Board of Selectmen Special Meeting
Monday, February 27, 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 7:35 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes of February 11, 2019
On the motion of M. Thompson and the second of P. O’Donnell, the Board voted unanimously to approve the February 11, 2019 Minutes as amended: Page 2, first item under “5.”, change “Randy” to “Randi.”
3. Discussion and possible action fiscal year 2019-2020 operating budget for the town.
Members of Friends of Redding were present in person and via conference call. The grant proposal and marketing effort to revitalize the town was discussed in detail. Howard Sherman provided a recap of his recent meeting with Julia Pemberton. A grant of $50,000 is being requested and Friends of Redding is proposing a co-funded match by Redding citizens. Governance, funding and project management were reviewed.
An introductory citizen’s meeting is scheduled for 3/24/19.
Peg O’Donnell asked if there are agencies that deal with the unique issues of a municipality. M. Thompson questioned how the town can be advertised around the current high taxes, state budget issues and possible regionalization of schools. Mr. Sherman spoke to the town being attractive to empty nesters and people in the market for a second home. Mr. Sherman concluded that the conversation illuminates the story Redding has to tell. A website has been developed for further information.
4. Discussion and action concerning funding for the Town’s share of the design phase for the Emergency Telecommunication System Upgrade Initiative.
Bennett Pardee and Phyllis Magnussen were present from Redding Fire Company #1. The total cost for the town including the infrastructure is $2.5 million and the town portion of the communications upgrade is $1.3 million. Mr. Pardee stated that if the funding is secure, the work would start in the fall. The cost for the design phase is $14,000.
Limitations of the current system were discussed. The next budget meeting is 3/14/19.
5. Discussion and action concerning use of the 2018-2019 contingency.
The budget was reviewed in detail and a number of possible budget adjustments were discussed.
P. O’Donnell motioned and M. Thompson seconded the motion to recommend to the Board of Finance an initial proposed operating budget of $14,990,463 for FY 2019-2020 for the town.
It is the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen that the Board of Finance consider the expenditure of $50,000 to the Friends of Redding as an expenditure from Fund Balance, therefore not affecting the mill rate.
Current maintenance items were discussed for consideration in the capital non-recurrent budget.
P. O’Donnell motioned and M. Thompson seconded the motion to recommend to the Board of Finance that $50,000 be used from the 2018-19 contingency line to fund maintenance projects for the Town Hall, Community Center and Annex and various other town buildings.
P. O’Donnell motioned and M. Thompson seconded the motion of recommend to the Board of Finance an expenditure not to exceed $2.5 million for the Emergency Telecommunication System Upgrade, the funding of which to be determined by the Board of Finance.
M. Thompson motioned and P. O’Donnell seconded the motion to use $14,202 of LOCIP funds for the design phase of the Emergency Telecommunication System Upgrade. The LOCIP balance was $535,859 as of 7/1/18.
6. Public Comment.
No items.
7. Board Member Comment
No items.
- Adjourn
On the motion of M. Thompson and the second of P. O’Donnell, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:26 p.m.
Submitted by:
Kristi C. Reilly