MINUTES
Present: Pemberton, Karvelis, Thompson
Also present: four members of the public, a representative of the Redding Pilot, and the videographers
The First Selectman called the meeting to order at 7:31 pm
AGENDA ADDITION
Motion: move that the Agenda be amended to add an Executive Session for a discussion of pending litigation as the last item. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the minutes of the March 28, 2016 meeting be approved as amended. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
Amendment: on the first motion, add FY before 16-17 Budget.
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED REDUCTIONS IN STATE AID TO MUNICIPALITIES
The Governor’s proposed reduction to State Aid was discussed. The total reduction for Redding is about $900,000, consisting of about $680,000 in ECS funds and the remaining in Revenue Sharing. The proposal is subject to legislative approval. Mrs. Pemberton reported that Bill Alvarez, Chairman of the Board of Finance, has suggested not taking action to set the mill rate until action is taken by the legislature. In the past few years, the mill rate was set the same night that the budget referendum was approved, but this year, Mr. Alvarez suggested delaying this action.
Mrs. Pemberton noted that if the proposals are adopted, the Town
budget would need to be reviewed to find areas for reduction. She noted that areas to be reviewed include the funds for the Mark Twain Library, funds for the Highway Department summer help, Building & Grounds summer work, and cemetery work.
DISCUSSION OF FIRE/EMS RECRUITMENT & RETENTION
Mrs. Pemberton attended seminars that discussed the recruitment and retention issues. A work group will be formed to discuss the issues further. Representatives of the three fire districts and a representative of the Board of Finance will be a part of the work group. Mrs. Pemberton also noted the importance of the EMS class offered at Joel Barlow High School. Many of the class participants have become valued volunteers for the fire districts.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
- Stepney Bridge update: The contract for the work has been signed and tree work has been completed. Work will begin as soon as possible. The schedule for work is 120 days, and the contract contains penalties for going beyond the 120 days, with a substantial increase if work goes beyond the start of school on August 31, 2016. The Highway Department has made Foundry Road a temporary by-pass roadway for Fire/EMS and police.
- Route 53 Bridge project: The schedule has moved the closing date up, with work to begin as soon as school is closed for the year. In anticipation of the closure, there has been an increase in speed control on Umpawaug Road. A movable temporary speed hump will be installed on the road, and the location of the hump will be changed frequently.
- Spring roadwork update: Drainage work is underway on Granite Ridge Road, Archers Land and Fox Run. The paving will be one on those roads and Deer Spring and Lampost Road before July 1, 2016.
- Utilities Task Force Update: Mr. Karvelis reported that new information has come forward regarding natural gas and fiber optics. He requested that the Task Force continue beyond the scheduled June 2016 deadline. He will provide further information for discussion at the next meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen recess to executive session to discuss pending litigation. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting recessed t 8:06 pm
RECONVENE
The meeting was reconvened in public session at 9:02 pm
No action was taken
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Move to adjourn the meeting. Thompson, Karvelis. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 9:02 pm.
Submitted by Mary Maday, Recording Secretary