Board of Selectmen minutes from 03-21-07

March 21, 2007 – approved by the BOS 04/04/07

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Present at the meeting were First Selectwoman Cheryl P. Morris, Second Selectman Richard Sullivan and Third Selectman John Opie. Also present were Manny Furtado, Superintendent Water Pollution Control Authority; Peg Hall, Solid Waste Management Commission; and Mark Bergamo, Town Counsel.

Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the minutes of March 7, 2007 and March 13, 2007 as amended. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.

Manny Furtado addressed the Board to explain the request to waive the bid for flow monitoring at four locations for an eight week period. After discussion of the request and further explanation the Board determined that it did not need to take any action on this request. No action taken on this item.

Peg Hall addressed the Board to explain the request to waive bid and authorize the Solid Waste Manager to negotiate for receipt of the three grades of paper, including Newspaper, Office Paper, and Cardboard.

Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a recommendation from the Solid Waste Management Commission to waive bid and authorize the Solid Waste Manager to negotiate for receipt of the three grades of paper, including Newspaper, Office Paper, and Cardboard. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Peg Hall addressed the Board to explain the request to waive the bidding process and award the Landfill Operations contract to Cherry Hill Construction for a 2-year contract extension with one 5% increase, as detailed in the draft contract approved by the SWMC, the Marcus Law Firm, and the Branford Board of Finance.

Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to approve the recommendation from the Solid Waste Management Commission that the bidding process be waived and award the Landfill Operations contract to Cherry Hill Construction for a 2-year contract extension with one 5% increase, as detailed in the draft contract approved by the SWMC, the Marcus Law Firm, and the Branford Board of Finance. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Peg Hall addressed the Board to explain the request to waive the bidding process for chipping brush at the transfer station and that the Solid Waste Manager be authorized to negotiate and evaluate the proposals of different companies over the course of the year by running tests to determine throughput, quality of final product, service, and estimated price per ton of finished product.

Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a recommendation from the Solid Waste Management Commission that the bidding process for chipping brush at the transfer station be waived, and that the Solid Waste Manager be authorized to negotiate and evaluate the proposals of different companies over the course of the year by running tests to determine throughput, quality of final product, service, and estimated price per ton of finished product. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Peg Hall addressed the Board to discuss the request to raise the tipping fee for municipal solid waste and the tipping fee for bulky waste dropped at the Branford Transfer Station each be raised from $91/ton to $92/ton effective July 1, 2007.

Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a recommendation from the Solid Waste Management Commission that the tipping fee for municipal solid waste and the tipping fee for bulky waste dropped at the Branford Transfer Station each be raised from $91/ton to $92/ton effective July 1, 2007. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a request from Dr. Kenneth Robinson for use of the Summer House (gazebo on the town dock) in Stony Creek on June 9, 2007 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to hold a wedding ceremony. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to consider and, if appropriate, approve a request for use of the Town Green from David Chadwick to hold a National Day of Prayer ceremony on May 3, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

First Selectwoman Morris read the following Policy Statement:

FAIR HOUSING POLICY STATEMENT

It is both the policy and strong commitment of the Town of Branford to promote Fair Housing opportunities in all its programs and housing development activities and to take affirmative action through education and implementation to ensure equal housing opportunities for all persons and families.

The Town of Branford will take affirmative action to ensure that all tenants, applicants and residents are treated fairly without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, learning disability, mental or physical disability, including but not limited to blindness, age, individuals with children, or lawful source of income.

The Town of Branford will continue to make a good faith effort to comply with all Federal and State laws and policies which speak to fair housing practices.

It is the policy of the Town of Branford that all Housing related personnel be trained and educated in the principles of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity so that Equal Housing Opportunity may be available to all qualified applicants.

This Fair Housing Policy Statement reaffirms our personal commitment to the principles of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity housing practices.

The Fair Housing Officer, Shirley Rasmussen, or her designated representative is responsible for the enforcement and implementation of the Fair Housing Regulations/Plan and the enforcement of this policy. The Fair Housing Officer may be reached at 203-488-1255.

Complaint(s) pertaining to discrimination in any program funded by this Town of Branford may be filed with the Fair Housing Officer. The Town’s Grievance Procedure will be utilized in this case(s).

Complaints also may be filed will the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunity, 21 Grand Street, Hartford, CT 06106.

Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the policy statement. Seconded by Selectman Sullivan. Vote unanimous.

First Selectwoman Morris read the following resolution:

Fair Housing Resolution

Whereas, All American citizens are afforded a right to full and equal housing opportunities in the neighborhood of their choice; and

Whereas, State and Federal Fair Housing laws require that all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, lawful source of income, sexual orientation, familiar status, be given equal access to rental and homeownership opportunities, and be allowed to make free choices regarding housing location; and

Whereas, The Town of Branford is committed to upholding these laws, and realizes that these laws must be supplemented by an Affirmative Statement publicly endorsing the right of all people to full and equal housing opportunities in the neighborhood of their choice.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Branford hereby endorses a Fair Housing Policy to ensure equal opportunity for all persons to rent, purchase and obtain financing for adequate housing of their choice on a non-discriminatory basis; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the First

Selectwoman, of the Town of Branford or her designated representative is responsible for responding to and assisting any person who alleges to be the victim of an illegal discriminatory housing practices in the Town of Branford.

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

Motion made by Selectman Opie to enter into executive session at 6:48 p.m. to discuss a proposed settlement agreement in the Yorzinski v. Alves case. Seconded by Selectman Sullivan. Vote unanimous.

Return to regular session at 7:10 p.m. 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 and Third Selectman. Also present were John Radshaw, Attorney from Howd & Ludorf and Mark Bergamo, Town Counsel.

Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to authorize Attorney John Radshaw to take the necessary action to settle the case. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Correspondence - None

Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 p.m. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Respectfully Submitted,