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Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
June 18, 2007
Present: Miller, Takacs, Ketcham (8:55 pm)
Also present: Five members of the public and Keri Enwright of Smart Power
Mrs. Miller called the June 18, 2007 meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the May 21, 2007 meeting as submitted. Takacs, Miller. Approved. Unanimous
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF SIGN AT JRMS
JRMS Principal, Diane Martin, and PTA President, Alice Smith, presented a request for installation of a school sign to replace the existing sign. The sign would be larger and would allow space for school announcements and included the potential of being lighted by solar power. Mrs. Smith noted that the PTA-owned portable signs have been effective, but have been stolen in the past. The proposed sign would be a permanent fixture. Discussion of the sign, the location, and optional locations for a sign followed. Police Chief Fuchs noted that school announcements on a sign on Route 53 would be difficult to read by people passing by. Mrs. Miller and Mr. Takacs did not object to having a sign, but asked that an alternative location closer to the school entry or entry drive be considered.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen approve of the sign as described, at a location not on Route 53 to be determined by the Police Chief in concert with the PTA and school administration. Takacs, Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
UPDATE ON 2010 CLEAN ENERGY CAMPAIGN
Keri Enwright, Program Director with SmartPower recapped the 2010 Clean Energy Campaign. The program involves supporting SmartPower’s 20% by 2010 clean energy initiative to improve air quality by conserving energy and support clean energy resources, such as wind and solar power. Mrs. Miller added that the Board of Selectmen consulted with Jim Cotton regarding the two vendor options.
Mrs. Miller asked for comments from the public.
Bill Hill commented that he has enrolled in the program because it is a good cause and worth the extra expense.
Mike Gorfinkle commented that the program will need appropriate marketing and advertising. Mrs. Miller stated that she hopes to get community groups involved with the program and getting individuals to subscribe to the program. The selection of a vendor or vendors and the implementation of a campaign to get people to sign up would come at a later date after additional consideration and discussion.
Motion: Move that the Redding Board of Selectmen adopt the Resolution as read. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
Resolution attached.
ATHLETIC FIELD UPDATE
Mr. Takacs reported that Barry Blades of Blades & Goven expects information on the flood plain analysis later in the week. Mr. Blades noted that DEP will continue to remain involved, particularly with regard to the JRMS field and proximity to the septic fields. He believes the “football field” layout may be possible; using a portion of the excess septic field area assuming the school has no plans for further expansion on the site.
UPDATE FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING
Chief Fuchs recapped the steps taken to date. The Department has received a $500,000 STEAP grant to be used toward the police department facility renovation or move of the to a new location. Mrs. Ketcham and Chief Fuchs had discussions with GLDC regarding the feasibility of a site within the new project. GLDC responded that it does not appear possible to locate the police facility within the complex due to the requirement for a secondary access. The remaining option is to construct a new facility on town-owned property across the street from the current police department location.
A Memorandum of Understanding is required for the STEAP Grant. The grant monies can be used to explore the feasibility of the site, specifically site survey work. The estimated cost of the survey work is $20,000.
Motion: Move that the Board of Selectmen approve the resolution as presented. Takacs, Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
A copy of the resolution is attached.
Motion: Move that the Board of Selectmen approve the Request for Qualifications (
RFQ) for the A2 & T2 survey as presented. Takacs. Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
PARK AND RECREATION REAPPOINTMENTS
Motion: Move to reappoint Elizabeth Sager and Susan Goldman with terms of 7/1/07 to 6/30/10. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
SMALL CITIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Town went out to bid for the coordination of the Small Cities Community Development Program. The bid from L Wagner Associates for $3,000 was accepted. The firm will coordinate grant programs for work in Georgetown.
REQUEST FROM PARK & RECREATION
Park & Recreation Department Director, Rob Blick, requested approval of a donation from a private citizen. The donation of a small stone bench to be located along the drive to Topstone Park and is in memory of Sally Trippe. The donor has requested the addition of a plaque acknowledging Ms. Trippe and her love of the trees.
Discussion followed. The Selectmen were in agreement that donations to the town are good, but memorials are generally not appropriate. Mr. Takacs suggested a ledger book be kept at Town Hall and that donations be acknowledged with entries in the book and announced annually at a town meeting. Mr. Takacs suggested that a guideline or policy should be in place to cover such donations.
Motion: That the Board of Selectmen appreciate the willingness of residents to donate needed items and funds to the Town and want to encourage that type of civic mindedness, but donations should not have commemorative plaques of any kind and the donation should include the cost of maintaining the item at no cost to the town in perpetuity; further that the Board of Selectmen will consider the circumstances of the individual donation to see if an exception to the above-stated guideline should be granted. Takacs, Miller. Approved Unanimous.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: Move to executive session for a discussion of non-union employee compensation for FY 2007-08. Takacs, Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting recessed at 8:40 pm.
Mrs. Ketcham arrived at 8:55 pm.
RECONVENE
The meeting was reconvened in public session at 9:40 pm.
Motion: Move to transfer $132,603.08 from Contingency in FY2007-08 budget to Salaries and Benefits for all full time, non-union employees and highway union employees. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned the meeting at 9:42 pm on a motion by Takacs, seconded by Miller and unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
RESOLUTION
APPROVED BY BOARD OF SELECTMEN AT THE JUNE 18, 2007 MEETING
State of Connecticut
Department of Public Safety
Certified Resolution of the Board of Selectmen of Redding, CT
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes the Connecticut Department of Public Safety is authorized to extend financial assistance for Public Safety projects; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable and in the public interest that the Town of Redding make an application to the State for $500,000 in order to undertake STEAP Grant for Police Facilities and to execute an Assistance Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE Redding Board of Selectmen
1. That it is cognizant of the conditions and prerequisites for State Assistance imposed by Connecticut General Statutes.
2. That the filing of an application by the Town of Redding in an amount not to exceed $500,000 is hereby approved and that the First Selectman, Natalie Ketcham, is hereby authorized and directed to execute and file such application with the Connecticut Department of Public Safety, to provide such additional information to execute other documents as may be required; to execute an Assistance Agreement with the State of Connecticut for State Financial Assistance if such an agreement is offered, to execute any amendments, recisions,
and revisions thereto; and to act as the authorized representative of the Town of Redding, CT.
 I, Michele R. Grande, Town Clerk for the Town of Redding, CT duly elected and qualified according to law and having custody of the seal of the Town of Redding, CT hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of a resolution duly adopted at a Regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Redding on June 18, 2007, and, that said resolution has not been amended, rescinded or revoked and remains in
full force and effect.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Town of Redding this 19th day of June, A.D. 2007.
_________________________________
Michele R. Grande, Town Clerk
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