MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tuesday, September 21, 2010 - 7:30 p.m. - Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Selectman Richard Bramley, two members of the press

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

MINUTES: Selectman Bramley made the motion to approve the minutes of August 17, September 7 regular and September 7 special, 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 Docket 402 Connecticut Siting Council and under Executive Session: Real Estate Appraisal, Hughes Memorial Library. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Ridgway presented a communication received from the Matsudairas concerning the diversion of water runoff onto their property. The Board read the letter and discussed the situation. First Selectman Ridgway will discuss the situation with the highway foreman.

Selectman Bramley had a verbal communication from a citizen inquiring what the status is on the Gate’s bequest. First Selectman Ridgway updated those present. He has spoken to the town treasurer John Green who is soliciting investment proposals. This won’t be completed by the Annual Town Meeting. First Selectman Ridgway anticipates a winter special town meeting to address this issue and combine it with another issue concerning abandoned roads.

DOCKET 402: First Selectman Ridgway reported there will be a Connecticut Siting Council meeting September 23 with Docket 402 on the agenda: 16 Bell Road Extension cell tower. The Board discussed the upcoming meeting, what may be discussed and what was moved and passed at the last meeting. Selectman Bramley anticipates attending the meeting although the council won’t allow him to speak on the matter.

RUMSEY HALL BID: The Board reviewed bids received and opened this morning for the demolition of Rumsey Hall. There was discussion.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to accept the bid of R.V. Noad for $34,750 contingent upon Board of Finance and Town Meeting approval. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

TOWN MEETING CALL OCTOBER 1: The Board discussed the issue of asbestos found in the window putty of two out of four sample windows on Rumsey Hall. First Selectman Ridgway reported he had a verbal estimate of $7000 to remove and dispose of all the windows prior to demolition. The Board discussed the addition of this to the bid obtained and discussed possible legal fees and how much should be added for the unexpected. The Board decided $50,000 would be the appropriate amount to take to town meeting. The Board discussed the possibility of recovering this expense from the landowner.

First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to take the town meeting call to the Board of Finance for their approval of the amount of $50,000 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to fund the demolition of Rumsey Hall with a meeting date of October 1. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. First Selectman Ridgway wished to thank Building Official Paul Prindle for all his work and time in dealing with this issue.

The Board answered questions from the press concerning Rumsey Hall and its demolition.

TOWN MEETING CALL OCTOBER 22: The Board discussed the upcoming Annual Town Meeting which will be October 22 for the purpose of reviewing the annual town report and five year plan. The Board discussed other items which may be added to the call. The Board discussed the reconvening of a Conservation Commission and a Commission on the Aging and whether Town Meeting action is required as they are already established by ordinance. The Board discussed the formation of an Economic Development Commission or study group and possible town meeting action to establish this. The Board discussed possible changes to the 911 road name list as established by ordinance.

FIVE YEAR PLAN: The Board received a working copy of the five year plan for review.

ANNUAL REPORT: The Board received notes of the past year for writing a report for the Town annual report.

FUEL OIL BIDS: The board reviewed and discussed fuel oil prices submitted by Lindell Fuels Inc. and Superior Plus Energy. First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to accept the bid of Superior Plus Energy to supply the town with #2 heating fuel oil delivered at a firm fixed price of $2.443 and the variable rate for Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel delivered at a price of average New Haven Harbor on the day of the delivery plus a differential of $.185 per gallon and applicable taxes. Selectman Bramley seconded. There was discussion of past prices. Motion passed unanimously.

THE PRESS: The Board answered questions from the press. First Selectman Ridgway presented to the press a letter received from the Housatonic Railroad Company concerning the feasibility study of starting a rail passenger service on the Berkshire line to New York City. The study was positive. The Board discussed this with the press.

The Board updated and answered questions from the press concerning the Hughes Memorial Library application for easement from Connecticut Light & Power on land next to the library. CL&P has expressed interest in dealing with the whole parcel and not just a section for the septic system.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go into executive session to discuss Real Estate appraisal, Hughes Memorial Library. Selectman Bramley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Board went into executive session at 8:20 p.m.

The Board came out of executive session at 8:35 p.m. No action was taken.

BILL PAYMENT: bills were paid in the usual manner.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart
Administrative Assistant