Board of Selectmen Meeting
Monday, March 18, 2019
Town Hall Hearing Room, 7:30 p.m.
MINUTES
Present: Julia Pemberton, First Selectwoman; Peg O’Donnell, Selectwoman; Michael Thompson, Selectman.
Also present: members of the public; reporter.
1. Call to Order
Julia Pemberton called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes of February 27, 2019
On the motion of M. Thompson and the second of P. O’Donnell, the Board voted unanimously to approve the 2/27/19 Minutes.
On the motion of P. O’Donnell and the second of M. Thompson, the Board voted unanimously to change Agenda Item 8 to Agenda Item 3.
3. Executive Session: Pending litigation GLDC.
On the motion of M. Thompson and the second of P. O’Donnell, the Board voted unanimously to go into Executive Session at 7:35 re: pending litigation GLDC. Town Counsel Adam Cohen was invited to the Executive Session.
On the motion of M. Thompson and the second of P. O’Donnell, the Board voted unanimously to invite Dr. Kim Yonkers into the Executive Session.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 8:07 p.m. No action was taken. The regular meeting resumed at 8:08 p.m.
4. Discussion and possible action: 2019-2020 Town Budget.
The Board reviewed concerns as noted at the BOF Public Hearing on 3/14/19. Julia Pemberton noted resistance to the proposed line item for Friends of Redding. P. O’Donnell stated that the Friends of Redding information meeting is scheduled for this Sunday, 3/24/19. M. Thompson noted that it’s an important dialogue to have given the current real estate market. First Selectwoman Pemberton stated that she receives numerous complaints re: increased taxes and decreased housing values and she looks forward to hearing an opinion from the Board of Finance.
Mr. Thompson read an excerpt from a letter from the Republican and Democrat Registrar of Voters regarding the 2019-2020 budget. J. Pemberton will review how neighboring towns and comparable communities handle this prior to continued discussion at the BOF meeting next week.
The Director of Facilities position, originally proposed for the 2019-2020 budget, is no longer in the budget. The top 5 maintenance issues were identified and are included in the budget.
Jim Miller questioned if the town has to pay for pensions. J. Pemberton stated that the highway/police pensions are in the budget and the school pension numbers are included in the education budget. Dr. Yonkers asked if the Friends of Redding item will be removed from the budget. J. Pemberton stated that she would like to discuss further with BOF at the upcoming meeting. The Board will prepare a list of what budget items have already been removed from the proposed operating budget.
5. Discussion and possible action to set the date for Annual Town Budget Meeting.
P. O’Donnell moved and M. Thompson seconded the motion to schedule the Annual Town Budget meeting for Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at the Town Hall Hearing Room.
6. Discussion and possible action on Legal Notice of Warning for the Town Budget Referendum.
M. Thompson moved and P. O’Donnell seconded the motion to remove from the call of the Annual Town Budget meeting and send to a machine vote the 2019-2020 budget and any capital expenditure requests, and send a letter to the Town Clerk of this intent.
7. Appointments:
-Park & Recreation Commission
-Redding Historic Cemetery Commission
Recommendations for two short-term and one long-term Park & Recreation Commission vacancies were discussed.
On the motion of P. O’Donnell and the second of M. Thompson, the Board voted unanimously to send a letter of appointment to the Park & Recreation Commission for Mitch Edwards, Peter Graziano and Lorcan O’Connor.
Robert Paradise, Chairman of the Redding Historic Cemetery Commission was present to review a recent burial request at Hill Cemetery, a designated ancient burial ground. First Selectwoman Pemberton stated that the policy in question needs review by Town Counsel. Mr. Paradise reported that there are more sites than stones in addition to three stones that have only birth dates without death dates.
Julia Pemberton discussed enlarging and adding structure to the Redding Historic Cemetery Commission. Several recommendations were made for possible appointments.
Mr. Paradise will be attending the CT Gravestone Symposium on 3/30/19.
8. Discussion and possible action: Termination of archaeological easement at 224 Umpawaug Road, referral from Planning Commission.
A letter from Land Use Director A. Pardee was read into the record by J. Pemberton.
On the motion of M. Thompson and the second of P. O’Donnell, the Board voted unanimously to terminate the archaeological easement at 224 Umpawaug Road.
9. Other BusinessMrs. O’Donnell noted receipt of correspondence re: storm drainage at Ridgewood Drive. J. Pemberton stated that the road was reconstructed and therefore it will be forwarded to the Highway Department for their review.
10. Public Comment
Jim Miller stated that the Water Pollution Control Commission has been without a member from the Planning Commission as required by ordinance. J. Pemberton stated that Planning is down a regular member with the resignation of Nancy King. Mr. Miller stated that a third of possible replacements in town are being eliminated by requiring a specific party affiliation for commission appointment.
J. Pemberton stated that Redding permits appointments of unaffiliated residents.
11. Adjournment
On the motion of P. O’Donnell and the second of M. Thompson, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 p.m.
Submitted by:
Kristi C. Reilly