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REDDING BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
August 18, 2008
MINUTES
Filed subject to approval
Present: Ketcham, Miller, Takacs
Also present: four members of the public and S. Wolf of the Redding Pilot
First Selectman Ketcham called the August 18, 2008 meeting to order at 7:35 pm in the Hearing Room of the Redding Town Office Building.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen accept the minutes of the July 14, 2008 meeting as submitted. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
ANALYSIS OF SUMMER ENERGY CONSERVATION HOURS
Mrs. Ketcham provided information related to the savings as a result of the summer energy conservation hours. The July 2008 energy usage compared with the July 2007 energy usage showed a 35.% decrease (with comparable conditions for July in both years).. The Highway Department reported a savings in diesel fuel as a result of the 4-day work day. Other Departments did not show a decrease in fuel usage.
Feedback from residents was gathered from phone calls and responses to the website survey. Most residents were satisfied with the hours. Department heads also indicated the hours were good, allowed for greater efficiency in the office and had no negative impact on service to the residents or public.
Mrs. Ketcham and Park & Recreation Department Rob Blick reviewed the hours at the Community Center and what the impact would be if the hours were to continue. The building can continue to be closed on Fridays, with provisions made to allow the building to be open for special activities and for the gymnasium to be open for basketball season beginning November 1. Both Mrs. Ketcham and Mr. Blick felt the energy savings would be beneficial, and would not impact availability of the building for community use.
Private rental of the Community Center was discussed. The rental fee of $25/hour has not been changed since 2002. A suggested increase in the rental fee, to cover the increase in energy costs and maintenance, was discussed but no action was taken.
Mrs. Ketcham announced that the fuel prices for the coming year were “locked-in” with the consortium today, at a cost of $3.5332/gallon. The increase in cost represents a 35% increase over what was budgeted for the current year.
Following further discussion, there was agreement to continue the energy conservation hours through the end of October, with further analysis and review at the Board of Selectmen meeting in October.
CLEAN ENERGY COMMITTEE UPDATE AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Chairman Suzanne Krivit introduced two residents, Kelly Harran-Bower and P. Thomas Doremus, who wished to join the committee. The current committee has four members and Ms. Krivit indicated additional membership would be welcome. Both Ms. Harran-Bower and Mr. Doremus stated their reasons for becoming involved with the committee.
Mrs. Krivit provided an update on committee activities and plans for upcoming events. The committee will have a periodic column in the Redding Pilot about energy conservation and related information. Member Elizabeth Cox recommended involvement with the school community through support of the school based initiatives, i.e. the John Read Student Council efforts to encourage recycling and reuse. Mr. Doremus and the committee will explore the potential for a residential co-op effort for the purchase of home heating oil.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen appoint P. Thomas Doremus and Kelly Harran-Bower to the Clean Energy Committee. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
ATHLETICS FIELDS UPDATE
Barry Blades of Blades & Goven, submitted a written proposal for services to proceed with plans to expand the size of Field 2 to allow it to be used for competition play. Field 2. Further work on the RES field was not recommended as the field is badly compacted at this time. Mr. Blades noted that it is not economically practical to extend the RES field, but should continue to primarily serve as a school playground. On Mr. Takacs’ recommendation, the Blades proposal also included a cost estimate for installing artificial turf on Field 2 as a possible alternative.
The Blades proposal did not include the cost of work on the wetlands study which would potentially involve CT DEP or the soil testing of Field 2. Mr. Takacs felt that the proposal should include the wetlands information and soil testing. Mr. Blades will be asked to adjust the proposal to include the additional work for future reference.
In addition, the expansion of Field 2 was discussed. Mrs. Miller asked for clarification of impact of usage if the field is expanded using natural vs. artificial turf. Mr. Takacs will ask Mr. Blick (Park & Recreation Department Director) for detailed information on this matter.
GLDC UPDATE
Mrs. Ketcham reported the GLDC project is moving forward with the removal of slabs over the Norwalk River. The Georgetown Special Taxing District recently issued bonds for the infrastructure work, including work on the roadway, Route 7 intersections, and utility work.
BOARD OF ETHICS APPOINTMENTS
Members of the Board of Ethics are due for re-appointment. Mrs. Ketcham will check with each member and the reappointment will be done at the next meeting.
LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT/STORMWATER WORKSHOP
The Low Impact Development/Stormwater Workshop by the UCONN Center for Land Use Education and Research is scheduled for September 8, 2008 at 7:30 pm at the Community Center.
MOA RESOLUTION
The Memo of Agreement related to Emergency Management and Homeland Security must be signed and in place if the Town decides to go forth for a grant application.
Motion: Resolved that the Redding Board of Selectmen may enter into with and deliver to the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security any and all documents which it deems to be necessary or appropriate. Further Resolved, that Natalie Ketcham, Redding First Selectman, is authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the Redding Board of Selectmen and to do and perform all acts and things which she deems to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of such documents, including, but not limited to, executing and delivering all agreements and documents contemplated by such documents. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
EMERGENCY SOCIAL SERVICES FUEL PLANNING
Social Services Director, Gail Schiron, provided draft guidelines for distribution of budgeted funding for emergency assistance to Town residents in need.. With the increased cost of fuel, Mrs. Schiron anticipates more demand for funds. Mrs. Ketcham suggested exploration of a community based organization for fundraising to assist with these needs, similar to a program in Weston, Weston Cares.
ROADWAY MAINTENANCE GUIDELINES
The Roadway Maintenance Guidelines were reviewed by the Planning Commission, Town Planner John Hayes, the Highway Superintendent and the Board of Selectmen.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen accept the Roadway Maintenance Guidelines prepared by Milone & MacBroom and reviewed by the Board of Selectmen. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: move to executive session for a discussion of personnel matters. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting recessed at 9:42 pm
RECONVENE
The Chair reconvened the meeting in public session at 10:15 pm
No further action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
The Chair adjourned the meeting at 10:15 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
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