MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Monday, August 2, 2010 - 7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Selectman K.C. Baird, 11 citizens, 4 reporters

First Selectman Ridgway called the meeting to order at 7:39 p.m.

MINUTES: Selectman Baird made the motion to approve the minutes of July 6, July 13, July 14, July 20 and July 21, 2010 as presented. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

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

COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Ridgway reported he was in receipt of a letter from John Hubbard, President of the Cornwall Village Improvement Society on behalf of concerned citizens present at the July 31, 2010 society meeting. The Board and those present reviewed the letter which requested the Board to keep them informed about what is happening to the Rumsey building. The letter listed concerns which the Board and those present discussed. First Selectman Ridgway updated those present on what has been done concerning the building and a scheduled meeting at the end of the week. The Board and those present discussed how the building may be made safer and more secure and the logistics of demolition. First Selectman Ridgway will be in touch with Mr. Hubbard on progress.

SUMMER PROJECTS: The Board reviewed summer projects:

• asphalt preparation for the liquid resurfacing of roads in West Cornwall and northwest Cornwall

• First Selectman Ridgway’s meeting with Mr. Roger Kane concerning the Great Hollow/Great Hill Roads project which will be postponed to a later date

• Check list from the Department of Transportation for the posting of traffic speed signs and the time frame for DOT review of permit

• Grant expiration date for traffic calming portion of the STEAP grant before DOT review of the signs

• Application for a second round of the Façade and Traffic Calming STEAP grant

• Gorman Brothers liquid resurfacing bid price adjustment as what is being applied is different from what was priced in the bid resulting in a lower cost

CELL TOWER HEARING OF JULY 20: The transcript of the July 20 hearing with the Connecticut Siting Council for the 16 Bell Road Extension cell tower permit has been received electronically. A hard copy will be coming which will be available for review in the Town Clerk’s offices in Cornwall and in Sharon.

The Board and those present discussed the hearing, the objectionable behavior of the chairman, where other towers may be located in Cornwall in addition to Bell Road, and the possibilities of repeaters.

POUGHKEEPSIE ROAD: The Board reviewed a letter of July 28, 2010 from Mr. James Steck of Herbst & Herbst LLC representing Mr. Matt Collins requesting a meeting to discuss the status of Old Poughkeepsie Road which abuts Mr. Collins’ property. Mr. Collins’ would like access to his property over the road which is the same road Verizon is considering using to access the cell tower site on Bell Road Extension. The Board discussed the letter, the condition of the road bed, the lack of an A2 survey of the area to establish ownership, the 1866 Town Meeting which discontinued Old Poughkeepsie and whether this refers to the section in question. First Selectman Ridgway will forward this letter to the Planning and Zoning Commission for comments and then to the Siting Council.

VISIT CORNWALL: The Board discussed the Housatonic Heritage Grant for the “Visit Cornwall” project. The Board viewed the display racks, the map in progress and the drawing by Marc Simont to be added to the display racks. The Board discussed the businesses in town which may display the racks. The goal is to have the racks up by mid August.

FAÇADE PROGRAM: The Board discussed the second round of STEAP grant for the continuation of the Façade and Traffic Calming program. The state had further questions which First Selectman Ridgway answered. The Board anticipates a summary article in the next chronicle on this program.

KATE’S SIGN: The Board reviewed the EPA Green Power Community sign which states that Cornwall exceeds the EPA guidelines for buying clean renewable energy. The signs were given to the town from the EPA Green Power Partnership. One sign will be posted at the grade school by the solar panels. The other sign will go to Kate Freygang, chairperson of the Clean Energy Task Force, for her use at presentations. Neither will be posted on the road sides.

The Board received comments and questions from citizens present. Mr. Blakey requested a new post office sign on Bolton Hill Road off route 4. Mr. Blakey brought concerns he had heard of the status of the flag on the green. Whose responsibility is it to lower and raise it according to the Governor’s dictates? First Selectman Ridgway welcomed any volunteer to take on that task. Presently it is the responsibility of the Selectmen’s office.

BILL PAYMENT: The Board reviewed the bills and the 2009-2010 budget.

Selectman Baird made the motion to make the budget transfer #6 as presented by the Finance Director for the year end reconciliation of the budget. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Budget transfer #6 is appended to these minutes.

Bills were paid in the usual manner.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Administrative Assistant