MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 7:30 - p.m. - Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon M. Ridgway, Selectman Kenneth C. Baird, Selectman Richard Bramley, Highway Foreman Rick Stone, one citizen, one reporter

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Selectman Bramley made the motion to accept the minutes of June 3, June 18 and June 23, 2008 as presented. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNCIATIONS: First Selectman Ridgway reported he had received a communication from Hugh Cheney regarding mowing the area around the tennis court and in front of the play ground area which he has done for free past years, but now with the rise in cost of gasoline he is requesting payment of $30 each time which is about every 10 days. The Board discussed this. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to approve the expenditure of $30 for each mowing which will be approximately $420 a year. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Bramley communicated there were two newspaper articles in the Harford Courant of interest to the Board. He presented them for review. One article concerned CRRA recycling going to one container for all recyclables. As Cornwall’s waste contract is with CRRA the Board discussed this in terms of advantages/disadvantages to the town. Towns have the option of continuing to separate recyclables at their facilities.

The second article concerned the sealing of roads and a new process which makes the road look like a dirt road. The Board discussed other towns that have tried this and the advantages of the different appearance. The Board will look into this.

Selectman Bramley communicated a concern as to whether the roofer repairing the roof at CCS was aware of the future photovoltaic panels that will be installed. The Board discussed this and the condition of the roof. First Selectman Ridgway will speak to the roofer.

CVFD PUMPER SPECS: First Selectman Ridgway presented the bid specifications for the pumper fire truck. First Selectman Ridgway expressed thanks for the time and care of the CVFD Truck Committee in preparing the specs for the purchase of a new pumper truck. Mr. Steve Hedden from the truck committee was present to discuss and answer questions from the Selectmen and from the press. Costs, which truck will be replaced, time line of production and delivery were a few of the items discussed.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to approve the bid specifications as prepared by the CVFD Truck Committee and the accompanying cover letter and schedule. Selectman Baird seconded. There was further discussion. The truck will belong to the Town of Cornwall and the bid will come from the Selectmen to various vendors. Motion passed unanimously. A legal notice will be published.

STEAP GRANTS: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on the progress of the various STEAP grants. The highway crew worked on the Foote Fields ball field with Hedden Landcare to ready it for the town picnic of July 4. The water fountain has been installed.

The library license agreement with the power company is not agreeable with Torrington Area Health District which will not approve a septic field on land that is not permanent for the library. The Board discussed this complication.

The Historical Society is ready to break ground for their building project. The highway crew has assisted them with back hoe work.

The paperwork is done for the Economic Development and Traffic Calming grant. The Board discussed this grant. First Selectman Ridgway relayed to the Board from a COG meeting of a goal from the Housatonic Heritage Area for each hamlet or village along the river to have an information center to make the area more tourist friendly. The Board discussed this.

CCS PLAYGROUND: The Board discussed the new playscape which will replace the old one at Cornwall Consolidated School. The highway crew will demolish the old one. The new one should be up before school starts.

CORNWALL BRIDGE STREET LIGHTS: Selectman Bramley reviewed with the Board the situation of street lights in Cornwall Bridge and their status. Three will go dark, two are being taken over by merchants, one by the state and Selectman Bramley recommended one to be taken over by the town. The Board discussed this.

Selectman Bramley made the motion the town take over the responsibility of the street light in Cornwall Bridge near the intersection of route 4 and Brook Road. Selectman Baird seconded. There was further discussion. Motion passed unanimously.

ENERGY TASK FORCE: First Selectman Ridgway reported the Board of Education has signed an agreement with Energy Alliance to relamp the grade school at a savings of approximately $10,000 a year. First Selectman Ridgway reported he has signed an agreement with Energy Alliance for the town office buildings at a savings of approximately $200 a year. He also reported on the work for the photovoltaic panels for the school. The Town is close to earning a third panel.

The Board answered questions from the press on various subjects.

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 8:35 p.m.

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

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Administrative Assistant