MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Thursday, April 3, 2008

7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Selectman K. C. Baird, Selectman Richard Bramley, 6 citizens, one reporter

MINUTES: Selectman Bramley made the motion to approve the minutes of March 17, 2008 as presented. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: Selectman Bramley shared with the Board a communication from Tim Wright of the VFW expressing willingness to take care of maintenance on public flag poles.

First Selectman Ridgway communicated to the Board the situation of yesterday’s train derailment on River Road. The Board discussed the failure of the railroad company to inform the town of the derailment. The Board discussed the situation, the fire department’s training for such events, the need for emergency services to be informed of road closures. First Selectman Ridgway will contact the railroad company of these concerns.

CORNWALL VILLAGE SIGN: The Board reviewed a mock up of a sign the Cornwall Village Improvement Society would like to put up on the triangle of Bolton Hill Road and Jewel Street. It is a multi-directional sign, approximately 9 feet high. The Board discussed the sign and the original intention of having a sign which was to warn traffic to slow down. First Selectman Ridgway recommended the sign be sent to Planning and Zoning for their opinion.

NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE HANDICAP FISHING: The Board received from the public a letter signed by Cornwall residents directed to Ms. Gina McCarthy, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, concerning the proposal for “the Bend” on the Housatonic River the construction of a handicap-accessible fishing platform. The Board discussed the situation with those present which included Phil Hart, Housatonic River Commission representative. Discussion included the history of the “park” aka West Cornwall green, the project proposal for the platform by the Housatonic Valley Association, the ownership of the land by Connecticut Light and Power, the lack of support from the Housatonic River Commission, the need of the Hughes Memorial Library to use the property for a septic easement. The Board decided a meeting was needed to clarify the situation and what the proposal is. Selectman Bramley thanked Ms. Fowler for her bringing the situation to the Board.

WEST CORNWALL LIBRARY PLAN: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on the plans of the West Cornwall Library, aka Hughes Memorial Library. A final design has been submitted. The Board reviewed the design plan. Work continues on an easement for the septic field. There needs to be a change of language from easement to a license agreement. CL&P has requested the proposed handicap fishing platform be superimposed on the plan design. The Board discussed the septic plan. Work is anticipated to begin in the spring.

HISTORIC DOCUMENT PRESERVATION GRANT: First Selectman Ridgway presented a request from the Town Clerk for a resolution concerning the application for the 2008 Historic Document Preservation Grant from the state. Selectman Baird made the motion to pass the resolution: Resolved, that Gordon M. Ridgway, First Selectman, or Vera L. Dinneen, Town Clerk, as his designee, is empowered to execute and deliver in the name of and on behalf of this municipality, an application and contract with the State Library for a Historic Document Preservation Grant. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

STEAP GRANT IV: First Selectman Ridgway reported the STEAP grant application was successful with an award of $150,000. First Selectman Ridgway thanked Mr. Griggs for his photos which were a part of the grant application. The Board discussed how to proceed with the project and the timetable. The Board discussed traffic calming options. The grant money will need to be accepted at a town meeting.

TOWN MEETING CALL: The reviewed, discussed and signed the call to town meeting for April 25.

BUDGET TRANSFER: The Board reviewed unexpected expenses as presented by the Registrars of Voters which includes costs of set up and fees for a dedicated phone line for the new voting system. The Board discussed the costs. Selectman Baird made the motion to transfer $1400 from 1-406-575-45 employee pension plan to add $500 to line 01-423-566-02, $200 to 01-423-568-16, $100 to 01-423-568-10, $700 to 01-423-568-05 to cover the costs of new state requirements. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

2008-09 BUDGET: The Board discussed the 2008-2008 budget, the increased CRRA fees and its impact. The budget has an increase of approximately 3% which may result in a slight tax increase.

BILL PAYMENT: Bills were paid in the usual manner.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Administrative Assistant