MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - 7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

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

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

MINUTES: Selectman Bramley made the motion to accept the minutes of May 3, 2010 as presented. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to add to the agenda Foote Field and Executive Session: Tax Delinquent Settlement. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: There were none.

ALEX CALHOUN WRITING GRANT: The Board reviewed a letter concerning the organization of a writing enrichment program at the grade school. Ms. Calhoun is working on a matching grant and requests support from the Town Endowment Fund. The Board discussed this, the limitation of town funds and the program as envisioned.

Selectman Bramley made the motion to commit $500 from the Town Endowment Fund for the writing enrichment grant program upon the receipt of more information about the program. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

GREAT HOLLOW PROJECT: The Board reviewed a letter received from Mr. Britnell informing the town the Great Hollow/Great Hill Roads project needs to be rebid. The board discussed the bid that had gone out for the project and the additional boiler plates the state is requesting be part of the bid. The Board discussed the previous state acceptance of the bid, the consequences of having to rebid, the need to have the state’s approval for reimbursement and the need for the state to have federal approval for reimbursement. The Board reviewed First Selectman Ridgway’s letter of request to Mr. Britnell to not rebid which was denied.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to rebid the Great Hollow/Great Hill Roads project to keep the project going. Selectman Bramley seconded. There was further discussion. Motion passed unanimously.

BELL ROAD CELL TOWER: The Board reviewed and discussed the letter of May 6, 2010 from S. Derek Phelps of the Connecticut Siting Council informing the town of the Council’s receipt from Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless of an application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need, Docket Number 402, for the construction, maintenance and management of a telecommunications facility located at 16 Bell Road Extension in Cornwall. The Board discussed the status of the discontinued road. The Board discussed coverage in the town. First Selectman Ridgway will draft a letter of the Board’s concerns and request for intervener status for review by the Board to be sent to the Siting Council before June 7.

PARK AND RECREATION DIRECTOR: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on the search for a new Park and Recreation Director. The Commission has received seven applications. Five have been interviewed. The Commission anticipates making a recommendation for director to the Board of Selectmen next week.

SCASCO OIL BID: The Board discussed locking in on fuel oil as prices are down at the moment. First Selectman Ridgway is awaiting a quote from Scasco.

GATES BEQUEST: The Board discussed the Gates Bequest. Selectman Baird recommended earning some money from the bequest before spending much of it. The consensus of the Board is to invest long term and use the earnings rather than the principle. The Board discussed possible uses of the earnings.

BUSINESS MEETING: First Selectman Ridgway discussed with the Board the May 13, 2010 Business Meeting. The Board discussed the creation of a nine member study group – three residents, three businessmen, three government people – to advise on town economic issues. This would be an intermediate step to a town commission which would be established by Town Meeting.

HEALTH INSURANCE: The Board discussed the transition of health insurance from Anthem to Aetna, the cost savings and impact on the town budget.

LCD CONTRACT: The Board reviewed the contract with Litchfield County Dispatch for the upcoming fiscal year and discussed the budget line of $16,000 for the contract.

Selectman Baird made the motion to approve First Selectman Ridgway to sign the agreement with Litchfield County Dispatch for $15,061. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

FOOTE FIELD: The Board discussed the Foote Field. The outfield fencing has arrived. The Board discussed the plans for an 8’ x 8’ shed for the storage of the lime spreader and field equipment. First Selectman Ridgway reported such shed is available in a catalog for $1500 and he had received a quote from a local builder of $1000 including materials.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to hire Peter Russ to build an 8’ x 8’ shed for $1000 behind the back stop at Foote Field. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

The Board discussed moving the porta potty on Hubbard Field to the east side of the field.

The Board answered questions from the press concerning train derailments. Northwest Council of Governments has requested from the American Resource and Recovery Act stimulus money for the upgrading of railroad tracks in the northwest corner.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

The Board went into executive session at 8:55 p.m. The Board came out of executive session at 9:40 p.m.

Selectman Bramley made the motion to authorize First Selectman Ridgway to write a letter to Richard Burkhart concerning his back taxes. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 9:43 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart, Administrative Assistant