Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting February 19, 2002
1. Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Sibley made a motion, which was seconded by Selectman Bice, to approve the minutes of February 4, 2002 as presented. SO VOTED.
2. Communications:
a. American Cancer Society Letters to Representatives
First Selectman Griswold sent a letter to Senator Melodie Peters as well as Representative Gary Orefice urging them to recognize the dangers of second-hand smoke by repealing the preemptive language contained in subsection (f) of section 19a-342 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
b. Letter from Judy Archer Supporting Fairfax Open Space Acquisition
A letter was received from Judy Archer who resides on Library Lane. She and her family are very much in favor of the effort to preserve the Fairfax-Lyon property. The Open Space Committee is moving forward in acquiring this land.
c. CRRA Tipping Fee Update
A letter received from the Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority states that the tipping fees will be $67 a ton which is up from $51 a ton, a difference of $57,000 for the town.
d. Hefflon Farm Homeowners Association
The Hefflon Farm Homeowners Association requests that the town accept ¾-acre parcel at the corner of Pine Road and Foggy Meadow Road which consists primarily of a fire pond and another 2-1/2 acres on the Black Hall River. First Selectman Griswold wrote a letter to Frank Oliveira indicating that the Board of Selectmen discussed the potential liability associated with a fire pond and the general utility of the two parcels to the town.
It was agreed that the matter will be referred to the Planning Commission and Open Space Committee for consideration. The Board of Selectmen did not feel that the parcels were significant to the access of water or any particular utility to the town.
3. Appointments:
None
4. Old Business:
a. Emergency Volunteer Financial Security Plan Status
At the Town Meeting an Emergency Service Volunteer Tax Abatement Plan was approved. The town has been working on a successor plan to the MONY Life Insurance which included disability, retirement and death benefits. First Selectman Griswold met with CLU Consultant Jack Kneale. The town is considering a Defined Benefit Plan in which the benefits go to the retired or disabled volunteer or to the estate in the case of death. Another possibility is a Defined Contribution Plan in which individual accounts are set up for volunteers. This would benefit younger members whose invested funds would grow over a long period of time. The important information needed is how many people are eligible under the definition of the current plan and what would it take to replace the plan. The Board of
Selectmen will be recommending some contribution by the town toward the financial security plan in addition to the tax abatement to get a plan started in the next fiscal year. Some of the money to fund a plan will come from income derived from the settlement under the MONY Plan.
b. HHW Facility Financing Status
The cost of the Regional Hazardous Household Waste Facility will exceed the $250,000 amount provided through the State bonding. The Town of Lyme has volunteered to use its Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) to file for a $200,000 grant for the benefit of the nine member towns. The projected opening date is in September, 2002.
c. Lyme Street Improvement Project – Hendriks Associates Proposal
Hendriks Associates has submitted a proposal estimated between $6,500 and $7,500 for engineering services for sidewalk, drainage and pavement improvements on Lyme Street between the high school entrance road and Ferry Road. The design work must be submitted by April, 2002 to apply for a Federal grant. The improvements will be completed in two phases. There are existing funds remaining from the work performed on the north end of the street, and these funds will help offset the cost of the drainage improvements. Selectman Bice made a motion to hire Hendriks Assoc. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
d. Lyme Academy Cross Walk Light Status
First Selectman Griswold suggested to the President of the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts that the town and the Academy split the cost of $9,750 for the installation of the traffic signal. The Board of Selectmen and the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts agreed. Selectman Sibley made a motion to move ahead with getting the light approved by the Board of Finance which has been endorsed by the Board of Selectman with the understanding that the town will receive a fifty percent share of the cost from the academy. Selectman Bice seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
e. DSL Service in Old Lyme Status
First Selectman Griswold set up a meeting in March, 2002 with Bill Turner who is a telephone company representative to discuss DSL service in Old Lyme.
5. New Business:
a. Meeting with Lt. Gov. Rell
Lt. Gov. Rell met with the State’s Republican First Selectmen. She spoke on the State’s budget shortfall of $350 million for this year and $600 million next year. The primary reason for the shortfall is a reduction in tax receipts and sales taxes. Ironically, the town will be getting more State aid and there will be an increase in the Educational Cost Sharing Grant. Open Space funding will be kept at about the same level, although there may be a decrease in the percentage match.
b. STEAP Grant Proposal
The town has the ability to apply for up to half a million dollars for a STEAP Grant. It could be used for a variety of projects. The Board of Selectmen discussed using the grant for the Town Woods facility or the landfill closure. The Selectmen agreed that since there is a need for additional recreational facilities the grant should go toward the Town Woods facility.
c. Nuisance Collection – Change in Procedure
The Town of Old Lyme will provide its annual Nuisance Collection by appointment only this year. Pickup will be provided as a service for townspeople who cannot get to the landfill to dispose of acceptable household items only. Appointments will take place April 15 through April 30 for areas north of I-95, and May 1 through May 24 for areas south of I-95. Call the Selectman’s Office (434-1605, ext. 212) to make arrangements.
d. Connecticut River Forum – “Charting the Course”
A Connecticut River Forum hosted by the Connecticut River Museum will take place on February 25, 2002 at 7:00 PM at the Essex Town Hall. The Gateway Commission, the Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency and the Connecticut Watershed Council will discuss the challenges that are ahead for the lower Connecticut River. This forum is a precursor to a series of River Roundtables which will bring together the region’s various land use boards and commissions, historic societies and land trusts to address issues raised at the forum.
6. Public Comment:
Jack Alexander commented that the Board of Directors of CRRA will be meeting on Thursday, February 21, 2002. He feels that small towns should be represented at the Board of Directors meeting to emphasize that this is a State obligation and the State did not handle it properly. Therefore, the State should put in the money needed to keep our tipping rates from increasing.
At the forum there will be a proclamation presentation for the Girl Scouts 90th anniversary.
7. Other Business:
The next Board of Selectmen meeting scheduled for Monday, March 4, 2002 will be cancelled.
8. Executive Session:
None
9. Adjournment:
A motion was made by Selectman Sibley and seconded by Selectman Bice to adjourn at 7:00 PM
.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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