MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
3:30 P.m.
Town Hall – First Floor Conference Room
MINUTES
PRESENT: First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna Jr., Selectman Scott Giegerich, Selectman Carol Conklin and Susan Beckman, Economic Development Director.
I. CALL TO ORDER- First Selectman Fortuna called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. All members present
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-Recited
III. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC-No members present
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMAN –The First Selectman commented on the following: 1. Property tax invoices will be arriving in residents’ homes this weekend or shortly thereafter 2. The Town will have a significant budget surplus this year, partly due to underestimating State revenues and partly due to lower expenditures 3. The Chamber of Commerce building bids were received and the low bid was from Macri Roofing. This matter will be added to today’s agenda. The Kate pillars and pedestal project will be ready for bid the first half of July. 4. The conference room will have new furniture in July.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Special Board of Selectmen Meeting May 30, 2018.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to approve Special Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes May 30, 2018.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VI. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
A. Move to add the agenda an item to release an encroachment bond at 8 Old Colony Rd.
FORTUNA/CONKLIN
Motion to add 8 Old Colony Road encroachment bond release.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
B. Public Works Encroachment Permit release: 8 Old Colony Road.
FORTUNA/CONKLIN
Motion to approve Encroachment bond release as recommended by Public Works Director.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
C. Presentation by Kristen Brown, Waste Zero-SMART Trash.
Ms. Brown was unable to attend but the First Selectman explained what SMART trash is; essentially reducing the amount of trash to 60% recyclable within the next five years because of Connecticut’s impending trash crisis.
D. Discussion and action to approve Public Hearing, June 26, 2018 – Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) applications for CT Sports Foundation Against Cancer and Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center.
The First Selectman explained once again how this project works and the projects that these entities hope to fund.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to approve Public Hearing June 26, 2018
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
E. Discussion and action to approve Call for Special Town Meeting, June 26, 2018.
The First Selectman reviewed each item on the agenda spending some time on the Firefighter tax abatement for veteran firefighters and probationary firefighters. Ms. Conklin asked if this policy could be reviewed in the future and it can, as can the whole ordinance.
FORTUNA/CONKLIN
Motion to approve Call for Special Town Meeting June 26, 2018.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
F. Discussion and possible action to approve Economic Development proposal for Art Hallway in Town Hall.
Susan Beckman, Economic Development Director, came in to discuss “cross pollination” with the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts and the hanging of artwork in the hallway of the offices of the Town Clerk and Registrars. Scott and Carol both had concerns that there may be many requests, and how to limit the times of the request; also, asked about whether local and regional art by could be displayed and the answer was yes. Scott suggested this be a pilot program for the first year. The mechanism to hang the art costs $2500 but Ms. Beckman is looking into a grant. All in all, the Board roundly approved of this idea.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to approve the Art Hallway project.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
G. Motion to add to the agenda a recommendation to forward to the Board of Finance, and then to town meeting, an appropriation of $60,000 from the Capital non-recurring (CNR) Fund and move said funds to the Chamber Repair Fund, to transfer $30,169 from the “Gateway Rent Fund” to the Chamber Repair Fund, and to approve moving the appropriation of $60,000 from the CNR to Town Meeting for a vote.
FORTUNA/CONKLIN
Motion approved to add a recommendation to forward to the Board of Finance, and then to town meeting, an appropriation of $60,000 to the Chamber Repair Fund and transfer of $30,169.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
H. Discussion and possible action on the following: recommending to the Board of Finance, and then to town meeting, an appropriation of $60,000 from the Capital non-recurring (CNR) Fund and move said funds to the Chamber Repair Fund, to transfer $30,169 from the “Gateway Rent Fund” to the Chamber Repair Fund, and to approve moving the appropriation of $60,000 from the CNR to Town Meeting for a vote.
The First Selectman commented that this building has many problems, one of which is a leaky cupola and a failed roof. We have approximately $10,000 from CIRMA to repair the inside of the building but these funds are for a complete re-build of the exterior structure, including the flashing, valleys, rakes, gutters, rain leaders and drip edges of the roof.
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to approve recommending to the Board of Finance, and then to town meeting, an appropriation of $60,000 from the Capital non-recurring (CNR) Fund and move said funds to the Chamber Repair Fund, to transfer $30,169 from the “Gateway Rent Fund” to the Chamber Repair Fund, and to approve moving the appropriation of $60,000 from the CNR to Town Meeting for a vote.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
I. Discussion and possible action to approve Dispatcher Contract-UPSEU #911.
The First Selectman commented that these negotiations went relatively smoothly. Wages are in line with the Connecticut average (2.35%) and the HSA deductible increases in year 3, adding a prescription co-pay. In addition, there is a wellness component to the plan.
FORTUNA/CONKLIN
Motion to approve Dispatcher Contract-UPSEU #911.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
VII. COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN-No Further comments.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
FORTUNA/GIEGERICH
Motion to adjourn at 4:35 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully submitted
Carl P. Fortuna Jr.
First Selectman
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