Board of Selectmen SPECIAL minutes from 10-31-07

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were First Selectwoman, Cheryl Morris; Second Selectman Richard Sullivan and Third Selectman, John Opie. Also attending were John Smith, Facilities Manager; Joanne Cleary, Tax Collector; Bruce Morris, Police Commissioner; George Buchanan, Buchanan Architects; Robert Denhardt, Daniel Cosgrove Animal Shelter Committee; Cindy Coville, Human Resources Director; Mark Zaretsky, Reporter, New Haven Register; Marcia Chambers and Misty Williams. Also present were Shelley Marcus, Town Attorney.

First Selectwoman Morris read the following resolution:

Resolved, that the Branford Board of Selectmen hereby adopts as its policy to support the nondiscrimination agreements and warranties required under Connecticut General Statues §4a-60(a)(1) and §4a-60a (a)(1), as amended in State of Connecticut Public Act 07-245 and sections 9(a)(1) and 10(a)(1) of Public Act 07-142. Motion made by Selectman Opie. Seconded by Selectman Sullivan. Vote unanimous.

Joanne Cleary, Tax Collector provided information concerning the request to abate real estate taxes on property located at 13 Lanphier Cove Road and 19 Leetes Island Road – Lot #1. Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the request. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.

Robert Denhardt addressed the Board to explain the request to accept the donation of a 1995 van to the Daniel Cosgrove Animal Shelter from the Orchard House. Motion made by Selectman Opie to accept the donation. Seconded by Selectman Sullivan. Vote unanimous.

George Buchanan of Buchanan Architects addressed the Board to explain the request to approve an encroachment over the sidewalk for the installation of blade signs at 978-1004 Main Street. Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the request subject to approval by the Center Revitalization Review Board, Planning and Zoning Office, Building Department approval and the execution of legal documents as prepared by Town Counsel between the property owner and the town concerning liability concerns, etc. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.

Item #5 was withdrawn.

Veteran Parade Committee – 2 years

Madeline Clem to fill a vacancy left by Anthony Bescher term to expire September 30, 2009. Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to table this item. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Water Pollution Control Authority – 5 years

Mark Winik to fill a vacancy left by Eric Larson term to expire October 15, 2008.

Christopher Duffy Acevedo to fill a vacancy left by Steve Montano term to expire October 15, 2009.

Edward Zack to return to his original position – term to expire October 15, 2010. Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to approve the appointments. Seconded by Selectman Sullivan. Vote unanimous on Mark Winik and Christopher Duffy Acevedo. Selectman Opie abstained on the appointment of Edward Zack. Vote 2 yeas, 1 abstention.

East Shore Health Department Regional Board – 3 years

Lois Shine Lehr term to expire February 28, 2010. Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to approve the reappointment. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Flood and Erosion Control Board – 5 years

Robert Abels term to expire April 30, 2011.

Bruce Caldarone term to expire April 30, 2012. Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to approve the reappointments. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Veterans Parade Committee – 2 years

Joseph Fitzgerald, George Ahern, Antoinette Coleman, Vincent Giordano, Jr, Frank Kinney, Dennis Flanigan, Lewis Close, Dana Strickland, Thomas Yester, John Anderson, Dr. Frank Whalen and Walter Zielinski terms to expire September 30, 2009. Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to table the reappointments. Seconded by Selectman Sullivan. Vote unanimous.

Water Pollution Control Authority – 5 years

Mike Tamsin term to expire October 15, 2012. Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to approve the reappointment. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

First Selectwoman Morris acknowledged receipt of a letter from an RTM member concerning the appointment of Edward Zack to the Water Pollution Control Authority and stated that it would be addressed at the next meeting.

Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to enter into executive session at 6:53 p.m. to discuss a proposed settlement in a pending workers compensation claim case (Bartley v. Branford) and possible negotiations of a settlement in a pending workers compensation claim case (Delpivo v. Branford). Present in executive session were First Selectwoman, Cheryl Morris; Second Selectman Richard Sullivan; Third Selectman, John Opie; Human Resources Director, Cindy Coville and Attorney James Pomerantz.

Return to regular meeting at 7:17 p.m. For the record no votes were taken while in executive session.

Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to authorize counsel to prepare the necessary legal documents in the Delpivo v. Branford pending workers compensation claim case as discussed during executive session. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to enter into executive session at 7:18 p.m. to discuss pending tax appeals. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous. Present in executive session were First Selectwoman, Cheryl Morris; Second Selectman Richard Sullivan; Third Selectman, John Opie; and Town Counsel Shelley Marcus.

Return to regular meeting at 7:40 p.m. For the record no votes were taken while in executive session.

Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve stipulated judgment agreements in the following tax appeal cases:

Marottoli v. Town of Branford, 31 Halls Point Road

Sinoway v. Town of Branford, 4 Linden Shores

Brownell v. Town of Branford, 60 Island View Avenue

Hallier v. Town of Branford, 96 Highland Avenue

Svenningsen v. Town of Branford, Rogers a/k/a/ Yon Comis Island, Cut in Two East, 26 Linden Point Road, Wheeler Island, West Crib Island, Phelps Island, 218 Thimble Island Road and Jepson Island.

Seconded by First Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Opie to adjourn the meeting at 7:41 p.m. Seconded by Selectman Sullivan. Vote unanimous.

Respectfully Submitted,