RECEIVED September 23, 2010 @ 11:33 A.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
3 pages
Filed subject to approval
REDDING BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
Minutes
September 20, 2010
Present: Ketcham, Takacs, Pemberton
Also present: nine members of the public and a representative of the Redding Pilot
Mrs. Ketcham called the September 20, 2010 meeting to order at 7:32 pm in the Hearing Room of the Redding Town Office Building.
PUBLIC COMMENT
James Miller, Middlebrook Pond Road: commented on the Redding Board of Education information in the newspaper regarding the amount of unspent budgeted funds that would be returned to the Town.
Frank DeSalvo, Mountain Road: commented that the Redding Board of Education plans for the unexpended budget for fiscal 09-10 include some money to go the medical reserve fund, and the remainder to be returned to the Town. For fiscal 10-11, the budget included funding step increases for the certified teachers which should not have been included. The Board has indicated that that portion of the budget will not be expended and will be returned to the Town at the close of the fiscal year.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the minutes of the June 14, 2010 meeting be accepted as corrected. Takacs, Pemberton. Approved. Unanimous.
Corrections: Under Station Road changes, para. #3, James Miller made the first comment, the second was by John Barry(?); Under Sale of State Owned Land, the state acquired the properties decades ago in conjunction with the plan to expand the Route 7 corridor; Under Station Road Bridge update, last sentence, change not to now.
Motion: move that the minutes of the August 12, 2010 meeting be accepted as corrected. Takacs, Pemberton. Approved. Unanimous.
Correction: Under Route 107 discussion, last sentence, change further to furthers
REGIONAL AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN TOWN OF REDDING AND BETHEL, CT REGARDING ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES
Chief Fuchs reported that an agreement between the Town of Redding and Town of Bethel regarding animal control services has been reached. A draft agreement document was provided for review. The town’s attorney has completed a review of the agreement, and the Bethel attorney should complete a review shortly. The agreement spells out the sharing of resources and responsibility of each of the towns. Redding will have a cost savings of approximately $30,000 and there will be an increase in coverage.
UPDATE ON POLICE STATION ADDITION
The police station addition project was rebid as a project above the $400,000 prevailing wage threshold. The low bidder, Hawley Construction, bid $622,800. The project is funded with a STEAP grant of $500,000. Mrs. Ketcham noted the town has monies available in the LoCIP (Local Capital Improvement Plan) to cover the amount over the $500,000.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen authorize the use of the STEAP grant and LoCIP money for the Police Station Addition Project, as presented. Takacs, Pemberton. Approved. Unanimous.
ENERGY USAGE SAVINGS UPDATE
Mrs. Ketcham reported the town savings from closing the town offices/buildings on Fridays was $$46,359. The amount of savings was calculated by comparing energy usage of the last fiscal year with the fiscal year of two years ago when the town operated on a five-day work week. It was noted that town employees continue to work the same number of hours each week, but in a 4-day period instead of a 5-day period. The early hours have been very advantageous for some departments and there have been few complaints about the Friday closing.
QUALITY LIVING AT HOME PROGRAM & DIRECTORY
The Ridgefield Visiting Nurses Association is developing a brochure for Redding, with a directory of services for seniors and their families. The launch of the program is scheduled for October 26, 2010.
APPOINTMENT
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen appoint Gordon Loery to the Park and Recreation Commission, filling the term of Elizabeth Sager. Pemberton, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
CONSULTANT SELECTION PANEL FOR GEORGETOWN INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS
The Selection Panel for the Georgetown Intersection improvements requires an engineer consultant. Mrs. Ketcham asked the Town of Newtown for assistance by sharing their consultant on the project. Newtown agreed to the sharing of resources, the DOT was in agreement, and their consultant is serving on the Selection Panel. The panel is reviewing the 13 responses to the Request for Qualifications and will narrow the field to five for interviews. The finalists and all scoring material will be reviewed by the State, and they will move forward with negotiations for services. In addition to the Newtown engineer, Chief Fuchs, ZEO Flanagan and Controller Gniadek serve on the panel.
ATHLETIC FIELDS COMMITTEE UPDATE
Mr. Takacs reported the plan will be reviewed by the Conservation Commission on September 21, 2010 for a second time. The Commission requested that the field be altered slightly to reduce the intrusion into the wetlands. Barry Blades of Blades & Goven has moved the field slightly to the south to minimize the intrusion and this plan will be presented. The project, when approved by the Conservation Commission, will go to the Zoning Commission next. The plan converts the existing field at the Redding Community Center to a full size soccer/football field with a turf surface.
No town funding will be used for the project. A STEAP grant of $400,000 is in place, along with a commitment from the soccer group for $100,000. An additional $350,000 will be raised from private contributions. The Committee is in the process of establishing a 501(C)3 organization, Redding Athletic Fields Fund, for the acceptance of tax deductible donations.
RESOLUTION: AGREEMENT WITH STATE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HOMELAND SECURITY
A resolution is required regarding the agreement with the State Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security to participate in the regional group that includes the spending plan.
RESOLUTION: Resolved, that Natalie T. Ketcham, First Selectman of the Town of Redding is authorized to 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; and
Further resolved, that Natalie T. Ketcham, as First Selectman of the Town of Redding, is authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the Town of Redding 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.
Dated at Redding, Connecticut this 20th day of September, 2010.
Signed by the Board of Selectmen, Natalie T. Ketcham, Donald K. Takacs, Julia C. Pemberton.
DECLARATION OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANT TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION
The restricted covenant has been approved by the Planning Commission, but they requested that the Board of Selectmen accept and restricted covenant and appoint the Planning Commission as the administrator/enforcer of the covenant.
Rob Dean of the Planning Commission provided further detail on the situation which involves two building lots. The applicant plans to build one house on the oversized parcel, but not limit t he long term development potential of the property.
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen accept the Declaration of Restricted Covenant for 65 & 67 Umpawaug Road and designate the Planning Commission as the administrator/enforcer of the covenant. Pemberton, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
POST OFFICE LEASE
The post office building is owned by the Town of Redding, and a portion is leased to the United States Postal Service. When the 5-year lease ended a year ago, the Town entered into a 1-year lease, providing time to consider the Planning Commission’s Plan of Development and potential use of the building by the Town. The Planning Commission determined that the current use as a Post Office was valuable and appropriate for the next 10 years. The current 1-year lease expired in June, 2011 and the U.S. Postal Service has asked for a multi-year lease contract. There was consensus for the First Selectman to enter into negotiations with the U.S. Postal Service for a multi-year lease contract.
ROUTE 53-SIDECUT ROAD-UMPAWAUG ROAD INTERSECTIONS
Mrs. Ketcham reported the Planning Commission’s recommendations and report from Milone & MacBroom regarding the intersections of Route 53 with Sidecut Road and Umpawaug Road was available. A full discussion of the report and recommendations will be scheduled for the October meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Frank DeSalvo, Mountain Road: question regarding the completion of Station Road bridge repair. Mrs. Ketcham noted that the majority of the work has been completed. One area, outside the scope of the project, is being addressed by the Highway Department. In addition, some old trees on the road need to be removed. As soon as the paving is completed and the trees removed, the roadway will be reopened
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Takacs, Pemberton. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday
Recording Secretary
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