MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Monday, August 19, 2008

7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Selectman Richard Bramley, one reporter

First Selectman Ridgway called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

MINUTES: Selectman Bramley made the motion to approve the minutes of August 5, August 11 Emergency and August 11 Special, 2008 as presented. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None

COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Ridgway reported the Beach director had her baby and is on duty at the beach.

FIRE TRUCK BID AND BUDGET: The Board discussed the award of the fire truck bid at the last meeting and the deductible options. First Selectman Ridgway reported he had received a communication from truck committee chairman Steve Heaney concerning the options and what is needed on the new truck. The Board discussed how much is needed to purchase the options.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to ask the Board of Finance to transfer $15,000 from the Cornwall Bridge repair capitol line to the line for the fire truck purchase to cover the options. Selectman Bramley seconded. There was discussion. Motion passed unanimously.

SOLAR PANELS AT CCS: First Selectman Ridgway reported the Open House for the bidders on the solar panels to be installed at CCS will be August 26. There will be two bids: one for the earned free panels and another for additional panels. The Board discussed the additional costs and where the money may come from. The amount needed will depend on how the bids come in. The Board discussed the size of the panels, the space on the roof and the amount of power produced each year at what savings.

PLAYGROUND AT CCS: First Selectman Ridgway reported the playscape unit is installed. The Board discussed what else needed to be done. First Selectman Ridgway gave the press the cost run down of the project and reviewed where funds came from. First Selectman Ridgway thanked the highway crew for their work on the project and the PTA for their fund raising efforts.

STEAP GRANTS: The Board discussed the Traffic Calming & Business Façade grant. First Selectman Ridgway presented an advertisement for traffic calming signs which the Board reviewed. The Board discussed the idea of visitor centers in the villages.

PRITCHARD ROAD: First Selectman Ridgway reported he had received a request from an individual who was considering purchasing property abutting Pritchard Road, off the Flat Rocks Road end, the possibility of discontinuing Pritchard Road as a town road from the property line they may purchase to the interior where the road is currently not active. The Board discussed this request and precedent examples. First Selectman Ridgway proposed reviewing this request with the highway foreman and obtaining a map showing the abutters. The Board discussed that should the Board approve this, it would then need Planning & Zoning approval and come to Town Meeting for approval.

SUMMER ROAD PROJECTS: The Board discussed the withdrawal of the awarded bidder for the MC3000 oil at $2.90 per gallon from their contractual obligation due to the sudden rise in the costs of oil. First Selectman Ridgway reported the second bidder had been contacted and may be able to do the road work in September at a cost of $3.50 per gallon. It is the recommendation of the highway foreman that this be pursued in order to keep on the road maintenance schedule. The Board discussed the costs of oil, sand, trucking and money obtained from past FEMA grants. The northeast part of town and Pine Street were on the schedule to be resurfaced.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to accept the quote of $3.50 from Gorman Brothers for 25,000 gallons of oil as part of the summer road project. Selectman Bramley seconded. The Board discussed the work schedule in September and school busses on the road. Motion passed unanimously.

FUEL OIL: First Selectman Ridgway reported the quote for the Region One Consortium is $3.52 for heating oil and $3.74 for diesel. This is about 10% less than what other suppliers can offer. The Board discussed the pros and cons of being a part of the consortium.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to join the Region One Consortium. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

First Selectman Ridgway reported he and the highway foreman Rick Stone were looking into installing a waste oil furnace at the town garage. The Board discussed the costs of installation and the savings of fuel oil. Budget transfers would be necessary to make this happen this season.

BILL PAYMENT: Bills were paid in the usual manner.

Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Administrative Assistant