Post Office Closing, Bridge Work Delay and Hurricane Irene Topics at Sept. Board of Selectmen Meeting

A brief synopsis of what was discussed at last night's meeting of the Board of Selectmen in Woodbridge:

• The Police Department has agreed to a new contract. The five-year  agreement agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2010. See full story here.
• UI Representative and Woodbridge resident Vinnie Lazzaro explained the process involved with preparing for and cleaning up after Hurricane Irene.
• Fire Chief Dwight Rowland commended his volunteers for spending four days living at the firehouse following Irene. He said they responded to 100 calls in the days after the storm, including one house fire. The department typically responds to 400 calls each year.
• DOT Representative David Head told the board that the town is authorized to proceed with the final design phase for the replacement of the Merritt Avenue Bridge. Head said that if the town would like to incorporate a re-alignment of the intersection at Lucy St., the project will cost more in time and money. A handful of residents who just want the deteriorating bridge replaces were at last night's meeting. The DOT will report back to selectmen next month.
• Selectmen will pass along to the Traffic Authority of the Police Commission a request for a street light at the intersection of Jenick and Oak Hill Lanes.
• The fire department received a waiver to involve a bidding process for purchase of a new thermal imaging camera. The camera is budgeted for in this year's budget, but since Fire Chief Sean Rowland wanted to replace the broken camera with the same brand, he requested the bidding process be waived. His request was approved.
• The town received one response to its EOI for 55+ housing on Woodfield Road from a Farmington developer who will present a design to the town.
• The Post Master of New Haven has scheduled a meeting on Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. to share information about the planned closing of the Amity Post Office. The Post Master wishes to have the meeting at the post office, but anticipating a greater attendance than the post office can accommodate, First Selectman Edward Sheehy plans to offer Woodbridge meeting space.
• The board received a memorandum from Cathy Wick regarding the construction of a baseball field on the town-owned property called Alegi Field. She requested the board consider putting up for a town-wide vote the project, but since the board has already approved the baseball field and has denied her earlier requests for a town vote, her most recent request was also denied.
• The defunct Garbage Museum in Stratford refunded a $2,500 donation the town had given to the museum in an effort to keep it open. Selectwoman Susan Cohen called the closure a 'waste.'
• The town received $2,500 from the U.I. Foundation following Hurricane Irene. First Selectman Ed Sheehy said part of donatoin may go to the Jewish Community Center or the Woodbridge Volunteer Fire Department.