MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

Tuesday, June 16, 2009- 7:30 p.m. – Town Hall

PRESENT: Selectman Richard Bramley, First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Probate Judge Charles Vail, four citizens

First Selectman Ridgway called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Selectman Bramley made the motion to approve the minutes of June 1, 2009 as presented. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to add to the agenda Trees at CCS. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: There were none.

PROBATE JUDGE: Probate Judge Vail spoke to the Selectmen concerning the consolidation of probate courts in Connecticut. The state is asking the 144 probate courts to consolidate into not less than 44, not more than 55 courts. The Board and Judge Vail discussed the consolidation already done creating the regional probate court in North Canaan. Judge Vail had come to ask the Board to adopt a resolution. The Board read and discussed it. The Board and Judge Vail discussed options for northwest corner court consolidations and the continuation of the North Canaan court as a satellite court. The Board and Judge Vail received comments and questions from citizen present.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to pass the resolution:

RESOLVED: The Town of Cornwall strongly supports the maintenance of the current probate court facilities at the North Canaan Town Hall as a satellite probate court office attached to whichever probate court district the Town of Cornwall becomes a part of as a result of passage of PA 09-114 providing for Probate Court Consolidation into not more than 50 probate districts within the State of Connecticut, and further resolve the Town of Cornwall seeks to join Litchfield Court District if courts are to be consolidated. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ARRA: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on two meetings with the Office of Policy and Management concerning energy funds availability to the town. The Board discussed possible local and regional projects and federal requirements.

The Board discussed the Great Hill/Great Hollow stimulus money for paving projects. The Board discussed the hiring of a supervisor for the project.

DOCKS AT THE BEACH: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on the docks at the beach. They have been launched. The project is over budget. The Board discussed where the additional funds may come from.

CELL TOWER LETTER: The Board reviewed and discussed with citizens present two letters received from Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. concerning cell towers at 78 Popple Swamp Road and 16 Bell Road Extension and the time period for public comments to Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. no later than July 17, 2009.

WCVIS: First Selectman Ridgway reported he had met with Ms. Griggs concerning a request for funds for the West Cornwall Village Improvement Society for the upkeep and maintenance of plantings in West Cornwall village. The Board discussed where funds may come from. The Board discussed a request from Ian Ingersoll for the funding of a public toilet on his property.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to grant $250 to the West Cornwall Village Improvement Society for maintenance in West Cornwall village and up to $1200 for a public toilet, funds to come from the Building Inspection Fee line. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

CORNWALL BUSINESS MEETING: The Board discussed a meeting with Cornwall businesses. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to apply for the Housatonic Heritage Grant up to $5000 for kiosks and the republishing of walking tour maps of the villages. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

MOHAWK SKI AREA: The Board received the Five Year Plan for the Mohawk Ski Area.

RATE BILL: The Board reviewed the rate bill. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to sign the rate bill confirming the tax rate is the same as last year. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

TAX REFUND: The Board reviewed a tax refund request. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to refund $110.74 to VW Credit Leasing Inc. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go into executive session to discuss Personnel. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Board went into executive session at 9:10 p.m.

The Board came out of executive session at 9:20 p.m. No action was taken.

BILL PAYMENT: Bills were paid in the usual manner.

TREES AT CCS: First Selectman Ridgway informed the Board of tree issues at Cornwall Consolidated School and the solar panel installation.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Administrative Assistant