The Stonington Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on this date at 7:00 p.m. at the Stonington Police Station. Present were First Selectman William S. Brown, Selectman Stephen E. Bessette and Selectman Peter L. Balestracci. Also present, from the Town of Westerly, RI, were Westerly Town Council President Samuel Azzinaro, Councilor Michelle Buck, Councilor Nick Castagna, Councilor Mary Jane DiMaio, and Town Manager Joseph Turo. Also present was Stonington Police Chief David Erskine, Police Captain Jerry Desmond, Stonington High School student Anders Regnstrom, and members of the public and press.
(1) Call to Order
Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and invited Mr. Azzinaro to do the same. Mr. Azzinaro called the meeting of the Westerly Town Council to order at 7:00 p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
(2) Meet with Westerly Town Council to discuss issues of mutual interest (to be followed by a tour of the Police Building at 7:30 p.m. or earlier)
Mr. Brown commented that he invited the Westerly Town Council to participate at tonight’s meeting in reciprocation for Stonington having been invited to participate at Westerly Town Council meetings in the past. This is a good opportunity to discuss items of mutual interest. Mr. Brown mentioned he would first like to thank and congratulate the Stonington Police Department, and Captain Desmond in particular, for the capture of the person who had been leaving bomb threats at a local business.
The Councilors and the Selectmen proceeded to discuss the water system, friendship and cooperation between the two towns, mutually beneficial events such as River Glow and the Duck Race, assistance by the Westerly Highway Department in shoveling snow off the bridge, the traffic situation in the downtown area, Route 78/Veterans Way legislation, Neighbor Day, and the Riverwalk project. Councilor DiMaio congratulated Connecticut for legal action it is taking regarding the “No Child Left Behind” federal legislation. She stated she would like to obtain a copy of the lawsuit, for perusal by Rhode Island. Discussion was held regarding the Stonington and Westerly Planning Departments possibly meeting once or twice a year to discuss the downtown area. Also, it would
be a good idea to have the Stonington and Westerly Economic Development Commissions do the same thing.
Mr. Brown thanked the Town Council for participating at tonight’s meeting, and the Councilors thanked the Selectmen for the invitation. There being no further discussion on matters of mutual interest, the Westerly Town Council adjourned its meeting at 7:30 p.m. and the Stonington Board of Selectmen recessed at 7:30 p.m. Police Chief David Erskine escorted everyone on a tour of the Police Station.
The Board of Selectmen reconvened its meeting at 7:50 p.m.
(3) Summer Food Service Program Agreement
A memo was received from Beth-Ann Stewart, Director of Human Services, regarding the Summer Food Service Program. The Board of Selectmen is required to authorize signatures on documents pertaining to this program.
A motion was made by Mr. Bessette, seconded by Mr. Balestracci and unanimously voted to authorize William S. Brown, First Selectman, as first designated individual authorized to sign said documents and in his absence or incapacity, authorize George R. Sylvestre, Director of Administrative Services, as second designated individual authorized to sign said documents.
(4) Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce’s “River Glow” event
A letter dated April 5, 2005 was received from the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce, requesting permission to utilize the grounds at Pawcatuck Park for the “River Glow” event, scheduled for Saturday, July 2, 2005 from 7:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m.
A motion was made by Mr. Bessette, seconded by Mr. Balestracci and unanimously voted to grant permission for the use of Pawcatuck Park for “River Glow”.
(5) Bid Awards / Letters of Agreement
a. Highway Department: Automated Fuel Monitoring System
Mr. Brown read a letter dated April 5, 2005 from William Stewart, Superintendent of Highways, stating that the Highway Department advertised for bids for a new Automated Fuel Monitoring System for the Highway Garage and only one bid was received, from Service Station Equipment Inc., in the amount of $15,936. Mr. Stewart reviewed the bid and it meets the specifications. The line item in the CIP program contains $15,500, the remaining balance of $436 will be taken from the Fuel System Maintenance Account. He recommends award of the bid to Service Station Equipment Inc. Mr. Brown commented that he spoke with Maryanna Stevens, Director of Finance, who concurs with this recommendation.
A motion was made by Mr. Balestracci, seconded by Mr. Bessette and unanimously voted to award the bid for the Automated Fuel Monitoring System to Service Station Equipment Inc. as recommended by Mr. Stewart.
(6) Receipt of Charter Revision Commission Draft Report
a. Set Date for Public Hearing
The Board received the Charter Revision Commission Draft Report along with a cover letter dated April 7, 2005 from the Commission.
A motion was made by Mr. Bessette, seconded by Mr. Balestracci and unanimously voted to set the date for the Board of Selectmen’s Public Hearing on the Charter Revision Commission Draft Report for May 11, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. (The hearing will be held at the Stonington High School cafeteria.)
(7) “Neighbor Day” Proclamation
Mr. Brown read the following proclamation:
“WHEREAS, the purpose of “Neighbor Day” is to foster a spirit of good will by extending warm welcomes to newcomers and to renew old friendships in order to promote peace, harmony and friendship within our communities; therefore
“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Sunday before Memorial Day 2005 be recognized as “Neighbor Day”, for people in the Town of Stonington to celebrate in any manner they see fit.”
Mr. Brown commented that this proclamation was suggested by Bruce MacDonald and Vicki Anderson of the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center.
A motion was made by Mr. Bessette, seconded by Mr. Balestracci and unanimously voted to approve the proclamation.
(8) 9-1-1 Street Numbering – None.
(9) Correspondence – None.
(10) Re/Appointments Boards and Commissions – None.
(11) Old Business – None.
(12) New Business – None.
(13) Comments from the Public
Vincent Faulise, Pawcatuck, inquired further about various matters discussed by the Board and the Council. He inquired about the Charter Revision process and how the Board members felt about the draft report, to which they responded they have not had sufficient time to review it. He also inquired about the Boards’ reasons for voting against the WPCA recommendations for a new sewer plant.
(14) Adjourn
There being no further business to come before the Board, the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathy A. Kent
Recording Secretary
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