MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Ridgway, Selectman Baird, Selectman Bramley

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Selectman Bramley made the motion to approve the minutes of 8:00 p.m. October 1, 2007 with the clarification under TOWN MEETING CALL of the transfer of land with the Randalls, being the former McLean property adjacent with the town green. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to add to the agenda New sign in Cornwall Village and Energy Day of November 17. Selectman Bramley seconded with the addition of Agricultural Commission Recommendation. Motion passed unanimously.

No COMMUNICATIONS.

SIGN IN CORNWALL VILLAGE: The Board reviewed and discussed a mock-up of a sign to be posted by the Cornwall Association coming into the village off route 4 at Jewel and Bolton Hill Road. The consensus of the Board was approval for the sign with the addition of “Please Drive Slowly”.

ENERGY DAY: The Board discussed the upcoming Energy Day in Cornwall of November 17.

AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: The Board discussed the letter presented by the Agricultural Commission at the last regular meeting concerning the current assessment of values of Cornwall 490 Farm Land. The Board discussed the recommendation of the commission that the assessor follow the state recommended land use values for the various land types. Selectman Bramley spoke concerning his meeting with the Assessor concerning this recommendation. The Board discussed who may be affected by a change of value, the amount of farm land an owner would need to see much difference, the amount of forest land owned by the state. At this time the consensus of the Board is to support the rationale of the Assessor in making her assessment and to make no change. Selectman Bramley will draft a letter to the Agricultural Commission communicating this.

TOWN MEETING: The Board discussed the Town Report which is on the Town Meeting call. The Board discussed the Auditor Report and the printing of a Budgetary Comparison Schedule since the Auditor Report will not be ready in time. The Board reviewed a draft of the schedule.

BUDGET TRANSFER: The Board discussed an additional request for payment for stone wall repair at route 4 cemetery. The Board discussed repair work that needs to be done at other town cemeteries. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to transfer $1200 from 01-466-100-00 Contingency to Cemetery Maintenance 01-465-707-80 for repairs of town cemeteries. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

HIGHWAY PROJECTS: The Board discussed highway projects and FEMA money received as reimbursement for last April’s Northeaster. To date $95,000 has been received. The Board discussed highway projects that need to be done. The Board discussed small paving jobs and the option of the highway crew doing these jobs themselves. The Board discussed manpower, seasons of extra work and the hiring of part time workers versus the hiring of an additional full time employee.

FUEL BIDS: First Selectman Ridgway reported to the Board on his negotiations with SCASCO for a fuel bid. The Board discussed the fluctuating prices. Selectman Bramley made the motion to authorize First Selectman Ridgway to lock in a price with SCASCO not to exceed $2.65 after checking with Region One Business Manager Mr. Herrick on the consortium price. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

TOWN HALL FURNACE: The Board discussed the history of the Town Hall furnace and its present condition. The furnace has been condemned by the oil company but has been pieced together by another company to provide heat to part of the building. The board discussed a proposal by the company to install a furnace to heat both sides of the building. The Board discussed the cost of repairing the second furnace.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to accept the proposal from Decker and Beebe to replace the two boilers with one boiler to heat the Town Hall for $7,900. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

BILLS: Bills were paid in the usual manner.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Secretary to the Board of Selectmen