Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2008
Present: Ketcham, Miller, Takacs
Also present: R. Dean of the Planning Commission and S. Wolf of the Redding Pilot
Mrs. Ketcham called the April 14, 2008 meeting to order at 7:35 pm in the Hearing Room of the Redding Town Office Building.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2008 meeting as submitted. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the March 31, 2008 meeting as submitted. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the April 7, 2008 meeting as submitted. Miller, Ketcham. Approved. 2-0-1. Takacs abstained
LETTER TO TOWN CLERK REGARDING REFERENDUM ON ANNUAL BUDGET
Motion: move to send a letter to the Town Clerk as notification that the Annual Budget will go to a referendum vote. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON GRANT
Rob Dean of the Planning Commission was present to explain the Technical Assistant that is available to study incentive housing zones as part of the update of the Town Plan of Conservation and Development. The Planning Commission supports the application for the grant.
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen authorizes as designee, Natalie T. Ketcham, First Selectman, to submit the grant application under Sections 38 to 50, inclusive of Public Act 07-4 of the June Special Session, to provide funding for technical assistance in planning housing incentive zones. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT PERMIT FEES
The Building Department completed a review of their fees, comparing them to the fees of neighboring towns. The major variation is that the Town of Redding does not currently charge permit fees for building permits for tax-exempt applicants and most of the other towns charge fees. Mrs. Ketcham will explore the reasoning for not charging the fees. The topic will be explored further at a future meeting.
FAIR HOUSING POLICY STATEMENT AND RESOLUTION
First Selectmen Ketcham read the Resolution into the record.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen accept Fair Housing Policy Statement and the resolution as presented. Miller, Ketcham. Approved. Unanimous.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
a. Referral from Zoning Commission regarding sign regulations: The Board of Selectmen had no comment on the sign regulations.
b. STEAP Grant for athletic fields: A STEAP Grant for $400,000 for the improvement of athletic fields at John Read Middle School was received. Mrs. Ketcham suggested that Mr. Takacs check to see if the use of the funds can be expanded to include fields at the Community Center as well as JRMS.
c. Clean Energy Campaign and Earth Day Activities: Mrs. Ketcham reported the Town of Redding received a $250 rebate for the Town and resident participation in the Clean Energy Campaign. The Clean Energy Committee will participate in Earth Day activities planned for April 26 & 27. A “rid-litter” day is planned for Saturday, with participants creating a “Mount Trashmore on the Town Green. Additional activities and an exhibition are planned for Sunday at John Read Middle School.
d. The Board of Finance has delayed their decision on the budget until the Grand List has been finalized, following completion of the Board of Assessment Appeals work. The Grand List is expected to be finalized on Monday, April 21, 2008 and the Board of Finance will meet following the scheduled Town Meeting. The Board of Finance discussed increasing the proposed budget to allow for some restoration of the fund balance.
e. 2008-2009 Budget: The Board of Selectmen discussed and confirmed the decision to proceed with a budget that does not anticipate revenue from the GLDC project and to fund capital items apart from the operating budget.
f. Web site: the Town web site can be used to provide email notification of Town Meetings by subscription.
g. GLDC update: The project is going forward with road infrastructure beginning in June, along with some Route 107 intersection modification.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
| 
