Filed subject to approval
REDDING BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
January 11, 2016
Present: Pemberton, Karvelis, Thompson
Also present: eight members of the public, representatives of the Redding Pilot and News Times
First Selectman Pemberton called the January 11, 2016 meeting to order at 7:33 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the meeting of December 21, 2015 as submitted. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON TOWN OF REDDING SANITARY CODE
Health Officer, Doug Hartline, reviewed the proposed Redding Sanitary Code and answered several questions from the Board of Selectmen regarding the scope and purpose of the proposed ordinance. Currently the Town has a registration process for restaurants that require an annual inspection and water supply analysis. Mr. Hartline does quarterly inspections of restaurants and the inspections are intended to be instructional. If violations are found, the establishment is instructed on correction. The proposed licensing process would enable enforcement if there are violations of the code or for a restaurant’s non-payment of taxes. The Water Pollution Control Commission has reviewed and approved the proposals relevant to sewage treatment.
The next step in the process is to receive other input and then schedule a Town Meeting to vote on the proposed ordinance.
DISCUSSION OF RT 53 AND RT 107 INTERSECTION TRAFFIC REGULATION
Police Chief Fuchs has requested a letter be sent to the CT Department of Transpiration to review the intersection of Rt 53 and Rt 107 and traffic flow for adjustments in signage. The Planning Commission has approved the letter. The letter includes two suggestions:
- Traffic traveling South on Rt 53 to Rt 107 would not stop at the second stop sign during the hours of 7 am and 9 am Monday through Friday. Traffic bearing left to Glen Road would stop.
- Traffic traveling North on Rt 53 (Glen Road) would be prohibited from making a left turn onto Rte. 107 during the hours of 9 am to 9 am Monday through Friday.
There was further discussion of the potential confusion that the change may cause. The letter will be sent to the CT DOT.
DISCUSSION OF REGIONAL PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PROGRAM RESOLUTION: REGIONAL SNOW PLOWING STUDY
The Western CT Council of Governments has proposed application for a federal grant to study potential cost savings by regionalizing snow plowing of routes of neighboring towns. The goal is to be more efficient with the routes, thereby saving fuel and time. Redding has several routes that abut Bethel and Newtown that could be impacted. The study would involve a consultant and software, and will be managed by the COG. The results will be reported to the towns involved to work out the specifics of sharing services if desired.
There were several questions regarding the proposal and participation. The Board of Selectmen tabled taking action on the resolution pending further information.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON BUDGET FY 2016-17
As a follow up to the Budget Workshop on January 8, 2016, additional information was requested on the following:
- Police Department: consideration of replacing the School Resource Officer (SRO) at John Read Middle School with a School Safety Officer; consideration of reduction of one police officer; review of overtime built into the Training Budget; additional information on the radio replacement and costs. Request for additional information on building repairs, front stoop, windows & siding.
- Umpawaug Schoolhouse Repair: additional information on potential to phase in the repair work and potential of applying for a $15,000 state grant.
- Park & Recreation: discussion of proposed ice rink. John Board, a member of the Park & Recreation Commission, conducted a survey (outside of the Commission) to assess interest. He had 114 responses and reported the majority favored a municipal ice rink.
- Zoning & Health Department: potential of leasing the requested printer.
- Question regarding potential of purchase and installation of network printer for the Town Hall building.
- Registrar’s Budget: cost of required training for registrars and deputies.
- Town Clerk Budget: question regarding part time seasonal personnel and request for laser printer.
- Mark Twain Library: question regarding the professional development cost, increase in salary account and ground maintenance cost. Representatives of the Library were present and responded to the questions.
- Building Department: discussion of repairs to the Annex Building, either to fund as capital expense or include in the operating budget and phase in the work.
Mrs. Pemberton noted the proposed budget is almost flat without the estimated cost of $800,000 for the cost of bonding. The Board of Finance will make a decision, at their January 25 meeting, to go to bonding or continue short term borrowing pending long term financing.
Mrs. Pemberton also questioned the amount of dues being charged Redding and other members of the Western CT Council of Governments. The annual dues were to be revised, using a consistent and equitable formula. The proposed fee for Redding was to be reduced. However, Mrs. Pemberton noted that she received news today that the dues would be $11,992 instead of the proposed $6,508 or a hybrid $8,842. Towns were greater populations are paying less in annual dues. She is checking further on this issue.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON 2016 MEETING SCHEDULE
Motion: move to adopt the 2016 meeting schedule as presented. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved.Unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Move to adjourn the meeting. Thompson, Karvelis. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 9:23 pm.
Submitted by Mary Maday, Recording Secretary