MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

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

PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Selectman K.C. Baird, Selectman Richard Bramley

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

MINUTES: Selectman Bramley had some corrections: May 3 minutes had been approved at the May 18 meeting; May 18 meeting correction of Alex Calhoun to Alexa Calhoun. Selectman Bramley made the motion to approve the minutes as corrected. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to add to the agenda Budget Transfer, Economic Development and Conservation Commission, NEA writing grant. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

BUDGET TRANSFER: The Board discussed the present budget and the end of the fiscal year. The Board anticipates a surplus at the end of the fiscal year. The Board reviewed and discussed a budget transfer. Selectman Baird made the motion to transfer $12,000 from Snow Removal line #01-62050 to Vehicle Maintenance line #01-63022 for routine maintenance and repairs which were greater than anticipated. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION: The Board discussed economic development in the Town Plan and the re-establishment of a Conservation Commission. A Conservation Commission has been established by Town Ordinance but has not been active for quite awhile. The Board discussed a process on how to re-establish a commission, its function, how to fund it and number of members which would be appointed by the First Selectmen per ordinance.

NEA GRANT: The Board discussed NEA grant for the Higher Order Writing initiative. First Selectman Ridgway will write a letter of support.

COMMUNICATIONS: Selectman Bramley reported he had an inquiry from a citizen asking what the town’s interest is in the use of herbicides to control growth along guard rails. The Board discussed this. Selectman Bramley will reply the town’s interest is in mowing and tolerance as the present means in controlling weed growth.

SUMMER ROAD PROJECTS: The Board discussed the rebidding of the ARRA road project Great Hollow/Great Hill Roads. The bid is due June 17.

The Board discussed other summer projects:

• the continuing saga of the Hughes Memorial Library STEAP grant,

• the granted extension of the Façade STEAP grant and a new application,

• the Housatonic Heritage Grant and the arrival of a prototype kiosk on review

• the grant for solar panels to power the town office

• the cell tower application for Bell Road

• properties with back taxes

• a review of derelict buildings and their status

OIL BIDS: The Board discussed the road resurfacing and paving bids which needs to go out. Highway Foreman Rick Stone will draw up amounts. The Board discussed which part of town will be done and how much asphalt and oil may be needed. The Board discussed the new process used last year now that the standard MC3000 isn’t approved by the state.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go out to bid the standard process of sand and sealing quantities to be determined by the highway foreman. Selectman Bramley seconded. There was discussion. Motion passed unanimously.

FUEL OIL BIDS: The Board discussed fuel oil prices, when to lock in on a price and what the consortium is doing. Scasco had reported to First Selectman Ridgway that prices should be coming down.

CRRA CONTRACT: The Board discussed the CRRA contract. First Selectman Ridgway reported the Council of Governments is hiring a consultant to look at the contract. The Board discussed this.

Selectman Bramley made the motion to spend $300 as Cornwall’s share to authorize the hiring of a consultant by COG to look at the CRRA contract. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

RATE BILL: The Board reviewed the rate bill for collection of taxes. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to accept the rate bill with the tax of 12.319 mills on the dollar on the October 1, 2008 Grand List. Selectman Baird seconded. There was discussion. Motion passed unanimously.

TAX REFUNDS: The Board reviewed tax refund requests from the tax collector.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion upon the recommendation of the tax collector to grant the tax refund of $160.98 to De Lage Landen Operational Services for overpayment of tax, $20.12 to George & Lillian Romano for overpayment of tax and $180.67 to BMW Financial Services for overpayment of taxes. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

BILL PAYMENT: Bills were paid in the usual manner.

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart, Administrative Assistant