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RECEIVED JANUARY 16, 2014 @11:40 A.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
3 pages
Filed subject to approval
REDDING BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
Minutes
January 13, 2014
Present: Pemberton, Karvelis, Thompson
Also present: eight members of the public, Finance Director Gniadek, ZEO Pardee, Police Chief Fuchs, a representative of the Redding Pilot and videographers.
First Selectman Pemberton called the January 13, 2014 meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the December 16, 2013 meeting as submitted. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON THE INCENTIVE HOUSING ZONE PLAN AND RESOLUTION
Discussion and approval of the Incentive Housing Zone Plan and Resolution took place at the Board of Selectman’s meeting on November 18, 2013. When submitted to the State for acceptance, the State rejected the application, requesting that the application bear the name of the current First Selectman. The Board of Selectman and other Town agencies have been asked to re-approve the application with the name of Julia Pemberton.
Motion: The Redding Board of Selectmen met on January 13, 2014 and unanimously adopted a resolution which 1) Authorizes submission of the zone adoption application under the Housing for Economic Grown program referenced in Section 8-13 (m-x) of CGS; and 2) Identifies Julia Pemberton an individual authorized to sign the zone adoption application and administer the project. ~Such application is attached to and made a part of this record.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Karvelis. Approved. Unanimous
FY 2014-15 BUDGET WORKSHOP FOLLOW-UP
Zoning Enforcement Officer, Aimee Pardee, reviewed the Zoning Department budget with the Selectmen. She highlighted the reductions being proposed. Overall, she is proposing a 7% decrease in expenditures, excluding salaries.
James Miller, Middlebrook Pond Road: Mr. Miller asked if the GIS mapping system was complete or if additional resources were needed for the system. Mrs. Pardee responded that an additional layer was being added, but the system is self-supporting and additional resources are not necessary.
Town-owned abandoned cemeteries maintenance: the Selectman’s current budget includes $8,000 for the maintenance of six town-owned abandoned cemeteries. Robert Paradise is the chairperson for the committee established to oversee their care, and he handles the maintenance of the properties. Mr. Paradise noted the Committee was established many years ago, and currently consists of himself, Larry Kulowiec, Charlie Couch and Chipper Anderson. He stated that the current allocation is not sufficient for the proper care of the facilities, noting that there is a need for repair of fences, walls, and cleanup of debris. The six cemeteries are designated as historic properties and the Town has responsibility for their care and maintenance.
WPCC: Mrs. Pemberton stated that the Ordinance creating the WPCC allows for the revenues and expenditures to be made through the General Fund if approved by the Board of Selectmen and submitted to the Board of Finance and the Town Meeting in accordance with the Town’s normal budget process and the provisions of law as govern the same.
James Miller, Middlebrook Pond Road: Mr. Miller noted that if the WPCC operating budget was incorporated in the Town’s operating budget, the capital budget should also be included in the Town’s capital needs plan.
Police Department: Chief Fuchs reviewed the past and current staffing of the department. The current department staffing and budget includes the Police, Communications Center, the Animal Control, and most recently, the permit process for the W.Redding Train Station Parking lot. functions. He also noted that most police calls are responded to by two officers and accidents calls usually involve additional officers. There was a discussion of the cost of the SRO & Youth officer and whether that cost should be funded through the education budget rather than the police department budget. Mr. Gniadek reported that, based on the number of school days, 75% of the budget for the two officers ($237,000) is the cost to provide the service to the schools, That cost does not include the costs involved in overtime, holiday time, training, dry cleaning, etc. Mrs. Pemberton suggested that the Board of Education be represented when the operating budget is presented to the Board of Finance. In addition a report on the SRO & Youth officer program would be helpful.
Lonetown Farm Homestead: the Lonetown Farm Homestead property is town owned and leased to the Historical Society for $1/year. Mrs. Pemberton reported that over the past weekend there were problems with the boiler and there was water in the basement. Repairs are being done tomorrow and an insurance claim is being processed. There are additional repairs that are needed, including chimney and foundation work, and a concrete basement slab. A RFP was put out for that work and one bid was received for a cost of $8,600. This amount will be incorporated in the budget. Mrs. Pemberton is checking with the Historical Society to see if there is any grant money for the project.
James Miller, Middlebrook Pond Road: Mr. Miller asked if the repair was enough to protect the value of the historical property.
APPOINTMENTS
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen appoint Amy Atamian as a full member of the Zoning Commission replacing Joseph Ventricelli. Karvelis, Thompson Approved. Unanimous.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mrs. Pemberton noted that the merger of HVCEO (Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials) and SWRPA (South Western Regional Planning Agency) has been approved by the State and will be voted on by members next week. The new agency will be called the Western Connecticut Council of Government.
Cell Tower: Message Center Management and the Redding Ridge Fire District are planning a new cell tower for the fire district property. The planned monopole will be 150 feet. The current cell tower permit is for tower of 120 feet. The Planning Commission will review the application and schedule a Public Hearing on the proposal.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jeanne Wendschuh, Deer Spring Road: Mrs. Wendschuh commented on the accounting practice of posting credits against expenses. She noted that in the past audit management letters have recommended this practice not be followed. She indicated that this procedure creates an inaccurate expense amount.
Mike D’Agostino, Glen Hill Road: Mr. D’Agostino commented that he hopes the good work that Robert Paradise does on the abandoned cemeteries will continue. He also commented that the estimate for the work on the Lonetown Farm chimney and foundation seemed low.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Thompson, Karvelis. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 8:48 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
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