April 21, 2005
The Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on this date at 1:30 p.m. at the Stonington Town Hall. Present were First Selectman William S. Brown, Selectman Stephen E. Bessette and Selectman Peter L. Balestracci.
(1) Call to Order
Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
(2) Set Call for Annual Budget Town Meeting and Date for Referendum/Adjourned Town Meeting
A letter dated April 21, 2005 was received from Glenn Frishman, Chairman, Board of Finance, which recommended sending a budget totaling $48,310,065., with a proposed 20.37 mil rate, to the Board of Selectmen for Town Meeting.
A motion was made by Mr. Bessette, seconded by Mr. Balestracci and unanimously voted to adopt the following Resolution to Call the Annual Town Budget Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that pursuant to Section 3-2 of the Charter, the Board of Selectmen calls the Annual Town Budget Meeting for Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the Deans Mill School Cafeteria as outlined in the Notice of Annual Town Budget Meeting, which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix “A”, which Notice is hereby approved.”
A motion was made by Mr. Balestracci and seconded by Mr. Bessette to adopt the following Resolution to Set Date for Referendum and Adjourned Annual Town Budget Meeting:
“BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that pursuant to Section 9-1 of the Charter, the Board of Selectmen sets the date for Referendum and Adjourned Annual Town Budget Meeting for Wednesday, May 4, 2005 as outlined in the Notice of Referendum and Adjourned Annual Town Budget Meeting, which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix “B”, which Notice is hereby approved.”
Discussion was held regarding the polling hours (6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) listed in the Notice of Referendum. Mr. Balestracci commented that he feels it is not necessary to open the polls at 6:00 a.m.; it is expensive, it is hard to get workers for the polls, and not very many people take advantage of the morning hours for voting. He stated that, in the past, it has worked out well to open the polls at 12:00 noon. Mr. Brown commented that a request was made at last night’s Board of Finance hearing to open the polls at 6:00 a.m. and he has received a few phone calls with the same request. Mr. Brown supports opening the polls at 6:00 a.m., at least for this first vote on the budget. Mr. Bessette commented that opening the polls at 6:00 a.m. gives parents more time to vote
while their children are at school and he supports opening the polls at 6:00 a.m. Mr. Balestracci reiterated he is opposed to opening the polls at 6:00 a.m.
There being no further discussion on the motion, a vote was taken and the results were two in favor, one opposed (Mr. Balestracci).
(3) Appointments/Reappointments
Inland Wetlands Commission
A motion was made by Mr. Bessette, seconded by Mr. Brown and unanimously voted to reappoint Howard Smith as an alternate member of the Inland Wetlands Commission.
Pawcatuck River Harbor Management Commission
A motion was made by Mr. Bessette, seconded by Mr. Brown and unanimously voted to move Garry Preble to alternate member, move Scott Dilley to regular member and advertise the vacancies that exist on the Pawcatuck River Harbor Management Commission. Mr. Preble’s and Mr. Dilley’s terms will both expire on October 31, 2005.
(4) Comments from the Public
Margaret Tebbetts gave a letter to the Board of Selectmen, requesting they not rush to fill positions on the Pawcatuck Harbor Management Commission. She commented she was pleased with the action the Board of Selectmen took today.
(5) Adjourn
There being no further business to come before the Board, the special meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathy A. Kent
Recording Secretary
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