MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Monday, May 3, 2010 - 7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Selectman Richard Bramley, two citizens, two reporters

First Selectman Ridgway called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m.

MINUTES: Selectman Bramley made the motion to approve the minutes of April 20, April 5 Special, April 5 Regular, 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 Bids for Great Hollow/Great Hill Roads Stimulus Project. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: Citizens Ann and Paul Baren inquired of the Board what is going on with Rumsey Hall. First Selectman Ridgway reported there has not been much progress in the demolition of the building. The Board and the Barens discussed the situation and the Baren’s concerns. The building has been tested for lead. The Building Inspector will review the report. This will determine how the building will be demolished and by whom. The Department of Environmental Protection has been notified. The building’s future is between the Building Official and the owner at this point.

ANNUAL BUDGET TOWN MEETING CALL: The Board reviewed a call to town meeting. Two items are on the call: the passing of the budget and discussion of the Judy and Larry Gates Bequest. No action will be taken on the second item. It will be an opportunity to inform citizens of the bequest and to hear citizen’s thoughts and ideas on its management and use.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to take to Town Meeting the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 and the discussion of the Judy and Larry Gates bequest. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

HOUSATONIC HERITAGE GRANT: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on the Housatonic Heritage Grant which is the Visit Cornwall program. There was discussion. The Historical Society will take charge of the publishing of maps and brochures. The Town will be take charge of the carpentry of brochure stands and kiosks. The goal is to have this all done by end of May, early June for the tourist season.

INCENTIVE HOUSING ZONE: The Board reviewed the Procedure and Proposed Schedule for Planning and Zoning Commission Review of Incentive Housing Zone Proposal. The Board discussed the procedure for the implementation of the Incentive Housing Zone. Tomorrow night there will be a meeting called by Jocelyn Ayers of the Northwest Connecticut Regional Planning Collaborative of the Incentive Housing Zone committee with the abutting neighbors of the proposed IHZ in Cornwall Bridge to answer their questions. May 11 will be a Planning and Zoning meeting for public comment and questions. The Board discussed various scenarios of possible development for land in Cornwall Bridge that is for sale. The Board discussed questions that yet need to be answered.

HUGHES MEMORIAL LIBRARY GRANT: First Selectman Ridgway discussed with the Board the pursuit of a grant extension for the Hughes Memorial Library STEAP grant.

MARIE BAUM SCHOLARSHIP: The Board reviewed an application for the Marie Baum Scholarship. First Selectman Ridgway informed those present the history of the scholarship. The Board discussed the proceeds from the endowment in terms of the economic situation as to whether the decline in the stock market has produced enough income for the usual $500 award.

Selectman Bramley made the motion to award the Marie Baum Scholarship to Rebecca Sawicki whatever earnings are available up to the amount of $500. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT: The Board discussed the bid opening of last Wednesday, April 28 for the ARRA project on Great Hollow/Great Hill Roads. One bid was received. Four companies had reviewed the project. The bid was within the budget enabling the project to be extended. First Selectman Ridgway will write the state and ask permission to extend the project another 2000 linear feet which would still be within the budget. The Board discussed what can be done on the project and the classification of Great Hill Road by the state as a main collector road.

Selectman Bramley made the motion to accept the bid of The Gorman Group, LLC for $98,891.94 pending state approval and to approve First Selectman Ridgway writing the state to ask to extend the project another 2000 linear feet. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

The Board answered questions from the press.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go into executive session to discuss Delinquent Real Estate Account. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Board went into executive session at 8:10 p.m.

The Board came out of executive session at 8:45 p.m. The Board will continue to work with the tax collector to sort accounts out.

Meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Administrative Assistant