MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Thursday, May 1, 2008 - 7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

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

First Selectman Ridgway called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to accept the minutes of April 3, April 16 and second April 16, and April 22 of 2008. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Ridgway communicated to the Board a representative of the State and DEP and Bob Bass of the Housatonic Rail were present at the morning’s Council of Government meeting to discuss the need to call 911 in the event of a derailment. Mr. Bass confirmed that is their protocol. The State will look at track inspection in this area and will notify the towns of any concerns. There was discussion of the age and wear on the rails. There is federal inspection of rails several times a year.

First Selectman Ridgway reported to the Board of a communication from Nancy Wyman, State Comptroller. The State will be looking into Municipal Employees Health Insurance Plan. The Board will need to determine whether it would be a benefit economically over what the town has with Region One.

CHANGE OF MEETING DATES: The Board reviewed changes to their regular meeting schedule. The changes are necessary due to schedule conflicts. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to make the changes of regular Selectmen meetings of May 5 to May 1, May 20 to May 19, June 2 to June 3. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. These meetings will be posted as Special Board of Selectmen meetings. The original dates will be canceled.

CORNWALL CHILD CENTER ADDITION: The Board discussed the Child Center’s plans for an addition. Due to decreasing enrollment, the center plans to expand to the toddler age group. This will necessitate an additional area. As the town owns the land and leases it to the center, the selectmen will need to sign off on the project.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to give preliminary approval to the plan of an addition. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

PHOTO VOLTAIC AT CCS: First Selectmen updated the Board on the progress of photo voltaic at the grade school. Paperwork has been signed and filed as the prerequisite to the installation. CCS has been chosen as the appropriate site and initial inspection has been made. The Board discussed the progress so far. Internet access is necessary for the site, which the school has, as the energy use will be tracked on a website. This will be done by wireless. The Board discussed the health issues of wireless use. The next step will be the receipt of the feasibility report.

BUDGET 2008-09: The Board discussed the recent hearing on the 2008-09 budget. It went well. Gordon asked the Board if there are any changes to make to the budget as a result of the hearing. There were none.

STEAP GRANTS REVIEWS: The Board reviewed the STEAP grants the town has received.

There are funds still left in the Foote Ball Field grant. The board discussed the use of these funds for a storage equipment shed, permanent benches, the water system, and a basketball area. The Board discussed the parking of cars along route 4 rather than the parking lot built for the purpose of parking and the use of signage to encourage parking in the lot.

The Hughes Memorial Library renovations project is almost ready to go out to bid. First Selectman Ridgway is pursuing the license for a septic agreement with CL&P.

The Board discussed the Business and Traffic Calming grant, the time frame and the process of administering funds to local businesses who apply. The next step in the grant process is the Preliminary Readiness Form. First Selectman Ridgway has received a request for a kiosk in West Cornwall for posting information. The Board discussed this for West Cornwall and Cornwall Bridge villages.

The Historical Society is close to a final design for their building project.

MARIE BAUM SCHOLARSHIP: The Board reviewed two applications received for the Marie Baum Scholarship. This is a scholarship set up by bequest in the will of Ms. Baum, a long time music teacher at CCS, for the purpose of supporting a graduating high school student who displays an interest in music and is a graduate of CCS.

Selectman Baird made the motion to grant the $500 Marie Baum Scholarship to Stephanie Kearns. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

BUDGET TRANSFER: The Board discussed a previous budget transfer request to add funds to the temporary labor line. There are enough funds in the regular labor and road material lines to cover the needs of the temporary labor line.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to table the budget transfer request to add funds to the temporary labor line. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

BILLS: Bills were paid in the usual manner.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go into executive session to discuss Opening Burning violation and Tax Delinquencies. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Board went into executive session at 8:20 p.m.

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

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion; it was seconded by Selectman Baird, to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Administrative Assistant