Bd of Selectmen for February 7, 2001BOARD OF SELECTMEN

SPECIAL BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

FEBRUARY 7, 2001  7:30 PM

TOWN HALL LOWER LEVEL CONFERENCE ROOM

REVISED/APPROVED

These minutes are intended to be a summary of the meeting and not a verbatim recording.   A transcript of the meeting is available on request for a fee.  

In attendance:  Mr. Marconi, Ms. Manners, Dr. Yanity, Mr. Heyman and
      Mr. Zemo.

AGENDA

Mr. Heyman made a motion to add a Special Town Meeting to the agenda, seconded by Dr. Yanity.  By a vote of 5-0, the motion passed unanimously.  The notice reads as follows:

WARNING is hereby given to the electors of the Town of Ridgefield, in the County of Fairfield and the State of Connecticut, and those citizens of the age of eighteen (18) years or more entitled to vote by virtue of having the proper qualifications prescribed by Section 7-6 of the Connecticut General Statutes (Rev. 1958), as amended, that a SPECIAL TOWN MEETING will be held in the lower level conference room of the Ridgefield Town Hall, 440 Main Street, on February 14, 2001, at 7:30 PM, to act on the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, that Rudy Marconi, First Selectman of Ridgefield be and hereby is authorized to execute on behalf of Ridgefield, an OPEN SPACE GRANT AGREEMENT with the State of Connecticut.  The purpose of this agreement is to provide State financial assistance to the municipality as a grant of State Funds under and pursuant to a Motion to Modify Judgement dated January 8, 2001 to assist the municipality ($820,000) in the purchase of the McKeon Farm parcel, 43.214 acres as approved in the Special Town Meeting of January 31, 2001.  In addition, that Mr. Marconi, as First Selectman, is hereby authorized to enter into such agreements, contracts and execute all documents necessary to said grant with the State of Connecticut.

Mr. Heyman made a motion to approve that a Special Town Meeting will take place on February 14th at 7:30, seconded by Dr. Yanity.  By a vote of 5-0, the motion passed unanimously.

AGENDA

Discussion of owner representation for building projects/renovation,
Herbert Weinstein, PE.

Discussion of Recycling Center, Scott Tenney of Hudson Baylor Corporation

Land Conservancy tax issue, Sid Kelley

New Senior Center presentation by John Couri, Steve Goldstone

Parks and Recreation departmental capital and operating budget proposal for 2001

Acceptance of two certified petitions from R.O.S.A. regarding Bennett’s Pond property

First Selectman’s Report

Herbert Weinstein, owner of Wilde Associates of New York and a structural and professional engineer since 1959 appeared before the Selectmen to answer questions and discuss the possibility of the Town employing an Owner’s Representative for the building/renovation projects.  Mr. Weinstein would work directly for the Board of Selectman but would attend the Building Committee meetings as well.  Mr. Weinstein stated that he envisions working three days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday for fifty two-weeks a year but the  number of days could vary.  

Mr. Heyman expressed his concern with Mr. Weinstein’s business and residence being in Manhattan and how quickly would he be able to attend to a problem if one should arise.  Mr. Weinstein explained that in over twenty-years of experience as an owner’s rep., location has never been an issue.
Ms. Manners asked Mr. Weinstein what his fees were.  He responded that he would modify his $200/hour rate to $220,000/yr.  He stated that if he was the owner’s rep. in these projects, he could save the Town an amount of money that would match his yearly rate and Mr. Weinstein would agree to put that into a contractual agreement.

Mr. Zemo asked Mr. Weinstein’s opinion on the difference between a General Contractor versus a Construction Manager.  Mr. Weinstein stated that a Construction Manager, a working relationship is established at the onset of the process where a General Contractor is not as forthcoming with information on bidding and other specific costs.   Mr. Weinstein stated that where the greatest amount of money is saved is in the design phase where he would be heavily involved.  

Ms. Manners suggested that it should be public that the Town is looking for such representation and if anyone else responds to the notice, s/he should be interviewed.

A.J. DiMattia asked where will the funding for the position come from?  Mr. Marconi stated that it will come from the money approved for the referendum.   Mr. Weinstein answered other questions from the public concerning his responsibilities and experience.  It was also stated by Mr. Marconi that the role of the Building Committee entailed more decision making responsibilities, i.e. carpeting selections, options, mechanical equipment, air-conditioning, type of roof, etc.

Mr. Marconi stated that this discussion will be placed back on the agenda for the next meeting.

Scott Tenney, Hudson Baylor Corp, attended the meeting to discuss the contract between the Town and Hudson Baylor for the operation of the Ridgefield Recycling Center.  The existing contract expires in April of 2001.  Mr. Marconi stated that one of the problems Jay Wahlberg, Town Controller had with the contract were the charges incurred for transporting materials to and from Newburgh, NY.  Dr. Yanity asked how much did it cost to maintain the equipment.  Mr. Tenney answered, $11,500 for maintenance and bailing.

Mr. Tenney stated that the Town has the best recycling center due to cleanliness, efficiency and is open five times per week and takes in a diversity of materials and has received a small amount of money back for the past one to two years.  

Mr. Zemo made an inquiry into the operation of the Redding Recycling Center and why it ran so effectively.  Mr. Tenney stated that Redding  moved the paper to Garden State at $350/load and they did not make money doing this. Mr. Zemo stated he will call the Redding facility for more specific details on how they differ from Ridgefield.  

Mr. Heyman requested that the concepts in the new contract be plugged in for the last five years and then analyze where the Town would be in the new scenario.

The last important issue raised was how is it that the schools have not been recycling even though there is a state mandatory program for it.

Mr. Marconi stated that the Selectmen will do some research and he will get back to Mr. Tenney and place him back on the agenda by the first meeting in March.
 
Mr. Heyman made a motion to accept the abatement of $4,357.86 of Land Conservancy Holdings with Tax Liens, seconded by Dr. Yanity.  By a vote of 5-0, the motion passed unanimously.  The only other concern raised on this matter was there was a lapse in communication between Al Garzi’s office and Sid Kelley as to when a notification comes in that land has been given to the Town.   A request was made to the Town Clerk to notify Mr. Kelley when a map or deed has been filed in the Town Clerk’s office.  Mr. Kelly also stated that he will check every October 1st to make sure that both he and Mr. Garzi have the same information.

Dr. Yanity made a motion to amend the agenda to place item #6 to #4, seconded by Mr. Heyman.  By a vote of 5-0, the motion passed unanimously.

4.      Ms. Manners made a motion to accept the two certified petitions from the Town Clerk as being accurate, seconded by Dr. Yanity.  By a vote of 5-0, the motion passed unanimously.  

Mr. Heyman then made a motion to refer these petitions to the Board of Finance for approval, seconded by Dr. Yanity.  By a vote of 5-0, the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Zemo requested a synopsis of the actions to take place
in the event the Board of Finance approves the recommendation for appropriation and borrowing authorization.  Mr. Marconi read a faxed copy of a letter he received from Douglas Gillette, Day, Berry & Howard, Hartford listing the tentative schedule.  If the Board of Finance approves the recommendation no later than February 20, 2001, a notice of Special Town Meeting/Public Haring and Referendum will be published and posted no later than February 23rd.  The next step is a notice of Land Acquisition Public Hearing which would be  published and posted.  Next, the Planning and Zoning Commission approves the project as being in conformance with Plan of Development pursuant to state law by February 27th.  The following day, Board of Selectmen hold a Land Acquisition Public Hearing.  On March 13th, a Special Town Meeting/Public Hearing would be held and then the Referendum would be held on March 27th.  The final scheduled date to be determined is for the Board of Selectmen to delegate certain financing determinations to the First Selectman and Treasurer.  
 
Robert Kleinberg of R.O.S.A. stated that money does not have to be bonded but could rather be paid by a special appropriation.  Mr. Marconi stated that the answer to this issue will be answered after the Board of Finance approves or denies approval for the recommendation of appropriation.

5.      John Couri and Steve Goldstone have come before the Selectmen to formerly announce their donation of a new Senior Center to the Town.  Mr. Goldstone stated that the Senior Center would be a free membership to residents sixty (60) years and older.  He explained in detail the specifics of a Senior Center that Mr. Couri donated in Bangor, Maine and they plan to have the Ridgefield center similar “but even better.”  Mr. Couri stated that the plan is to have the seniors use the recreation center for fitness programs.  He also stated that for the Bangor facility, they publish a newsletter listing the programs and other information to keep the members informed.   They understand the need and desire for the new Center is high and will do everything they can to move the construction phase along as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Jay Wahlberg, Paul Roche, Parks and Rec. Director, David Campbell and Frank McPike, Parks and Rec. Commission members, Gary Smith, Chair, Parks and Rec. and Eileen Cipolla, bookkeeper came before the Selectmen to review the Capital and Operating Budget for Parks and Recreation.

CAPITAL BUDGET

1.      Mr. Wahlberg stated that there were no increases made to the improvement plan.  There was a cut back on mechanical renovations and $70,000 was saved out of last year’s budget.  The five-year plan to replace the fitness equipment using $20,000/year is ongoing

2.      Sturges Park – a plan is for volunteers to develop Sturges Park, which would entail building a new cabin for the boy/girl scouts to use as a shelter for camping.  It is the same cost to build a new structure as it would be to move the existing one.  The volunteers would raise money; the cost would be $30,000 for three (3) years totaling $90,000.  

3.      Another expense would be for historic restorations, i.e. repairing and cleaning Town monuments.  There are currently two that are in need of repair.  The first one is in front of Jessie Lee and the second is in front of the Community Center.  An estimate of $3,000 was given to repair and clean each plaque.  The Selectmen felt that was exceedingly high and requested that more estimates are obtained.  Mr. Marconi asked if grant money was given for historic restoration.  Members of Parks and Rec will look into this further.

4.      Improvements to Yanity gym.  Mr. Heyman inquired about improvements to the façade to which Mr. Roche stated that Charles Fischer has a plan in place for this.

5.      Mr. Roche made a request for $100,000 to move the skate-park and the equipment to a new location.

6.      The drainage at Ballard Park is an issue due to breaks in the pipes and now the culvert has backed up.  This has caused flooding in the past for Grand Union and the immediate area.  Mr. Marconi’s recommendation was to take this item out and place with Charles Fisher’s budget.

7.      The 1993 Ranger vehicle need replacement.  It currently has over 80,000 miles and the roof is rusting.  The cost is $20,000 to replace.

8.      Mr. Roche stated that the parks’ maintenance equipment needed replacement to maintain the fields.  The request is for $11,500 for a Smithco athletic field conditioner and $3,100 for a street vacuum for Main Street.  Two lawnmowers need to be replaced and two small trailers.

9.      A sidewalk snow remover was discussed.  The cost is $34,900, which includes everything, even dozer blades and a plow.  Mr. Roche stated that the pick-up truck was too wide to perform the removal.  The Commission members will look at leasing the machine versus buying it and will also find out who else is using it and what its service record is.  

Mr. Smith stated that lights are needed for the fields.  The cost is estimated at $80,000-$100,000 but the Town could save money.  Mr. Marconi stated that a special permit would be required.

Costs associated with paving park roads –

Aldrich Park    $8,000
Wing-Wing              $3,700
Richardson Park $28,000 including the parking lot.

12.     Upon the recommendation by the Board of Education, a request to replace the playground at Ridgebury and Branchville Elementary was made.  The cost was estimated at $7,500.  The Selectmen did not see this as necessary since there were no safety concerns with the existing playground structures.  

Other school related expenses included fencing repairs and planting at Tiger Hollow as well as resurfacing the track.  To construct a new track would cost $250,000.

A survey done by Parks and Recreation indicated that the Town feels that teen and youth programs are a priority and Mr. Roche stated that the majority of the budget increases reflect money spent on these programs.  Other costs are related to administrative salary increases and increases to computer maintenance agreements and the Simplex payroll system.  Park support has increases in salaries and there is an increase to athletic fields.  The Senior Center has seen a decrease with an employee transferring from the Senior Center to the Rec center.  There were decreases in maintenance and expanded programs but an increase in the summer teen program has been offset by income.

There was a total expense increase of 4.82% but some of this has been offset by income generating programs.  Mr. Marconi restated that the Selectmen would like to be notified when the estimates are obtained for the snow sidewalk removal machines and the repair costs for the monuments.

7.      First Selectman’s Report

A traffic study is currently underway at the corner of Catoonah and Bailey Avenue.  The attendant has been controlling the light when he sees the light turning on Prospect.   Mr. Marconi was told that to place a light at the Route 35 and Grove Street location would be too expensive.  Mr. Marconi received a response from Mike Gallante that this is not a major cost.  

Mr. Marconi had a meeting with Larry Wagner, Frederick P. Clarke Associates regarding the installation of an elevator for Town Hall.  It was estimated that it could cost up to $416,000.  Mr. Marconi will continue to have discussions about the cost and will consult with ICS, the company installed the elevator at the Annex.

Mr. Marconi also stated that he will attend a forum on February 26th  with Jim Maloney regarding moving the Post Office’s retail business to another location.

Representative John Fry was in the audience and stated that he will look into grant money for installing the traffic light at the corner of Route 35 and Grove Street.

Mr. Zemo made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 p.m., seconded by Dr. Yanity.  By a vote of 5-0, the motion passed
unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Jill Lord