MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

 

 Monday, March 7, 2005

 

 7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

 

PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Selectman K.C. Baird, Selectman Ken Keskinen, Fire Chief Gene Ingvertsen and CVFD member Connie Hedden, one reporter, and two citizens

 

First Selectman Ridgway called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Selectman Keskinen made the motion to accept the minutes of February 22 and February 28, 2005 as presented. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

 

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to add to the agenda Executive Session: Personnel and Magic Salt. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

 

COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Ridgway communicated to the Board the passage of Bill #1122 in the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 25 yes to 12 no. This is the bill that would allow accelerated rehabilitation for crimes such as secondary manslaughter in assisted suicide cases. The bill will now go to the Senate.

 

Judy Herkimer and Lynn Fowler came before the Board. Ms. Herkimer read a letter from her and Allen Herkimer (see attached) to the Board concerning GIS mapping. The letter requests that the Board of Selectmen not approve the Planning and Zoning budgeted amount for the GIS mapping project. The Board and Ms. Herkimer and Ms. Fowler discussed how the budgeting process works. The Board of Selectmen does not tell Planning and Zoning how to spend their approved budget. The Board and Ms. Herkimer and Ms. Fowler discussed what and when an item is required to go out to bid. Items under $5,000 are not required to go through the bid process. This project is anticipated to cost $1500. Ms. Herkimer is also concerned that the public be involved in the process of the Town Plan. First Selectman Ridgway was concerned that the Planning and Zoning Chairman was not present for his input to Ms. HerkimerÕs allegations. First Selectman Ridgway informed Ms. Herkimer that her concerns should come before the Planning and Zoning Commission. Ms. Herkimer said she will at tomorrowÕs P&Z meeting. The Board and Ms. Herkimer discussed her letter. This was a new issue for the Board to review.

 

On a different subject, Ms. Herkimer requested that the minutes of December 6, 2004 be amended to read ÒDark Entry presentedÓ rather than ÒHerkimer presentedÓ as she was there on the behalf of Dark Entry.

 

CORNWALL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: The Board reviewed the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department budget with the CVFD Fire Chief Gene Ingvertsen and member Connie Hedden and discussed changes. Money was raised for the new ambulance with a surplus to be used to outfit the ambulance. Increases were discussed as were expired warranties, testing of equipment and building maintenance. The biggest change is the purchase of a rescue boat. There was discussion of the increase number of rescues on the Housatonic River and what is needed to safely make rescues. Selectman Baird recommended that the CVFD Five Year Plan be incorporated into the town Five Year Plan. There was discussion of amounts raised by the annual fund raising letter and the past bridge dances.

 

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to change the Building Alterations line into Rescue Boat line and add it to the Capitol Plan. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

 

OTHER BUDGETS: The Board discussed other town budgets. The School Board of Education budget will be presented to the Board of Finance Thursday night. The biggest impact is at the regional level. Cornwall will be sending more kids to the high school. Projected health insurance rates were discussed.

 

PROPOSAL FOR BRIDGE AT GRAVEL BANK: The Board reviewed a proposal from Russell J. Moresi for preliminary engineering study for the replacement of the town owned bridge off route 128 over Mill Brook to the gravel bank for a maximum amount of $1575. The Board reviewed alternatives.

 

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to accept the proposal with the possible alternate structure type of pre-fabricated bridge systems, not to exceed $1575. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

 

RED CROSS FLAG: The Board reviewed a request from the Waterbury Area Chapter of the Red Cross to fly the Red Cross flag during the month of March. In past years the flag has replaced the POW flag on the town green flag pole for the month of March.

 

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to continue the tradition of replacing the POW flag on the town green flag pole with the Red Cross flag for the month of March. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

 

OPEN SPACE FUND: The Board discussed the draft of the open space fund and whether it can be enacted by the Planning and Zoning Board, Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance or whether it needs to come to town meeting. The Board is awaiting word from the town attorney.

 

BILL PAYMENT: Bills were paid in the usual manner.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go into executive session, Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Board went into executive session at 8:45 p.m. to discuss personnel.

 

The Board came out of Executive Session at 9:00 p.m. No action was taken.

 

The Agricultural Commission came before the Board with a communication concerning how the commission may raise funds to upgrade facilities such as pen fencing used for the agricultural fair. Funds and budget were discussed. The Board recommended the use of the Cornwall Grange Trust Fund which is overseen by an advisory committee of three appointed citizens. The Board and the Agricultural Commission will look into this.

 

Meeting adjourned 9:15 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Joyce Hart

Secretary to the Board of Selectmen