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Old Lyme Flood & Erosion Control Board
Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 P.M. by Chairman Steve Ross.
Present: Steve Ross, Todd Machnik, Bob Chapman, Dave Roberge (Ex-Officio Member)
Absent with Notification: Gary Smith
Absent: Tom Penfield, Tim Griswold (Ex-Officio Member)
Guests: List attached
1. Correspondence
Steve Ross reported that he had received a letter from Nicolle Burnham (Milone and MacBroom, Inc,) which was sent to all members this week. Nicolle's letter outlined suggestions and ideas for Sheffield Brook.
Steve Ross reported that before the March meeting he had sent Tim Griswold a letter regarding blockages that occur in the two drain pipes at Hawks’ Nest Beach. According to the public works department, this is normal for one pipe to become filled with sand, and the routine purge of water takes care of it.
2. Sheffield Brook
Steve Ross stated that at the March meeting it was decided that as a group (including beach associations), we would put together a draft for a request for proposal to be submitted to engineering groups. He reminded everyone that we had come to the agreement that we are looking for simple solutions for the biggest problems – in order to get the “biggest bang for our buck”. Also, at the last meeting, the presidents from OCB and OLS gave a verbal commitment to submit letters of intent to the board. To date Steve had not received these letters. Paul Graml (President, OLS) at this time presented a letter of intent to Steve. Steve read the letter to the board.
Steve asked each board member what they feel we need in a proposal. Todd Machnik stated that if any previous plans for Sheffield Brook exist, that we review those first. Todd did not believe that there are any plans. Todd also stated that it is important to know who will be paying for the study. Bob Chapman had no other concerns, and Dave Roberge asked if we were in possession of documentation from OLS and OCB regarding all past studies and work done on Sheffield Brook.
Steve Ross reported that Ann Brown (ZEO) would have on record all the work done regarding the drainage pipes that were installed that run to Broughel Road along Gorton. The pipe measures 30 inches in diameter until it gets to the marsh area and then it measures about 18 inches in diameter from the marsh to the sound. Steve feels that we would need an answer as to why it was designed this way. Steve assumes that the documentation that Ann can provide should give us this information. Charles Galetta, (property owner, OLS) stated that the drainage problem has been a 40-year battle, and that one very large problem with the drainage pipe is in the winter when sand fills up the pipe and the water cannot drain. The plan of the larger to smaller diameter
pipe is obviously not working. Steve assured everyone that the documentation on file with Ann Brown should include this study and plans. Charles Galetta, (OLS) suggested that the installation of a parallel pipe be considered. Steve Ross stated that it would be. He also stated that everyone needs to consider that the work that needs to be done on Sheffield Brook could possibly cost less out of pocket without a grant. The cost of studies needed to apply for a grant could be more costly than to use the money to pay for the work to be done. Todd Machnik stated that without a plan to make this project an asset to the environment, grant money may not be awarded.
Paul Graml (President, OLS) asked Steve if he (Paul) could be given a list of stressors that the Sea Spray Road area are putting on the system. OLS Beach would want to take care of some of these as an association. Steve Ross said that it would be included in the report.
Doug Whalen, (President, Old Colony Beach) presented the board with the following documents:
- Letter, August 27, 1999: To OLB – From Buck and Buck Engineers
- Minutes, March 30, 2000: Conservation Commission, Town of Old Lyme
- Letter, April 18, 2000: To Dimitri Tolchinski – from Inland Wetlands, Town of Old Lyme
- Executive Summary, July 2004: Re: Stormwater improvements OCB
- Letter, September 3, 2004: To Joseph Wren (Indigo Land Design) – from CT DEP
- Letter, November 28, 2004: To Inland Wetlands Commission – from Thomas Metcalf, Civil Eng
- Invoice, November 14, 2005: To OCB – from TVM for beach damage repair
- Minutes, January 24, 2006: Inland Wetlands, Town of Old Lyme
- Invoice, December 4, 2007: To OCB – HS Plaut Environmental
- Prints, Hendriks Associates, Not Dated
- Prints, Doane Engineering, Site Plan, October 1996
- Prints, Buck and Buck Engineers, Plan and Profile, January 2000
- Prints, Annino Survey, LLC (Preliminary Survey and Design), September 2004
- Prints, Annino Survey, LLC (Plan and Profile), October 2004
- Prints, Unknown
- CD of photos –Old Colony flooding from brook
Steve thanked Doug for the documents, stated that copies would be made, and the originals would be returned to him shortly.
Doug Whalen, OCB, referred to Steve's comment about the possibility that after all research was completed by the FEC commission and the beach associations, that it could prove to be more cost-effective not to apply for a grant. Doug hoped that the commission and the town were not trying to remove themselves from the problem. Steve assured Doug that was not his, nor the commission's, intent.
Joe Wren, PE (representing OCB and OLS) stated that he had in his possession the exact documents that Doug provided and referred to the letter in 2004 from the state DEP. The DEP states that any further work will require a diversion permit. Joe felt that if a parallel pipe was installed, it may very well have an environmental effect, and would be an issue with the Army Corp of Engineers.
Nicolle Burnham, MM Inc, stated that one very important fact when hiring a consultant is for them to do a needs analysis. Steve Ross confirmed that the proposal should contain alternative solutions.
Sally Howley, (property owner, OLS) asked Joe Wren how the installation of a parallel pipe would hamper the environment. Joe replied that this would be determined by the DEP, and that it would have to be considered. Steve Ross assured the beach residents that we would work together to reduce the flooding at the beaches “as much as possible” with respect to the environment.
Steve Ross thanked everyone at the meeting for their assistance, and assured Doug Whalen, OCB, that the FEC board, along with the town of Old Lyme, will work with the beach associations for a solution. Steve also thanked the three engineering firms present, and that a RFP would be sent to each firm. A discussion with Ann Brown (ZEO) would be tabled until the documentation given to the FEC board by Doug Whalen could be reviewed.
3. Old Business
Mile Creek – Regarding the filing of a permit to the CT DEP from the Town of Old Lyme to perform routine maintenance on the outlet of Mile Creek, Steve Ross stated that the three engineering firms present would be given the opportunity to bid.
Miami Beach – Lou Russo (property owner, MB) informed the FEC board that the culverts at Miami Beach are still blocked from time to time, causing flooding. He reported that they caused flooding during two storms this past winter. Steve Ross told him that he had spoken with Ed Adanti from the Old Lyme public works department, and that Ed assured Steve that these culverts are not blocked with debris. Steve asked that Lou contact Ed, find a date and time to meet at the Miami Beach location. Lou is to inform Steve of the meeting date, so that Steve may be present.
4. New Business – no new business
5. Approval of March 16, 2009 meeting minutes
Bob Chapman moved, Todd Machnik seconded, to approve the March 2009 minutes as presented. The motion was unanimously approved.
6. Our next meeting will be on May 18, 2009 at 5:00 PM, town hall, second floor meeting room.
7. Adjournment
Bob Chapman moved, Todd Machnik seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Clerk
Old Lyme Flood & Erosion Control Board
Guests Association
Steve Andrejewski WMC Engineering, Newington
Nicolle Burnham Milone and MacBroom Inc, Branford
David E. Wheeler 65 Sea Spray Road, Owner
Doug Whalen 41 Old Colony Road, President, OCB
Paul Graml OLS President
Charles and Loretta Galetta 45 Sea Spray Road, Owner
Joe Wren, PE Representing OLS and OCB
Mark Phelan 77 Sea Spray Road, Owner
M.K. Howley 60 Sea Spray Road, Owner
Sally Howley 60 Sea Spray Road, Owner
Lou Russo Miami Beach Association
Guest
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