Old Lyme Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Present: Don Bugbee (Director), Bob Dunn (Chairman), Mary Ellen Garbarino, Missy Garvin, Tim Gavin, Glynn McAraw
Absent: John Flower (Vice-Chairman), Nigel Logan
Guests: First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Bob Dunn called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 7, 2016
Glynn McAraw moved to accept the minutes of Regular Meeting July 7, 2016 with the following change (Under Old Business a. the amount of the lowest bidder was $587,000) and Missy Garvin seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Missy Garvin moved to move Agenda Items 5 a. and b. New Business (Proposed Boathouse Lease Agreement) and (Easement for Well at Hains Park) to this point in the Agenda. Tim Gavin seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Proposed Boathouse Lease Agreement between the Town and Regional District 18
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder gave background on the hiring of a new Town Attorney.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported the search committee, made up of BJ Bernblum, Atty. Tom McGarry and herself had recommended a new Town Attorney to replace Marylin Clarke, who resigned back in the Spring. She gave an overview of the committee’s process; they received eight submissions and narrowed it down to three candidates (firms) that were interviewed. They included: Suisman and Shapiro of New London, Murtha Culina of Hartford and Halloran and Sage of Hartford.
All three were interviewed, and the committee recommended hiring the firm of Suisman and Shapiro of New London. Attorney Jack Collins is an attorney with Suisman Shapiro and a resident of Old Lyme. At this time, First Selectwoman Reemsnyder has forwarded the Proposed Boat House Lease Agreement to them for their review along with the comments from Parks and Rec on said Agreement. Bob Dunn would like to meet in September with First Selectwoman Reemsnyder to review.
b. Easement for Well at Hains Park for Private Property Owners
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reviewed for the Commission: In April of 2016 a couple purchased the property at 178-5 Boston Post Road which is adjacent to Hains Park and contracted to have a well drilled based on information from then-Sanitarian, John Sieviec stating that he had received a special permit from the state of CT for them to dig a well. In fact Jon Sieviec had not received this special permit and since his departure, this issue is being addressed by the interim Sanitarian, George Calkins, who rescinded the approval of the well as the well would have been much too close to the septic.
The homeowners closed on the house thinking they could drill a well and now they do not have any water and are currently at a standstill with any work to be done. This is a liability on the part of the Town. Currently this property has use of Hains Park to access their home through an easement. The recommendation of the Health Department was to extend the easement further into Hains Park and allow the homeowner to drill a well in the Park for their use. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder shared drawings with the Commission members. This solution is acceptable by both the homeowner and the Health Department.
In June, the BOS approved expanding the existing access easement in Hains Park to a utility easement and to increase the footprint to accommodate a well for 178-5 Boston Post Rd.
3. DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Don Bugbee
PROGRAMS
Don Bugbee reported that all summer programs have been completed, and the summer staff is mostly gone except for some at the beaches. Don was very pleased with the staff this year, and felt it was a very successful summer for Parks and Rec.
Fall Program sign-ups are on-going now. Fall Youth Soccer, Adult Basketball, Yoga and Fit for Moms Programs are planned.
FACILITIES
White Sand Beach was kept very clean and Don received many compliments. There was a problem with the swim lines which is still being addressed. There were no problems with the facilities at White Sand Beach.
Town Woods Park is in very good shape and ready for this Fall. The Junior Women’s Club will run the concession stand.
Cross Lane Park is looking pretty good with the basketball and tennis courts all being refurbished with new posts and nets on the tennis courts. The boys’ Little League Field looks good but the girls’ field needs help.
Hains Park looks good and construction has started. The weed treatment worked well.
4. OLD BUSINESS
a. Boathouse Update
Bob Dunn gave an update on the Boathouse Project. At the Boathouse Project meeting on August 24, both Tim Griswold (Town Treasurer) and Andy Russell (Finance Board Chair) were in attendance. It was made clear to the Committee that a budget needs to be presented for the project with updates as the project moves along. $883,000 was approved by the taxpayers. $774,816.66 is left for the Project after initial expenses i.e. design work. The numbers for the project are $587,000 with a $25,000 contingency fund. To date – change orders have already been submitted for $760 for air quality testing and $110,227.16 for foundation work that was not anticipated. This is a very large change order. The Parks and Rec Commission was previously told that enough money (approximately $200,000) would be left
for a new Bathroom and maybe even a pavilion, both for public use. Already the Project is over-budget and it has only just started. Tim Griswold had told Bob Dunn today that he has still not received a budget and will speak to Andy Russell asap. It was noted that construction equipment has been sitting on the job site, and not being used. This will be an additional cost to the project.
b. Playground Update
Don Bugbee reported that the new playground equipment is being installed at Town Woods Park by volunteers on September 3, and the playground will be closed for one week. Missy Garvin reviewed the process for the install and discussed fundraising efforts to date. Don will talk to First Selectwoman Reemsnyder about any needed inspections to be done on the playground.
Don Bugbee reported that he had met with Keith Rosenfeld, our Zoning Enforcement Officer, regarding the proposed Cross Lane Playground Project. Originally Keith had thought the plan was all good but now has changed his opinion. According to Don, Keith is not at all supportive about the location for the proposed playground due to wetlands and soil conditions. The Playground Committee will meet on Saturday and this will be brought to their attention. Don suggested that a new location at Cross Lane Park be found.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Proposed Boathouse Lease Agreement between the Town and Regional District 18
This Item was moved in the Agenda.
b. Easement for Well at Hains Park for Private Property Owners
This Item was moved in the Agenda.
6. CORRESPONDENCE
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
8. ADJOURNMENT
Glynn McAraw moved and Missy Garvin seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 PM. SO VOTED.
The next meeting of this Commission will be on October 6, 2016 at 7:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Secretary
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