Old Lyme Flood & Erosion Control Board
Meeting Minutes
April 19, 2010
The meeting was called to order at 5:05 PM by Chairman Steve Ross.
Present: Steve Ross, Todd Machnik, Bob Chapman, Ellie Czarnowski – alternate,
Dave Roberge (ex-officio member)
Absent: Gary Smith, Steve Martino
Guests: List attached
NOTE: Ellie Czarnowski will be seated in place of Gary Smith.
1. Correspondence
Steve Ross reported that he had received a letter from the State of Connecticut DEP that modifies the dates allowable during the year to do maintenance on the Mile Creek outlet into Long Island Sound. The time period that maintenance may be done is between September 1 and April 1 of each year.
2. Approval of February 16, 2010 Meeting Minutes
Todd Machnik moved to accept the meeting minutes for February 16, 2010 as presented. Ellie Czarnowski seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
3. Old Business
Sheffield Brook - Associations' Request for Town Funds by the Board of Selectmen
Steve Ross reported that the request to the Board of Finance to fund one third ($19,000) of the engineering study of Sheffield Brook had been declined. Mr. Ross had written a letter to the Board of Finance asking them to reconsider their decision and at a subsequent Board of Finance meeting a motion was made to appropriate funds of $19,000 for the study. This motion did not receive a second. Mr. Ross requested that the Flood and Erosion Control Board, along with the Beach Associations, work together to find a solution and move ahead.
Todd Machnik stated that the Board of Finance's decision was not a surprise as the area of town involved is private property. Mr. Machnik reminded everyone that from the start it was clear that the Flood and Erosion Control Board's position was to work with the Beach Associations to find a solution, not to provide funding. He reviewed Connecticut General Statute Sec 25-87 with regard to Flood and Erosion Control Boards and assessments. Mr. Ross stated that the Board of Selectmen supported the request but with reservation, due to the fact that this pertained to private property. Mr. Ross asked that everyone work together to find other options to fund the study and to solve the problem.
Shawn Getman, (OLS) spoke as a long-time resident of Old Lyme and a more recent property owner at Old Lyme Shores. He suggested that the drainage pipe which was installed under the beach years ago could actually be the problem. Mr. Getman would like the removal of this drainage pipe to be an option.
Sally Howley, (OLS) stated that eliminating the drainage problem north of RT. 156 should be an expense shared between the Town of Old Lyme and the private beach associations. George Howley, (OLS) agreed with both Mr. Getman and his wife Mrs. Howley. Mary Howley (OLS) thanked David Roberge for his help during the storm in March.
Mr. Ross suggested that the two beach associations come together and discuss the possibility of removing the pipe. If this option is acceptable to the beaches, it would be brought to the Flood and Erosion Control Board for their consideration. At that point the necessary approvals and permits would be applied for. Mr. Machnik stated that the association members need to be aware of the fact that permits have to be obtained before any work could be done. Mr. Roberge stated that an engineering study would still have to be done before any pipes could be removed.
Mr. Ross stated that it is the obligation of the property owner whose land borders the brook to keep said brook where it runs on their property clean of debris. David Roberge stated that there are rules as to what a property owner may or may not do with regard to brooks, streams, lakes, etc. on their property. Mr. Roberge stated that he is available to the beach associations upon their request to educate the property owners on such matters. Mr. Roberge will create a handout for the beach association members.
David Wheeler, (OLS) suggested that another option would be for WMC Engineering to reduce the number of items to be studied, thus bringing the cost of the study down to $38,000. Todd Machnik felt that this would not be beneficial in the long run. With the ultimate goal being to obtain grant money, decreasing the depth of the study might be a disadvantage. Mr. Ross will speak with WMC about decreasing the scope of the study and its affect on receiving grant money.
Mr. Ross suggested that the beach associations each form a sub-committee to work on these issues and stated that communication with their property owners is very important. Ellie Czarnowski advised them to take plenty of photos of the areas involved. Ms.Czarnowski also stated that property owners may remove debris from the brook, but they are not to cut vegetation since it anchors the stream banks.
Steve Andrzejewski, (WMC) stated that the original study was done with the focus on the culvert. A complete study will look at all the options and a list of priorities would be created. He suggested that engineering studies and recommendations should not be ignored.
Steve Ross reviewed the four options:
- 1. Remove present drainage pipe
- 2. Pursue drainage problem north of 156 as a combined effort with the town
- 3. Clean out the brook of any obstructions
- 4. Work with WMC to scale down the scope of the study
These options are not independent; they could be interdependent.
4. New Business
Storm Flooding and Beach Erosion
David Roberge reported on the March 2010 storm updates – document attached. Mr. Roberge reminded people to check the Town of Old Lyme website for updates.
Hall's Road Drainage System – Flooding at the Lyme Art Association
Discussion Tabled
Discuss Connecticut General Statutes Sec 25-87 (Assessments)
This was discussed under Old Business – Sheffield Brook
Other New Business
Bob Chapman spoke regarding the drainage problems at Roger's Lake. Mr. Ross requested that Mr. Chapman obtain a written statement from the Roger's Lake Association addressed to the Flood and Erosion Control Board detailing the items that need attention.
Ellie Czarnowski volunteered to write up a short educational piece that could be published in the next edition of Old Lyme Events regarding maintenance of the areas of private property that border streams, brooks, lakes, etc. She will create a draft and send to David Roberge and members of the Flood and Erosion Control Board for their input and review.
5. Our next meeting will be on Monday, May 17, 2010 at 5:00 PM, town hall, second floor meeting room.
6. Adjournment
Bob Chapman moved, and Todd Machnik seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 6:25 PM. SO VOTED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Guests Affiliation
Paul J. Rowean VP OLSBA
Mary K. Howley OLSBA
George Howley OLSBA
Sally Howley OLSBA
Shawn Getman OLSBA
Dave Wheeler OLSBA
Steve Andrzejewski WMC Engineering
EmergencyManagementFloodUpdate.pdf
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