Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting August 19, 2002
The Board of Selectmen held its regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, August 19, 2002 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 August 5, 2002. Selectman Bice seconded the motion with discussion. SO VOTED.
August 5, 2002 minutes under 4b. Town Woods Design Status, Selectman Bice wanted the minutes to read that he objected to the committee making the decision that the Day Care would be given an advantage above other potential for profit operations. First Selectman Griswold stated that there was only discussion by the committee, but no vote was taken.
August 5, 2002 minutes under 5c. S. V. Parking Lot Permit Transfers – Policy,
Selectman Bice said that the statement, “The Board of Selectmen has the option of issuing the parking lot permit” is incorrect. It should read the Board of Selectmen has the option of amending or changing the rules under which parking lot permits are granted but are forced to apply the rules that are in place on any given application. First Selectman Griswold stated that the ordinance and its amendments indicate that the First Selectman or his designee issues the permit. The conditions for the permit are outlined in the ordinance and amendments.
The minutes were accepted with the above clarifications.
2. Communications:
a. First Selectman Koch – Town Woods Appraisal
In a letter to the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen, Lyme First Selectman Koch suggested that the Town of Lyme select an appraiser and the Town of Old Lyme select an appraiser. Selectman Koch submitted a list of four appraisers with whom Lyme is familiar: Norman Kane of Hadlyme, Jim Blair of Riess Appraisal, Steve Flanagan of Flanagan Associates, and Chris Miner of Miner & Silverstein in New London. The Old Lyme Board of Selectmen will choose an appraiser.
3. Appointments:
a. Kip Kotzan was recommended to fill a vacancy as an Alternate ZBA member who previously served on the ZBA and Harbor Commission. Selectman Bice made a motion to appoint Kip Kotzan (D) as ZBA Alternate with a term ending November, 2003. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
4. Old Business:
a. Peterson Closing – August 15, 2002
The closing on the land of Virginia Peterson occurred August 15, 2002. At an Annual Town Meeting, the Town of Old Lyme approved $140,000 for the purchase of the Peterson property. Also involved was the Nature Conservancy, Old Lyme Conservation Trust, the Connecticut Gateway, and State of Connecticut.
b. DSL – Positive Responses
First Selectman Griswold will inform SNET that 176 positive responses have been received which were necessary for SNET to proceed toward approving the capital improvements at the Beckwith Station.
c. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day – Saturday, Sept. 14, 2002
The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be on Saturday, September 14, 2002 from 9 A.M. until 12 Noon at the LOL High School parking lot. The Regional Agency is making a pamphlet available at the Town Hall concerning what waste products will be accepted.
d. Shoreline Sanitation – Refuse Containers
At the Town Forum on August 14, 2002, Shoreline Sanitation made a presentation about the refuse containers. A number of people who are physically unable to manipulate the containers or who live at the end of long driveways expressed concern. Selectman Bice suggested having Shoreline Sanitation produce certified cost estimates for the next 2 to 3 years versus the cost of using the containers and the savings of purchasing another truck and personnel for that truck. First Selectman Griswold stated that Shoreline Sanitation will submit a cost comparison. Selectman Sibley stated he was asked when was the last time this contract was bid. Although he feels the town has a good deal with Shoreline Sanitation, he suggests that perhaps a process of seeking bids every 3 years or so would be appropriate.
e. Town Woods – Appointment of Building Committee
First Selectman Griswold suggested a seven-member building committee for the Town Woods Facility be made up of three Park & Rec members and Don Bugbee as a fourth member, people from Lyme, and a person from the Day Care Center or some other person from the community. Selectman Sibley feels there should be a representative from the Board of Finance from both Lyme and Old Lyme on the committee. Selectman Bice asked whether this building committee would be advisory to the Board of Selectmen. First Selectman Griswold answered that the building committee will work on the details of the project as approved by Town Meeting, Board of Selectmen, and Board of Finance. The committee will make recommendations to any appropriate agency, but
its authority is limited. It will be the liaison between the Board of Selectmen, the contractor and the design firm. The design firm will come before the Conservation Commission at the end of the month. Selectman Bice stated that the cost of the project is estimated to be $3,000,000, which does not include conduits for lighting, scoreboards, and a building, if it were not part of the Day Care operation. Phase 1.A and phase 1.B total $700,000. First Selectman Griswold stated that potential sources of funds to offset the cost would be reapplication for the STEAP Grant, Lyme contribution, $300,000 already budgeted. Lyme might also file for STEAP Grant. Selectman Bice is opposed to giving the committee any authority other than advisory to the Board of Selectmen. He feels the committee
should be comprised of interested people from Lyme, Park & Rec Commission, neighbors abutting the property, someone from the Senior Center Board and Day Care Center Board. Both First Selectman Griswold and Selectman Sibley agree that abutting neighbors and members of the Senior Center Board should be included in informational meetings only. Selectman Sibley made a motion that the seven-member building committee for the Town Woods facility be made up of two members to be selected by the Town of Lyme, two Park & Rec Commission members, Park & Rec Director Don Bugbee, one Board of Finance member and one Day Care Center member (unless the Day Care is not part of the project. In that case, another Old Lyme member would be appointed). Selectman Bice seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
First Selectman Griswold will arrange a meeting with members of the Senior Center with assistance from First Selectman Koch of Lyme and a person from the design firm Vollmer Associates. Also a meeting between the Boards of Selectmen and Finance will be arranged.
f. Landfill Closure – Metcalf Review of Proposal
Four bids were received regarding the landfill closure. The bids ranged from $69,000 to $101,000. Tom Metcalf, an engineer who works for the land use area, reviewed the bid packages. He reported that the two lowest bidders, Anchors and Jacobson, both addressed the items in the RFP. Mr. Metcalf suggested the Town of Old Lyme contact towns for whom each firm has provided services as a reference check and contact the DEP. First Selectman Griswold suggested forming a group to meet on Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 4 P.M. and 5 P.M. with the two low bidders, Mr. Metcalf, John Roach and a member of the Finance Board to uncover issues that might exist.
g. Pedestrian Safety Zone - Resolution
A letter was received from Town Attorney Marylin Clarke which included a proposed
resolution by the Board of Selectmen creating a pedestrian safety zone in all beaches within territorial limits of the town. Section 14-304 of the General Statutes grants the power to create such zones to the traffic authority of the municipality which is the Board of Selectmen. She suggests including all beaches in the resolution. Even though the streets within some of the beach communities are private, the Board of Selectmen and the police department, as its designated agent, have some authority to protect the safety of all citizens using our streets and roadways, public and private. The Beach Associations are encouraged to adopt similar resolutions designating their own beaches as a safety zone in order to cover all bases. The resolution proposal reads that the Board of Selectmen, in
accordance with the authority granted under section 14-304 of the Connecticut General Statutes, hereby designates all beaches within the territorial limits of the Town of Old Lyme as a pedestrian safety zone. No vehicle of any kind, except as specifically authorized by the Old Lyme Police Department, shall be driven or operated over or through any safety zone established under this resolution. Selectman Sibley made a motion to accept the resolution proposal. Selectman Bice seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
h. Sound View Parking – Form Committee
First Selectman Griswold suggested creating a committee that would work from now to the end of the year on analyzing the parking situation at Sound View. The committee would consist of a licensed parking lot owner, a representative from the police, Sound View Beach Association member, Miami Beach Association member, Park & Rec Director Don Bugbee who supervises the town lot, a Board of Finance member and one undesignated member. Issues to be discussed are the parking problems of the past summer, how to work to accommodate the people in the beach area, unregulated lots, regulated lots, on-street parking on Rt. 156 and Cross Lanes. Selectman Bice feels that the parking issues are important, but other issues are equally important such as cleaning Miami Beach and other parts of the area, policing, noise
pollution, enforcement of parking, motorcycles, and traffic patterns. First Selectman Griswold will send a letter to the various parties for their recommendations.
Selectman Bice asked whether the issuing of beach parking lot permits was still an open question. First Selectman Griswold stated that a permit was issued to Tommy Bowers as permitee. The application showed Gary Gnazzo as the owner. The amendment states that no person or organization shall operate a parking area on private property in the Town of Old Lyme without receiving a permit issued by the First Selectman or his designee. First Selectman Griswold has received an application on this lot and will respond to it. Selectman Bice has requested the Town Attorney’s opinion on the legality of the town denying an applicant a permit. First Selectman Griswold stated that another part of the question would be whether the other applicant is still operating the lot.
i. Old Lyme Affordable Housing – Alpha Avenue Lot is Substandard
Tom Metcalf of Land Use looked at the proposed site on Alpha Avenue for Affordable Housing, and he reported he does not believe this would be a suitable place for a residence. Selectman Sibley stated that moving the house from Graybill’s property would have required cutting trees along the way. The town is working for a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Mile Creek Road site.
j. Tax Abatement – Old Lyme Volunteer Firemen Who Live in Lyme
Selectman Bice stated there has been no resolution for Mr. Keith Bayer and Mr. Robert Cashman, who are Old Lyme volunteer firemen residing in Lyme, as to whether they qualify for the Tax Abatement Plan. First Selectman Griswold reported that under the State rules and Old Lyme rules they are not eligible. If Lyme were to adopt a similar program, there could be a reciprocal arrangement between the two towns where any firefighter who lives in Old Lyme and works in Lyme, could get the benefit in Old Lyme and vice versa. Selectman Bice asked whether the Town of Old Lyme could issue two checks for the amounts of the abatements to these qualifying firemen. First Selectman Griswold answered this could not be done as the rules are written. He suggested that if Selectmen Bice wanted to investigate this
situation through the State, the Town of Old Lyme could check with CCM to see if there is a plan that would accommodate a non-reciprocal treatment for out-of-towners. Selectman Bice stated that if Lyme does not provide these two firemen with a benefit comparable to that received by other volunteer fire department members who are residents of Old Lyme, than he recommends that Old Lyme recompense these two with an amount of cash comparable to those receiving abatements. First Selectman Griswold stated he would try to find out whether there is anything specific in the Connecticut legislation that would apply to this situation, and he would inquire of Lyme First Selectman Koch as to what Lyme is planning to do. Selectman Sibley questioned what compensation formula would be used.
k. Community Development Corporation
Selectman Bice feels it will be vital to the work that the Task Force for Revitalization of Hartford Avenue is engaged in to revisit the CDC and ownership of the town parking lot, etc. There is question in terms of the historical continuity as to the legal status. First Selectman Griswold said that Atty. Marylin Clarke is the secretary of the organization. There are annual taxes submitted but nothing to report. It is dormant but still exists. It owns a portion of the town parking lot. It could be revived. The purpose was to acquire properties that needed improvement, to refurbish them and to develop the area. Selectman Bice requested that Atty. Marylin Clarke provide the by-laws and any other documentation.
5. New Business:
a. Town Report – Merit Award
The Old Lyme Annual Town Report for 2002 received a merit award in the contest with the State of Connecticut. Thank you to Editor Michelle Dickey and the Board of Finance for a job well done. This is a second place award for towns with a population between 5,000 – 10,000.
b. Historic Document Preservation Grant - $5,000
The Old Lyme Town Clerk is applying for a grant of $5,000 through the Historic Document Preservation Grant Application Fund to purchase a map file and other preservation work.
6. Public Comment:
None
7. Other Business:
None
8. Executive Session:
None
9. Adjournment:
Selectman Bice made a motion to adjourn at 9:12 P.M. The motion was seconded by Selectman Sibley. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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