At the September 26 meeting of the Board of Selectmen, First Selectman Pat Del Monaco noted that FEMA has notified the Town that it will receive reimbursement for debris removal on all town and private roads in the amount of $1,900,920.44. With what has been reimbursed already and another small amount expected to be approved shortly, Ms. Del Monaco stated that the total amount of FEMA reimbursement will be roughly $2.1 million. Initially, FEMA had indicated that only the cost for cleanup of only Town roads would be eligible for possible reimbursement. The BOS and BOF made the decision that the Town would cover cost of cleanup for private roads, a decision that voters approved at a town meeting June 28, 2018.
The Board also voted to hold a special town meeting on October 10 at 7pm to vote on spending $132,228.31 of the 2018-19 municipal expenditure surplus. Included in this total would be adding an additional $12,203.78 to the boat dock replacement lock box fund, $15,000.00 to begin a drainage project on the Columbia Drive bridge, $20,000.00 to fund the replacement of the Public Works garage doors, and $12,064.00 to Finance Salaries to fund a temporary part time clerk.
Acting Treasurer Ed Sbordone gave a brief overview of an amendment to the Town Debt Policy, noting that with the potential of the school building referendum passing, or other potential school building project if it does not, there was a need to address the policy. He noted that the current policy allows a debt limit of $48 million. The policy update raises that to $135 million. The current policy also has a General Fund debt ratio of 7.5% of debt repayments to operating costs. The amendment ups that to 15%. the policy will be reviewed by the BOS and BOF annually. The amendment was approved by a 2 to 1 vote, with Selectman Kim Hanson voting against.
The Board also voted to approve a $4,000 boat dock invoice. This represents the last of the engineering analysis portion of the project.
Selectman Khris Hall commended Parks and Recreation for its organizing of the recent New Fairfield Fair Day, which she said, “was the best New Fairfield Field Day ever,” noting that P&R added some new features, and that the event was well attended. She thanked the P&R staff.
The next regular meeting of the BOS is scheduled for Thursday, October 10 at 7:30pm.
By Greg Slomba