive Assistant to the First Selectman. Mr. Laine was an excellent civil servant who cared deeply for the town. The Board wishes him well.
4. The Mariners Way Redevelopment Committee met, which consists of a group of volunteers and paid staff. The Committee will first oversee the recommendation of a tax increment financing district which should be proposed soon.
5. CCM issued a bulletin on the recent IRS notice of their intent to issue proposed regulations in response to legislative attempts to address the property tax deductibility cap imposed by federal tax reform. This has to do with recent Connecticut legislation to provide a property tax credit to taxpayers who make voluntary donations to a “community supporting organization” approved by the municipality.
6. The Memorial Day parade was outstanding. Great community participation, terrific recognition of the importance of the day, fantastic military flyovers.
7. Scott Giegerich commented on the positive budget referendum results and how proud he is to live in Old Saybrook.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Board of Selectmen Meeting May 8, 2018.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to approve Board of Selectmen minutes May 8, 2018 meeting.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
V. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
A. Public Works Encroachment Permit release: 22 Denmore Lane.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to approve Encroachment bond release, 22 Denmore Lane.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
B. Discussion and possible action to recommend to the Board of Finance for its consideration an additional appropriation to the 2018 budget for $99,000 to replace sidewalks at specific locations in Old Saybrook.
The funds would then be moved to an off budget account. The First Selectman explained that with some of the extra state funds, and also an expected town surplus, we should be striving to make quality of life improvements. We are an eminently walkable town and this project will enhance that.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to approve recommendation to the Board of Finance an appropriation of $99,000.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
C. Discussion and possible action to recommend to the Board of Finance an appropriation of $24,900 for the engineering of the Ingham Hill Road turn-around.
This would enhance the safety of the end of Ingham Hill Road and allow school buses, public safety and other vehicles to turnaround safely. The funds will be paid from the 185 Bokum Road sale. Construction will be the town’s responsibility but Department of Public Works may be able to do a good deal of the work.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to approve recommendation to the Board of Finance an appropriation of $24,900.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
D. Discussion and possible action to recommend to the Board of Finance an appropriation of $35,000 for the engineering of the Ingham Hill Road parking area.
Westbrook has parking off of Route 153 and Essex has built out their parking. The idea would be get shovel ready plans and submit to the Trust for Public land for construction funds.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to approve recommendation to the Board of Finance an appropriation of $35,000.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
E. Discussion and possible action to recommend to the Board of Finance an appropriation of $25,000 for the purpose of hiring GZA, an environmental firm, to prepare an update to the Town of Old Saybrook’s Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan.
Said funds to come from the capital non-recurring (CNR) fund. Christine Nelson explained the importance of this plan to be current for FEMA recognition. It allows the town to receive FEMA funds post-disaster and to build for future hazard mitigation. She recommended GZA as they recently completed the town’s sea level rise study. Moved and approved. This motion was later retracted: the motion was then made to set up an off budget account for this study and fund it from the CNR (as opposed to an additional appropriation for this FY).
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to approve to set up an off budget account for this study and fund it from the CNR.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
F. Appointments
1. Economic Development Commission – Re-appointment regular member John DeCristoforo. This is a five year term due to expire 6/2023.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to re-appoint John DeCristoforo.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Economic Development Commission – Re-appointment regular member David Cole. This is a five year term due to expire 6/2023.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to re-appoint David Cole.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Estuary Transit District – Resignation vacancy. This is for the unexpired portion of a 4 year term due to expire 11/2020.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to appoint Charlie Norz to the Estuary Transit District.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. Shellfish Commission – Re-appointment regular member Larry Bonin. This is a two year term due to expire 6/2020.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to re-appoint Larry Bonin to the Shellfish Commission.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. Shellfish Commission – Re-appointment regular member Earl Endrich. This is a two year term due to expire 6/2020.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to re-appoint Earl Endrich to the Shellfish Commission.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. Shellfish Commission – Re-appointment regular member David Colvin Jr. This is a two year term due to expire 6/2020.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to re-appoint David Colvin Jr. to the Shellfish Commission.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
7. Zoning Commission. Alternate member resignation vacancy. This is for the unexpired portion of a two year term due to expire
11/2019.
No vacancy yet.
8. Pension Board. Resignation vacancy. This is for the unexpired portion of a five year term due to expire 01/2021.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to appoint Darrell Patasta to the Pension Board.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VI. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN-None
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 5:45 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully submitted,
Carl P. Fortuna Jr., First Selectman
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