MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, August 5, 2008 - 7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Selectman K.C. Baird, Selectman Bramley; Steve Heaney, Steve Hedden and Jack Preston of the Truck Committee; two bidders, 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 July 8, July 16 and July 22, 2008 as presented. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: Selectman Bramley communicated he had received a request on information concerning the Business Façade STEAP grant time line. The board discussed this.

FIRE TRUCK BID: First Selectman Ridgway declared the bid closed and proceeded to open the bids presented. The Board reviewed the bids.

KME bid $315,303 before options and discounts

Pierce Firematic bid $382,749 before options and discounts

Yankee Fire and Rescue bid $312,783 before options and discounts

The Board reviewed the bid’s options and discounts.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to close the bids and to turn over the bids to the Truck Committee who will come back to the Board within two weeks with a recommendation. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

The truck committee departed with the bids and will compare the various options and discounts to determine final costs and make a recommendation to the Board.

TOWN HALL PLAYERS/HISTORICAL SOCIETY: The Board reviewed a request from the Town Hall Players for a $500 donation from the town to cover the cost of their insurance. The Board reviewed and discussed the request and where the funds could come from.

The Board reviewed a walking tour of West Cornwall pamphlet put out by the Historical Society. First Selectman Ridgway had received a request for $250 from the town to support the printing of more of the pamphlets. The Board discussed this.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to grant $500 to the Town Hall Players for the payment of their insurance and $250 to the Cornwall Historical Society for the costs of their pamphlets, funds to come from the Town of Cornwall Endowment fund. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

SOLAR PANELS AT CCS: First Selectman Ridgway reported he had met with the solar installer and reviewed the Consultant’s Report. The Board reviewed the Consultant’s Report and discussed costs, what was subsidized and how large a system to consider and where was the breaking point on cost effectiveness. Estimates will be obtained on a variety of systems.

PLAYGROUND AT CCS: The Board reviewed a budget print out of the playground project. First Selectman Ridgway reported the installer was optimistic the playscape would be installed before the start of school. The Board discussed monetary short falls and where funds could be obtained.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to spend up to $1500 out of Capital Projects Cornwall Consolidated School Playing Fields in addition to the $10,000 already allocated. Selectman Baird seconded. The Board discussed that if donations continue to come in this expenditure may not be necessary. Motion passed unanimously.

TAX REFUND: The Board reviewed two requests for tax refunds.

Selectman Baird made the motion to refund property tax in the amount of $57.36 to Jerry or Robin Graham and to refund property tax in the amount of $26.39 to Modular Space Corporation. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

MOHAWK MOUNTAIN FIVE YEAR PLAN: The Board received and reviewed cover letter and the Mohawk Mountain Five Year Plan from Carol Lugar. Big concerns for Mohawk are energy, maintenance and the business climate.

HUGHES MEMORIAL LIBRARY GRANT: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on the pitfalls of the library septic system to be funded by the STEAP grant. CL&P has proposed a five year renewable license for the land on which the septic system would be built. The State Department of Economic Development is not willing to fund something that may be required to be removed should the license not be renewed. Torrington Area Health District is not willing to grant permission for a septic system with a flimsy legal basis that is not permanent. This puts the project back to requesting from CL&P the town purchase of the land to which the Department of Environment Protection has the right of first refusal. The Board discussed this conundrum and possible options for solution.

FUEL OIL: First Selectman Ridgway reported he had received a quote from SCASCO and Region One Consortium. The consortium may be up to 40 cents less per gallon. The Board discussed the option of joining the consortium. Prices are dropping. The consensus of the Board is to hold off until early September before making any decision.

HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT: First Selectman Ridgway reported to the Board on a $1000 grant from DEMHS for interoperable communications and the need for a Memo of Agreement with the state. The Board discussed the grant and requirements and reviewed the memo.

Selectman Baird made the motion to approve the grant and Memo of Agreement to be signed by First Selectman Ridgway on behalf of the Town of Cornwall and approve the resolution:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Selectmen may enter into with and deliver to the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security any and all documents which it deems to be necessary or appropriate; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Gordon M. Ridgway, as First Selectman of the Town of Cornwall is authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the Board of Selectmen and to do and perform all acts and things which he deems to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of such documents, including, but not limited to, executing and delivering all agreements and documents contemplated by such documents.

Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

BILL PAYMENT: Bills were paid in the usual manner.

Questions were answered from the press.

Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Administrative Assistant