Special Town Meeting
Tuesday, February 18, 2021
6:30 p.m.
Via Zoom
MINUTES
Present: Julia Pemberton, First Selectwoman; Peg O’Donnell, Selectwoman; Michael Thompson, Selectman; Michele Grande, Town Clerk; Meghan Ely and Sara Baker, Registrars of Voters; members of Town Boards and Commissions; members of the public.
First Selectwoman Pemberton called the meeting to order at 6:57 p.m.
Michele Grande motioned and Mrs. O’Donnell seconded the motion to nominate Richard Emerson as Moderator. The vote passed unanimously.
Mr. Emerson called on Town Clerk Michele Grande to read the legal notice:
“The Legal Voters in the Town of Redding, Connecticut, and those entitled to vote therein are hereby warned and notified to meet at the Special Town Meeting to be held virtually via Zoom on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. for the following purposes:
To consider and vote upon an ordinance authorizing establishment of an Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust (OPEB Trust) and the creation of an OPEB Trust Board, who shall be members of the Board of Finance, and who shall oversee the prudent investment of funds in the Trust.
To consider and vote upon an amendment to the Open Space Ordinance to require that dogs be leashed on town owned open space.
To do any and all things legal and necessary to accomplish the above-named purpose and to take any other action that may legally and properly come before the meeting.”
This Special Town Meeting is being held via zoom under the COVID-19 Civil Preparedness and Public Health States of Emergency declared in Connecticut on March 20, 2020, extended on September 1, 2020, and further extended on January 26, 2021 and as authorized by the Executive Orders issued under that Declaration by His Excellency Governor Ned Lamont, including, inter alia, Exec. Orders 9H, 9L and 10A.
Mrs. Pemberton motioned and Mr. Thompson seconded the motion to accept the warning as read. The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Emerson noted receipt of a return certifying as to the publication of the warning of this meeting on the town website signed by Redding Town Clerk Michele Grande and directed that the certification be recorded at length with the doings of this meeting in accordance with the requirements of Section 7-4 of the Connecticut General Statutes. There were two items on the agenda of the meeting, each to be voted on separately.
Mrs. O’Donnell motioned and Mrs. Pemberton seconded the motion “To consider and vote upon an ordinance authorizing establishment of an Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust (OPEB Trust) and the creation of an OPEB Trust Board, who shall be members of the Board of Finance, and who shall oversee the prudent investment of funds in the Trust.”
Members of the Board of Finance reviewed the proposed ordinance and answered questions from the public.
The motion was carried in the affirmative by both a verbal and hand vote.
Mr. Thompson motioned and Mrs. O’Donnell seconded the motion “To consider and vote upon an amendment to the Open Space Ordinance to require that dogs be leashed on town owned open space.”
Members of the public commented on both support of and against the proposed ordinance.
The vote was conducted via a voice poll due to technical issues with hand votes. The motion was carried in the affirmative.
Town Clerk Michele Grande requested notification from residents who experienced technical issues in order to resolve prior to additional virtual town meetings.
Mrs. O’Donnell motioned and Mr. Van Ausdal seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
Submitted by:
Kristi C. Reilly