MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Monday, October 1, 2007

8:00 p.m. - Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Ridgway, Selectman Baird, Selectman Bramley, two reporters, three citizens

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Selectman Baird made the motion, it was seconded by Selectman Bramley, to accept the minutes of September 18 as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Ridgway communicated to the Board he was in receipt of an e mail from Judy Herkimer concerning the telecommunication towers forum recently held in the Town Hall. The missive was discussed. First Selectman Ridgway will discuss with the fire chief and ambulance captain if the coverage for emergencies is sufficient in the area.

Ms. Herkimer communicated to the Board the need to dispose of the noxious Japanese Knotweed. She had requested in an e mail permission to dispose of the weed in the transfer station compactor. The Board discussed the weed and the DEP recommendation to dispose of it by burning. First Selectman Ridgway will check into the impact of the disposal of the weed in the compactor.

Selectman Baird asked about a letter received from Mr. Towill concerning Dark Entry Road. First Selectman Ridgway had spoken with Mr. Towill. The Board discussed what will be done with the road.

AGRICULTURE COMMISSION MEMO: The Board reviewed a letter received from the Cornwall Agricultural Committee concerning the current assessment of values of Cornwall 490 Farm Land. The Board discussed how values may be assessed. First Selectman Ridgway will share and discuss the memo with the Assessor.

CELL TOWERS: The Board discussed the recent forum on telecommunication towers in the Northwest corner sponsored by Northwestern Connecticut Council of Governments and held in the Town Hall. The Board discussed the areas in town that have been approached by Verizon: firehouse in Cornwall Bridge, up the hill from the firehouse, route 45 and 78 Popple Swamp Road. The Board discussed the need for meetings when applications are made. The Board discussed present regulations, the request for a propagation plan and the concern there are no pay phones in Cornwall Bridge, West Cornwall or Cornwall Plains.

WILCOX CEMETERY: The Board discussed the Wilcox cemetery off route 63 in the northeast corner of town. Maintenance is the responsibility of the town. The Board reviewed work that needs to be done on the fencing and a quote received for that work.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to spend up to $1000 to replace fence rails as determined by Mr. John O’Donnell at the Wilcox Cemetery off route 63 this fall. Selectman Bramley seconded. There was discussion. Motion passed unanimously.

STEAP IV: The Board discussed the morning meeting with West Cornwall businesses and the topics discussed: traffic, public toilets, trends in tourism, possible state grant for businesses, Town Plan update, and vacant business buildings. The Selectmen also discussed a possible façade grant for businesses through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program, how much and what it may be used for and how it may used. First Selectman Ridgway will pursue this. The Board will have a similar meeting with the Cornwall Bridge businesses to discuss their particular issues. The grant will be available to all the businesses in town.

TOWN MEETING CALL: The Board reviewed and discussed the three items on the call to the Annual Town Meeting of October 26. The Board reviewed the history and situation necessitating the transfer of town land with the Randalls. First Selectman Ridgway suggested inviting the Randalls and historian Michael Gannet to the Town Meeting.

The Board reviewed the Five Year Plan. Selectman Baird made the motion to adopt the Five Year Plan. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Five Year Plan will go to the Board of Finance for approval before the Town Meeting. The Board discussed the FEMA reimbursement money for the costs incurred by the April 2007 Northeaster and what further road repairs this money may be used for.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion, Selectman Bramley seconded it, to take these three items to Town Meeting on October 26, 2007. Motion passed unanimously.

CORNWALL BRIDGE LIGHTS: The Board reviewed and discussed a letter of reply from Connecticut DOT in response to a letter sent requesting the state take over the lighting of seven lights around the intersection of route 4 and 7 in Cornwall Bridge from the merchants who pay for the lighting. The state will review the seven lights and determine if it is warranted to keep them lit. If so they will take them over.

BILL PAYMENT: Bills were paid in the usual manner.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Secretary to the Board of Selectmen