The board began by approving the minutes from our June 1 meeting and approving one tax refund as recommended by the tax collector.
The board re-appointed Doug Dempsey to the Area Nine Cable Council for a term running from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025. The board re-appointed David Smith to the Police Commission for a term running from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026. The board appointed Paula Barker for a term running until Jan, 2, 2026, and Phil Doremus for a term running until Jan. 2, 2025, to the Land Acquisition and Preservation Authority.
The board also decided to reinstitute the existing, but inactive, Library Building Committee. The library has decided to move forward with a significantly modified and reduced scope of the project using the existing committee charge. New soundproofing within the library will be the primary aspect of the project. Anyone interested in serving on this building committee is encouraged to contact the Office of the First Selectman in town hall.
A driveway/road opening bond for 364 Morehouse Road was ordered released by the board as recommended by the deputy director of public works.
The board discussed the offer to purchase a portion of the property colloquially known as South Park Avenue received from Dan and Gina Blaze. The Blazes have revised their offer by reducing the amount of land included in the proposal from about 6 acres to the 3.2 acres. The reduced amount is referenced in the new conservation restriction which covers the entire site. The board will discuss and vote on whether to accept this offer at its July 6 meeting.
The board authorized the first selectman to sign and file the application for a state grant for the Historical Society under the Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program. Mike Howard, from the Historical Society, explained that, if approved, the grant will be used to make repairs to the barn at the Bradley Hubbell House.
The Department of Public Works bids for bulky wood disposal and for the purchase of a new body for a dump truck were awarded as recommended by the director of public works.
The board heard public comment at the start and end of our meeting from the following people:
Jeff Becker wondered why there was no Zoom participation for the last Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. He also expressed his opposition to the proposal to sell a portion of the South Park Avenue property.
Phil Doremus asked the first selectman to convene an organizing meeting of the Land Acquisition and Preservation Authority now that there exists a quorum of members.
Selectmen Lessler and Sogofsky congratulated the graduates from our public schools and were joined by First Selectman Bindelglass in expressing their good wishes to our students.
First Selectman Bindelglass offered congratulations to Easton’s new Eagle Scouts.
