Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting March 18, 2002
1. Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Sibley made a motion, which was seconded by Selectman Bice, to approve the minutes of February 19, 2002 and March 12, 2002 as presented. SO VOTED.
2. Communications:
a. Letter to Connecticut Water – Old Colony Fire Protection Charge
Three beach associations as well as the Town of Old Lyme pay a fire protection charge to the Connecticut Water Company on the pipe and hydrant improvements. Based on Old Colony Beach Association counsel, they believed that fee should be a town expense and stopped paying the annual $6800 charge a couple of years ago. Connecticut Water Company contacted First Selectman Griswold asking for payment and made an offer to accept a 50% discount on the amount past due which is approximately $7,000. The Board of Selectmen agreed to pay the charge which would then be deducted from the yearly amount allocated to the Old Colony Beach Association from the Town of Old Lyme. This decision was recommended to the Board of Finance. The Board of Finance stated this was an issue between Old Colony Beach
Association and the Water Company and so the Town of Old Lyme should not get involved. The Board of Finance decided to escrow next year’s allocation to Old Colony Beach pending the successful outcome of the resolution of this past due amount. First Selectman Griswold has informed the Connecticut Water Company of the Board of Finance decision. The Chairman of the Board of Finance has notified the president of the Old Colony Beach Association of the decision and is willing to speak with the president regarding the matter.
b. USS Connecticut Scholarship Applications due by April 15, 2002
Several years ago the Town of Old Lyme was a part sponsor of the USS Connecticut and a scholarship program was started. Each year half of the scholarship award is given to dependent family members of the crew of the USS Connecticut and the other half is awarded to citizens of Connecticut. Applications for the USS Connecticut Scholarship are available in the Selectman’s Office in the Town Hall and must be submitted by April 15, 2002.
3. Appointments:
Motion was made by Selectman Sibley, seconded by Selectman Bice, to appoint Gerard LaFleur (D) replacing Ernst Breitske who resigned to the Lymes Senior Center for a 3-year term ending July 2003. SO VOTED.
4. Old Business:
a. CRRA – Enron – Update
The Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority fee was $51 a ton for the transportation of our garbage from Essex to Hartford and the disposition of it there. The Enron bankruptcy has caused an increase of $16 a ton, not to exceed $67 a ton for fiscal year 2003. This amounts to a $57,000 increase for the Town of Old Lyme. Essex First Selectman Peter Webster who is on the CRRA Board does not recommend budgeting a lower amount. If the member towns were to pay less than what CRRA can statutorily set, it could create a technical default and the member towns could be liable for problems associated with CRRA. The Attorney General is urging that the freeze be imposed and is trying to characterize it as an unauthorized unsecured loan. CRRA is considering it an energy transaction.
Selectman Sibley added that the recycling of newspapers and magazines not only helps the environment but also reduces the amount of garbage and transportation fees.
b. DSL Service – Meeting with SNET - Update
First Selectman Griswold met with representatives of SNET concerning DSL service. In Old Lyme there are approximately 870 houses or businesses within a switching station area enabling them to have DSL service and 4600 that are not within that area. SNET does not plan to market this service in this area. First Selectman Griswold suggested that SNET give the town either a map or some documentation to enable the town to canvas eligible citizens or businesses. To make other areas of town eligible for the service, a fiber optic cable to a sub station would be necessary.
c. Town Woods Recreation Facility – RFP for Design Services
The Town Woods Committee obtained a survey and topographical map that is important for a design firm to make the best use of the landscape. There were several responses to an advertisement that was placed in three newspapers and requests for proposal documents have been sent to them. Interested firms must return proposals by April 19, 2002.
d. Dogwood Drive Emergency Access
The town owns a 51-ft. strip of land between Robbins Road and Dogwood Drive, which was originally approved as an emergency access. Improvements have been made which include a chain with an open pedestrian walkway instead of a barricade. The residents approve the new look.
5. New Business:
a. Optical Scanning Voting Machines
Recently the town had the opportunity to test rented optical scanning voting machines. A republican primary was held on March 5, 2002 with 55 names on the ballot. The registrars were very impressed with speedy and accurate results. Although there is a fee for each ballot, the machine eliminates the need for machine mechanics, tenders, and absentee counters. One machine can handle all the Old Lyme voters. The ballots go into the machine in a locked box. If the machine were to fail, there is a paper ballot backup. A decision must be made as to whether to continue using the lever machines or use the scanning machines. Storage is a problem for the lever machines which must be transported to the voting site for each election. The scanner is the size of a small suitcase and, along
with voting booth equipment, could all be stored in a closet.
b. Meeting with Sound View Beach Association
First Selectman Griswold, John Roach and State Trooper Todd met with members of the Sound View Association to discuss summertime police coverage, parking, water safety, beach cleanliness, vehicles on the beach, the repair of the flag pole, trash containers, upkeep of the bocci court, and fireworks. Police coverage may be increased in the summer with a DWI patrol which is 75% paid by the state and 25% by the town.
c. Visits by Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts
The Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts visited the Town Hall recently. They were working on badges and were interested in how the Town Hall operates.
d. Hartford Redevelopment Plan
Selectman Bice reported that the Hartford Redevelopment Plan was submitted a year ago to the town and recently the Economic Development Commission added details to that plan. In order to take advantage of this, Old Lyme needs to decide whether to increase town services, or use it as economic returns to the town, or improve the esthetic appeal of the town or a combination. A person in charge is needed to put a plan in action. Selectman Sibley questioned how this would be funded considering Connecticut’s conditions and restraints. The plan needs work before looking for a developer.
6. Public Comment:
Jack Alexander stated that the CRRA was meeting on Thursday and that our town should have a representative attend.
7. Other Business:
None
8. Executive Session:
None
9. Adjournment:
A motion was made by Selectman Sibley and seconded by Selectman Bice to adjourn at 8:40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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