Minutes
Present: Pemberton, Karvelis, Thompson
Also present: one member of the public, Police Chief Fuchs, and a representative of the Redding Pilot
First Selectman Pemberton called the October 20, 2014 meeting to order at 7:33 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the November 17, 2014 Public Forum as submitted. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the November 17, 2014 meeting as amended. Thompson, Karvelis. Approved. Unanimous.
Amendment: page 2, under comment by Hilda Rhodes, change evolvement to evolution.
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the November 24, 2014 meeting as submitted. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the December 10, 2014 Special Meeting as submitted. Thompson, Karvelis. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the December 15, 2014 Special Meeting as submitted. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION OF FY 2014-15 BUDGET PROCESS
First Selectmen Pemberton reviewed the steps underway to create the FY 2014-15 budget. The Budget Workshop is scheduled to begin at 8:00 am on Friday, January 9, 2015. Both the Operating Budget and the Capital Budget will be reviewed and discussed at the Workshop. The Public Hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for March 5, 2015.
AGENDA CHANGE
Motion: move to scramble the agenda, moving Discussion and Possible Action on Online Permitting Software to Administrative Items. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON POLICE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE
Chief Fuchs reviewed the current Police Department organization and presented a proposal that would change some positions and add a School Safety Officer part time position. The difference between a School Resource Officer and a School Safety Office was reviewed. Currently, there is a School Resource Officer present at John Read Middle School, and a patrol officer at Redding Elementary School. Further discussion of the proposal will be a part of the budget discussions and deliberations.
AGENDA CHANGE
Motion: move to add to the agenda Update on Police Department Communication Tower. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
UPDATE ON POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION TOWER
Police Chief Fuchs reported that a second engineer analysis of the existing communication tower confirmed the initial analysis of the condition of the tower. The Zoning Board of Appeals approved the requested tower height, but specified that the new tower be erected in the same location as the existing tower. Chief Fuchs estimates a cost of $150,000 for the temporary relocation of the communication equipment while the existing tower is dismantled and the new tower erected. Chief Fuchs suggested that since aesthetics was important perhaps the pine tree-type communications tower should be considered. This topic will be explored further in the budget deliberations.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen recess to Executive Session for a discussion of contract negotiations for the Police Dispatch Department. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting recessed at 8:35 pm
RECONVENE
The meeting was reconvened in public session at 8:58 pm. No action was taken in the executive session.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ONLINE PERMITTING SOFTWARE
Mrs. Pemberton provided information about online permitting software, View Point, and how the process functions. The computerizing of the function would provide better internal processes and better customer service. The Building, Zoning, Land Planning and Health Departments would utilize the online permitting program. The cost is $6,000 per year. This program would also digitize all the land records. Ipads would be used by in the field for notes and documentation. The implementation cost and training is about $15,000. Mrs. Pemberton noted that the Trust in Agency Account is currently $56,070, and this account could fund the implementation and training cost.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen approve the implementation of online permitting using Viewpoint, with the contract for Viewpoint to be reviewed by Town Counsel, to be funded through the Trust in Agency Account, with the ongoing annual user fees to be carried in the operating budget. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Appointment:
Motion: Move that the Redding Board of Selectmen appoint Kevin Jones to the Park & Recreation Commission. Thompson, Karvelis. Approved. Unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Karvelis, Thompson. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 pm.
Submitted by Mary Maday, Recording Secretary