MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 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 7:30 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Tabled to next meeting.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to add to the agenda Disability Insurance Reform. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: Selectman Baird communicated to the Board that Officer Ed had not received the information from the speed monitor placed above West Cornwall village mid-October. Officer Ed asks that perhaps a call from the First Selectman would expedite the transfer of information.

Selectman Bramley communicated that town people are discussing the recent reassessment.

APPOINTMENTS: First Selectman Ridgway reported that Mr. Art Lorch does not wish to renew serving on the Cornwall Grange Trust Fund Advisory Committee.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to appoint Fred Scoville III to the Cornwall Grange Trust Fund Advisory Committee. Selectman Bramley seconded. There was discussion. Motion passed unanimously.

First Selectman Ridgway reported that Mr. Todd Piker does not wish to continue as Cornwall’s representative to the Northwestern Regional Tourism District. Mr. Piker made recommendations for replacement. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to appoint Bianca Griggs as Cornwall’s representative to the Northwestern Regional Tourism District. Selectman Baird seconded. There was discussion. Motion passed unanimously.

First Selectman Ridgway reported the resignation of Land Use Administrator Karl Nilsen. First Selectman Ridgway is working with Planning and Zoning on a replacement.

SNOW PARKING BAN: The Board reviewed and signed the Snow Parking Ban which will be in effect December 1, 2006 – March 30, 2007.

ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULE: The Board reviewed the annual meeting schedule for 2007. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion, it was seconded by Selectman Bramley, to adopt the annual meeting schedule for 2007 wherein the meetings will be held generally on the first Monday and third or fourth Tuesday of the month. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

BREAST CANCER: January is Breast Cancer awareness month. First Selectman Ridgway has received a request from Outdoor Grassroots requesting the town of Cornwall to join in on a proclamation for the Winter Wonderland Walk to increase awareness about breast cancer. Selectman Baird made the motion to authorize First Selectman Ridgway to sign a proclamation on behalf of the Second Annual Winter Wonderland Walk for the Cure to Benefit Breast Cancer Research and the Susan G. Komen Foundation Connecticut Affiliate Breast Cancer Alliance proclaiming January 20, 2007 as Winter Wonderland Walk For the Cure Day in the town of Cornwall. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

CLEAN ENERGY: The Board discussed an option for clean energy. If a certain percentage of the town signs up there is an option to buy power from a source which obtains 10% of their power from renewable resources. There would be no obligation to the town. The Board discussed this option. First Selectman Ridgway will consult with other towns whose citizens have signed on. This will be a winter project to pursue.

MERZ PROPERTY: First Selectman Ridgway reported that perk tests have been done on the upper levels of the Merz property in Cornwall Bridge. The Board reviewed an affordable house parcel on the Merz property.

GENERATORS: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on Homeland Security grant funds and progress in applying these funds to the purchase of generators for the Town Hall and the Cornwall Bridge firehouse.

BUDGET LETTERS: The Board reviewed and made changes to the budget request letters which will soon go out to Boards, Commissions and organizations supported in the town budget. The Board discussed the recent revaluation and the need for budget requests to be frugal.

BUDGET TRANSFER: First Selectman Ridgway reported he had reviewed with Highway Foreman Rick Stone highway garage items that need attention. The Board discussed the money in the capitol line for garage repairs and what repairs need to be done. The Board discussed the cost of the new highway truck is under budget making available some money there for highway equipment upgrade. The Board reviewed the budget and money for capitol road projects.

The Board also discussed tax refund requests for vehicles sold during the tax year.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to make two budget transfers, one for $8000 from highway truck line 02-900-917-15 to increase highway equipment line 02-900-910-15 for replacement and new purchases of highway equipment; second one for $2,625 from contingency line 01-466-100-00 to increase tax refund line 01-465-705-85 for requests for refunds among vehicle owners. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

STEAP GRANTS: The Board discussed STEAP grants for the Historical Society and the Hughes Memorial Library. There will need to be a town meeting to approve the town to front the money for these projects which will then be reimbursed from the STEAP grant. First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on the progress of the pavilion on the Foote fields, another STEAP grant project.

PERSONNEL AND SAFETY COMMITTEES: First Selectman Ridgway reported to the Board there is a need to activate a personnel and safety committee. The Board will think of people to work on a committee to review safety issues.

DISABILITY INSURANCE REFORM: The Board discussed disability insurance, definitions and options for employees. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to take on the Region One Disability Policy and will report to the Board on how it will be funded at the next BOS meeting. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

First Selectman Ridgway reported that some sand and salt has been delivered.

BILL PAYMENT/EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to pay bills and go into executive session to discuss personnel. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Bills were paid in the usual manner. The Board went into executive session at 9:15 p.m.

The Board came out of executive session at 9:35 p.m.

No action was taken.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Secretary to the Board of Selectmen