SPECIAL MEETING OF THE LITCHFIELD BOARD OF SELECTMEN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2009
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING ~ 2:30 P.M.

Leo Paul, Jr. called the special meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. Selectmen Jack Healy, Martha Bernstein and Ernie Bunnell were present. William Dranginis was absent.

Award Intermediate/High School Parking Lot Bid

L. Paul said the Board of Finance discussed this topic and voted unanimously to send it to the School Building Committee to see if they would contribute $30,000 to the project in order to get the 40 percent reimbursement. The Building Committee voted to use the $30,000 for the parking lot. It is now the Board of Selectmen’s duty to award the bid for the paving. Public Works is recommending the award go to low bidder Cocchiola Paving at $323,309. Motion: M. Bernstein moved to award the bid to Cocchiola Paving at $323,309. J. Healy seconded the motion. E. Bunnell asked J. Healy if there would be a sidewalk connecting the new lot with the high school lot. J. Healy thought it was in the original plan and said he would go back and look. M. Bernstein then said she did not understand why this item could not wait until Tuesday’s regular meeting. L. Paul said they were anxious to begin this project as soon as possible so when school starts, signs will be posted and they will be aware of the construction J. Healy will call the contractor right away and get started. E. Bunnell said although he recognizes the need for parking, he wished there could have been a better way than cutting down an acre of trees. M. Bernstein said this issue was never discussed between the Board of Selectmen because it was part of the school project. When it left the school project and became part of the Capital Improvements budget, there was no further discussion about the project. She agreed there needs to be a parking lot, but the approach disturbed her. L. Paul asked her to leave the politics at the door and explained the Board had a discussion about all the Capital expenditures because they had to vote to support them. It was during the budget process and all Selectmen had an opportunity to have input. The Selectmen could have voted to say no to items on the Capital budget, but nobody brought this up. M. Bernstein then accused the First Selectman of setting a special meeting so there would be no public comment at the regular meeting. Mr. Paul said if she did not want to vote to award this today, do not vote to award it and it will be on Tuesday’s agenda. His only reason for setting a special meeting was to get the bid awarded and the job underway before school starts. He also reminded her that he was the one who pushed to get this project to a town meeting so the voters could have an opportunity to comment and ask questions.  Move the Question: E. Bunnell moved the question, and J. Healy seconded. Upon voting all voted aye except M. Bernstein, who voted nay, and the motion carried. Vote: Upon voting on the motion, all voted aye and the motion carried.

Motion: E. Bunnell moved to adjourn at 2:55 p.m. and J. Healy seconded. All voted aye and the motion carried.

Leo Paul, Jr.
First Selectman