MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday -
October 4, 2004 - 7:30 p.m. - Town
Hall
PRESENT: First Selectman
Gordon Ridgway, Selectman Baird, Selectman Ken Keskinen, three citizens, one
reporter
First Selectman Ridgway called
the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Selectman Keskinen made the motion to approve the minutes of September 23, 2004
as presented. Selectman Baird seconded. Passed unanimously.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
First Selectmen Ridgway made the motion to add to the agenda Boiler Replacement
at Town Offices, CL&P Easement, Guardrails on Whitcomb Hill Road. Selectman
Baird seconded. Passed unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. and Mrs.
Gerald and Dorothy Cusack and attending friend Mr. Tom Wilson were present to
discuss a drainage situation on their property at 199 Dibble Hill Road. The
Board informed them that they are working on a general policy to address
drainage issues of town highway water onto private property. The Board informed
Mr. and Mrs. Cusack and Mr. Wilson and presented them with copies of a report
received from the town engineer concerning the drainage onto their property.
They reviewed the report. Mrs. Cusack explained to the Board what she and her
husband had done to channel water on the property. The Board and Mr. and Mrs.
Cusack and Mr. Wilson reviewed the pictures in the report and discussed what
drainage corrections had been done in the past, how long ago, what is draining
where and what could be reconfigured to help with drainage without impacting
anyone further below. Mr. and Mrs. Cusack agreed it is a wet area but the town
is adding to their problem with the drainage of highway water onto their
property. The Board and Mr. and Mrs. Cusack and Mr. Wilson discussed the drain
area and how long it had or had not been there. The Board asked questions
concerning the history of the property.
The Board informed Mr. and
Mrs. Cusack and Mr. Wilson that they are looking to resolve the situation,
having hired an engineer to look at the problem, but any action taken has to be
considered as precedant setting for other requests. A townwide policy is being
drafted to be reviewed by town counsel. Mrs. Cusack requested and obtained the
dates of meetings where this policy may be discussed.
Selectman Baird had an
additional communication from a citizen asking when the roadside mowing will
resume.
TOWN MEETING CALL: The Board
reviewed and signed the Town Meeting Call and Return of Notice.
STEAP GRANT #2: First
Selectman Ridgway informed the Board that he had received word that the STEAP
grant of $200,000 was awarded to the town for the acquisition of approximately
three acres of land to be used for the renovation of the Hughes Memorial
Library and renovation and installation of restrooms in the library. First
Selectman Ridgway will meet with the Library President Jerry Doolittle to
discuss plans. A Town Meeting will be needed for the funds to come from
municipal reserve which will then be replaced by the grant.
DEP AND TRANSFER STATION: First
Selectmen Ridgway informed the Board that a renewal of permit is needed from
the DEP for the operation of the Transfer Station. An engineer is required to
stamp the plan for DEP approval. A legal public notice is also required.
BALL FIELD PARKING LOT: First
Selectman Ridgway updated the Board on the progress of the parking lot at the
Route 4 Ball Field project. In the process of moving dirt an old gas tank was
uncovered along with other rubble from the previous barn which had stood on
this location. First Selectman Ridgway will be meeting tomorrow with DEP and
the contractor on site. This should not delay the project.
OIL BIDS: The Board will
discuss the rising oil prices and the renegotiation of a contract under
Executive Session.
DRAINAGE POLICY: The Board
had already reviewed the draft of the drainage policy with the Cusacks under
Communication. After another review it appeared to the Board that the policy
will address the Cusack's issues. Discussion will continue at the next meeting.
FIVE YEAR CAPITAL PLAN: The
Board reviewed and discussed the five year capital plan. The Board made
changes, deleting the $80,000 for a highway truck from Õ06-Õ07 and adding it to
Õ04-Õ06 for $40,000. Selectman Baird made the motion to adopt the Five Year
Capital Plan as amended. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Passed unanimously.
CL&P EASEMENT: First
Selectman Ridgway informed the Board that approval and an agreement has been
received from CL&P for putting in a fire hydrant in West Cornwall on their
land. Selectman Baird made the motion to authorize First Selectman Ridgway to sign the agreement with
CL&P. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Passed unanimously.
There was discussion of fire
hydrants. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to add to the Five Year Plan
of Õ06-Õ10 $10,000 for fire hydrants. Selectman Baird seconded. Passed
unanimously.
GUARD RAILS: First Selectman
Ridgway informed the Board that he has received proposals for putting in 1500
feet of Guard rails for $12,000. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to
engage the services of Quaker to install the approximate 1500 feet of guard
rail on Whitcomb Hill Road. Selectman Baird seconded. Passed unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: First
Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go into Executive Session to discuss
Litigation. Selectman Baird seconded. Passed unanimously. The Board went into
executive session at 9:20 p.m.
The Board came out of
executives session at 9:35 p.m. No action was taken.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce Hart
Secretary to the Board of Selectmen