MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, October 18, 2011 - 7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Selectman K.C. Baird, Selectman Richard Bramley, Highway Foreman Jim Vanicky, two citizens, one reporter

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Selectman Bramley made the motion to approve the minutes of October 6, October 6 emergency and October 8, 2010 as presented. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Baird made the motion to approve the minutes of October 3, 2011 as presented. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: There were none.

COMMUNICATIONS: There were none.

FIVE YEAR PLAN: The Board reviewed and discussed the Five Year Plan with Highway Foreman Jim Vanicky. Adjustments were made.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to adopt as amended the Five Year Plan and to send it to the Board of Finance and to the Annual Town Meeting. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

LOWER RIVER ROAD BRIDGE UPDATE: First Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on the progress of the Lower River Road Bridge project. The contract has been signed, machinery has been moved in, and the pedestrian bridge construction should begin tomorrow. The remains of the bridge are scheduled to come down on Friday. The Board discussed issues to be worked out below the bridge, the rip rap and the drilling of the pilings.

MILL BROOK STUDY: The Board discussed Mill Brook above the Lower River Road bridge, the river flow, and the Department of Environmental Protection suggested layout.

HOUSATONIC RAIL ROAD TIGER GRANT: First Selectman Ridgway informed the Board of a request from Mr. Dan McGuiness of Northwest Council of Governments for support of the Tiger Grant for the Housatonic Railroad. First Selectman Ridgway read a recommended sample letter. The Board discussed with the public what the grant was for and where funds would come from.

Selectman Bramley made the motion to sign the letter of support for the Tiger grant. Selectman Baird seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – POSITION FILLING: The Board discussed the highway crew member position which has been filled as temporary over the winter but now needs to be filled permanently. The Board discussed the posting of the position last winter and the applications received. The consensus of the Board is to choose the best 3 or 5 candidates and schedule them for interviews.

First Selectman updated the Board on the progress of the replacement of the equipment shed at the highway garage.

TAX REFUND: The Board reviewed a request for a tax refund. Selectman Baird made the motion to refund $329.78 to Daimler Trust for tax overpayment due to lease termination. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go into Executive Session to discuss Rumsey Hall Tax Lien Litigation. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Board went into executive session at 8:34 p.m.

The Board came out of executive session at 9:20 p.m. No action was taken.

BILL PAYMENT: Bills were paid in the usual manner.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to adjourn; it was seconded by Selectman Baird. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart
Administrative Assistant