RECEIVED JUNE 17, 2010 @ 8:30 A.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
3 pages
REDDING BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SPECIAL MEETING
Minutes
June 14, 2010
Present: Ketcham, Takacs, Pemberton
Also present: nine members of the public and a representative of the Redding Pilot
Mrs. Ketcham called the June 14, 2010 meeting to order at 7:30 pm in the Hearing Room of the Redding Town Office Building.
PUBLIC COMMENT
James Miller, Middlebrook Pond Road: Mr. Miller asked if there is still a pressing need for athletic fields. Mr. Takacs will respond to the question later in the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the minutes of the May 17, 2010 meeting be accepted as submitted. Takacs, Pemberton. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move that the minutes of the May 20, 2010 meeting be accepted as submitted. Takacs, Pemberton. Approved. Unanimous.
PROPOSAL FOR TOWN WIDE “Shed Your Meds” MEDICATION DISPOSAL DAY
Resident Tim O’Connor suggested a program for the proper collection and disposal of unused medications. He described the program used in New Canaan and how it could be adapted to Redding. He provided preliminary information from Stericycle, the company used by the local fire departments. He indicated that Danbury Hospital is interested in assisting area towns in such ventures. Mr. O’Connor believes the cost of a “Shed Your Meds” day could be offset by these two organizations.
Discussion followed, with participation from those in the audience. The Board of Selectmen accepted Mr. O’Connor’s offer to spearhead a program, but asked that he get more definitive information from potential partners, Stericycle and Danbury Hospital.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO STATION ROAD
The Planning Commission response to the referral from the Board of Selectman regarding making Station Road a one-way road was reviewed. The Planning Commission advised that changing the traffic pattern of Station Road would not be effective for traffic calming and safety, but suggested that changing the intersection of Station Road/Umpawaug Road/Route 53 would be preferred. Police Chief Fuchs submitted a diagram of how the intersection could be reconfigured to improve safety and slow southbound traffic as it enters Umpawaug Road.
Robert Dean of the Planning Commission stated that the Commission’s views are consistent with Chief Fuchs’ diagram, but added that the reconfiguration may be difficult to achieve. Route 53 is a state road and changes would require cooperation of the state DOT. Mr. Dean suggested the town address the safety issues of that intersection (Route 53/Umpawaug Road) and the intersection of Route 53 and Sidecut Road. In addition, the intersection of Sidecut Road and Station Road should be reviewed. Jo-An Brooks, Land Use Coordinator) suggested that the Planning Commission use available funds in this year’s budget to request a review of the intersections by Milone & MacBroom. That information would be helpful in negotiating with the state DOT to make the changes needed to increase safety.
A member of the audience suggested that accident/incident data would also be helpful. Another person recommended that a list of all intersections with safety concerns be compiled, suggesting that there may be others with as serious or more serious safety concerns.
The Selectmen were in agreement to go forward with the Planning Commission’s request for Milone & MacBroom to study the intersection of Umpawaug Road and Route 53. Jo-An Brooks will follow up on this matter. The Selectmen were also in agreement with the need for the compilation of a list of intersections with safety concerns.
SALE OF STATE OWNED LAND
The State of Connecticut is in the process of selling two state-owned properties purchased years ago in conjunction with the Route 7 project. The Town of Redding has the right of first refusal on these properties. The properties 49 Picketts Ridge Road and 11 Old Redding Road are small parcels of land with existing homes on them. The properties are on the market for $225,000 and $230,000 respectively. Jo-An Brooks advised that that the Planning Commission does not have an interest in the properties.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen has no interest in the properties at 49 Picketts Ridge Road and 11 Old Redding Road. Takacs, Pemberton. Approved. Unanimous.
BUILDING LINE LAND DONATION
The property at 5 Main Street has offered the donation of land in conjunction with the building line project for Main Street in Georgetown.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen accept the donation of land from 5 Main Street as specified. Takacs, Pemberton. Approved. Unanimous.
PARK AND RECREATION REAPPOINTMENTS
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen reappoint Susan Goldman, Meredith McClung and Gary Miyashiro to the Park and Recreation Commission for 3-year terms. Takacs, Pemberton. Approved. Unanimous.
ATHLETIC FIELDS COMMITTEE UPDATE
Mr. Takacs, responding to Mr. Miller’s comment regarding the need for fields, the need for additional fields does still exist. Currently, many of the athletic teams are using fields in other towns or are practicing on fields not suitable for safe use, due to the shortage of fields in Redding. For example, Title 9 requirements have increased the demand for playing fields due to the excellent participation of girls/women teams that did not previously exist.
Many of Redding’s fields may appear unused at times, but that is attributable to the fact that the adult coaches of the teams are not available until the end of day, usually after 5 pm.
Mr. Takacs reported the Athletic Fields Committee is focused on updating the cost figures for the conversion of Redding Community Center Field #2 to a full size soccer field and potentially a full size football field, with artificial turf. The Committee is setting up a 501(c)3 for the collection of donations for the cost of the fields. In addition to the STEAP money ($400,000), the funding for the field reconversion will come from donations.
MEETING DATE CHANGE
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen change the July meeting from July 19, 2010 to July 26, 2010, and schedule the meeting to begin at 7:00 pm. Takacs, Pemberton. Approved. Unanimous.
STATION ROAD BRIDGE UPDATE
Mrs. Ketcham reported that only one bid was received for the bridge repair on Station Road. Upon review of the bid, the consultant recommended rebidding the project with clearer specifications for the work to be done. The project is not in the process of rebidding.
EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION LUNCH
Mrs. Ketcham suggested a date in September be set for the annual Employee Appreciation Lunch. The date will be set at the next meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
James Miller, Middlebrook Pond Road: Mr. Miller thanked the Board for allowing the public to participate in the discussions during the meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen recess to Executive Session for a discussion of a) salaries of non-union personnel, and b) drainage easement negotiations. Takacs. Pemberton. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting recessed at 8:45 pm
RECONVENE
The meeting was reconvened in public session at 9:05 pm.
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen authorize the drainage easement at 11 Topstone Road. Pemberton, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move to recommend to the Board of Finance a transfer of $48,755.60 from FY 2010-2011 Contingency to the salary accounts for 2010-2011 wages for non-union personnel. Takacs, Pemberton. Approved. Unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Takacs, Pemberton. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday
Recording Secretary
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