MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

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.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Selectman Bramley made the motion to approve the minutes of December 19, 2006. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to add to the agenda Executive Session: Real Estate and Driveway Reviews with Planning and Zoning. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: Selectman Bramley communicated that he is investigating whether the state DOT will take over the street lights on route 7 in Cornwall Bridge.

Trooper Cappowich has inquired if the Selectmen have received the report from the speed trailer which was in West Cornwall last October. None received.

CONSERVATION COMMISSION: The Board discussed the now inactive Conservation Commission which was established in 1973. The Board reviewed state statutes and town ordinance in reference to the Conservation Commission. The Board discussed what a present day commission would do in conjunction with other town boards and agencies. To reactivate a Conservation Commission, the Board would make appointments.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to make an effort to investigate if there is any interest in reconvening the Conservation Commission. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

GREEN ENERGY: First Selectman Ridgway reported that he had spoken to Bob Walt of Smart Power concerning Green Energy in the town. Mr. Walt is willing to come speak to the Board concerning Green Energy and after reviewing past bills is willing to give the Board an estimate of the cost rise should town government switch to Green Energy. The Board discussed the implications of this move and towns that have made the switch.

CELL TOWER IN WEST CORNWALL: First Selectman Ridgway reported that he had met with Dr. Brown, Sharon First Selectman, and Housatonic River Cornwall Representative Phil Hart on site to review and discuss an application for a cell tower near the Covered Bridge on the Sharon side of the river. The tower would be a 150 foot monopine and would be visible from the bridge. The Board discussed this and other towers along the river, coverage, and the request to the company for more information.

BUDGET: The Board discussed the upcoming budget process and meeting dates that will be needed to discuss budgets with various offices and agencies.

UPDATES: None

BILL PAYMENT: Bills were paid in the usual manner.

DRIVEWAY REVIEW: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on driveway requests and the need to coordinate the process with Planning and Zoning and Wetlands in a more efficient procedure. The board discussed this and the option of having applicants hire an engineer at their expense to save on the time and efforts of the commissions. First Selectman Ridgway will meet with Planning and Zoning to further discuss the coordination of all the agencies involved. The Board reviewed recent driveway applications.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go into executive session to discuss Personnel and Real Estate. Selectman Bramley seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The Board went into executive session at 8:40 p.m.

The Board came out of executive session at 8:45 p.m. No action was taken.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Secretary to the Board of Selectmen