MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Thursday, November 18, 2004

9:00 a.m. - Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Selectman Ken Keskinen, two reporters

First Selectman Ridgway called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to approve the minutes of November 1, 2004 as presented. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Passed unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: The Board discussed some additions. First Selectman made the motion to add to the agenda Union Grievance under Executive Session and Patterns for Use of the New Gym. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Ridgway communicated to the Board that the School Building Committee had selected an Open House date for the gym of December 19 at 1:30 p.m. and will have several activities such as the school band, athletic demonstrations and basketball hot shot contest. The basketball team should be able to begin practices at the end of the week. A tour will be conducted for the fire department with the fire marshal. There was discussion of a shoe policy to help preserve the new floor.

The Board discussed the use of the new gym. First Selectman Ridgway reported there will be a meeting with Bethany Thompson of Park & Recreation and the School Board and Principal Dr. Fitzgibbon to discuss the use of the new gym. The Board’s view is the building should be put to as much constructive use as possible.

First Selectman Ridgway reported he had a communication from a town benefactor of his intentions to donate another $10,000 to the Cornwall Endowment which is a fund that was set up to receive such gifts for use by the town as decided by the Board of Selectmen. Once a $25,000 principal is achieved the interest will be available for use. First Selectman Ridgway will write a letter of appreciation to the donor.

First Selectman Ridgway reported he had received a letter from the CCLU concerning Planning and Zoning regulating political signs. The Board reviewed the letter and the Planning and Zoning regulations on signs. First Selectman Ridgway reported that the regulations were sent to the CCLU. First Selectman Ridgway passed on the reply from the Land Use Administrator that it is his policy to not enforce sign regulations concerning political signs. First Selectman Ridgway will say as such in a reply to CCLU.

ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULE: Selectman Baird was unable to attend today’s meeting due to store obligations. Next year’s schedule was discussed in how to accommodate Selectman Baird. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to change the Board of Selectmen meeting pattern to the first Monday and third or fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. starting in January 2005. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Passed unanimously.

WINTER PARKING BAN: The Board reviewed the annual winter parking ban which prohibits parking on town roads in such a manner as to interfere with snow plowing. The Board discussed with the press the towing of vehicles in violation. The Board signed the Winter Parking Ban.

ROUTE 4 BALL FIELD: The Board discussed the route 4 ball field project and leftover top soil as a result of building the ball field and planning and zoning regulations in reference to storing and moving large amounts of top soil as outlined in the letter of November 17 received from the Commission. The Board reviewed information on the situation and discussed what soil was left on site, the extra work done by the contractor that he did not charge for, the work done by the contractor in screening some of the top soil. First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on his conversations with the Land Use Administrator and the contractor.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to dispose of the top soil as outlined in the letter of November 17, 2004 from Planning and Zoning which will then bring the project into compliance with Planning and Zoning regulations. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Passed unanimously.

HALLOWEEN: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on the visitation of the goblins to Cornwall village Halloween night. There were eggs thrown, toilet papering and empty beer bottles at Town Hall, the Library and Foote Fields and complaints from parents in Cornwall village of older kids bullying and throwing eggs at younger kids. The Board discussed the situation and what might be done to prevent future incidences.

OSHA: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on the completion of OSHA requirements at the Transfer Station with the installation of guard rails and lock out tag cards.

FIRE HYDRANTS IN WEST CORNWALL: First Selectman Ridgway informed the Board he had received two bids for the West Cornwall Fire Hydrant project: $6800 from R.V. Noad and $6392 from Cornwall Water Company. The Board reviewed the bids. First Selectman Ridgway informed the Board he had met with the contractors and the head of the CVFD water Supply Department on site. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to hire Cornwall Water Company to install one dry fire hydrant on Lower River Road in West Cornwall for the amount of $6392.55. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Passed unanimously. First Selectman Ridgway informed the press the hydrant will be a dry hydrant on Lower River Road and will pump water from the river. The installation may make possible reduction in fire insurance premiums for businesses and homeowners in the area.

CORNWALL VILLAGE LIGHTS: First Selectman Ridgway read a letter to the Board and those present a letter from the Cornwall Lighting District President Nan Frost concerning the meeting of the district and the agreement to disband after the payment of the outstanding bill. The district will disband as of January 1, 2005. First Selectman Ridgway reported he will make a map of the area of the lights to review and discuss with institutions who may have an interest in adopting a light in the main public area. First Selectman Ridgway updated the press on the lighting district situation.

DRAINAGE POLICY: First Selectman Ridgway reported on the response from the town attorney concerning the drainage policy and proposed changed. The Board will review and discuss the policy at the next BOS meeting.

REVALUATION POSTPONEMENT: First Selectman Ridgway reported to the Board a request from the Assessor concerning postponing the next revaluation. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion: at the request of the Assessor to postpone the revaluation from the 2005 Grand List to the 2006 Grand List. Selectman Keskinen seconded. The Board discussed revaluation schedule and the advantages of postponement. Motion passed unanimously.

SENIOR INITIATIVE: The Board discussed the senior population in Cornwall, programs available and past activities. Selectman Keskinen is working with the Social Services Administrator concerning what the needs of Cornwall’s seniors are. Selectman Keskinen reported on meeting with seniors concerning needs. Selectman Keskinen reported what activities take place need to be in the afternoon and transportation is a problem. He recommended a questionnaire be developed to find out what the seniors want and need. There was further discussion. First Selectman Ridgway will set a date to meet with the Social Services Administrator in December concerning seniors.

BILL PAYMENT: Bills were paid.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go into Executive Session to discuss Union Grievance. Selectman Keskinen seconded. The Board went into executive session at 10:10 am.

The Board came out of Executive Session at 10:25 a.m. The Board decided to respond to Mr. Morris’ complaint with the reinstitution of the $100 boot allowance for the highway crew.

Meeting adjourned 10:27 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Secretary to the Board of Selectmen