Board of Selectmen minutes from 04-16-08

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were First Selectman Anthony J. DaRos; Second Selectman Francis W. Walsh and Third Selectman John Opie. Also attending were Peter Hugret, Information Technology Director; Maria Storm, Chairman, Human Services Board; and Rod Meehan, Reporter. Arriving late were Sandra Reiners, Board member, JBML; Kathy Rieger, Director, JBML and Attorney John Radshaw.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the minutes of April 2, 2008. The agenda incorrectly indicated the minutes were from March 2, 2008. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Selectman Walsh invited Maria Storm, Chairman of the Human Services Board to make a presentation to the Board. Mrs. Storm provided the board with information concerning the members of the Board, the Counseling Center and the board’s responsibilities regarding policies, etc. She stated that the Counseling Center currently has over 400 active cases. The Board of Selectmen thanked her for her presentation.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to withdraw item #3 – To consider, and if appropriate, adopt the vision statement as adopted by the Vision Committee. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to add a request to waive bids for the IT Department as item #3. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous. For the record the three requests from the IT Department have been discussed with the Board of Finance and the RTM.

Peter Hugret addressed the Board to explain the request to waive bid for the purchase of services from New England Geosystems to develop a program to allow for electronic redistricting planning for the Voting District Realignment project – total cost $4,500.

Peter Hugret addressed the Board to explain the request to waive bid for the professional services to conduct a study of the finance system by Blum Shapiro the town’s current auditor.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the request to waive the bid for the study - total cost $45,000. Seconded by Selectman Opie. It was mentioned that this item did not need to be waived since it is for professional services less than $50,000. Vote unanimous.

Peter Hugret addressed the Board to explain the request to waive bid for the purchase of a new finance/payroll software package from MUNIS.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the request to waive the bid for the purchase of the MUNIS software package – total cost $289,454. Seconded by Selectman Opie. For the record this request has been reviewed and discussed by the RTM and the Board of Finance. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve a request from Dagmar Ridgway, Director, Canoe Brook Senior Center to waive ordinance 115-3 concerning the consumption of alcoholic beverages in a public are and allow beer and wine to be served at the following events:

Jubilant July Dinner Party on July 23, 2008

Amazing August Dinner Party on August 27, 2008

Autumn Dinner Party on September 24, 2008

Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve a request from Nation Day of Prayer for use of the Town Green on Thursday, May 1, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to hold a National Day of Prayer ceremony. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve a request from National Association of Letter Carriers for use of the Town Green on Friday, May 9, 2008 beginning at 12:00 noon to hold a kick-off event to promote the annual food drive. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve a proposal to enter into a lease agreement with the Quarry Workers Celebration for use of space at the Stony Creek Community Center located at 84 Thimble Island Road and forward this item to the RTM for further consideration. First Selectman DaRos read a letter from Theodore Ells dated April 15, 2008. The Board discussed the item at length. Selectman Walsh stated he had concerns about the stability of the building. First Selectman DaRos stated the building is stable. Selectman Walsh also stated he was concerned about the length of the lease of 20 years. First Selectman DaRos stated that the term was acceptable because the organization is proposing extensive renovation work plus handicapped access. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Selectman Walsh read the following resolution:

WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 127c and Part VI of Chapter 130 of Connecticut General Statutes the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development is authorized to extend financial assistance for economic development projects; and WHEREAS, it is desirable and in the public interest that the Town of Branford make an application to the State for $ 700,000 in order to undertake the Harbor Apartments Rehabilitation and to execute an Assistance Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE Board of Selectmen

1. That it is cognizant of the conditions and prerequisites for the State Assistance imposed by Chapter 127c and Part VI of Chapter 130 of Connecticut General Statutes

2. That the filing of an application for State financial assistance by the Town of Branford in an amount not to exceed $700,000 is hereby approved and that Anthony J. DaRos, First Selectman is directed to execute and file such application including a Program Income Reuse Plan, if applicable, with the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, to provide such additional information, to execute such other documents as may be required, to execute an Assistance Agreement with the State of Connecticut for State financial assistance if such an agreement is offered, to execute any amendments, decisions, and revisions thereto, and to act as the authorized representative of Town of Branford.

3. That it hereby adopts or has adopted as its policy to support the following nondiscrimination agreements and warranties required under subsection (a)(1) of Connecticut General Statutes sections 4a-60 and 4a-60a, respectively, as amended by Public Act 07-245 and sections 9(a)(1) and 10(a)(1) of Public Act 07-142 and, and for which purposes the “contractor” is Town of Branford and “contract” is said Assistance Agreement:

The contractor agrees and warrants that in the performance of the contract such contractor will not discriminate or permit discrimination against any person or group of persons on the grounds of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, mental retardation or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, unless it is shown by such contractor that such disability prevents performance of the work involved, in any manner prohibited by the laws of the United States or of the state of Connecticut. The contractor further agrees to take affirmative action to insure that applicants with job-related qualifications are employed and that employees are treated when employed without regard to their race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, mental retardation, or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, unless it is shown by such contractor that such disability prevents performance of the work involved.

The contractor agrees and warrants that in the performance of the contract such contractor will not discriminate or permit discrimination against any person or group of persons on the grounds of sexual orientation, in any manner prohibited by the laws of the United States or of the state of Connecticut, and that employees are treated when employed without regard to their sexual orientation.

Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the resolution. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.

Selectman Opie read the following proclamation:

ELEVENTH ANNUAL “TAKE A STEP DAY”

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 YOUTH DIVISION, BRANFORD RECREATION DEPARTMENT, FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER,

SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE, YOUTH OUTREACH WORKER, AND THE SCHOOLS, HAVE DEVELOPED ACTIVITES FOR “TAKE A STEP DAY” ON APRIL 29, 2008; AND,

WHEREAS, APRIL 29, 2008 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, STUDENTS FROM MARY R. TISKO, MARY T. MURPHY, JOHN B. SLINEY, ST. MARY, PINE BROOK SCHOOLS AND HOME SCHOOLED YOUNGSTERS 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 29, 2008 AS “TAKE A STEP DAY”.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the proclamation. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Sandra Reiners and Kathy Rieger addressed the Board to provide information concerning the request to waive the bid for professional services for architectural design services for the renovation and addition to the James Blackstone Memorial Library.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to waive the bid for professional services for architectural design services for the renovation and addition to the James Blackstone Memorial Library. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Human Services Board – 3 years

John O’Connor term to expire December 31, 2011. Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the appointment. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.

Executive Session: Pending Tax Appeals – none

Motion made by Selectman Opie to enter into executive session at 7:01 p.m. to discuss a pending lawsuit Salatto v. Branford. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Selectmen Opie amended the motion to invite John Radshaw into executive session to discuss a pending lawsuit Salatto v. Branford. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.

Return to regular meeting at 7:19 p.m.

For the record no votes were taken while in executive session. Present during executive session were First Selectman Anthony J. DaRos, Second Selectman Francis W. Walsh and Third Selectman John Opie. Also present was Attorney John Radshaw.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to authorize attorney Radshaw to settle the Salatto v. Branford lawsuit as discussed in executive session. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

First Selectman DaRos mentioned that some of the public meeting tapings are available for viewing on the town’s website.

He also mentioned that the Community Dining Room is in need of canned goods and they’re also scheduled to hold the annual “Stollerthon/walkathon” on April 26, 2008. In addition, Take a Step day is scheduled for April 29, 2008.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to adjourn the meeting at 7:22 p.m. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Respectfully Submitted,