Present: Pemberton, Karvelis, Thompson
Also present: three members of the public, representatives of the Redding Pilot & Danbury News Times, & videographer
First Selectman Pemberton called the May 18, 2014 meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 20, 2015 as submitted. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION OF UMPAWAUG SCHOOLHOUSE CONDITIONS ASSESSMENT
Discussion centered on the condition of the Umpawaug Schoolhouse. Joe Bonomo, A representative of the Historical Society, reported there are serious defects in the exterior and interior structure, some due to the runoff from the roadway and impact on the foundation of the building. The plan would be to have an engineering assessment and estimate of cost to repair completed for submission to the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation for a grant. He noted that the Umpawaug School house is only one of five one-room schoolhouses in the State and is a historic asset. The estimated cost for the engineering work and estimate for cost of repairs is $5,950.
Mrs. Pemberton noted that there is some funding available in the current year budget as a result of an historic grant offsetting the cost of repairs for the Lonetown Manor.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen approve an expenditure of up to $5,950 for a structure analysis of the Umpawaug Schoolhouse. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Uannimous.
AGENDA ADDITION
Motion: move to add to the agenda, Discussion and possible action on request from the Historical Society for funding July 4 event. Thompson, Karvelis. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON REQUEST FROM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Mr. Bonomo of the Historical Society described the planned 4th of July event at the Lonetown Manor. The celebration would include acoustical and fold music, from 12 noon to 9 pm, with the potential of fireworks at the conclusion. The event would be held behind the house, with the barn as a stage. Food vendors are being sought to provide refreshments. An admission fee would be charged for admittance since this is a fundraising event for the Historical Society. He also explained that the event would be good practice for the 250th Anniversary of Redding coming up in 2017.
The Historical Society is currently applying for permits for the event and they are seeking private donations for the fireworks cost. They are seeking funding from the Town of $5,000 to offset costs.
Mrs. Pemberton noted that the request was just received and with the tight budget, she does not believe the Town funding this year would be possible. She added that, the request could be considered when the next budget is constructed.
STATUS OF STEAP GRANT
Mrs. Pemberton reported the STEAP Grant for athletic fields will expire on July 7, 2015. She has consulted with the Connecticut Office of Policy & Management and was informed the Town could seek an extension with an alternate use that would match the original scope of the grant to improve athletic fields.
Mrs. Pemberton has asked the Park & Recreation Commission & Department to weigh in on what would be the most useful expenditure of funds. Two alternates are being considered: drainage improvements to RCC field #2 & RCC field #3, and enlargement of RCC field #2 to a competition-size field. The Park & Recreation Commission is meeting tonight to consider the potential uses of the funds and make a recommendation. Any change will require Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance approvals.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER
1. Historic Documents Preservation Grant Resolution: this is a grant for $3,000 for the Town Clerk for preservation of records.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen approve the Resolution for Historic Documents Preservation Grant as presented. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
2. Appointments to Utilities Task Force: several residents have indicated their interest in serving on the Task Force. Mr. Karvelis is serving on the Task Force and Don Cullman was appointed to the Task Force at the previous meeting.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen appoint Susan Clark, Wes Higgins, , and Henry Polio to the Utilities Task Force. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
3. Appointment to the Teen Center Subcommittee:
Motion: move to appoint Linda Mitchell to the Teen Center Subcommittee. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
AGENDA ADDITION
Motion: move to add to the agenda, Update on Umpawaug Road Forest Regeneration. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unnanimous.
4. Update on Umpawaug Road Forest Regeneration: Mrs. Pemberton noted that several neighboring property owners have requested an update on the forest regeneration and screening options for relief of visual blight. The property is under the governance of CT DEEP and managed by the Conservation Land Commission, and those agencies stand by their earlier decision to let the area reforest naturally. They indicated that if the Town of Redding wanted to do screening along the road way & stonewall that would be possible. Since Umpawaug Road is a scenic road, she has referred the issue to the Planning Commission for an opinion.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: move to executive session for a discussion of pending litigation. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
Mr. Alvarez was invited to be present.
The meeting adjourned at 8:11 pm.
RECONVENE
The meeting was reconvened in public session at 8:45 pm.
No action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Submitted by Mary Maday, Recording Secretary