Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting February 4, 2002
1. Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Sibley made a motion, which was seconded by Selectman Bice, to approve the minutes of January 22, 2002 as presented. SO VOTED.
2. Communications:
a. CONNDOT- Improvements to Rte. 156
First Selectman Griswold received a letter from the Department of Transportation concerning Rte. improvements. This is a follow up to the work that the State did last year from the Old Shore rest area to the East Lyme border. The safety improvements include the replacement of obsolete fences with protective metal guide rails, sign replacement, and the application of epoxy safety markings.
b. Memo to Boards & Commissions – Election of Chairmen
First Selectman Griswold sent a memo to the various Boards and Commissions regarding the necessity of electing a Chairman and Vice Chairman each year.
3. Appointments: Tree Commission
At the Annual Town Meeting on January 28, 2002 the Tree Ordinance passed and Old Lyme now has a Tree Commission.
Motion was made by Selectman Sibley, seconded by Selectman Bice, to appoint Joanne DiCamillo (U) to the Tree Commission for a 3-year term to expire January, 2005. SO VOTED.
Motion was made by Selectman Sibley, seconded by Selectman Bice, to appoint Pat Moll
(R) to the Tree Commission for a 3-year term to expire January, 2005. SO VOTED.
Motion was made by Selectman Sibley, seconded by Selectman Bice, to appoint David Rhum (D) to the Tree Commission for a 3-year term to expire January, 2004. SO VOTED.
Motion was made by Selectman Sibley, seconded by Selectman Bice, to appoint Joan Flynn (U) to the Tree Commission for a 3-year term to expire January, 2004. SO VOTED.
4. Old Business:
a. Town Meeting - Recap
1. Dyanne Rafal was selected as the Citizen of the Year for 2001.
2. Jane Marsh was reappointed to the Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning
Agency (CRERPA).
3. The purchase of the police vehicle for $25,000 was approved with the
understanding there would be an 80 percent grant.
4. An amount not to exceed $37,500 to construct a dinghy dock on town property
on Ferry Road was approved. A Long Island License Plate Grant of $25,000 is
expected to offset the cost.
5. The purchase of 25 acres of land owned by John E. Noyes on Boggy Hole Road
was approved. Initially, the Land Acquisition Fund will spend $25,000 but the
Old Lyme Conservation Trust will contribute $12,500 for an undivided 50 percent
interest in the real estate. The net cost to the town will be $12,500.
6. The expenditure of a sum not to exceed $420,000 from the Land Acquisition Fund
toward the purchase of 66 acres of land off Rte. 156 and Saunders Hollow Road
referred to as the Peterson property was approved. The property is valued at
$840,000. An application for a grant of $140,000 has been submitted to the State
of Connecticut. A contribution from two other partners will reduce the cost to the
town of $140,000.
7. The Tree Ordinance passed.
8. The Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Tax Abatement Ordinance passed.
9. The Old Lyme Planning Commission Fee Ordinance passed.
b. Town Forum – Wednesday, February 20, 2002
A Town Forum will take place on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 at 7:30 PM at the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School. This meeting is an opportunity for various Boards and Commissions and other employees to inform the townspeople about what is going on in their respective areas. The Selectmen agreed that one discussion may be a proposal presented by Nathan Shippee to have a community center at the Center School location.
c. Anthem Blue Cross - Demutualization
First Selectman Griswold attended a meeting with Blue Cross Anthem in which it was stated that the members of Blue Cross before the merger with Anthem would become stockholders of the company. It is a conversion of the equity from the mutual owners to the stockholders. The value of the stock is approximately $450,000 to $500,000 and may be shared between District #18 and the Towns of Lyme and Old Lyme. The Business Manager of District #18 reported that the stock certificate should be received within a few days and will then be delivered to the broker and sold. The proceeds from the sale of the stock will not be shared with various employees of the school and towns.
d. Town Beach Access
The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that under the rights of assembly and freedom of speech, all citizens may use public beach areas regardless of their origin. The Selectmen attended a discussion on the topic with other shoreline mayors, selectmen and other officials to share and review the new municipal beach access plans. Selectman Bice felt the meeting was informative regarding court rulings, public access, parks, and user fees. First Selectman Griswold stated that more advice is necessary. The town will need a policy in place to prepare for the summer. Selectman Sibley added that Sen. Melodie Peters suggested that a draft proposal by the town could be reviewed by officials in Hartford.
e. Pedestrian Crossing Light – Lyme Art Academy
First Selectman Griswold reported that the Connecticut Traffic Signal Company in Old Saybrook estimates it will cost $9,750 to furnish and install a flashing sign lighting system at the crosswalk. One possibility could be to share the cost with the Art Academy. More information will follow.
5. New Business:
a. Governor’s Domestic Preparedness Meeting
The Office of Emergency Management had a Governor’s Domestic Preparedness
Meeting. First Selectman Griswold feels the State of Connecticut is well prepared for emergencies. Connecticut labs are able to handle any suspect materials and analyze
for anthrax, etc. The State of Connecticut has filed for Federal grants which will be used
primarily for the larger cities for additional equipment and staffing.
b. Senator Melodie Peters
Senator Melodie Peters supports relief from the interim revaluation cost burden. Physical revaluation is every 12 years but on the other two 4-year intervals there is a statistical or interim revaluation. Although there is not a physical inspection, the revaluation company must perform an analysis. The recent Old Lyme revaluation cost the town $320,000. The Assessor estimates that an interim revaluation will cost $130,000. If it can be proven that the variations are not great, it would not be necessary to go through this expensive process.
Senator Peters does not believe that the State’s economic problems will cut funding for open space. The funding may not be increased but the levels at the present time will be continued.
There has been confusion about voting machine technology. Old Lyme must look at the cost benefit of either acquiring a building and keeping the old machines or evaluating the optical scanner machine.
Senator Peters suggested a meeting with a representative from the telephone company to get information concerning a DSL hookup which would accelerate the ability to get online.
Senator Peters supports the repeal of preemptive language concerning smoking at the request of the American Cancer Society. First Selectman Griswold will speak with Rep. Gary Orefice for his views on this matter.
c. District #18 Budget Presentation
The Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance attended a Board of Education budget presentation. The budget, including the debt service associated with the borrowing for the building additions, will be increased by 9.5 percent this year. The operating budget will increase 7.1%. The salaries will increase 4.9% and non-certified positions will increase 10.9%. The administrative budget will increase 30.7 percent. Benefits will increase 15.1%. Plant operation and maintenance will increase by 26.8%. The Board of Education hearing to present the budget to the district voters will be in April, 2002 and the vote will be in May, 2002.
d. Town Mass Casualty Drill – May 5, 2002
The Ambulance and Fire Departments are interested in conducting a mass casualty drill.
The plan is to use an Amtrak railroad car to simulate a train wreck. A test would be conducted in which our emergency personnel would respond to a mass casualty involving 50 to 60 victims. Neighboring towns would be involved as well as the hospitals, the clinic, Life Star, State Police helicopter. The purpose is to present a realistic emergency which would be evaluated.
e. Town Grand List Growth
The grand list has increased $13,170,030 (1.5%) according to the Town Assessor.
f. Newsletter
The newsletter will be available the middle of February and will feature an article on the Citizen of the Year Dyanne Rafal.
g. Propane Tank Disposal Fees
The waste hauler reports that propane tanks are too hazardous to put into the recycling
bin. The new policy for recycling a charcoal grill propane tank at the landfill will cost $3.00. The small butane tank charge is $1.00. The 20-pound tank will cost $20.00.
6. Public Comment:
George James of the Open Space Committee and Ted Crosby of the Old Lyme Conservation Trust presented information on two parcels of land totaling 270 acres
which could be put into open space. The two parcels were part of the Champlain Farm
before being split by I-95. The larger plot consists of 204 acres south of the highway with trails and public access from Whippoorwill Road, Library Lane and Meetinghouse Lane. It is appraised at $857,000. The other parcel is 65 acres located north of the highway that has been partially developed into condominiums. It is appraised at $480,000. The properties are close to other large tracts that are part of open space.
The Board of Selectmen agreed they needed more information on financing but did support adding this land to open space.
President of Miami Beach Association Peter Grimaldi stated that four-wheel drive vehicles on the beach have become a problem. They enter at Sound View Beach. and race up and down, digging the beach up. He feels it is a dangerous situation. He would like to see an ordinance to prohibit the vehicles on the beach. First Selectman Griswold stated he would speak with the police and try to come up with a solution with existing regulations. He will speak with the Town Attorney.
Peter Grimaldi also expressed his concern about the jetty at Hawks Nest which continually floods. It backs up to Swan Brook, goes through Miami Beach, the parking lot floods and the drains get plugged up. First Selectman Griswold stated that there is no easy solution. He suggested that he would contact the Flood & Erosion Commission. Jack Alexander encourages anyone who wants to get DSL into town to sign up with every provider as being interested.
7. Other Business:
Selectman Bice suggested waiving fees for affordable housing. First Selectman Griswold suggested conferring with Atty. Clarke.
Selectman Bice wanted to know if the town had authority to deal with unsightliness of adjoining properties. Selectman Bice will speak with land use people.
Selectman Bice stated that the next step for the financial system for town hall would be to get information about the function and output desired from each user.
Selectman Sibley mentioned guest speaker, Dr. Mike Riera, co-author of the book, Field Guide to the American Teenager, will be at the Lyme-Old Lyme High School on Tuesday, February 5, 2002 at 7:30 PM sponsored by LYSB and the Community Coalition to Minimize Underage Drinking.
8. Executive Session:
None
9. Adjournment:
A motion was made by Selectman Sibley and seconded by Selectman Bice to adjourn at 9:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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