Town of Cornwall
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 6, 2011
Present: Gordon M. Ridgway, first selectman, and K.C. Baird and Richard Bramley, selectmen. David Battista, Lenard Engineering, two members of the press and two members of the public.
The minutes of the meetings of August 16, 17, and 24 were approved by unanimous vote.
There were no additions to the agenda.
There were no communications.
1. Storm Review, Bridges: Gordon Ridgway said that the preparation for the storm had been thorough. Nev Dunn, emergency management director, met with CVFD EMS personnel to plan the town’s response to Tropical Storm Irene. The department’s “Storm Book” provided contact numbers and other information. Both firehouses were on alert during the storm period. For the first time, reverse 911 calls were made to town residents warning about the storm and providing guidance for emergency assistance. The CVFD website also was available.
By 7:30 a.m. on September 4, 12 roads were blocked by fallen trees and/or downed wires. During the day, the Lower River Road bridge, just north of the covered bridge, partially collapsed. After the rain stopped on Monday, recovery began and power was restored to most of the town by Tuesday evening.
Cornwall’s near blackout during Irene was due to the failure of two main feeds, from Goshen and Litchfield, which went down early in the storm.
Lower River Road Bridge: David Battista pointed out that this bridge is the last, and narrowest, in a series of spans in West Cornwall Village over Mill Brook which empties a 5.7 square-mile watershed. The force of the stream undercut the footings of the northern abutment which partly collapsed pulling most of the bridge deck down with it. Battista said that there are two main options: 1) To stabilize what remains of the bridge, redo the abutment and rebuild the current configuration; or 2) Clear away the rubble, widen the opening, and replace the bridge using modern technologies, including perhaps piles. The latter option would cost between $200,000 and $400,000, Battista said. The availability of funding from the state DEEP and/or the Army Corps of Engineers will be a factor.
2. Tax Refunds: Richard Bramley made a motion to approve four requests for motor vehicle tax refunds amounting to about $573. K.C. Baird seconded. The VOTE to approve was unanimous.
3. Elderly Housing Taxes: Ridgway explained that Assessor Barbara Bigos has proposed a separate tax classification for the ten residents of the future Bonney Brook Residence. Details are still to come, but it appears that the Cornwall Elderly Housing Corporation will pay annually out $3,000 as a payment in lieu of taxes to the town.
4. Appointments: Ridgway moved and Baird seconded the appointment of Brian Mollica to the Park and Recreation Commission. The VOTE to approve was unanimous.
5. Cornwall Center Signage: Zeke Hermann will replace the historic four-sided marker at the intersection of Town Street and Sharon-Goshen Turnpike for $875. Ridgway said STEAP funds should cover the amount. Ridgway moved that the new sign be approved on condition that STEAP funds are available; Baird seconded, and the VOTE to approve was unanimous.
6. Great Hill/Great Hollow Road Project: The state needs more paperwork completed. The bid has tentatively been awarded, pending some clarification, to Allstate Asphalt. The bid is good until 2012; the work is expected to be completed by June.
7. Town Garage Vehicle Storage Building: The old steel shed has been taken down and removed by B. Allyn Trucking at a cost of $1 to the town. This saved $3,000 in demolition costs. Ridgway said that $10,000 to $15,000 will need to be transferred within the Capital Projects Fund to cover the costs of doors and flooring.
8. Solar Panels: New panels will be installed on the roof of the Gathering Room and the kindergarten at CCS. The salt storage shed at the Highway Garage will also get panels after the roof is repaired.
9. Freedom of Information -- Final Decision: At an August 24 hearing in Hartford, the FOI Commission ruled in favor of the Town of Cornwall in the complaint brought by Richard Stone, former Highway Foreman.
10. Transfer Station Attendant Interviews: The selectmen reviewed the job description and agreed to hold a special meeting to talk with three local candidates on Thursday, September 8, at 7:30 p.m.
11. There were no budget transfers.
12. Bills were paid in the usual manner.
Respectfully submitted
Lisa Lansing
Clerk, pro tem