Old Lyme Flood & Erosion Control Board
Meeting Minutes
November 17, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 P.M. by Chairman Steve Ross.
Present: Steve Ross, Todd Machnik, Robert Chapman
Absent: Gary Smith, Tom Penfield
Ex-Officio Members Present: Dave Roberge, Tim Griswold
Guests: Mary Howley, Gil Soucie
1. Correspondence
Chairman Steve Ross received a letter from Tom and Anne Lally of Old Lyme Shores complaining about Sheffield Brook flooding and causing mold problems on their property at 54 Seaspray Road. The letter was passed around for the board members to read.
2. Budget FY2009-2010
Chairman Ross will submit a budget request of $845 for FY2009-2010. The budget consists of $825 for clerk’s expenses ($75 each for 11 meetings per year, no August meeting), plus $10 for postage and a $10 line item for Contracted Services. The Contracted Services amount could be increased in the future if necessary with approval from the Board of Finance.
3. Approval of October 20, 2008 minutes
Todd Machnik moved, Bob Chapman seconded, to approve the October 20 minutes as presented. Motion carried.
4. Guests:
Mary Howley, of Old Lyme Shores, spoke about the Sheffield Brook flooding problem. The brook is clogged with debris and the outlet pipe is buried in sand, causing water to flood the back yards of the houses on the lower part of Seaspray Road. Foundations are shifting and some houses have mold problems. The Old Lyme Shores Beach Association pays someone to keep the drainage pipe clear in the summer, but not in the winter. The Beach Association has authorized the amount of $4500 to help pay for an engineering study for the brook to find out what needs to be done to improve the drainage.
Chairman Ross advised Ms. Howley to find out what the elevation is of the properties affected, and if the properties are at sea level. The closer the properties are to sea level, the harder it is to drain them. He mentioned the 1987 Swan Brook engineering study and stated that the board is trying to find ways to address all of the flooding problems in the area.
Gil Soucie, liason from Old Lyme Shores, spoke about the same issue and stated that he has been gathering information. An engineering study of the area would cost about $9,000. He would like the cost to be split between the Old of Lyme Shores Beach Association and the Old Colony Beach Association.
Steve Ross asked that the Beach Associations share the information they gather with the Flood & Erosion Control Board. He would like the presidents of the Beach Associations to communicate with him, either by phone or email. The board is trying to quantify and prioritize the work that needs to be done. The town has limited authority and responsibility because of the quasi-municipal (the Associations collect taxes and have some authority over residents) nature of the Associations.
5. Hawks Nest Beach Association Structure Repair
Todd Machnik stated that the repairs have been completed.
6. Studies, Projects, etc.
Tabled.
7. Other business
Dave Roberge discussed the availability of FEMA grants for property reclamation (removing structures and allowing the property to revert to wetlands) and also for home elevation (raising structures above sea level, total building height not to exceed 35’). If the 1987 Swan Brook Study is expanded and updated grant money may be available to fund some improvements. The grants will not fund studies, only improvements, and the work and the cost need to be quantified. DEP requires elevation information for all grant applications.
There was a discussion about whether DEP permits are needed in order clean out the Sheffield Brook outfall, which is below the high tide line and buried in sand. Gil Soucie will check into it and inform Steve Ross and Tim Griswold.
8. The next meeting will be held on December 15 at 5 PM.
9. Adjournment
Bob Chapman moved, Todd Machnik seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 6:06 P.M. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen
Clerk
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