[Marker]
Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
January 16, 2007
Present: Ketcham, Miller, Takacs (8:00 pm)
Also present: 11 members of the public and S. Wolf of the Redding Pilot
Mrs. Ketcham called the January 16 meeting to order at 7:41 pm in the Hearing Room of the Redding Town Office Building.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2006 meeting were tabled until Mr. Takacs arrived. Miller, Ketcham. Approved. Unanimous.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
1. CCM Energy Electricity bid: Mrs. Ketcham reported the Town of Redding went out to bid for the electric rates, joining the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. A contract price of 10.73 KW has been received from Trans Canada Power Marketing LCD, a five year fixed price, 2/1/07 to 2/2012.
2. Changes in Use Policy for Park and Recreation facilities
Mrs. Miller is working with Mr. Blick, Park and Recreation Director, and Mr. Hutvagner to clear up a few remaining items in the Use Policy. The policy revisions should allow the Park and Rec facilities to be used by more town residents without any negative cost effects.
3. Request for room use: Mrs. Ketcham reported a request has been received to use the Haring Room for weekly meetings over the next six months from the Connecticut Forest and Park Association. The group plans to create some hiking trails along the Aspetuck River, most of which will be in the town of Redding. The group is a non-profit organization and there will be no charge for use of the space.
4. Web Site: improvements to the website are being made by Georgina Scholl.
Mr. Takacs arrived at 8:00 pm
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2006 meeting as corrected. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
Correction: page 2, paragraph 4, change RES to RCC; page 3, paragraph 6, line 2, correction, not sport, but spoke.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ATHLETIC FIELD IMPROVEMENTS
Mr. Blick, Park & Recreation Department Director, presented data on weather related conditions and impact on field usage.
Barry Blades of Blades & Govern was present to provide additional information regarding the fields project. The schematic design phase was estimated to cost $29,000. The schematic design phase includes seven tasks:
1. Confirm & refine the scope of improvements for each portion of the project;
2. Soil analysis and options for expansion of JRMS field, including pre-application meeting with Conservation Commission;
3. Borings by a geotechnical engineer at the JRMS site and Field #2 at Community Center;
4. Study of electrical supply availability at JRMS for lighting potential;
5. Investigation regarding impact on septic fields at both JRMS site and Field #2 at Community Center;
6. Detailed cost estimate for the project by an independent professional estimator;
7. Schematic design documents including the above six items.
Completion of the schematic design work as outlined will provide the selectmen with the information needed to go forward with the project. It was noted that upon completion of the above work and with the additional information, the design may differ from what is currently being discussed. Mrs. Ketcham stated that it is very important to have the best cost estimates possible before asking the town to approve the project.
Discussion of oversight of the project followed. Mr. Blades did not recommend a construction manager due to the small size of the project. He suggested an architect’s project representative who would be a full time presence on the site and report to the architect may be a better alternative. The selectmen also discussed hiring an owner’s representative who would report to the town. Mr. Blades estimated the project could take five to six months and estimated the cost of an owner’s representative to be about $40,800 based on a 20-hour week.
Mrs. Miller presented information she has gathered regarding other towns’ building committees. She concluded the important thing is to find members who have some experience in construction/building, an interest in the project, and dedication. The committee should be project oriented, limited in scope, limited in time, and focused. She suggested a committee of four members, and for this project the committee might include a representative of the Park & Recreation Department and/or member of the Fields Committee, a “school” representative, and a person with some technical expertise. A decision on a building committee was not made at this time.
Mr. Hocker, representing the Fields Committee read a statement reaffirming its recommendation to build a new, full-size athletic field as a top priority to address the playing fields shortage in town. If the new field is deferred, the need to expand and upgrade the JRMS field to accommodate nighttime use of all sports becomes more important.
[Marker]
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen engage the services of an owner’s representative for the Athletic Fields Project in the event the project goes forward. Takacs, Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move to request that the Blades & Goven cost estimates for the Athletic Fields project include funding for an owner’s representative. Takacs, Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen approve going forward of the schematic design phase and associated cost estimates for the Athletic Fields Project, and present the plan to the Board of Finance for funding. Takacs, Ketcham. Approved. Unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mike D’Agostino, Glen Hill Road: expressed concerns about pending action before the Zoning Commission on the property abutting Glen Hill Road and a concern about changing our 2-acre zoning to put denser developments in 2-acre zoned areas.
affordable housing in Redding and asked if the town had a plan in place to meet the state guidelines regarding affordable housing. Mrs. Ketcham responded with information on how the issue is being addressed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: that the Board of Selectmen move to executive session to review hours of operation, performance and compensation for Zoning Office. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting recessed at 10:08 pm
RECONVENE
The Chair reconvened the meeting in public session at 10:12 pm. No further action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:12 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
| 
