Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting July 22, 2002
The Board of Selectmen held its regular meeting on Monday, July 22, 2002 at 7:30 P.M. at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. Those present were First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Tom Bice and Selectman Skip Sibley.
1. Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes of July 1, 2002 and July 11, 2002 as written. Selectman Bice seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications:
a. Kostin Ruffkess & Co – Taxation of Benefits
A letter was received from the CPA firm of Kostin Ruffkess & Company regarding the tax treatment of both the tax abatement program and payment in lieu of medical benefits. The auditor opines that the property tax benefits should be reported under a federal form 1099 for each recipient, and he advised that the town could send a Federal form 1099 to each eligible firefighter and ambulance volunteer at the end of the year to be filed with their tax returns.
The CPA firm also advised that cash payments to the three eligible town employees who elected the payment in lieu of medical insurance are subject to payable taxes.
3. Appointments:
a. Resignation of Arthur Sibley, Sr. (R) from Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Sibley is moving to another town.
b. Suzanne Stutts (R), an alternate member of ZBA for 7 years, will fill the open position with a term ending in November, 2003. Selectman Bice made the motion which was seconded by Selectman Sibley. SO VOTED.
First Selectman Griswold stated that a letter of resignation from Joseph St.Germain has not been received. ZBA alternate Bruce Abraham (D) will be available to fill that position.
First Selectman Griswold received information sheets from two republicans who are interested in filling the ZBA alternate positions and he asked the Republican Town Nominating Committee to meet with those individuals as well as to consider anyone else who is interested.
4. Old Business:
a. Regional School Governance Committee - Update
The State of Connecticut bi-partisan committee called Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee is collecting information and preparing a background piece to be presented in December, 2002. Selectman Sibley stated that the Community Leadership Committee met last week with School Board Chairperson Lynn Fairfield-Sonn and Superintendent David Klein. The next Community Leadership Meeting in August will involve the Finance Board, Board of Selectmen and Board of Education. First Selectman Griswold suggested inviting a member of the State Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee.
b. Sound View Parking Enforcement
Members of the Zoning staff have visited Sound View to check on unauthorized parking lots. First Selectman Griswold is working with Town Atty. Marylin Clarke on an appeal process for fines related to town ordinances or parking tickets. The parking ordinance provides for fines up to $100 per occurrence or a second time each vehicle. It is necessary to structure a written procedure that would allow a person who is issued a violation to appeal it to the First Selectman. If the person is not satisfied, he/she could then appeal to the Board of Selectmen, and lastly take the matter to court. Letters of cease and desist for unauthorized parking lots have been mailed to some Sound View residents. Selectman Bice questioned whether the tickets are to be issued by the police or
the zoning officers. First Selectman Griswold stated that if it is a violation of the parking ordinance, the Zoning staff will issue violation notices. The police will continue to issue the parking tickets.
c. Sound View Parade
The parade at Sound View was on July 6, 2002. Congratulations to Sound View for a job well done. August 3, 2002 will be the Sound View Festival.
5. New Business:
a. Senator Dodd – Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce
First Selectman Griswold attended the Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce and Senator Christopher Dodd was in attendance.
b. DOT – I-95 Feasibility Study
The Dept of Transportation discussed a feasibility study of Interstate 95 that would include electronic cameras, variable message signs, and fiberoptic connections. An Advisory Committee will meet six times over two years. There will be local outreach meetings with towns, public informational meetings, a web page, 1- 800 numbers and e-mail. The public will be kept informed. The study will be ongoing during 2003 through 2006. The installation of improvements should take place by 2006.
6. Other Business:
Selectman Bice commented that Economic Development Commission authored a proposed planned development district ordinance for Hartford Avenue. This was reviewed by Linda Krause of CRERPA who had various recommendations. The Task Force agrees that she should be brought into the effort. First Selectman Griswold stated that if the PDD were finalized to the satisfaction of Zoning, and they voted on it, that would be a good foundation on which to build. Selectman Bice stated that it is not yet clear as to what is to be done. First Selectman Griswold stated that he is aware of two developers who are interested in looking at the situation and may be willing to offer suggestions from a developer’s standpoint.
Gail Fuller invited Senator Melodie Peters to walk the area to get her input and see if the State could provide assistance. Senator Peters will attend the next meeting on August 6, 2002 at 7:00P.M. at the Cross Lane Fire Station.
Selectman Sibley discussed with Jim Graybill the possibility of using the structure behind the gas station as affordable housing on the town property at Alpha Avenue. Les Reynolds did an initial survey of the proposed site. The Conservation Commission should test the site for wetness.
7. Public Comment:
Peter Grimaldi, president of the Miami Beach Association, thanked the Board of Selectmen for requesting money from the Board of Finance to help clean Miami Beach. He questioned why Miami Beach Association has to pay Shoreline Sanitation an annual fee of $200 for beach trash collection. When Mr. Lodi takes the trash to the street, Mr. Grimaldi believes there should be no extra charge. There should have been a pickup on Friday, July 5 which was the day after a holiday.
Mr. Grimaldi wanted to know why the ATV for the police dept was not approved. He felt this would have been a way of patroling the beach and controlling swimming after 9:00 P.M.
Miami Beach is having a craft show on Friday, July 26, 2002.
Resident Russell Carlo of Swan Avenue wanted to know the present policy regarding parking beyond the barricade on Swan Avenue. Is it allowable for the service vehicles and/or bands to unload? First Selectman Griswold stated that he thought that relocating the garbage enclosure further into the lot would allow a vehicle to pull up near the edge of the building. Zoning would not agree to relocating the garbage enclosure unless Mr. Maretta filed another site plan. Trucks should go into the parking area, unload and continue. First Selectman Griswold further suggested that the police should make a recommendation on the traffic flow in the entire Sound View area. Mr. Carlo feels there should be no vehicle on Swan Avenue south of the barricade prohibiting the flow of pedestrian traffic
to the beach. Zoning is pursuing legal action from last year regarding the tiki hut, and there is a cease and desist order for the patio expansion. The DEP is working on the raft situation.
A concerned resident asked if nine permitted lots on three streets within Sound View is too much. First Selectman Griswold answered that they are licensed lots and, if misused, the permits could be revoked.
REMINDER: Midsummer Festival – There will be a free concert at the Florence Griswold Museum on Friday, July 26, 2002. The Midsummer Festival continues on Saturday, July 27, 2002 on Lyme Street from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. with town fireworks at 9:00 P.M. behind the school.
8. Adjournment:
Selectman Bice made a motion to adjourn at 8:35 P.M. The motion was seconded by Selectman Sibley. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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