Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting November 4, 2002
The Board of Selectmen held its regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, November 4, 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 October 21, 2002 as written. Selectman Bice seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications:
a. Town of Westbrook – Ice Rink Proposal
First Selectman Griswold received a letter from the first selectman of Westbrook asking if the town (Board of Selectmen, Board of Education and Park & Rec) would have an interest in an ice skating rink if one were built in Westbrook. Assuming there is no financial implications to the Town of Old Lyme, the Board of Selectmen thinks this is a good idea.
b. Trooper Todd – Bike Safety Program
Trooper Todd sent a letter of thanks to three ice cream shops (Carousel Shop, Hallmark and Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe) for participating in the Bike Safety Program. These shops gave out free ice cream to kids who presented coupons issued by the police officers in recognition of bike safety practices.
c. Andrew Betz & John Drakos – Thanks for CCM Convention
First Selectman Griswold reported that Andrew Betz and John Drakos accompanied him to the CCM convention in Cromwell. The students participated in workshops and other events. They each sent a thank you note.
3. Appointments:
First Selectman Griswold distributed a list of the upcoming 42 appointments available in January. Letters were sent to the present committee members inquiring as to whether they would like to continue serving on the different boards and commissions and 22 responded positively. The list will be given to the chairmen of both town committees for their input.
4. Old Business:
a. Town Woods Park – STEAP Grant Awards & Conservation Approval
First Selectman Griswold was pleased to report that the Town of Old Lyme was awarded a STEAP Grant (Small Town Economic Assistance Program) of $450,000 and the Town of Lyme was awarded $500,000. These State grants can be used prior to spending town money. The supervision of the grant will be given to a representative of the DEP. The next step would be an informational meeting for both towns with the engineer, soil experts, etc. to field question from citizens of Lyme and Old Lyme followed by town meetings in each town for the approval of the project. The appraisals by both towns should be available this month. Selectman Bice asked if the Lyme portion would be 25 per- cent. First Selectman Griswold responded yes because the Senior Center property is split 75 percent to 25 percent between the two
towns. Keeping the balance of the property in the same proportion would enable the boundary line around the center to be erased. If it were a different percentage, two separate parcels would have to be maintained.
b. Town Meeting – Approved Fairfax Properties Questions
Approximately sixty citizens voted unanimously at the town meeting on October 21, 2002 to proceed with the acquisition of the Fairfax property. The next step will be the transfer of the property from the Nature Conservancy to the Town of Old Lyme.
c. Hartford Avenue Task Force – Update
Selectman Bice stated that the next meeting of the Task Force is November 12, 2002 at 7:00 P.M. at the Cross Lane Fire House. There is a contract on the property on the east side of Hartford Avenue currently occupied by the arcade and the El Morocco.
d. Sound View Parking Committee - Update
The Sound View Parking Committee met on November 1, 2002 and discussed how to deal with the congestion at the end of Swan Avenue. The Pavillion is submitting a new site plan, which may ease the delivery truck flow. The committee also discussed adding signage at Cross Lane indicating no parking in that area for beach patrons. The area would be used for the park only. There was discussion about water enforcement with the DEP having additional coverage in front of the beach area. Also discussed were weekend and weekday fees for licensed parking lots and additional fees for out of state cars, and beach cleaning in general. The enforcement of the no alcohol policy on the beach could be taken care of by staff checking coolers rather than banning coolers. The next meeting will be December 5,
2002.
e. Library Lane Crosswalk – Update
First Selectman Griswold attended a meeting to discuss the safety situation at the corner of Library Lane and Lyme Street. The library agrees that they need to carefully monitor after school activities at the library. A suggestion was made that a three-way stop at the intersection would slow people down near the ice cream shop and on Lyme Street in general. The next meeting will be on November 7, 2002 at 10:30 A.M. at the library.
5. New Business:
a. Holiday Schedule for 2003
Selectman Bice made a motion to accept the standard 12-holiday schedule for town employees. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Day after Thanksgiving
Selectman Bice included in the above motion to accept the day after Thanksgiving as a day off for the town employees. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion above. SO VOTED.
c. Meals on Wheels – Drivers Needed
Drivers are needed for the Meals on Wheels program. This is a volunteer position but mileage money is provided. Anyone interested should contact Kay Mannetho at the Senior Center or First Selectman Griswold.
6. Public Comment:
Sound View Beach Association Vice-President Gail Fuller and President Dennis Melluzzo read a prepared letter to the Board of Selectmen concerning the purchase of the Emporium property by the Sound View Association for a community center and association headquarters. The building is located at 39 Hartford Avenue. The Assoc- iation is in the process of raising the necessary funds of $35,000 for the purchase. To pay for the ongoing monthly expenses, revenue will be raised through weekly bingo games, renting space for meetings and events, and apartment rental fees for the second floor. They would appreciate any assistance the Town of Old Lyme would give toward the purchase of the facility. They requested money from the Sound View parking lot revenue in the suggested amount of $20,000. First
Selectman Griswold stated that money requests must be discussed with the Board of Finance. More discussion will follow.
7. Other Business:
First Selectman Griswold stated there will be a ceremony at the flagpole outside the town hall on November 11, 2002 at 11:00 A.M. by the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
On Friday, November 8, 2002 the schools will have a program for a Veterans Day observation.
8. Executive Session:
None
9. Adjournment:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to adjourn at 8:20 P.M. The motion was seconded by Selectman Bice. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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