Old Lyme Flood & Erosion Control Board
Meeting Minutes
October 18, 2010
The meeting was called to order at 5:05 PM by Chairman Steve Ross.
Present: Steve Ross, Todd Machnik, Steve Martino, Ellie Czarnowski – alternate,
Absent: Bob Chapman, Gary Smith, Dave Roberge – Ex-Officio Member
Guests: Paul Rowean (OLS Beach Association), Stephanie Sacco (Miami Beach Association)
NOTE: Ellie Czarnowski was seated in place of Gary Smith.
1. Correspondence – Email from Dave Wheeler to be discussed under Old Business
2. Approval of September 20, 2010 Meeting Minutes
Todd Machnik moved to accept the minutes for September 20, 2010 as presented. Steve Martino seconded the motion. The minutes were accepted.
3. Old Business
Sheffield Brook
a. Procedure for grant application for homeowners (draft & sample forms) D. Roberge
During the FEC meeting of September 20 Dave Roberge was asked to draft a one-page handout and provide sample forms of which homeowners could use to apply for FEMA grant money. The FEC Board had hoped to review said forms at this meeting. Mr. Roberge is not in attendance, therefore the forms and procedure could not be reviewed. Mr. Ross stated that at the last FEC Board meeting, Mr. Roberge commented that under FEMA guidelines, the flooding that he has witnessed at OCB and OLS would be considered "minor flooding". Mr. Ross will contact Mr. Roberge and ask him to provide FEMA documentation that would label the flooding as "minor". Mr. Ross will also remind him of the importance of providing the Board with the one-page handout and sample
forms for review. Mr. Ross feels that it is important to know what route we need to take to solve the problem, before applying for grant money.
b. Information from Old Lyme Shores – Paul Rowean
Paul Rowean reported that the total assessment of the properties at Old Lyme Shores is just over 67 million dollars, with $1,256,000 dollars paid in tax dollars. There is only one child at OLS that attends school in town, yet 80% of their tax dollars support the school budget. (Mr. Rowean reported the tax dollars paid as 12.5 million at the FEC Board meeting of September 20, 2010 and corrected his previous statement tonight.) Mr. Rowean thought that Old Colony Beach property owners paid about the same in tax dollars with four or five children that attended school in town.
c. Sea Spray Homeowners – Dave Wheeler (not in attendance)
Mr. Ross reported on a letter written to the OCB property owners from Dave Wheeler, informing them of the Sheffield Brook issues to date. Mr. Wheeler asked the flood-impacted property owners for their thoughts on raising their homes and to pass along any alternatives that have not been considered yet. Mr. Wheeler suggested that any interested parties attend this meeting. There were no property owners or representatives from OCB in attendance.
Mr. Ross stated that in his opinion the two options that should be pursued are: 1) for the flood-impacted property owners to raise their homes and 2) the addition of a second drainage pipe. Mr. Rowean felt that raising the homes is the way to go. These homes are in the flood plain, but about eight feet above the mean high tide line. The flooding they experience is from rain storms, and not from ocean storms.
Mr. Rowean reported that OLS had hired Joe Wren, PE as a consultant, and it would be fine for Mr. Ross to contact Mr. Wren for information. Mr. Ross will do so.
Mr. Machnik had spoken to Kim Groves with regard to any zoning regulations restricting the raising of homes in the flood-impacted areas. According to Mr. Machnik, if the homeowner could prove hardship (flooding) it should not be a problem. Mr. Ross will inquire as to the approximate cost of raising up a home.
4. New Business – None
a. Discuss CGS Statute Sec 25-87 Assessments – Tabled
b. Other New Business – None
c. Comments
Stephanie Sacco (MBA) stated that she was still gathering information from the property owners at Miami Beach regarding specific problems and suggested solutions. This was requested of Ms. Sacco at the July, 2010 FEC Board meeting.
5. Our next meeting will be on Monday, November 15, at 5:00 PM, town hall, second floor meeting room.
6. Adjournment
Todd Machnik moved, and Steve Martino seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 5:45PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Clerk
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