MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

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

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

MINUTES: Selectman Bramley made the motion to accept the minutes of March 1, March 2, and March 5, 2010 as presented. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: Selectman Baird made the motion to add to the agenda Town Meeting of April 2 for grant applications. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: Selectman Bramley had a communication from a neighbor of the former Gates residence on River Road concerned there had been public announcement of the Gates’ bequest. The Board discussed this and discussed the bequest with the reporters present. The Gates had bequeathed to the town and to other organizations sums of money. The Town is to receive over $200,000 for the town’s general purposes. The Town has not received the bequest as of present. Once received the Board plans to have a public announcement and process on how the bequest is to be spent or invested. The Board discussed other long term funds derived as bequests. The Gates bequest is the largest ever given to the town. The Board discussed with the reporters the history and non-monetary contributions to the towns Larry and Judy Gates have given to the town over their life.

Selectman Bramley had another communication concerning the Regional Economic Development meeting scheduled for business people next April 20. Selectman Baird also plans to attend this meeting. This conflicts with the April 20 regular Board of Selectmen meeting. The Board discussed the meeting and need to change the Selectmen’s meeting date.

First Selectman Ridgway reported he had received a thank you note from the Town Hall Players to the Town office personnel for their help and use of the Town Hall and Town Offices for the play production this last weekend.

FIRE TRUCK 1-O: First Selectman Ridgway presented to the Board a letter received from Lime Rock Park of an offer to purchase for $5000 the 1980 pumper fire truck 1-O which was recently replaced with a 2010 pumper truck. The Board discussed the offer and the offer from Lime Rock Park to make the truck available to the town as a back-up truck when not being used at the track. First Selectman Ridgway will speak to truck dealers to determine if this is a reasonable price and will write Lime Rock Track thanking them for their offer.

TAX REFUNDS: The Board reviewed and discussed four tax refund requests. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to grant the three motor vehicle requests of $99.77 to Donald Hedden, Jr., $18.00 to Marydale Debor and $59.29 to Madelyn L Dahl/Tabitha Claydon and to table the real estate tax refund request for further inquiry. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

BUDGET TRANSFERS: The Board discussed budget transfers needed. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to transfer $9,118.38 from CCS Playing Field Upgrades line 02-48090015 to Capitol Projects – Recreation Area Fund to finish the Foote Field project. Selectman Bramley seconded. There was discussion. Motion passed unanimously.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to transfer $9,111.47 from Contingency line 10000 to Land Use Legal line 54317. Selectman Baird seconded. There was discussion. Motion passed unanimously.

The Board discussed the closure of three capital projects.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to close Capital Project CVFD Fire Pumper and return the $197.00 residual to the General Fund. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to close Capital Project Hammond Beach Docks. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. There was no residual.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to close Capital Project Recreation Area Foote Field. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously. There was no residual.

BUDGET 2010-2011: The Board discussed the 2010-2011 budget and the items left to be considered.

First Selectman Ridgway updated the on the HAS quotes. They are down from a 35% increase to a 19% increase. First Selectmen Ridgway reported he is encouraging Region One to go out to bid for health insurance. The Board discussed this.

The Board discussed the Social Services budget.

The Board discussed the gravel screen.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to reduce the health insurance line by approximately $15,000 to reflect a 19% increase; to reduce the Social Services increase to 2% above the present level; to remove the $15000 from Capitol Highway Equipment for a gravel screen and move this amount to Town Building Repair. Selectman Baird seconded. There was further discussion. Motion passed unanimously.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on the Council of Government decision to include the northwest corner as part of the Regional Economic Development, authority to do so granted by area First Selectmen present at last Council of Government meeting. The Board discussed this.

HUGHES MEMORIAL LIBRARY: First Selectman Ridgway reported on the progress made with CL&P concerning the property next to the Hughes Memorial Library. An agreement has been reached to each hire an appraiser for an easement as a negotiating starting point. First Selectman Ridgway has been in contact with the state to ensure the grant is still available.

TOWN MEETING: The Board discussed the need for a town meeting for the purpose of funding two grant projects, one from The Housatonic Heritage Partnership grant with a 50% reimbursement, the other from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act with full reimbursement. A Town Meeting is needed to appropriate funds for the projects.

The Board discussed a date for the Town Meeting of April 2. This is a state holiday which the Board discussed and decided on Thursday, April 1.

The Town Meeting Call and Return of Notice were signed.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made a motion to go into executive session to discuss Town Hall Security. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Board went into executive session at 8:50 p.m.

The Board came out of executive session at 9:25 p.m. No action was taken.

BILLS: Bills were paid in the usual manner.

Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Administrative Assistant