MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Selectman Richard Bramley

First Selectman Ridgway called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.

MINUTES: Selectman Bramley made the motion to accept the minutes of March 7, 2011 as presented. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to add to the agenda: Reverse 911, Update on Great Hill Project, Census Report, Steel Building at Highway Garage, CIRMA Refund. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: There were none.

REVERSE 911: First Selectman Ridgway reported on a meeting concerning the Reverse 911 system available. Through this system citizens would be contacted should an emergency occur in their area. The Board discussed an example of this use for a North Canaan propane incident. The Board discussed when this would be used, emergencies only, how it would be activated and by whom. The system can only automatically contact AT&T phone users. Cell phone and non-AT&T phone users can sign their phones up into the system at the web site www.ctalert.gov.

GREAT HILL PROJECT: First Selectman Ridgway reported on the Great Hill Pavement Preservation project. Mr. Kane has been in contact with the state. The project is currently active and is estimated to be set to go the first week of April. The Board discussed the need for Town Meeting authorization for funds to be spent on the project which will then be reimbursed.

STEEL BUILDING AT HIGHWAY GARAGE: First Selectman Ridgway reported on his meeting with Building Official Paul Prindle. Mr. Prindle has submitted estimates he obtained for building a new wooden building to replace the steel one. The Board reviewed the estimated costs and sketches of two companies. The Board discussed the anticipated insurance payment, the advantage of a wooden building, the roof pitch, the pros/cons of building new rather than repairing the old building. This project will need to go to town meeting for authorization.

CIRMA: First Selectman Ridgway reported the town has received a $5500 refund from the town insurance carrier Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency. The refund is the return for a good year on Worker’s Compensation and liability claims.
TRANSFER STATION: First Selectman Ridgway reported the town has received its General Permit to operate a Transfer Station from the Department of Environmental Protection.

CLOSING CCS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT: First Selectman Ridgway reported $150,000 remains in the Cornwall Consolidated School capitol account from the school gym renovation project. The town has received $49,000 in retainage back from the state. The Board discussed this, the completion of the project and where the funds will go.
First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to close the Cornwall Consolidated School Gym Construction Project. Selectman Bramley seconded. There was further discussion of the funds. Motion passed unanimously.

GATES BEQUEST: First Selectman Ridgway reported the mechanism for investment and disbursement of the Gates Bequest has been worked out and will be ready to present at the Annual Town Meeting in May. The Board discussed this.

DOG WARDEN ASSISTANT: First Selectman Ridgway presented to the Board his discussion with newly appointed Dog Warden Brad Hedden concerning an additional assistant to cover when Mr. Hedden is out of town and if assistant Ms. Shook is not available. The Board discussed this and the picking up and holding of stray dogs in town. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to appoint Jack Malahan as Assistant Assistant Dog Warden. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

BUDGET: The Board discussed the 2011-2012 budget, considered adjustments, and discussed what could be trimmed, the snow removal budget and state sand pile. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to cut next year’s 2011-2012 budget by $10,000 to come from the Snow Removal Line. Selectman Bramley seconded. There was discussion of anticipated state monies to come to the town as compared to last year. Motion passed unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go into executive session to discuss Freedom of Information Complaint Update. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Board went into executive session at 8:30 p.m.

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

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to adjourn; selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart, Administrative Assistant