By Ed Munster.
This regular meeting of Haddam’s Board of Selectmen, via teleconference, was called to order by First Selectman Bob McGarry at 6:30 p.m. on May 11, 2020. Also in attendance were Selectmen Sean Moriarty and Kate Anderson and Administrative Assistant Joanne Ricciardelli.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, First Selectman Bob McGarry proposed adding correspondence regarding an email that had been received. This addition to the agenda was approved unanimously. Minutes from the Special BOS meeting of April 21, 2020 were approved unanimously.
Under correspondence resident Dan Luisi proposed a method by which he felt the town could hold town meetings in a safe manner as the Town of Vernon had held a couple of such meetings. McGarry stated that Haddam had given some consideration as to how this might be done here but unfortunately the Governor next day issued Executive Order HH which prohibits any town meetings. McGarry pointed out that we still have a member of the RSD 17 BOE to elect to fill a vacancy in addition to budgets for the Town and the Regional School District.
In the Selectman’s report McGarry pointed out that the Dublin Hill project is nearing completion and once the blacktop has had two weeks to cure the stripping will be done. The town is approaching the Gateway Commission to fund further clean-up of Higganum Cove so we can open it up because we are limited in what other projects we can do because of the pandemic. Four companies had submitted bids for doing an environmental and structural assessment of the Scovil Hoe site also known as the old state garage on Candlewood Hill Road. We interviewed three of them and decided that Tighe & Bond had the best proposal. Hopefully that evaluation will start soon. There was a break-in at the HES site over the past weekend and the alarms sounded immediately. The only damage was a broken window. Additional security cameras are being looked into.
Standard and Poors had previously given Haddam a AAA rating. There was a concern that the Covid19 situation with potential loss of tax revenue would affect that, but S&P reaffirmed our AAA rating which is good news as the town later this month will be offering to sell bonds to support the $6 million bond authorization that the town approved last August.
As of this weekend we had 24 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and fortunately no fatalities. The Governor has issued conditions for a phased reopening of businesses in the state. Violations by businesses of the Governor’s orders should be reported to the State Police Troop F. Two violations in town were reported but by the time the trooper arrived there was no evidence and no citations were issued. The town is working with restaurants to allow out outdoor seating.
Selectman Kate Anderson reported that EDC will be meeting Wednesday and looking for ways to support local businesses as they open. Per state guidelines farmer’s markets are allowed with certain conditions and we are hoping to open our Haddam Farmer’s Market in June. Anderson asked about the status of the town budget to which McGarry responded that they had received information from about half of the town agencies and he will be reviewing these. The BOE most recent proposed budget results in about a $300-400 thousand increase for Haddam which is much better than the original projection of over $1 million increase. The goal of the Board of Finance is to have no tax increase, that is no mil rate increase, and at the moment that appears to be achievable.
Brenda Buzzi reported from the BOE on successes by various students in the Intermediate and Middle Schools. She reported that the BOE continue to work on adjustments to the budget including a reduction in the number of school days from 182 to 180 achieved by combining half days of teacher professional development into two full days and likewise converting previous half days of instruction into full instructional days. Delayed hiring, reduction of late bus transportation and purchasing some items this year with Covid19 savings instead of making the purchases in the next fiscal year.
Tax refunds totaling $894.88 were approved unanimously. Under new business a corporate resolution allowing the First Selectman to sign the resolution having to do this the sale and purchase of Certificates of Deposit by the town was approved unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned.
