Minutes of the Board of Finance Special Meeting held on June 2, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall Auditorium.
Present: Regular Members: Mark Diebolt, Wayne Devoe, Christopher Kerr, Andrew Russell, David Woolley
Alternate Members: Janet Sturges
Absent: Regular Members: Harold Garvin
Alternate Member: Raymond Gorman, Jr., Judith Read
Timothy C. Griswold, ex-officio
Guests: Skip Sibley, Selectman
George James and Ted Crosby, Open Space Committee
Jack Alexander, Old Lyme Resident
Diana Atwood-Johnson, Open Space Committee
Mr. Woolley called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. and stated that Mr. Diebolt has been delayed and will be arriving shortly. Mr. Woolley said that there are two items that will be discussed this evening, however, the agenda is going to be taken out of order until Mr. Diebolt arrives.
Rogers Lake Dam Engineering Proposal
Mr. Griswold stated that he received a proposal from Jacobson Engineering to explore the deficiencies of the Rogers Lake dam as well as to create a fish way. Mr. Griswold explained that the paperwork that will be submitted to the CTDEP will include the design of a fish ladder. The Town will complete the engineering work suitable for the preparation of an application to the CTDEP Dam Safety Division’s Flood and Erosion Control Program for funding of dam repairs and another application to the CT River Watershed Council for funding of the fishway. On March 22, 2005 Jacobson Engineering submitted a proposal for the two-step project with the amount of $23,720 for the Fishway portion and $44,710 for the dam repair, with the Grand Total being $68,430. A total of $96,800 are already allocated in this
year’s budget and in carryover, however, no additional monies were added in the FY2006 budget. Mr. Griswold will speak with Jacobson about obtaining an additional quote or two on the engineering work.
Selectman’s Report
Mr. Griswold stated that the fireworks and audio companies for the fireworks display have requested a prepayment deposit on a portion of their services for the upcoming show on July 30th. Mr. Griswold explained that there is no money within that line until after July 1st when the new fiscal year begins. After discussion, Mr. Griswold said that he would contact the companies and defer payment until after July 1st when the new fiscal year begins.
Mr. Griswold stated that he received a proposal from Engineered Handling Systems, Inc., in Cromwell for the recycling containers. The containers are of durable quality with serrated lids, however, the unit cost for the containers ranges between $15 - $17 per household. Mr. Griswold stated that there is $60,000 allocated in the new budget for 9,000 containers which equates to about $7/unit. Further investigation in unit pricing will be necessary before purchase. Ted Crosby asked if there is a weight limitation on the containers left at curbside. It was discussed that airlines weight limitations are set at 50 lbs., and OSHA limit is 60 lbs., and a full container of magazines, etc., can get very heavy to lift. Perhaps restricting the size of the container would assist in limiting the
weight.
Since Mr. Diebolt hasn’t arrived yet, a motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Devoe and passed unanimously to have Mrs. Sturges vote for Mr. Diebolt in his absence or until he arrives. Motion carried.
Aria, LLC
Mr. Diebolt arrived at 8:05 p.m.
Mr. James distributed a map outlining the Open Space proposition to be discussed this evening. He gave a history of the area above the Old Boston Post Road, between Boston Post Road and the Stone Ranch Military reservation.
In 2003, Aria, LLC., purchased 50 acres for $375,000. The Town had appraised it at $400,000 during the last revaluation in 2000. A meeting was held between certain members of the Open Space Committee, the First Selectman and representatives of the National Guard to discuss the property. The military was especially interested in acquiring the property itself because the 43-acre state owned parcel to the west was surrounded by private land owner, and, as a result, the military had no access to the rest of their property from the 43 acres. Because the military could not secure approval to buy the property in a reasonable amount of time, the military urged the town to acquire the land and indicated a willingness to consider an easement over the 43 acres later.
Mr. Kerr said that Mr. Pierson, representing the Planning Commission, attended the last Open Space meeting and stated that the Planning Commission voted against the purchase of the land. However, even if the Planning Commission doesn’t support purchase, it can still go before a town meeting with the Planning decision duly noted. Mr. James felt that the acquisition of the property should be put before the taxpayers at Town Meeting and let the residents make a decision.
The Board of Finance took no action on this proposal.
A motion was made by Kerr, seconded by Russell to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. and passed unanimously to approve. Motion carried.
Mr. Diebolt stated that the next Board of Finance is scheduled for Tuesday, June 21st.
Respectfully submitted,
Michele Hayes-Finn
Administrative Secretary
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