Board of Selectmen[Marker]
Meeting Minutes
July 14, 2008
Present: Miller, Takacs, Ketcham
Media: Redding Pilot
Mrs. Ketcham called the meeting to order at 7:55 pm
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move to approve the minutes of June 10, 2008 as submitted. Takacs, Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move to approve the minutes of June 16, 2008 as submitted. Takacs, Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
ALLIANCE FOR SENSIBLE AIRSPACE PLANNING UPDATE
Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi, Chairman of the Alliance for Sensible Airspace Planning, provided an update. The proposed FAA redesign of air traffic into LaGuardia Airport moves the incoming path from the New York area to a wide path beginning in southern Litchfield County, down through Fairfield County, including towns of Brookfield, Sherman, Danbury, Redding, Ridgefield, etc. The Alliance maintains that the quality of life will be drastically changed with the redesign. The FAA has been reluctant to provide information and details of the plan to the public. The Alliance has begun the appeal process, legal counsel is in place, and lobbying efforts are underway.
Mr. Marconi reported the FAA proposal does not take into account the impact on local/small airports, such as Danbury Airport. The Danbury air traffic would be required to fly at a lower altitude under the proposed plan. The Alliance is concerned about the quality of air, impact on the environment, and impact of noise.
Mr. Marconi was present to support a request for additional funding for the Alliance. Redding was asked to contribute an additional $8,885. The increase in funding is needed to cover legal fees incurred. The Alliance’s plan for Phase 2 includes private fund raising efforts and a partnership with the State of Connecticut.
Mrs. Ketcham reported the Town of Redding budgeted and encumbered the sum of $55,423 for this effort. To date, approximately $50,000 has been paid out. The balance, $4,699, is available to payout, and an additional $4,186 would be required if the request for an additional $8,885 is approved.
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen authorize payment of the $4,699 balance and approve funding $4,186 from the current budget for general legal expenses. Takacs, Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
GLDC UPDATE
Mrs. Ketcham reported the GLDC project will begin removal of the buildings sitting on the slabs which are over the Norwalk River on Tuesday, July 15, 2008. The river and waterfall will be visible from Route 107 when the removal work is completed.
The plan for the new Georgetown railroad station has been approved and has received funding from Metro North. Work on the rail crossing will begin shortly.
ATHLETIC FIELDS UPDATE
Mr. Takacs reported the $400,000 STEAP grant can be used to improve the existing fields at the Community Center/Redding Elementary School. The Fields Committee is considering three options: Community Center Field #2, Community Center Field #3, and Redding Elementary School Field #4. Field #2 could be enlarged to a full size competition field and is the Committee’s first priority. The Committee will meet in August to review reports and further information from Barry Blades of Blades & Goven.
SUMMER CONSERVATION HOURS
The four-day work week for the Town of Redding is going well.
IRS MILEAGE RATE
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen adopt the recommended IRS Mileage rate of $0.558/mile for vehicle use if a Town vehicle is not available. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HOMELAND SECURITY RESOLUTION
This item was deferred pending further information.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Frank DeSalvo: commented that the meeting was not posed on the Website for tonight.
James Miller: requested that the Board of Finance and/or Board of Selectmen respond to his request for information regarding the litigation involving a reduction in the grand list. Mrs. Ketcham reported that the issues continue as legal matters that cannot be disclosed at the present.
Jeanne Wendshuh: commented that the agenda for tonight’s meeting was not posted on the Town website.
ADJOURNMENT
The Board of Selectmen meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
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