Minutes of Regular Meeting on September 17th, 2009

Present Y- N

Regular Members;

N

Anne Ingvertsen

N

Earl Brecher

N

Celia Senzer

Y

Sally Hart

Y

Ralph Gold - CHM

Y

Tom Bechtle

Alternates;

Others;

Y

John LaPorta

Y

Barbara Herbst, Board Clerk

Y

Jack Preston

Y

Gordon M. Ridgway, First Selectman arrived @ 7:45

Call to Order:

7:30 p.m.

Chairman Ralph Gold asked Jack Preston to sit for Anne Ingvertsen and John LaPorta to sit for Celia Senzer.

Additions to the

None

Agenda

Minutes:

May 21st, 2009 minutes of regular meeting were mailed to all members with August

meeting cancellation notice

All reported reading the minutes.

Minutes:

May 22nd, 2009 minutes of Special Meeting to set the FY 2010 mil rate were mailed to all members.

with the August meeting cancellation notice

All reported reading the minutes.

Motion:

Tom Bechtle

Made a motion to approve both sets of minutes as presented

John LaPorta

Seconded

Chairman

Asked for any discussion

Sally H. pointed out a typographical error, tat for the word that

Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman suggested that the order of the agenda be modified to accommodate the arrival of First Selectman Ridgway.

Review of CCS

Form ED049F was completed by Sam Herrick the Business Manager for Region One, and dropped off for review by the Board of Finance prior to the meeting by courier, Susan Gingert. Finance Director, Barbara Herbst, gave a brief overview of the final numbers and bonding information. Total cost of the project was Three Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy-Five Dollars($3,823,175). Funding was provided by the sale of General Obligation Bonds on 11/13/2003 in the amount of Two Million, Seven Hundred Thousand dollars ($2,700,000), additional funding was provided by the Town of Cornwall in the form of Capital Budget appropriations over two years, private donations, School Building Committee contributions and State Funding. When this final accounting is approved, accepted and signed off on by the State of Connecticut, Department of Education, then the accumulated Bond interest income being held in reserve will be released to fund future CCS Capital Projects associated with the building. Currently the accumulated Bond interest income is One Hundred and Seventy-Two Thousand, Fifty-Seven Dollars and two cents($172,057.02).

Building Project

final numbers

Unemployment

BOE was notified by State Department of Labor that one prior employee of CCS has filed a claim to receive unemployment benefits starting 6/28/09 and ending 6/26/10. It was noted that this employee has already received one full year of benefits and is eligible to collect another full cycle due to law modifications. The total liability can not exceed Eleven Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety-Two Dollars ($11,492). The Town of Cornwall is liable for all State Unemployment claims by previous employees, however is exempt from any Federal mandated extensions or modifications of the State program. Chairman Gold pointed out the BOE did not budget for this expense in FY 2010 so when they have a final FY cost, they will approach the BOF and request funding through a budget transfer. Currently the contingency line will be earmarked to fund this expense.

Claim

Reports of Boards

and Commissions:

Board of Selectmen

Cornwall is eligible for Federal Stimulus money for Energy Projects and Highway Projects. The Energy Projects are to be "Green" and a general outline is that each municipality can apply for up to Twenty-Nine Thousand Dollars (29,000) for qualifying projects. Because it is Federal money, the "Davis Bacon Act" will apply and this means regulated wage rates for all workers employed on these projects. The Board of Selectmen are discussing possible uses for this money such as solar panels for some municipal buildings.

The Federal Stimulus money that is available to the Town of Cornwall for Highway projects is unique in that Cornwall has a stretch of road from Pine Street, to Essex Hill to Great Hollow Road to Great Hill Road that qualifies as a Rural Connector. Funds available for reconditioning and improving this stretch of road are in the neighborhood of Ninety Thousand (90,000) to One Hundred Thousand (100,000) dollars. The Board of Selectmen are engaging Roger Kane to help analyze and document the scope of a project for this location. Alternative types of road restoration are being explored such as chip sealing which would allow for repairs that are not subject to Federal specifications. Once a plan is created it will be sent off to the State for approval.

Once projects and approved and awarded, money would be expended and then the Town would apply for reimbursement.

The road oiling for 2008-2009 has been completed, we are one year behind and this has advantages and disadvantages. New oiling products are being tried and the first reviews are positive. Road sweeping has been under way and is expected to be finished in another week. Cherry Hill, Cream Hill and the NW section of town will be spot patched before winter.

The Building Inspector has sent out notices to owners of unstable buildings with a demand to either stabilize or demolish. One of worthy note is the Rumsey Hall building, the owner has inquired about a demolition permit however it is a Landmark Building so it may be subject to special requirements.

Tom B asked how long the list is of these buildings.

First Selectman Ridgway replied that is relatively short.

The Annual Town Meeting is set for October 23rd, 2009. Two items pending on the agenda for that meeting are the new Five Year Capital Plan and a modification to the contract that the Town of Cornwall has with the Building Inspector. Currently the Building Inspector is compensated with ninety (90) percent of all the building permit fees he collects. It is anticipated that the modification would be to increase the percentage but a formal request has not yet been received by the Board of Selectmen.

A few members of the BOF spoke about working with the Building Inspector. Everyone seemed to be in agreement that Paul Prindle is a very qualified, effective and efficient Building Inspector and has been serving the needs and property owners of Cornwall in a top-notch manner.

Transfers:

Two

Number:

One (1)

To: Capital Projects – Reval # 02-49095115 in the amount of $2,451.09

From: Capital Projects – Road Improvement # 02-49092815

Reason: Correction of a posting error @ FYE 2007 rendered this line negative.

Road Oiling was pushed back one full year in FY 2009, Road Improvements has

a total of $343,274.68

Number:

Two (2)

To: Capital Projects – Hammond Beach Docks # 02-4905678 in the amount of $2,506.18

From: Capital Projects – Hydrants # 02-49093015.

Reason: In-house construction of docks was greater than anticipated.

Capital Projects – Hydrants has been carrying a positive, unused balance from FYE 2006

in the amount of $11,253.00

Motion:

Tom Bechtle

Made a motion to approve both budget transfers as presented

Sally Hart

Seconded

Chairman

Asked for any discussion

Tom B asked why the Beach Docks went 50% over budget, First Selectman Ridgway explained as an in-house project the cost estimating was somewhat less that accurate however the entire dock system has been replaced with the exception of a free floating piece and it has been a great improvement to Hammond Beach.

Motion passed unanimously.

Adjournment:

8:06 p.m.

Motion:

Sally Hart

Made a motion to adjourn

Jack Preston

Seconded

Motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted:

Barbara Herbst

Board Clerk