MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Monday, June 7, 2004

7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Selectman Ken Keskinen

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of minutes was tabled until next meeting.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to add to the agenda: Memo of Understanding concerning Homeland Security, OSHA Inspection, Sydney Kaye Request, Rate Bill, Cease & Desist Order, Executive Session: Security of Town Property and Budget Transfer. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: None

MEMO OF UNDERSTANDING: The Board discussed a Memo of Understanding with the State of Connecticut Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security. The State has been awarded a grant from the US Department of Homeland Security to provide equipment to towns. The Board discussed who would oversee the allocation and paperwork. The regional planning agency recommends the state administer the program with consultation with the towns.

Selectman Keskinen made the motion to authorize First Selectman Ridgway to sign the Memo of Understanding and allow the town of Cornwall to enter into an agreement with the Department of Public Safety and Attorney General. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Passed unanimously.

SYDNEY KAYE REQUEST: The Board discussed the Sydney Kaye Fund and the committee who oversees the spending of the interest from the fund. The committee has presented to the Board a request which the Board reviewed. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to approve upon the recommendation of the Sydney Kaye Committee to fund the request received from the Cornwall Youth Fishing Program for $600 to support their fish stocking program. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Passed unanimously.

RATE BILL: At a meeting of the Board of Finance a new mil rate of 21 mills was set. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to sign the Rate Bill on the request of the tax collector. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Passed unanimously.

CEASE AND DESIST ORDER: The Board reviewed a Cease and Desist Order from the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency for the Cornwall Consolidated School project. The Agency wants an updated site plan for drainage, retaining wall and fire pond changes. First Selectman Ridgway is meeting with the architect. He will present the Agency with the information to comply with the request.

BUDGET TRANSFER: The Board discussed a budget transfer and the coming to the end of the Fiscal Year. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to sign the budget transfer for $2,700 from 01-470-733-10 2003 Bond Interest to increase 01-424-581-40 Payroll by $2,200 and to increase 01-406-575-45 Pension by $500 to cover overruns not apparent until the fiscal year’s end.

STEAP GRANT: The Board discussed STEAP grants and what they are available for. The Board discussed the West Cornwall Hughes Memorial Library. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to apply for a STEAP grant of $200,000 to upgrade Hughes Memorial Library and to acquire the abutting CL&P land and $200,000 to upgrade the baseball fields at the Cornwall Consolidated School. Selectman Keskinen seconded. The Board discussed seeking clarification if the town can apply on behalf of the library. Motion passed unanimously.

OIL AND BITUMINOUS BIDS: The highway crew will be working on the roads of the northeast section of the town applying liquid asphalt and bituminous. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go out to bid for MC3000 and Bituminous using last year’s bid form with updated quantities and location. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Passed unanimously.

STUMP BID: The Board reviewed two bids that were received for the removal or chipping of its stump/log pile at the town’s gravel bank on route 128 near West Cornwall. Two options were bid on: Complete removal of entire pile and chip/grind pile and leave chips on premises.

Supreme Industries Inc. in Harwinton bid for $15,000 for complete removal and $15,000 to leave chips on premises.

Wood Grinding Unlimited of Atkinson, NH bid $15,900 for complete removal and $12,900 to leave chips on premises.

The Board discussed the combustion problems of chipped stumps and logs left in place. Selectman Keskinen made the motion to accept the bid from Supreme Industries Inc. in Harwinton for $15,000 for the complete removal of the stump/log pile at the town’s gravel bank on route 128 near West Cornwall pending receipt of a certificate of insurance. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Passed unanimously.

ASSESSOR APPLICATIONS: The Board reviewed applications received for the replacement of Assessor Barbara Johnson. First Selectman Ridgway will review them with the Assessor and obtain guidelines for interviews.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to set up interviews with candidates after screening by the Board and the Assessor. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Passed unanimously.

FOOTE FIELDS/BID SPECS: The Board reviewed the final plan changes to the parcel acquired next to Foote Fields. There will be a public hearing June 11 with the Planning and Zoning after which the project can go out to bid for the ball field - walking track – driveway - parking lot. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to have an engineer draw up specs to go out to bid next Selectmen’s meeting. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed a draft from the town attorney of an agreement with Karla King of swapping a small abutting parcel for a right of way for pedestrian traffic between the new acquired piece and Foote Fields. Changes were made. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to accept the agreement with the changes and send to Karla King for approval. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Passed unanimously.

OSHA: The Board reviewed the changes recommended by OSHA at the town garage, offices and transfer station. Money has been transferred in the budget to cover costs of compliance.

NEW TRUCK REPORT: $85,000 has been appropriated for a new highway truck. The Board discussed the procedure of going out to bid, its costs and effectiveness and the seeking of quotes from vendors. The Board reviewed a report from highway foreman Don Reid of quotes he has received from vendors and his recommendation. The Board discussed vendors and how readily parts are available from each. Selectman Keskinen made the motion to accept Don Reid’s recommendation of Marola and Tenco for a truck and equipment on top of the chassis for plow and sander. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Passed unanimously.

SCHAGHITICOKE DECISION: The Board discussed the Schaghticoke decision of the Interior Board of Indian Appeals of the Bureau of Indian Affairs final determination of acknowledgment of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation. All appeals had been accepted except the Coggswell appeal. The Board reviewed the explanations.

LCD CONTRACT: The Board reviewed the Litchfield County Dispatch contract for the next fiscal year. LCD will provide Cornwall with radio dispatch service for the coming fiscal year under the usual terms. First Selectman Ridgway signed the contract. Selectman Keskinen signed as witness.

TAX REFUND: The Board reviewed a request for a tax refund.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to grant the tax refund of $533.41 to Nations Bank Auto Leasing, Inc. for motor vehicle. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Passed unanimously.

BILL PAYMENT: Bills were paid in the usual manner.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go into executive session to discuss Security of Town Property. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Passed unanimously.

The Board went into executive session at 8:35 p.m.

The Board came out of executive session at 8:45 p.m. No action was taken.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Secretary to the Board of Selectmen