Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting June 17, 2002
1. Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes of June 3, 2002 and June 5, 2002 as written. Selectman Bice seconded the motion. SO VOTED
2 Communications:
a. Hon. Donald Downes, Chairman CT DPUC - Adelphia.
First Selectman Griswold sent a letter to Hon. Donald W. Downes, Chairman of Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control stating that, although Old Lyme has been very pleased with Adelphia’s service, the local franchise will likely not be renewed as a result of poor business practices by the senior management. The Board of Selectmen requests that the content of the PFR be binding upon whichever entity is awarded the franchise for our area.
b. Estuary Transit District – Bicycles on Shoreline Shuttle Buses
The Estuary Transit District announced that bicycle racks are being installed on the front of the Shoreline Shuttle buses. (The Shoreline Shuttle is a public transportation service that runs Monday through Saturday. The regular route is along Rte. 1 between Old Saybrook and Madison. Anyone may ride for the regular fare of $1.00. There is no additional fee for the bicycle. This is on a first come, first serve basis.
3. Appointments:
None
4. Old Business:
a. STEAP Grant – Reason for Denial
First Selectman Griswold learned the town will not receive the $450,000 STEAP Grant for the Town Woods facility. The primary reason is the town cannot say how much the project will cost and where the funding will come from. He said the town will be given a “priority” status when the grants are considered in the fall. By then, we will hopefully know what the project will cost and what separate phases will cost. Also, if Lyme joins in, this would be a positive for the grant award.
b. Lyme Street Reconstruction - status
Certain town officials met with the DOT about the Lyme Street reconstruction project. We were told the state wants us to do the whole project in the summer of 2004 after combining two years funding. We see no real problem with that as we still plan to do the drainage work this summer.
c. Sound View Task Force Status
Selectman Bice reported that the Task Force had an inaugural meeting on June 12, 2002 at the Cross Lane Fire Station. The purpose and objectives of the Task Force were reviewed and the meeting was opened for public comment. The next meeting will be on July 10, 2002 at 7:00 P.M. at the Cross Lane Fire Station.
d. Landfill Closure
The Request for Proposal will be going out to five or six firms, which are capable of putting together a landfill closure plan and transfer station.
e. SNET DSL Service
Southern New England Telephone Company sent a map outlining the potential areas in town that could receive DSL service. The area includes the town’s side of the Blackhall River to the Connecticut River near Pilgrims Landing and continues to Longacre Road, Saunders Hollow Road, Mansewood Road. Also included is Stoneleigh Knoll, and across the Boston Post Road. First Selectman Griswold spoke with Bill Ridgeway who is willing to work on behalf of this project by contacting the residents in the area by mail to see if they are interested in the service.
f. Affordable House Site – Rogers Lake Area
The town owns .6 of an acre of land on Alpha Avenue in the Rogers Lake area which may be suitable for affordable housing. There is a house in town owned by Jim Graybill which needs to be moved from its present site. Since the town owns the land, a deal could possibly be made with the Affordable Housing where the town retains title to the land or the town could transfer the title to Affordable Housing. The town also has a parcel on Mile Creek Road. Atty. Marylin Clarke has stated there is a 15’ road frontage, which is non-conforming. She recommends that the town apply for a variance from a 25’ frontage. She states that, since a dwelling has never existed on the property, application from ZBA for a variance to construct a dwelling is necessary. The Selectmen agreed that
the First Selectman should pursue the variance.
g. Town Computer Systems
Selectman Bice stated that there is an official committee jointly between the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen to review the computer systems in the Town Hall as well as all municipal computer systems. They are in the process of putting together the scope of work for that committee which will entail taking inventory of all the outputs of all computers and determine their uses and make improvements as well as review the maintenance costs. One consideration may be sharing computer capacity with District #18.
h. Legislative Study of District Schools
Selectman Bice feels it is time to come up with points of view in regard to the legislative study of the district schools. First Selectman Griswold stated he is interested and will call to learn when the meetings are held. He feels something could be done locally as well as regionally with groups such as The Lower Connecticut Valley Selectmen which is comprised of small towns, many with districts.
i. Property For District #18 Offices Selectman Bice stated that in regard to purchasing properties nearby for District #18 offices, it is time to make a decision. First Selectman Griswold said he has had discussions with Mr. Klein regarding the fact that the house across the street would be desirable.
5. New Business:
a. Shoreline Sanitation – Septage Disposal Contract Extension First Selectman Griswold stated that Shoreline Sanitation would like to be granted a one year extension on the septage disposal contract ending June 2005 making it a three-year contract. Selectman Sibley made a motion to extend the Shoreline Sanitation contract on the septage disposal for one year. Selectman Bice seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Connecticut Energy Coop – Potential Energy Provider
First Selectman Griswold stated that when the deregulation of energy occurs at the end of 2003, everyone can expect many proposals and requests. The Connecticut Energy Cooperative is a plan in which the town itself can join and/or it can join on behalf of the whole community. Members within the community can join at a lesser rate. The Cooperative will then become the supplier of electricity. Within the Cooperative, there is environmentally friendly “green” energy that is more expensive, such as energy from hydro and wind power, but avoids fossil fuel. There is also another source that is cheaper than current rate.
c. Solicitations
Old Lyme residents should be aware that door to door sales of merchandise, including subscriptions to publications, are prohibited by town ordinance unless authorized by the First Selectman. Vendors whose applications have been approved will have a letter of authorization signed by the First Selectman. Those who violate the ordinance are subject to misdemeanor charges and fines.
Public Comment:
Bonnie Reemsnyder and Betsy Dill from Old Lyme Day Care are interested in discussing the Town Woods property and the possibility of Old Lyme Day Care constructing a building for use by Old Lyme Day Care and the Town of Old Lyme for Park & Rec. They feel it is an advantage to the town for the Day Care to finance construction of the building and share space with Park & Rec. First Selectman Griswold stated there will be a designer working with a building committee on the plans. Selectman Bice suggested that since the Day Care has an interest in constructing the building, it should be represented on the building committee.
Connie Pike asked whether it is apparent that Old Lyme Day Care is prepared to invest money in the project for the building. First Selectman Griswold said it is known the town has the land and the Old Lyme Day Care has the funds.
Selectman Bice asked whether the Board of Selectmen will make the official committee assignments? First Selectman Griswold said the committee would be a core group and bring additional people on and off as needed. Once the decision is made, someone representing the Day Care should be included. Selectman Sibley agreed with Selectman Bice in that the Day Care should be officially represented on the committee.
Selectman Bice suggested inviting the citizens of Old Lyme and other citizens to have some concerted effort about reforming the taxes in Connecticut. The nature of the property tax is cumulatively regressive and insufficient as a source of revenues. There should be help for any groups who want to get together and come up with a point of view that might be entered into this year’s election discussions.
Adjournment:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to adjourn at 9:01 P.M. The motion was seconded by Selectman Bice.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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