Board of Selectmen minutes from 05-06-09

May 6, 2009 – approved by the BOS 05/20/09

Senior Center – 6:00 p.m.

The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. Present were First Selectman Anthony J. DaRos; Second Selectman Francis W. Walsh and Third Selectman John Opie. Also attending were Thomas Yester, Chairman, Veterans Parade Committee; Antoinette Coleman, member, Veterans Parade Committee; Laura Burban, Director Daniel Cosgrove Animal Shelter; Karyl Lee Hall, Conservation Environment Commission; Victor Cassella, Board of Finance; Bill Horne, Branford Land Trust; Beth Dock, Branford Land Trust; Joan Merrick, Branford Land Trust; Connie Drysdale, Parks and Open Space Authority; Joann Cleary, Tax Collector; Chris Sullivan, RTM Member; Alice Lambert, RTM Member; D. Docknevich, RTM Member; Pam Roy, Penny Bellamy; Wayne Cooke; Pete Davis; Beth Dock; Priscilla Bolack; Susan Barnes as well as approximately 6 others.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the minutes of April 15, 2009. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Veterans Parade Committee Chairman Thomas Yester addressed the Board to provide information concerning the Veteran’s Parade Committee and its accomplishments. Chairman Yester introduced Antoinette Coleman, member Veteran’s Parade Committee he also listed all of the members by name. The Board of Selectmen expressed their appreciation for all of the work by the board members.

Brian Whelan addressed the Board to discuss a request from the Crooked Shillelagh Pub for the placement of outdoor seating on the public sidewalk in front of 576 Main Street. Mr. Whelan also stated that they would like to put in a bench along Monroe Street. First Selectman DaRos stated that an absolute minimum of 5 ft must remain clear. Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the request with the following conditions: No alcohol will be allowed outside of the building; sidewalk must be clean of all litter; minimum clearance of 5ft must be maintained along the sidewalk areas. Selectman Opie also stated that a policy regarding the sidewalks needs to be drafted. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the following resolution authorizing the First Selectman to enter into a contract with the Department of Environmental Protection to provide funding for the project entitled “Walk The Branford Trails – North (phase 5)

Be it resolved that it is in the best interests of the Town of Branford to enter into contracts with the Department of Environmental Protection.

In furtherance of this resolution, Anthony J. DaRos, First Selectman of the Town of Branford is duly authorized to enter into and sign said contracts on behalf of the Town of Branford. The First Selectman is further authorized to provide such additional information and execute such other documents as may be required by the state or federal government in connection with said contracts and to execute any amendments, recisions, and revisions thereto.

The Town Clerk is authorized to impress the seal of the Town of Branford on any such document, amendment, recision, or revision.

Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the following resolution authorizing the First Selectman to enter into a contract with the Department of Environmental Protection to provide funding for the project entitled “Branford Supply Ponds Historical Trail Phases 1 and 2”

Be it resolved that it is in the best interests of the Town of Branford to enter into contracts with the Department of Environmental Protection.

The Town Clerk is authorized to impress the seal of the Town of Branford on any such document, amendment, recision, or revision.

Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the following resolution authorizing the First Selectman to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Branford and the Connecticut Department of Public Safety, Division of State Police for the Connecticut Law Enforcement Data Exchange System:

Resolved, that Anthony J. DaRos, First Selectman be and herewith authorized to execute a memorandum of understanding on behalf of the Town of Branford with the Connecticut Department of Public Safety, Division of State Police for participation in the Connecticut Law Enforcement Data Exchange (CLEDES).

Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

First Selectman DaRos read the following proclamation:

WHEREAS, THE TOWN OF BRANFORD IS COMMUNITY IN WHICH MORE THAN 7,000 CITIZENS AGE 60 AND OVER MAKE THEIR HOME; AND

WHEREAS, OLDER ADULTS IN BRANFORD, CONNECTICUT AND THROUGHOUT THE U.S. ARE A GROWING POPULATION WITH EVOLVING NEEDS; AND,

WHEREAS, OLDER AMERICANS ARE VALUABLE MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY WHO ENHANCE OUR COMMUNTIY AND PERSONAL LIVES; AND,

WHEREAS, THE NUMBER OF BABY BOOMERS REACHING TRADITIONAL RETIREMENT AGE CONTINUES TO INCREASE, A FACT THAT SPOTLIGHTS THE NEED FOR INCREASED ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS; AND

WHEREAS, OUR OLDER CITIZENS OF TODAY AND TOMORROW PROMISE TO BE AMONG THE MOST ACTIVE AND ENGAGED OLDER ADULT POPULATIONS IN OUR NATION’S HISTORY; AND,

WHEREAS, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS AND ALL U.S. COMMUNITIES TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO ADDRESS OLDER ADULTS’ UNIQUE HEALTH AND LONG-TERM CARE CHALLENGES; AND,

WHEREAS, COMMUNITIES CAN IMPROVE OLDER CITIZENS’ OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE BY HELPING THEM;

MAKE BEHAVIORAL CHANGES THAT CAN REDUCE THE RISK OF DISEASE, DISABILITY AND INJURY.

OBTAIN THE TOOLS THEY MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT, AND GAIN BETTER ACCESS TO, EXISTING HEALTH AND LONG-TERM CARE OPTIONS.

HAVE MORE OPTIONS TO AVOID PLACEMENT IN NURSING HOMES AND REMAIN AT HOME AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE BRANFORD BOARD OF SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF BRANFORD DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 2009 TO BE OLDER AMERICANS MONTH. WE URGE EVERYONE TO TAKE TIME THIS MAY TO HONOR OUR OLDER ADULTS AND THE PROFESSIONALS, FAMILY MEMBERS AND CITIZENS WHO CARE FOR THEM. OUR EFFORTS CAN IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR OLDER CITIZENS AND HELP PAVE THE WAY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the disposal of the old voting machines. One machine needs to be given to the historical society and one to the Stony Creek Museum. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve a request from Thomas Romano, President, CEO of the Orchard House, for an exemption as permitted by section 115-4 of the Code of the Town of Branford regarding the consumption of alcoholic beverages in a public area and allow wine to be served at the “Getting to Know You” party/fundraiser scheduled for July 11, 2009 at Orchard House. Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve a request from the Friends of the James Blackstone Memorial Library, for an exemption as permitted by section 115-4 of the Code of the Town of Branford regarding the consumption of alcoholic beverages in a public area and allow wine to be served in the tent area only at the “The Book Sale Preview” scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the Town Green. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Parks and Open Space Authority – 3 years

Joseph Blumberg and Connie Drysdale terms to expire June 30, 2012. Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the reappointments. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Youngs Pond Commission – 4 years

Kenneth Graham term to expire April 30, 2013. Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the reappointment. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.

Inland Wetlands Commission – 3 years

Richard Orson, Wesley Vietzke and Kelly Starr (alternate)terms expire May 31, 2012. Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the reappointments. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.

Housing Authority – 5 years

Douglas Denes term to expire April 30, 2014. Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the reappointment. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.

Green Committee – 3 years

Winifred Judge, Jane Bouley and James MacBride terms to expire May 31, 2012. Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the reappointments. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Water Commission – 5 years

Dan Hally term to expire May 31, 2014. Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the reappointment. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library – 5 years

John Nelson term to expire December 31, 2014. Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the reappointment. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.

Academy on the Green – 5 years

Leonard Bucher term to expire January 30, 2014. Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the reappointment. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the reappointment of Leno Torelli as Dockmaster for the 2009 boating season. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.

Ethics Committee – 5 years

Ted Ells to fill the expired term of Gary Morrisey term to expire January 30, 2014. Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the appointment. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.

Economic Development Commission – 3 years

Peter Indeck to fill a vacancy left by Rhoda Loeb term to expire July 31, 2011. Sharon Davis to fill a vacancy left by Julie Francis term to expire July 31, 2012. Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the appointments. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve a request from Carol Penny of Alliance Theatre Inc. for use of the Town Green on August 7, August 8 and August 9, 2009 to hold a Children’s theatre play on the Green beginning at 2:30 p.m. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve a request from David Chadwick for use of the Town Green on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. to hold a prayer vigil in recognition of National Day of Prayer. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve a request from the Daniel Cosgrove Animal Shelter for use of the Town Green on Saturday, August 22, 2009, to hold a “Walk for the Homeless Pets” and festival. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve a request from the Stony Creek Gallery / Branford Chamber of Commerce for use of Bayview Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 to hold a “Business After Hours” from 6:00 – to 7:30 p.m. with the stipulation that any alcoholic beverages remain in the gallery. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.

Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve a request from Dorothy Greenfeld for use of West Point Park on Sunday, May 31, 2009 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. to hold a baseball game. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.