RECEIVED April 4, 2011 @ 8:30 A.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
3 pages
Filed subject to approval
REDDING BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SPECIAL MEETING
Minutes
March 31, 2011
Present: Ketcham, Takacs, Pemberton
Also present: Highway Superintendent Sanford, four members of the public and representatives of the Redding Pilot and Patch.com
First Selectman Ketcham called the March 31, 2011 meeting to order at 7:33 pm.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jeanne Wendschuh, Deer Spring Drive: Mrs. Wendschuh read a letter to the Selectmen regarding the funding of post-retirement benefits for police and highway department union employees.. She recommended that the operating budgets include sufficient amounts to fund post-employment benefits during the years they are employed by the Town, rather than deferring the funding to be carried by future taxpayers. Mrs. Ketcham responded that the issue was raised at the Board of Finance meeting and Controller Gniadek is reviewing town employee records regarding post-employment benefits.. He will present a full report to the Board of Finance at their next meeting. She added that generally when a member of the police or highway department retires, they are higher on the pay scale than the person hired to
replace them. This difference assists in the funding of post-retirement benefits.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the minutes of the February 14, 2011 meeting be accepted as corrected. Takacs, Pemberton. Approved. Unanimous.
Corrections: under Reappointments, the term for the WPCC Commission members is four years, expiring 2/28/2115; under Update on Redding Athletic Fields, line 3 should read A non-profit organization 501(c)(3), the Redding Athletic Fields Foundation, Inc., has been established for the purpose of collecting donations; under Budget Discussion, line 4, change additional equipment to additional components.
ROAD REPAIR AND RESTORATION PLAN
Highway Superintendent, Bruce Sanford, presented a report on the current status of roadway repair and restoration. The report included the roads and estimated costs scheduled for restoration. Included in the listing were Sunset Hill Road, Newtown Turnpike, Poverty Hollow, Great Meadow (bottom) Peaceable, and Portland Avenue. Mr. Sanford reported there is funding available from the previous roadway bonding project and that will be used to complete the work on Dayton, Orchard & Ledgewood Roads, and that work has begun. The Selectmen and Mr. Sanford will refine the report & list further, determining what work falls into the maintenance operating budget and which should be considered for long-term repair/restoration work, and present a proposal for a potential three-year road reconstruction project
for bonding at their April meeting.
Mr. Sanford reported that the Route 107, a state road, will be addressed by the CT DOT. They plan to raise basins and do spot milling/repaving on the sections of the road that are bad and are safety hazards.
PROCEDURE FOR FUTURE ROAD RESTORATION PROJECTS
The Planning Commission recommended a procedure for review of road restoration projects by the Planning and Conservation Commissions in the planning stages. Both the Planning and Conservation Commissions indicated they would like to be involved in the evaluation process and the plan for restoration of the roads, following the Town Plan of Conservation and Development. There was consensus by the Board of Selectmen and Highway Superintendent that the plan, as outlined, was good. Planning Commission member, Toby Welles, was present. Mr. Welles will meet with Mr. Sanford to review the roadway work currently being done.
BONDING FOR TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR
The Board of Finance recommended that the Board of Selectmen determine appropriate bonding coverage for the individuals serving the Town of Redding as Treasurer and Tax Collector. The Town has a general policy covering employees and public officials for $100,000, but that coverage specifically excludes coverage for the Treasurer and Tax Collector. Controller Gniadek did a comparative analysis of surrounding towns for the level of coverage for these positions. The average for the Treasurer position was $122,500 and the average for the Tax Collector position was $154,000. Mr. Gniadek recommended coverage of $150,000 for both positions. The cost for coverage is $440/each/year. Mrs. Pemberton added that other safeguards are in place for financial transactions, such as multiple signatories
for transfers of fund.
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen recommend to the Board of Finance the bonding level of $150,000 for the individuals serving as Treasurer and Tax Collector. Takacs, Pemberton. Approved. Unanious.
LETTER TO TOWN CLERK SENDING FY 2011-2012 BUDGET TO REFERENDUM
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen direct a letter to the Town Clerk removing the vote on the annual budget from the agenda for the Annual Budget Meeting on April 21, 2011 and send the item to a machine vote. Pemberton, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
MEETING WITH REDDING LAND TRUST
Mrs. Ketcham reported that a meeting with the Redding Land Trust has been scheduled for April 5, 2011. The purpose of the meeting is a discussion deer hunting policies with the Redding Land Trust, the Deer Warden and Conservation Chairman David Pattee.
REAPPOINTMENTS
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen reappoint Natalie Ketcham, with alternate Larry Kulowiec, as the representative to the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority. Takacs, Pemberton. Approved. Unanimous.
POLICIES
1. Town Building Closings: when the Town’s buildings are closed due to weather or related events, some employees are asked to work, i.e. clear snow/ice from building entrances, roofs, etc. A policy regarding compensation for this work was recommended.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen approve the following policy as presented.
In the event that a Town Building is officially closed by the First Selectmen due to inclement weather, natural disaster, or other event, all full time and permanent part-time employees will be paid their regularly scheduled hours. These hours will not be counted as hours involved in the calculation of overtime. If an employee works during the closing, they will be paid for their regularly scheduled hours, and actual hours worked will be added to thir Personal leave to be taken in the future. Pemberton, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
2. Pro-ration of HAS deductible for employees hired during the Fiscal Year: Controller Gniadek prepared a chart for the deductible funding for employees who enroll in the HAS plan after July 1 of each year.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen accept the Group Health Savings Account Deductible Funding chart for employees enrolling after July 1, as presented. Pemberton, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
UPDATE ON REDDING ATHLETIC FIELDS COMMITTEE
Mr. Takacs reported the Committee is finalizing work on a brochure to be used for the soliciting of funds for the project of converting RCC Field #2 to an artificial turf field. A website has been established, www.reddingfields.org.
UPDATE ON ER9 EDUCATIONAL STRUCTURE AND WAYS OF WORKING COMMITTEE
Mrs. Pemberton reported that, following Tri-Board approval for funding, the Committee hired consultant Dr. Evan Pitkoff for the task of interviewing various current and past administrators. Dr. Pitkoff was charged with preparing a report on the information gathered along with recommendations on things that could be done to improve the ways the three boards of education work together.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ellsworth Johnson, Meadow Ridge: Mr. Johnson asked if any of post office facilities were being closed. Mrs. Ketcham responded that she has not received word of any closings. She added that the lease for the Redding Center facility was recently renewed.
Don Marquandt, Meadow Ridge: Mr. Marquandt suggested that surrounding towns be consulted on deer hunting, especially on areas controlled by land trusts. Mr. Marquandt previously served on the Wilton Conservation Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen adjourn the meeting. Pemberton, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday
Recording Secretary
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