MINUTES OF SPECIAL SELECTMEN’S MEETING
March 29, 2006 –approved by the BOS 4/19/06
Senior Center – 6:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order at 6:09 p.m. Present at the meeting were First Selectwoman Cheryl P. Morris, Second Selectman Richard Sullivan and Third Selectman Opie. Also present were Shelley Marcus, Town Attorney; William Horne, James Perito and Joan Merrick of the Branford Land Trust; Patricia Andriole, Director, Branford Counseling Center; Ainsley Highman, Chairman, Parks and Open Space Authority; Mario Ricozzi, Chairman Solid Waste Management Commission; Peg Hall, Solid Waste Manager; Edward Struzinsky, Chairman; Water Pollution Control Authority; Kurt Schwanfelder, RTM Member; and Alphonse Ippolito, Attorney for Alex Vigliotti. In addition Ben Rayner, reporter for the Sound and Robert Varley (arrived late), reporter for the New Haven Register were present.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a shellfish lease agreement between the Town and Francis Roberts for lots #508, 509, 513 and 514. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a shellfish lease agreement between the Town and Bearneck Shellfish for lots # 501, 505, 506, 515, 518, 530, 546, 555. 558, 559, 560, 563 and 564. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a shellfish lease agreement between the Town and C. W. Shellfish Co., LLC for lot #562. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a shellfish lease agreement between the Town and Robert Granfield for lots #507, 510, 519 and 520. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to move item #13 on the agenda and into executive session at 6:17 p.m. to discuss pending tax appeals and two other legal matters. Seconded by Selectman Opie.
For the record no votes were taken while in executive session. Present in executive session were First Selectwoman Cheryl P. Morris, Second Selectman Richard Sullivan, Third Selectman Opie and Town Attorney Shelley Marcus.
Return to regular session at 6:43 p.m.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve stipulated judgments in the following tax appeal cases:
Liebman v. Town of Branford – 18 Ozone Road
Maloney v. Town of Branford – 114 Seaview Avenue
Palm v. Town of Branford – 64 Sunrise Cove Road, 11 B Harbor Village
Lapides v. Town of Branford – 24 Summer Island Road
Fernandes v. Town of Branford – 68 Sunset Beach Road
Branford Island Associates v. Town of Branford – 13 Island View Avenue
Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a proposed settlement in the Taylor Knox v. Gray – 252 Leetes Island Road matter. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
First Selectwoman Morris discussed a proposal concerning the Queach property. Stating that the Town, Alex Vigliotti and the Branford Land Trust have negiotiated a deal for the town to purchase the Queach property. The total cost for the property would be $3,750,000, the Land Trust would donate $1,100,000 bringing the town’s total down to $2,650,000.
Motion made by Selectman Morris to forward this item to the Board of Finance and the RTM for further consideration. Seconded by Selectman Sullivan. Vote unanimous.
Return to regular agenda.
Peg Hall addressed the Board to discuss the request from the Solid Waste Management Commission to waive the bidding process to accept a price that is $10/hour less than the state bid price for chipping of brush.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan approve a request from the Solid Waste Management Commission to waive the bidding process to accept a price that is $10/hour less than the state bid price for chipping of brush. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Peg Hall addressed the Board to discuss a request from the Solid Waste Management Commission to waive the bidding process to continue to respond to market conditions on the receipt of newspaper, corrugated cardboard and collection and receipt of office paper and allow the Solid Waste Manager to continue to negotiate for the 2006/2007 fiscal year.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a request from the Solid Waste Management Commission to waive the bidding process to continue to respond to market conditions on the receipt of newspaper, corrugated cardboard and collection and receipt of office paper and allow the Solid Waste Manager to continue to negotiate for the 2006/2007 fiscal year. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Peg Hall addressed the Board to discuss the Solid Waste Management Commission to waive the bidding process for electronics recycling to keep the lowest responsible price for material that is otherwise hazardous waste.
Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve a request from the Solid Waste Management Commission to waive the bidding process for electronics recycling to keep the lowest responsible price for material that is otherwise hazardous waste. Seconded by Selectman Sullivan. Vote unanimous.
Peg Hall addressed the Board to discuss the Solid Waste Management Commission to waive the bidding process and accept the offer of the current vendor to extend for another year at the same cost.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a request from the Solid Waste Management Commission to waive the bidding process and accept the offer of the current vendor to extend for another year at the same cost. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
First Selectwoman Morris read the following policy:
COMPLIANCE WITH TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964
The Town of Branford does not discriminate in the provision of services, the administration of its programs, or contractual agreements. The Town of Branford seeks to fully carry out its responsibilities under the Title VI Regulations.
Title VI of the Civil Right Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Title VI provides that “No person shall on the grounds or race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits or, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program” covered by the Regulations.
This policy is effectuated through the methods of administration outlined in the Town’s Fair Housing Plan and is fully implemented to ensure compliance by the Town, as the recipient, and by sub recipients. The cooperation of all Town personnel is required.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the policy. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve a request from Patricia Andriole as permitted by section 115-4 of the Code of the Town of Branford to serve wine at the Volunteer Services Center’s fifth Anniversary Celebration on April 27, 2006. Seconded by Selectman Sullivan. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the following proclamation:
NINTH ANNUAL
“TAKE A STEP DAY”
APRIL 11, 2006
WHEREAS, MILLIONS OF AMERICANS, INCLUDING CHILDREN, TEENS, ADULTS AND THE ELDERLY, MAY EXPERIENCE THE DISEASE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AT SOME POINT DURING THEIR LIVES AND MAY SUFFER DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES AS A RESULT; AND,
WHEREAS, NOT MANY FAMILIES IN AMERICA HAVE BEEN SPARED SOME DIRECT OR INDIRECT EXPERIENCE WITH ADDICTION; AND,
WHEREAS, THE BRANFORD COUNSELING CENTER, ALONG WITH THE BRANFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT, BRANFORD RECREATION DEPARTMENT, FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER, SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE, YOUTH OUTREACH WORKER, BRANFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE SCHOOLS, HAVE DEVELOPED ACTIVITES FOR “TAKE A STEP DAY” ON APRIL 11, 2006; AND,
WHEREAS, APRIL 11, 2006 WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A DAY TO INFORM, TO INVOLVE, TO COUNSEL AROUND THE ISSUES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND WILL PRESENT ALTERNATIVE, AND POSITIVE WAYS FOR CHILDREN TO FOLLOW; AND,
WHEREAS, THE THIRD GRADES FROM MARY R. TISKO, ST. MARY, MARY T. MURPHY, JOHN B. SLINEY AND WIGHTWOOD SCHOOLS WILL PARTICPATE IN LEARNING HEALTHY CHOICES TO COMBAT SUBSTANCE ABUSE; AND,
WHEREAS, IT IS BELIEVED THAT COLLABORATION WITH POLICY MAKERS, GOVERNMENT, SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS, POLICE, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, CLERGY, PARENTS, AND OTHERS WILL MOVE THE COMMUNITY A STEP CLOSER TO REDUCING SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN BRANFORD;
NOW, THEREFORE, IN RECOGNITION OF THE ABOVE ORGANIZATIONS’ EFFORTS TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF BRANFORD, WE, THE BRANFORD BOARD OF SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF BRANFORD, DO HEREBY OFFICIALLY DESIGNATE APRIL 11, 2006 AS “TAKE A STEP DAY”.
Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous. Patricia Andriole addressed the Board to give a brief explanation concerning the proclamation. She also stated that Steven Ford will be giving a talk on substance abuse at the High School on May 3, 2006 for the general public. (He will be giving other talks as well to the high school students on other dates.)
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a request from Melissa Busher for use of the Town Green on May 6, 2006 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to hold a craft fair pending satisfaction of the First Selectwoman. Questions were raised concerning an individual using the green, a letter of sponsorship should come from a non-profit organization (as indicated in the green use guidelines – use of the green is for non-profit Branford organizations.) and insurance. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a request from Terri Vailette for use of the Town Green on April 22, 2006 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to hold a food collection for military personnel overseas subject to clarification and pending the satisfaction of the First Selectwoman. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Board of Police Commissioners – Bruce Morris term to expire January 30, 2009. Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the reappointment. Seconded by Selectman Opie. First Selectwoman Morris reviewed Mr. Morris’s resume and gave a brief overview of his credentials. Vote unanimous.
Housing Authority – Virginia Einhorn term to expire April 30, 2011. Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the reappointment. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Appointments:
Housing Authority - Irene Bentley term to expire April 30, 2007. First Selectwoman Morris referred to a letter from merit properties concerning the appointment. Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the appointment. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Board of Police Commissioners – John Giordano term to expire January 30, 2009. First Selectwoman Morris reviewed Mr. Giordano’s resume and gave a brief overview of his credentials. Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the appointment. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Selectman Opie spoke concerning the “unappointment” of Dan Bullard as a member on the Commission for approximately 6 years. Selectman Sullivan made a motion to move the question. Kurt Schwanfelder addressed the Board. Selectman Sullivan rebutted. First Selectwoman Morris stated that she expects the commission to work well together. Selectman Sullivan withdrew the motion. Vote 2 yeas – 1 nay (Selectman Opie).
Motion made by Selectman Opie to appoint the following to a Tax Relief Committee: Rebecca Randall, Daniel Baughman, Andrew Campbell, Dominic Buonocore and Jo-anne McGuigan. First Selectwoman Morris requested that this committee be formed to look at way to help seniors in town. Adding that she would like the committee to consider a flat credit of $200 be applied directly to the tax bill. Seconded by Selectman Sullivan. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Trista Clyne
Clerk
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