MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 - 7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Selectman K.C. Baird, Selectman Richard Bramley

First Selectman Ridgway called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

MINUTES: Selectman Bramley made the motion to accept the minutes of November 24 and December 1 as presented. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to add to the agenda Highway Garage Fuel System, Hughes Memorial Library and Executive Session: Personnel. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: Selectman Bramley brought to the Board a concern from a citizen regarding the yield sign on route 45 heading up the hill from route 7. There had been a consideration of this yield changing to a stop sign. The citizen inquired why it had not been changed. First Selectman Ridgway reported he had met with DOT when this concern first came up. DOT is hesitant to change the sign. The Board discussed this.

Selectman Bramley reported to the Board comments he had received concerning the Christmas tree lights on the Cornwall Bridge green.

SYDNEY KAYE FUND: The Board reviewed correspondence between the Finance Director and the Sydney Kaye Advisory Committee. The committee voted unanimously to recommend to the Board of Selectmen the transfer of $2,000 from available interest accrued in the Sydney Kaye Fund to the Cornwall Food and Fuel Bank for the benefit of Cornwall citizens during this harsh economic time. Selectman Baird made the motion to distribute $2000 of the earnings of the Sydney Kaye Fund to the Cornwall Food and Fuel Bank. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION: The Board reviewed a request from the American Heart Association requesting municipalities to participate in the National Wear Red Day for Women movement to bring awareness of cardiovascular disease among women. Wear Red Day will be Friday, February 6. Selectman Baird made the motion to sign the Proclamation proclaiming February 6 to be Wear Red Day for Women in the town of Cornwall in recognition of the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease and stroke and to encourage women to pay attention to their hearts and help them live longer, stronger lives by reducing their risk for cardiovascular disease. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

CORNWALL BRIDGE CHRISTMAS TREE: First Selectman Ridgway reported the solar powered lights are working, the batteries were charged up only once last week. The Board discussed the tree proclaiming it to be the largest solar powered Christmas tree in the state of Connecticut.

STEAP FAÇADE GRANT: The board reviewed and discussed progress for the Façade STEAP Grant. The Board discussed application and how the process would work for distribution of funds.

HUGHES MEMORIAL LIBRARY: The Board reviewed an updated site plan for the Hughes Memorial Library STEAP project containing the 100 year flood plain and new well site. This will be sent to the state and if approved First Selectman Ridgway will go to the State Department of Health and then CL&P proceeding with the easement for a septic system.

APPOINTMENT: The Board discussed the recent appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals and the need for another appointment. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to move Priscilla Miller up from alternate to full member. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Board discussed the need for another alternate to be appointed.

PLANNING AND ZONING: The Board discussed the Open Space Fund and contributions to it in lieu of open space from subdivision. A procedure is needed to access the funds. The Board discussed guidelines on how this money may be spent.

The Board discussed driveways in the town, the costs of fixing them up when they impact town roads and whether a procedure for assessing fees if the owners do not do the repairs needs to be an ordinance.

TRINITY CONFERENCE CENTER: The Board reviewed a letter from the Trinity Conference Center in West Cornwall regarding the raise in the amount paid to the town in lieu of taxes. A request in the change of terms was discussed by the Board. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to table the request for further discussion. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

TAX COLLECTOR REQUEST: The Board reviewed a letter from the tax collector requesting to make Cornwall tax information available on line via the Cornwall website. The Board discussed this and the implications this may have as the Cornwall website is not an official town site. Selectman Bramley made the motion to table any decision for further investigation. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

BUDGET SCHEDULE: The Board reviewed and discussed a budget schedule for working on the 2000-2010 budget.

HIGHWAY GARAGE FUEL SYSTEM: The Board discussed a fuel system for tracking the diesel fuel at the highway garage which is used by the highway trucks, the fire and rescue department and the school buses of the Allstar bus company. The Board discussed the cost of the system and the advantages of having it. The Board will pursue this option.

BILL PAYMENT: Bills were paid in the usual manner.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Board went into executive session at 8:47 p.m.

The Board came out of executive session at 9:02 p.m. No action was taken.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Administrative Assistant