Board of Selectmen[Marker]
Meeting Minutes
June 16, 2008
Present: Miller, Takacs, Ketcham (7:46 pm)
Also present: S. Soler
Media: Redding Pilot
Mr. Takacs called the June 16, 2008 meeting to order at 7:35 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move to approve the minutes of May 19, 2008 as submitted. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move to approve the minutes of June 10, 2008 as submitted. Takacs, Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL DONATION OF TRASH CANS FOR USE AT TOWN ATHLETIC FIELDS
A resident has offered to provide trash cans for the athletics fields. Selectmen Miller and Takacs expressed a concern that the presence of the trash cans could create problems of excessive trash, the disposal of trash, and bees. The consensus was that the public should be encouraged to take away their trash for disposal. The donation was not accepted.
ORDINANCE TO GRANT TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED FOR THE DISABLED.
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen propose to a Town Meeting , provided that Town Counsel and the Assessor have approved the ordinance. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen set a Town Meeting to consider the adoption of an Ordinance as discussed to grant tax exemptions for motor vehicles equipped for the disabled for Monday, July 14, 2008 at 7:30 pm in the Hearing Room of Town Office Building. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
REAPPOINTMENTS
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen reappoint Lee Morgan, Kim Taylor and Shannon Craley to the Park and Recreation Commission for a full term. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
Mrs. Ketcham arrived, 7:46 pm
UPDATE FROM GLDC
Mr. Soler provided an update on activities at the Georgetown site. Demolition is set to begin with the removal of the slabs off the river. The permit for the work has been issued; they are waiting for final letter of approval from the CT DEP. This will be a 3-month process. The project will be before the Planning Commission for subdivision plans, packets of information have been provided to Planning for review. The seven parcels are expected to transfer ownership in the fall and development should begin shortly after that. The final work on the bonding for infrastructure is being completed. That work will include roads, water & sewer lines.
GLDC will be going to Zoning for amendments to the Master Plan, including removal of age-restrictions of 55-up on certain proposed housing. In addition, plans for the parking garage at the new train station will be submitted to the Zoning Commission shortly. The garage will have a 300-car or 600-car capacity, this has not yet been finalized, with GLDC proposing 600 parking spots
STEAP GRANT
The STEAP Grant for athletic fields has been written specifically for artificial turf fields. A request was submitted to OPM and has been granted to allow for more flexibility so that funding can be used for improvements on the natural grass fields at Redding Elementary School and the Community Center. The Athletic Fields Committee will be asked to make recommendations regarding the use of the $400,000 STEAP Grant for improvements to the grass fields.
Resolution: resolved, that Natalie T. Ketcham of Redding be and hereby is authorized to execute on behalf of the Town of Redding, a Personal Services Agreement with the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for a $400,000 grant under the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) authority. Dated at Redding Connecticut this 16th day of June 2008. Takacs, Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
FISCAL 2008-2009 BUDGET
The escalating cost of heating oil and gas create a potential shortfall in energy funding in the approved 2008-2009 town budget. Mrs. Ketcham reported that all steps to conserve energy are being considered. The concept of closing the Town’s buildings one day a week was discussed with department heads. A pilot program of closing the buildings one day a week for the months of July and August was discussed and agreed to by the Board of Selectmen. The buildings would be closed for business on Fridays, with extended hours on the four open days. The hours of operation are still being worked out. The buildings that would be closed on Friday include the Town Office Building, the Annex Building, the Old Town House, Highway Department and the Community Center with the exception of the gymnasium.
The pilot program will be reevaluated at the August Board of Selectmen meeting, and may be extended. The buildings will not be available for any public use on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the closed months.
Motion: move that to conserve energy, beginning July 1, for a two month period, the Town Office Building, Annex, Old Town Hall, Highway Department and community Center will be closed on Fridays, with longer open/working hours during the four open days to equal the total number of working hours as currently exist, to be revisited for consideration of extending the one-day closing at the August Board of Selectmen meeting. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
CLEAN ENERGY CAMPAIGN
Mrs. Ketcham reported the Committee is working to expand the committee with new members. The Chair is also following up on the process of getting the three solar panels installed.
ROADWAY MAINTENANCE GUIDELINES
The guidelines for roadway maintenance are in need of updating. Mrs. Ketcham reported that Milone & MacBroom have been asked to review and revise the document. The Board of Selectmen will also review.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen recess to executive session to discuss personnel matters. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting recessed at 9:05 pm
RECONVENE
The Chair reconvened the meeting at 9:45 pm
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen recommend to the Board of Finance a transfer of $73,767 from FY 08-09 contingency to the salary and benefits line items. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT
The Board of Selectmen meeting was adjourned at 9:46 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
Mary
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