Old Lyme Flood & Erosion Control Board
Meeting Minutes
October 21, 2013
Present: Todd Machnik, Gary Smith, Steve Ross, Ellie Czarnowski, Steve Martino
Absent: Dave Roberge (ex-officio member)
Guest: Rocco Todaro (Hawks Nest Beach Club, Treasurer)
Scott Boulanger (Miami Beach and Federation of Beaches)
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by Chairman Todd Machnik.
2. Approval of 19 August 2013 Meeting Minutes
Steve Ross moved to accept the minutes for 19 August 2013 and Todd Machnik seconded the motion. The minutes were accepted.
3. Correspondence
Mr. Machnik presented a statement from the Town that reviewed the Board’s budget for the present Fiscal Year. The Board will request the same amount of money for Fiscal Year 2014-15.
4. Old Business
a. Rogers Lake Dam Repairs Update – Ellie Czarnowski
Ellie Czarnowski updated the Board on the Rogers Lake Dam Repairs. The work is complete including the construction of the fish ladder. The area has been cleaned up and seeded. On Wednesday of this week there will be a meeting to go over the punch list and a final construction meeting will be held next week.
b. Swan Brook Outfall Repairs – First Selectwoman’s Letter
Swan Brook Discussion with Miami Beach and Hawks Nest Beach Associations
The Board reviewed a draft letter addressed to Hawk’s Nest Beach Association from First Selectwoman Reemsnyder regarding the condition and responsibility of the Swan Brook Outlet. There was a discussion and Mr. Machnik will make additions to the letter, including making some of the bullet points more specific. Mr. Machnik will email the letter to Board members for their review and input before sending it. The Board will offer their guidance to the Beach Associations, but the responsibility of repairs falls on the Beach Associations. Mr. Machnik will suggest meeting with Dave Roberge and representatives of both beaches.
5. New Business
a. FEC Board Meeting Schedule 2014
The Board set their meeting schedule for 2014 and Mary Ellen Garbarino will send said schedule to Eileen Coffee and Ruth Roach at Town Hall. Meeting dates are: January 27, April 21, July 21, and October 20. Meetings will begin at 5:30 PM in the Second Floor Meeting Room in Town Hall.
b. Flooding on Shore Road
Gary Smith reported that the flooding which occurs in the parking lot between the gas station and the former Cherrystones Restaurant is still a problem. Mr. Machnik stated that more work is to be done and this will most likely take care of the situation. He also suggested calling the State Highway Department.
6. Public Comment
Rocco Todaro (Hawks Nest Beach Club, Treasurer) stated that Hawks Nest Beach Association is not willing to fund any repairs or construction costs to the Swan Brook Outlet. He felt that this was the responsibility of the Town.
Scott Boulanger (Miami Beach and Federation of Beaches) reviewed the history of the flooding problems, and stated that the flooding has gotten worse and more frequent in recent years. Solutions were discussed.
Members of the Board feel that the two beach associations need to work together on this issue and that the FEC Board will be happy to guide them in the process. The Board has been down this road before with Sheffield Brook flooding problems, working for two years to find solutions, and in the end the Beach Associations dropped the ball and nothing was done. It is the responsibility of the private Beach Associations to fund the project. The Board strongly believes that the Town will not pay for studies and / or repairs to be done on private property.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 27 January 2014 at 5:30 PM, Town Hall, second floor meeting room.
7. Adjournment
Steve Martino moved, and Gary Smith seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 PM.
SO VOTED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Clerk
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