Minutes
Present: Pemberton, Karvelis, Thompson
Also present: twenty members of the public, Assessor Ford, Police Chief Fuchs, representatives of the Redding Pilot & Danbury News Times, & videographers
First Selectman Pemberton called the September 21, 2015 meeting to order at 7:31 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the meeting of August 17, 2015 as submitted. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 3, 2015 as submitted. Thompson, Karvelis. Approved. Unanimous.
2017 REAL PROPERTY REVALUATION
Assessor John Ford reviewed the process for the 2017 revaluation. After the contract with the vendor is finalized, there will be a period of data collection and updating of numbers. The property owners will be notified in the fall of 2017 of the property inspection process and appointments will be set up. The revaluation process should be finalized in January or February of 2018.
The bidding process for a vendor was done in April and three proposals were received. After review and references checked, Mr. Ford recommended using Vision Government Solutions, a firm that has a history of doing work in Redding. A new project manager and team would be assigned to perform the work.
Jo-an Brooks, Planning Department, expressed her concerns about the work performed on the 2007 revaluation by the same firm. She was asked to provide a listing of issues that she observed.
Motion: move that the Board of Selectmen approve the selection of Vision Government Solutions for the 2017 Revaluation and authorize the signing of a contract with the firm. Karvelis, Thompson.
James Miller, Middlebrook Pond Road: Mr. Miller asked if the issues with the 2007 revaluation were the result of residents not allowing inside inspections of their property. Mrs. Pemberton and Mr. Karvelis responded that this was one reason, but the primary cause was the economic conditions and decrease in housing values.
Debby Wolff, Goodsell Hill Road: Mrs. Wolff commented that she was not aware that the revaluation included an inside inspection.
Motion Tabled: a special meeting will be scheduled to take action after further information is received and evaluated.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON GOODSELL HILL ROAD & RT. 107 INTERSECTION TRAFFIC FLOW
The intersection of Goodsell Hill Road with Route 107 creates safety issues for vehicles entering and exiting the road, especially poor sight lines. Police Chief Fuchs recommended making Goodsell Hill Road a one way road at the intersection, allowing cars to enter the road, but not exit. This would be similar to what has been done with Newtown Turnpike at the intersection with Route 58.
Some residents of Goodsell Hill Road were present and expressed their concerns and problems with the intersection as it is now.
Kate Fletcher, Goodsell Hill Road: Mrs. Fletcher indicated the sight lines are bad. The children are put at risk they must walk along the roadway to reach the school bus stop at the corner with Farview Farms Road. In addition, the roadway has deteriorated and is very narrow in many sections.
Debby Wolff, Goodsell Hill Road: Mrs. Wolff expressed her concerns about safety.
Diane Taylor, Chairman of the Redding Planning Commission: Mrs. Taylor stated that the Planning Commission unanimously endorsed making Goodsell Hill Road one way at the intersection with Route 107 and that this is in accordance with the Town Plan of Conservation and Development.
Mrs. Pemberton read an email from Cecilia Ruggles, a resident of Goodsell Hill Road, citing the safety issues.
Stephany Gregory, Goodsell Hill Road: Mrs. Gregory addressed the width and condition of the road, suggesting that some improvements are warranted.
Toby Welles: Mr. Welles commented that widening the roadway could lead to increased speed.
Craig Ross, Goodsell Hill Road: Mr. Ross asked if the change to a one-way entry was made on a trial basis, how long the trial would be before it is reevaluated. Chief Fuchs and the selectmen agreed that a six-month trial would be good.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen approve making Goodsell Hill Road a one way entry road at the intersection with Route 107 for a six month trial period. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION OF THE CT GREEN BANK C-PACE PROGRAM
Mrs. Pemberton stated that Temple B’nai Chaim in Georgetown has a solar panel installation project ready to go and would like to take advantage of the CT Green Bank program.
Alex Kovtunenko, CT Green Bank, recapped how the program works and the involvement of the Redding Tax Collector for the collection of payments. The CT Green Bank handles all the collection of delinquent payments. Mrs. Pemberton added that the Tax Collector is aware of the program and will not have problem with the process.
The process for moving forward includes a Town Meeting to adopt participation of the Town in the program.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen schedule a Town Meeting on October 19, 2015 at 7:30 pm, for the purpose of adopting a resolution for the Town of Redding to enter into the C-Pace Program. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON THE ENERGIZE CT CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITY PROGRAM
Natalia Sudyka of Eversource Energy and Bob Wall of the CT Green Bank explained the “Clean Energy Municipal Pledge”. That pledge includes reducing energy consumption by 20% by 2018, using 2010-11 as a base line, and the purchase of 20% of energy from renewal sources by 2018. A point system is in place, and when point level is achieved, a $5,000 grant would be available for energy savings projects. Upon questioning from the selectmen, Ms. Sudyka made clear there was no “penalty” if the 20% goal is not achieved by the Town.
Following further discussion, there was agreement to move forward with the program.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen authorize the signing of the CT Clean Energy Municipal Pledge and enter into the program. Thompson, Karvelis. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON CCM PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARD
The Connecticut Council of Municipalities (CCM) offers towns the opportunity to participate in the Prescription Drug Discount Card program, and administered by Proact. The contract has been reviewed by town counsel. When approved, a mailing will be sent to residents explaining the program and the benefits. The program will be reviewed by the Board of Selectmen in six months.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen authorize the First Selectman to sign the contract entering into the CCM Prescription Drug Discount program administered by Proact. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Appointment to Conservation Commission:
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen reappoint David Pattee to the Conservation Commission . Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen reappoint William Hill to the Conservation Commission . Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
Appointment to Incentive Housing Zone Committee:
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen Rebecca Cleary Parkin to the Incentive Housing Zone Committee. Thompson, Karvelis. Approved. Unanimous.
Appointment to Park & Recreation Commission:
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen appoint Ronna Brier to the Park & Recreation Commission. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
Appointment to the Teen Center Committee:
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen appoint Barbara Rhymann to the Teen Center Committee. Thompson, Karvelis. Approved. Unanimous.
CT Trust for Historic Preservation “Got Mill” Forum & Georgetown Update
The forum is scheduled for September 30, 2015 at 7 pm in the Community Center. Following the “Got Mill” forum, there will be an update on the legal action on the Georgetown project.
CT Siting Council: The CT Siting Council has approved a modification to the AT&T cell tower at the Highway Department Garage area for the addition another carrier, Verizon. The revenue from AT&T is $2,281 monthly, the addition of Verizon will have monthly revenue of $684/month. Prior to the installation, there are drainage issues that need to be corrected. The drainage issue was created when the AT&T tower was installed; AT&T plan to eliminate the problem, but have not taken any action as yet.
Director of Social Services, Gail Schiron has submitted her retirement notice effective January 28, 2016. Mrs. Pemberton is working on finalizing a new job description, which will include qualification of a licensed clinical social worker, and will post the position shortly.
Utility Task Force: Mr. Karvelis reported on the discussions of the Utility Task Force on bring natural gas to the Georgetown area residents and businesses, and high speed fiber optics. The Task Force Committee plans to have a report on natural gas in January.
Online permitting: Mrs. Pemberton reported that a RFP (Request for Proposal) for online permitting have been sent out, with a return date of October 27, 2015. The program is intended to streamline the entire permitting process.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Move to adjourn the meeting. Thompson, Karvelis. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 9:58 pm.
Submitted by Mary Maday, Recording Secretary