MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Monday, June 1, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

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

First Selectman Ridgway called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.

MINUTES: Selectman Bramley made the motion to approve the minutes of May 19 and April 22, 2009 as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion, upon the advice of the Finance Director, to clarify in the minutes of May 4, 2009 that the $285 half cost of the insurance for the Farmer’s Market came from the Cornwall Endowment Fund. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: First Selectman Ridgway made a motion to add to the agenda Probate Court Redistricting Plan and Dan Cain Burn Permit. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Ridgway reported a communication from Mr. Todd Piker in the form of a letter proposing to create a Cornwall Cultural Center in West Cornwall making West Cornwall a destination for tourists. The Board reviewed the letter and discussed the meeting of First Selectman Ridgway with Mr. Piker.

Selectman Baird shared a communication from a member of the highway crew concerning the Health Savings Account option.

PROBATE COURT REDISTRICTING PLAN: First Selectman Ridgway informed the Board of the State’s plan to reduce the number of Probate Courts from 114 to 45, not more than 55. The Board discussed the impact this would have on Cornwall whose present probate court is in North Canaan as part of the Northwestern Probate Court. This would dissolve leaving Cornwall with the option of becoming a part of the probate court system in Winsted, Torrington or Litchfield. First Selectman Ridgway reported he had received a letter from Judge Vail requesting Cornwall to support the North Canaan Probate Court as a satellite court to Winsted. Mr. Pierzga was present and discussed his concerns of the Probate Court system with the Board. The Board discussed options, costs and what may happen if the North Canaan Court as a satellite court is closed by the state in the future. It takes a legislative act for a town to change court systems, Cornwall may not have a choice which system it becomes a part of. There will be further discussion of the situation with Judge Vail at the next regular Selectmen’s meeting June 16.

SMALL BANK ACCOUNTS: The Board reviewed a list of small bank accounts. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion, upon the recommendation of the Finance Director, to move the two accounts Cemetery Howe Wilcox Fund account #1022862 and the Cemetery Funds account #51001360 from Torrington Savings Bank to National Iron Bank. Selectman Bramley seconded. There was further discussion. Motion passed unanimously.

KUGEMAN VILLAGE TAX EXEMPT: First Selectman Ridgway reported he had received a request from Mr. Snyder, manager of Kugeman Village, for documentation of Kugeman Village’s status as tax exempt for the State Pilot Program. The Board discussed the tax status of the village. There was a Town Meeting which voted to not tax Kugeman Village. The town is not reimbursed by the state for the taxes not collected. This enables Kugeman to receive a greater subsidy from the state.

OIL TANKS: The Board discussed the replacement of the oil tank in the Town Hall with two tanks. First Selectman Ridgway reported the highway foreman had a figure of $1500 for the two tanks with the work to be done by the highway crew. The Board had received an estimate from Decker & Beebee. The Board discussed and compared the two estimates. No decision was made. Tabled for further consideration.

DOCK BIDS: First Selectman Ridgway reported he had received only one estimate for the rebuilding of the docks at the beach. Contractors are already busy this time of year. The Board discussed the estimate of $3,000 for labor and $3,000 for materials and budget of $5,000.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to accept the bids of $3,000 from Northeast Builders for materials and $3,000 from Peter Russ for labor. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

LAP FREEZE: First Selectman Ridgway reported on the option of accepting a three year freeze on the Liability Auto and Property insurance with CIRMA. The Board discussed the freeze and costs.

Selectman Baird made the motion to accept the three year freeze on the Liability Auto and Property insurance with CIRMA. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ACO APPOINTMENT: First Selectman Ridgway reported he had received a request from the State Animal Control office of the Department of Agriculture for an update on the town’s Animal Control Officers.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to reappoint Rick Stone as Animal Control Officer and to reappoint Brad Hedden as Assistant Animal Control Officer. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ROAD RESURFACTING: First Selectman Ridgway reported the highway foreman Rick Stone will draw up a spec sheet for the road resurfacing to be done in August in the Northwest corner of the town. The job will go out to bid mid June. The work postponed from last August is being done in early June.

DAN CAIN BURN PERMIT: First Selectman Ridgway reported he had received a request from Mr. Cain for a burn permit to burn brush. The Board discussed past issues, events and solutions. The Board discussed what Mr. Cain will need to do as part of the conditions for a burn permit.

AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION came to the Board with a request from a commission member to donate locally produced beef to the Cornwall Food Pantry. This was discussed and suggestions made where to inquire if the pantry would be permitted to accept the beef. Torrington Area Health District and regulations may be a factor.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go into executive session to discuss Union Negotiations. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Board went into executive session at 8:55 p.m.

The Board came out of executive session at 9:15 p.m. No action was taken.

BILL PAYMENT: Bills were paid in the usual manner.

Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Administrative Assistant