MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, January 18, 2011 - 7:30 p.m. - Town Hall
PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Selectman K.C. Baird, Selectman Richard Bramley, Kate Freygang Cornwall Energy Task Force Chairperson, two citizens
First Selectman Ridgway called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
MINUTES: The Board reviewed the minutes of January 3 and January 11. Selectman Bramley made a correction under STORM REVIEW clarifying the savings of the surplus sand as the difference between $1.50 a yard and $18.00 a yard for a $16.50 a yard savings. Selectman Bramley made the motion to accept the minutes of January 3 as corrected and the minutes of January 11, 2011 as presented. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to add to the agenda Budget Transfer for Transfer Station, COST Meeting and Scheduling Interviews for Highway Department. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Ridgway had a communication from Highway Crew Leader Jim Vanicky that he and the crew will be going back out and sanding the roads again tonight.
CORNWALL ENERGY TASK FORCE: Chairperson Kate Freygang updated the Board on the work of the Cornwall Energy Task Force. The original mandate of 20% by 2010 has been accomplished. The committee is now setting new goals and desires input from the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Freygang and the Board discussed new projects, building energy audits and what is going on in the energy world.
BUDGET 2011-2012: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to table to the end of the agenda the discussion of the 2011-2012 budget to accommodate citizens present. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES CONTRACT: First Selectman Ridgway discussed with the Board the reopening of the highway contract to review salary and health insurance benefits. This will be done by the end of June. The Board discussed this.
APPOINTMENTS: The Board reviewed three committees; two to be reinstated as established by town ordinance and the creation of a new group.
The Board reviewed a list of volunteers for the Committee on the Aging and the town ordinance. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to appoint Joe Gwazdauskas, Lucy Kling, Bronwyn O’Shaughnessy, Paul Baren and Jane Prentice to staggered terms, the members to decide among themselves the initial term lengths. Selectman Baird seconded. There was discussion. Motion passed unanimously.
The Board reviewed a list of volunteers for the Conservation Commission and the town ordinance. The Board decided to request a note of interest from each volunteer as there are more volunteers than positions. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to table decision of appointments until the next regular Board of Selectmen meeting. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
The Board reviewed a list of volunteers for an Economic Development Study Group. Presently there is no ordinance creating such a group. The Board discussed what the membership should consist of and what the purpose of the group may be. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to appoint Richard Bramley, Bill Dinneen, Bianca Griggs and Todd Piker to the Economic Development Study Group. Selectman Baird seconded. There was discussion of how many members should comprise the group. Motion passed unanimously. First Selectman Ridgway will check with two more possible candidates.
TRANSFER STATION PERMIT: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on the renewal of the transfer station permit. There has not been any significant changes since the last renewal, however First Selectman Ridgway has been informed the drawing in of the one change on the previous map is not adequate for the renewal. An engineer will have to be hired to draw in the change and stamp the map. The Board discussed this and who to hire.
CL&P/DEP /WEST CORNWALL LIBRARY PROPERTY STEAP PROJECT: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on the progress of the appropriation of a three acre parcel from Connecticut Light and Power/Northeast Utilities for a septic system for the West Cornwall Library as part of the Small Town Economic Assistance Program. First Selectman Ridgway reported he has had conversation with Mr. Sal Guiliano of Northeast Utilities concerning the wide disparity of the two appraisals obtained. An engineer may be needed to determine if the leftover property is indeed buildable land. The Board discussed this and the constraints on the land. First Selectman Ridgway reported on possible interest of the Department of Environmental Protection in taking over control of the parking lot area and fishing area after the Housatonic Valley Association’s work in building a handicap fishing area. First Selectman Ridgway will seek an engineer’s opinion on the area.
BUDGET TRANSFER: The Board discussed a budget transfer. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to transfer $1,917.72 from Capitol, Transfer Station Skid Steer 02-490919 into Capital Transfer Station Upgrade 02-490990 to engineer and upgrade a new heater for the transfer station. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
COST MEETING: The Board discussed the upcoming Council of Small Towns Connecticut Town Meeting 2011 in Cromwell, Connecticut tomorrow. The Board will car pool from Town Hall.
SCHEDULING INTERVIEWS FOR HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: The Board reviewed the applications received for the highway department positions. The Board set a cutoff date of January 26 for any further applications. The Board discussed parameters for choosing candidates. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to interview four candidates next Monday, January 24. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
BUDGET: The Board discussed the 2011-2012 budget.
BILL PAYMENT: Due to today’s snow storm the treasurer was unable to come into the office. Therefore the bills were not available to be paid.
Meeting adjourned 9:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Hart
Administrative Assistant