Town of Goshen, CT - March 25, 2008

TOWN OF GOSHEN

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES – Regular Meeting

Town Hall Conference Room

PRESENT: Robert P. Valentine, H. John Krukar

OTHERS: Allan Walker, Barbara Harrington, Bernard Harrington, Richard Bates, Elaine Lang, Leo Rogoza, Joann Diehl, George Schuster, Fred Dreger, Ken Ludwig, Walt Kearns, John McKenna (Republican American reporter),

Bob Valentine called the meeting to order at 4:06 p.m.

The Board of Selectmen agreed to defer from the regular order of business and move to Public Comment (#5) - Open discussions on the Resident Trooper program.

Bob Valentine began the open discussion by first thanking everyone for taking time to attend this evening’s meeting. He then gave a brief synopsis of the presentation given at the Town forum on February 18, 2008.

Ronald F. Nodine arrived at 4:10 p.m.

The Board of Selectmen then opened the floor for comments and/or questions from the residents.

Robert Goldberg arrived at 4:11 p.m.

Residents commented and voiced their concerns on several issues with hiring a Resident Trooper. Some of the comments/questions were as follows:

· Can we allocate the expense to the State of CT.

· Could the State of CT look into a substation between the three towns it currently serves.

· What are a resident’s criteria for the ability to vote on this issue

· Where will the Town find additional office space for a trooper and what will it cost

· How will a resident would be able to contact the Resident Trooper

· What is the actual time the Resident Trooper will be working

The Board of Selectmen addressed these questions as best they could.

Bob Valentine agreed that the State should bear most of the cost for additional police protection and regardless of the outcome of the vote on the Resident Trooper, he will certainly continue to push for the State to hire additional police officers.

Peter Grusauskas arrived at 4:14 p.m.

The Board of Selectmen’s decision to have the Resident Trooper vote be conducted as a referendum, as opposed to a Town meeting, is to allow all concerned citizens the best opportunity to vote.

Tom Stansfield arrived at 4:20 p.m.

Bob Valentine noted in regards to office space that there are accommodations within the Town Hall Office Building that could be utilized.

John Krukar noted the Resident Trooper contract is only for two years. If for some reason this program doesn’t seem to be working or fit the needs of Goshen, it can then be terminated.

The Board of Selectmen feels that part of their job is to insure public safety. Therefore, they are presenting the possibility of having a Resident Trooper. Ultimately, however, it is the Town’s people that will decide if one is necessary.

The residents thanked the BOS for conducting this meeting. In return the BOS thanked the residents for attending and sharing their thoughts.

All left at 5:10 p.m. with the exception of Tom Stansfield and John McKenna.

IN A MOTION made by H. John Krukar, seconded by Robert P. Valentine it was VOTED to approve the minutes of the March 18, 2008 Regular Meeting. Vote unanimous.

MATTERS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES: None

IN A MOTION made by H. John Krukar, seconded by Robert P. Valentine, it was VOTED to add to the agenda, under Old Business, #8 (a) – Discussion – Town Planner and #8 (b) Resident Trooper discussion. Vote unanimous

The Board of Selectmen agreed to defer from the original order of business and move to Old Business – (a) Discussion – Town Planner.

Discussion – Town Planner

The Board of Selectmen received a letter from Marty Connor, Town Planner and Zoning Enforcement Officer, in responding to the BOS letter sent last week.

Tom Stansfield (Inland Wetlands Commission Chairman) was invited to the table

Much discussion ensued with regards to the letter received by the BOS with the request from Marty Connor that he be allowed to work in the private sector, provided such work was a minimum of 500 feet from Goshen’s borders.

The BOS discussed this proposal from Marty Connor.

Tom Stansfield left at 5:32 p.m.

IN A MOTION made by H. John Krukar, seconded by Ronald F. Nodine it was VOTED to allow Bob Valentine to compose a letter on behalf of the BOS to Marty Connor advising him that if he chose to continue working in the private sector:

1) he could continue to work as Goshen’s Planner, provided the private sector work was a minimum of 500 feet from Goshen’s borders and

2) he could not continue as Goshen’s Zoning Enforcement Officer.

While the BOS does not want to interfere with Marty’s ability to earn a livelihood, it believes that if he continues to do private sector work for various developers, there is too great a chance for a conflict of interest if Marty has to act as Enforcement Officer for some of those same developers working in Goshen.

Bob Valentine noted Marty Connor does an excellent job as Town Planner. However, acting as Enforcement Officer could be construed as a conflict of interest and is an unfavorable position for the Town.

IN A MOTION made by Robert P. Valentine, seconded by H. John Krukar it was VOTED to approve the warrant including payroll of March 20, 2008 in the amount of $1,137,426.72 Vote unanimous.

Bob Valentine noted the payment for Regional School District No. 6 is included in this warrant along with the monthly health insurance payment.

FIRST SELECTMAN'S REPORT:

Bob Valentine noted he received from Richard Calkins (Town Engineer) two cross- section views for potential revisions to Hemlock Hill Road in the area of the proposed School House Ridge subdivision. Bob will continue to work with Rich Calkins and the developer, Field House Development, LLC.

Bob Valentine and Howard Joray, Public Works Supervisor, went to New England Truck to look over the new Public Works vehicle. There are still a few minor items that need to be completed, but we expect to take delivery in the next two weeks.

The Tyler Lake Dam project has again been stalled. Karl Acimovic (Town Dam Engineer) has revised his calculations and completed 3 new concept drawings for the dam. However, Ron McCarthy (Surveyor) has not been allowed to stake out the construction area until Bill Colby (Developer) has a chance to review the plans. The BOS hope that despite this new delay, the work can be completed by the end of this week so the April 1, 2008 meeting can be held on schedule.

CORRESPONDENCE: None

IN A MOTION made by Robert P. Valentine, seconded by H. John Krukar it was VOTED to add to the agenda, under old Business (b) – Call for the Resident State Trooper. Vote unanimous.

Call for the Resident State Trooper

IN A MOTION made by Robert P. Valentine, seconded by Ronald F. Nodine it was VOTED to approve the call, which shall ask the question: “Shall the Town appropriate up to $98,000 for hiring a Resident Trooper”. This call will be reviewed by Town Council for any necessary changes. Vote unanimous.

Special Events Permit Application – Goshen Stampede – Tabled until next week

The Board of Selectmen discussed the Region School District No. 6 school budget. Bob Valentine commented and highlighted some areas of interest. He will be reviewing the proposed budget with the Board of Finance.

Bob Valentine listed the budgets that will go before the Board of Finance on Wednesday, March 26, 2008. They are as follows:

· Professional Services

Bob Valentine noted the Library has added an additional ten hour position to the 2008-2009 fiscal years budget. The Board of Selectmen is not supporting this additional position. Bob Valentine will convey this consensus to the Board of Finance at the Wednesday, March 26, 2008 meeting.

IN A MOTION made by Ron Nodine, seconded by John Krukar, it was VOTED to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Selectman’s Admin. Asst.