Board of Selectmen
Tuesday, September 21, 2020
7:30 p.m. Via Zoom
MINUTES
Present: Julia Pemberton, First Selectwoman; Peg O’Donnell, Selectwoman; Michael Thompson, Selectman, until 8:22 p.m.
Also present: Members of the public joined the meeting in addition to members of Town staff.
1. Call to order
The First Selectwoman called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes -Minutes of August 17, 2020 and September 8, 2020
Mr. Thompson motioned and Mrs. O’Donnell seconded the motion to approve the 8/17/20 and 9/8/20 Meeting Minutes.
Mrs. Pemberton motioned and Mrs. O’Donnell seconded the motion to move Agenda Item 11. to Agenda Item 4.
3. Public Comment
No comments.
Discussion and possible action
4. Executive Session: pending litigation
Mr. Thompson motioned and Mrs. O’Donnell seconded the motion to go into Executive Session at 7:35 p.m. along with Town Counsel Steve Stafstrom.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 7:55 p.m.
Mr. Thompson motioned and Mrs. O’Donnell seconded the motion to authorize Town Counsel to settle a claim on the terms discussed in the Executive Session re: RyanYaeger.
5. DOT Lease for the Norwalk River Valley Trail Redding Mile (NRVT)
Timber & Stone Contract
First Selectwoman Pemberton reviewed the lease re: liability for pre-existing contaminants. Stuart Green confirmed that language has been agreed upon along with an indemnity clause. He confirmed that the liability pertains to only conditions that caused by the town. Mr. Green noted that both Wilton and Norwalk executed the lease without additional protections.
J. Pemberton will inquire about additional insurance. A typo was noted in the lease that needs to be corrected before signing. Mr. Green and board members were thanked for their work on this project.
Mr. Thompson motioned and Mrs. O’Donnell seconded the motion to authorize the First Selectman to execute the contract for the Redding Mile of the Norwalk River Valley Trail between CT DOT and the Town of Redding.
6. Redding Center post office lease agreement
First Selectwoman Pemberton reviewed the post office lease agreement which will go from $7605.89 to $8868 for a period of five years and will increase every five years by the same increment up to two additional terms.
Mr. Thompson motioned and Mrs. O’Donnell seconded the motion to authorize the First Selectman to sign the lease agreement between the Post Office and the Town of Redding pending final review by Town Counsel.
7. Emergency Management Director: role and responsibilities
Sean McKinney was introduced as the new Emergency Management Director replacing Steve Schnell. The job description was screenshared and reviewed. Mr. McKinney has been sworn in and compensation details were reviewed.
J. Pemberton stated that the Town Hall Hearing Room will be equipped as an Emergency Operations Center for large-scale events.
8. Facilities: Maintenance and capital item preview
J. Pemberton reported that the Long-Range Planning Committee has met and school and town projects are in one comprehensive plan, the Town of Redding Capital Planning Schedule.
The exterior of the Redding Community Center may be added to the schedule.
9. Administrative:
Station road bridge project update-J. Pemberton reported that Station Road was closed today and will remain closed for at least a month. Demolition is taking place now.
Public safety communications project update-S. Schnell will consult on this project although he holds a new job in Southbury. The Branchville site is currently being evaluated. Bennett Pardee asked if there is a “go live” date. J. Pemberton will follow up with Norcomm.
FY 20-21 Road reconstruction and maintenance update-All road reconstruction projects are complete. P. O’Donnell asked about plans for diseased ash trees. Eversource has been assisting in the removal. Highway Superintendent Jeff Hanson will be asked about continuing plans.
10. Public comment
Peter Bonfanti asked about a timeline for window at the Town Hall and work at the Community Center. J. Pemberton stated that the window will be in the next few months using either contingency or capital non-recurring funds. Community Center work will be in the spring after a May Board of Finance vote for use of capital non-recurring funds.
First Selectwoman Pemberton confirmed that the gazebo at the Community Center has recently been painted due to fundraising efforts by Ellen Visnyei.
Stuart Green reviewed the contract received from Timber & Stone re: NRVT and noted that work can begin within 30 days of contract signage. Language to protect the town will be added in and further review is needed before signing.
11. Other business
First Selectwoman Pemberton reported on the Connecticut Superior Court ruling in favor of the town re: GLDC. Annet Bonfanti and Nancy Pelz-Paget thanked Mrs. Pemberton for her efforts. J. Pemberton acknowledged the team effort and thanked Michael Thompson and Leon Karvelis.
12. Adjourn
Mrs. O’Donnell motioned and Mrs. Pemberton seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Submitted by:
Kristi C. Reilly