MINUTES of SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - June 26, 2018
MINUTES of Special Town Meeting held June 26, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the Old Saybrook Middle School auditorium, 60 Sheffield Street, Old Saybrook, Connecticut, with approximately 75 persons attending.
Carl Fortuna, First Selectman, called the meeting to order, welcomed all for coming, introduced himself and Selectman Carol Conklin, and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Carl Fortuna moved, seconded by Chuck Savage and unanimously voted that Christina Antolino serve as Moderator of this meeting.
The Moderator called on Sarah V. Becker, Town Clerk, to read the call of the meeting.
ITEM 1. To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen to approve two applications for the Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) (Connecticut General Statutes Sections 12-631-12-638):
a. The Connecticut Sports Foundation Against Cancer: $150,000 based on the NAA’s Energy Conservation Program tax credit of 100%.
b. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center: an amount up to $150,000 based on the NAA’s Energy Conservation Program tax credit of 100%.
First Selectman Fortuna explained this request is simply legislative action by the Town body to enable these organizations to apply for monies in keeping with the NAA. We are not appropriating any money from the Town. Board of Trustee member, Tom Goetz, from the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center spoke identifying the energy saving lighting that is planned to be installed in the building. First Selectman Fortuna noted the items proposed to be done by the Sports Foundation Against Cancer.
On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously voted, Item 1 was ADOPTED.
ITEM 2. To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Finance and the Board of Selectmen to appropriate $35,000 for the engineering of the Ingham Hill Road Trailhead parking, said funds to be paid for from the “185 Bokum Road Sale” off budget account.
First Selectman Fortuna noted that when The Preserve was purchased it was a condition as part of the sale to include the house on Bokum Road which the Town has subsequently sold; however, approximately $189,000 was put into a special account. The cost of engineering will be taken from this account and does NOT involve any new funds. There are projected 25 parking spaces.
On a motion duly made and seconded Item 2 was ADOPTED with one “nay” vote.
ITEM 3. To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Finance and the Board of Selectmen to appropriate $24,900 for the engineering of the Ingham Hill Road Turnaround, said funds to be paid for from the “185 Bokum Road Sale” off budget account.
First Selectman Fortuna reviewed this project and noted that our Department of Public Works could possible do some, if not all, of the work.
On a motion duly made and seconded Item 3 was ADOPTED with one “nay” vote.
ITEM 4. To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Finance and the Board of Selectmen to appropriate $260,000 in funds presently residing in Fund 7400 “Public Works Paving Exchange Fund” for the purpose of paving Bokum Road; said funds were received from the Connecticut
Water Co. as part of the Bokum Road water line construction project.
First Selectman Fortuna advised that the $260,000 received from the Connecticut Water Co. when they did the work from the Essex line to 154 was intended for Bokum Road and will go back (transfer of funds) to fund this Bokum Road project.
On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously voted, Item 4 was ADOPTED.
ITEM 5. To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Finance and the Board of Selectmen to appropriate $25,000 from the Town’s Capital Non-Recurring account to update the Town’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, which funds will then be transferred into an off budget account entitled “Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan”.
Chris Nelson, Town Planner, advised that this Plan is required to be updated in order that we are eligible for funding from State/National agencies in case of a disaster.
On a motion made, seconded and unanimously voted, Item 5 was ADOPTED.
ITEM 6. To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen to amend the Town Code to eliminate Chapter 189, Swimming Pools, as it is in substantial conflict with the State Building Code.
First Selectman Fortuna reported that following a meeting with the Building Official, Zoning Enforcement Officer and Town Counsel, it was determined that we follow the State of Connecticut Building Code and the Town Meeting must act to amend the Town Code.
On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously voted, Item 6 was ADOPTED.
ITEM 7. To act upon the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen to amend the Town Code to change the eligibility conditions for tax abatement for volunteer firefighters. The revision to Chapter 192, Taxation and Assessments, Article V (Tax Abatement for Volunteer Firefighters), Section 192.8 (Eligibility Conditions) provides a tax abatement for non-active veteran firefighters with 25 or more years of service as well as qualifying probationary firefighters. A copy of said revised ordinance is on file in the Town Clerk’s office.
First Selectman Carl Fortuna explained the revision pertains to probationary and veteran firefighters with 25 or more years of service for the tax assessment date of October 1, 2019 based upon points accumulated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018 and ending on June 30, 2019. Thereafter beginning October 1, 2020, the tax abatement shall be $1,000.00.
On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously voted, Item 7 was ADOPTED.
Copy attached to these minutes. A copy may also be obtained from the Town Clerk’s office.
On a motion duly made, seconded and unanimously voted, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah V. Becker, CCMC
Town Clerk
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