MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 - 7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Selectman K.C. Baird, Selectman Richard Bramley, Highway Foreman Rick Stone, Lorch Farm Lessee Chris Hopkins

First Selectman Ridgway called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

MINUTES: Selectman Bramley approved the minutes of October 6 and October 8, 2008 as presented. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to add to the agenda Appointment to Housatonic River Commission and Highway Update. Selectman Baird seconded with the addition of Halloween. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman shared several letters he had received with the Board which were summarily reviewed and will be considered for discussion at the next regular meeting. From Annie Kosciusko, Planning & Zoning Chair, a communication concerning the Economic Development Committee of the Town Plan. From Park and Recreation Commission a letter from the clerk. From Governor Rell a letter concerning the requirement of posting agendas and minutes on municipally operated websites. Concerning this issue, the Board consensus was the town does not have an official municipally operated website. The Board thanks the Cornwall website for all the work citizens do to make this site possible. It is generally regarded as a superior website to others that are official municipally operated sites.

HALLOWEEN: Selectman Baird inquired as to the town status of upcoming Halloween. Town Hall will be open 5:00-8:00 p.m. Halloween night. The town is not hiring any off duty officers. The Junior Department of the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department will be patrolling as they have done in years past.

ENERGY: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on the completion of the transfer of town fuel needs to East River Oil Company as part of the Region One Consortium. With dropping fuel prices the town may be paying more than some but this has been balanced out by the postponement of road resurfacing.

First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on the bid award for a photovoltaic system at Cornwall Consolidated School. It went to a company out of New Britain. The Board discussed the bid process and bids submitted. If the town receives another 20 sign ups, the town will have 30% which will qualify it for an additional 5 kw system, provided Cornwall is the first town to reach this 30% level. The Board discussed what might be done to reach this level.

There are two additional people on the Energy Task Force committee.

LORCH FARM BARN ADDITION: Mr. Chris Hopkins presented to the Board plans for an addition on the back of the town barn on the Lorch property to house hay wagons from the rain and equipment during winter. The Board reviewed the plan and a map showing the location and discussed logistics of the addition. The Board and Mr. Hopkins discussed the reroofing of one side of the barn at Mr. Hopkins’ expense. The Board appreciates Mr. Hopkins’ expenditure to stabilize and reroof the town’s barn. As the property owner, the Board saw no problem with the proposal for the addition. Therefore Selectman Bramley made the motion to grant Chris Hopkins permission to build an addition on the barn as reviewed upon the appropriate approvals from Zoning Boards and the Building Official. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

CORNWALL LIBRARY MEETING: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on his meeting with the Cornwall Free Library Board. The Library has seen a reduction in donations since their last appeal letter and anticipates further reduction with the current financial situation in the country. The Library proposes a town sponsored meeting early next year of towns people comprising of the Library, the Child Center and the Fire Department, where discussion may ensue of what these organizations are doing for the town and what their needs are. This would bring economic focus to a local level on local needs.

No action was taken.

STEAP IV FAÇADE PROGRAM: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on his and Selectman Bramley’s meeting with Rick Lynn concerning how to set up the grant for the façade program. They were impressed by how much leg work has already been done on a procedure for setting up façade programs by towns that have had such programs. The Board discussed this. The next step is to appoint a three or four member committee to oversee the program. The Board discussed the components of such a committee and additional personnel such as a project manager. A time frame was discussed proposing applications be ready to go out just after the first of the year, due in February and possible award in March. The Board consensus was to table appointing a committee until next regular meeting for further consideration.

STEAP II HUGHES MEMORIAL LIBRARY: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on an upcoming meeting October 28 with the Department of Environmental Protection and Connecticut Light and Power to discuss the proposal of town ownership of part or all of the parcel next to the Hughes Memorial Library for a septic easement for the library. The Board discussed ownership and pros/cons of such. First Selectman Ridgway will attend the meeting with Hughes Memorial Library President and Board member.

TOWN REPORT AND TOWN MEETING: The Board reviewed and discussed the newly printed town report and discussed the upcoming Town Meeting scheduled Thursday, October 23.

HIGHWAY: The Board met with Highway Foreman Rick Stone and discussed highway projects, reviewing the summer and fall projects and discussing upcoming winter strategy. Mr. Stone reported he had purchased snow blades in the summer before the prices went up. Mr. Stone and the Board discussed the use of Magic Salt versus use of salt and sand, costs and effectiveness, advantages and disadvantages. Sand and salt will be used rather than the Magic Salt for the most part.

BILL PAYMENT: Bills were paid in the usual manner.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel and legal advice and to invite Mr. Stone to join the Board. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Board went into Executive Session at 8:50 p.m.

The Board came out of executive session at 9:40 p.m. No action was taken.

Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Administrative Assistant