Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting January 21, 2003
The Board of Selectmen held its regular meeting at 4:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 21, 2003 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 January 6, 2003 as written. Selectman Bice seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications:
a. Rep. Marilyn Guliano – No Grant Money for Landfill Closure
Representative Marilyn Guliano informed First Selectman Griswold that, although there were sources of State money for the landfill closures in the past, there is nothing available
now.
b. CT Water Co. – Agreement with Old Colony Beach Assoc.
The Connecticut Water Company has made an agreement with the Old Colony Beach Association to pay the past due amounts and the Old Colony Beach Association will be responsible for any new charges.
c. Frank Maratta – Request to Purchase Town Alley in Sound View
Frank Maratta, owner and operator of the Pavillion, sent a letter to First Selectman Griswold inquiring whether there was any thought to the idea of the town realizing extra revenue through the sale of the alleyway next to the Pavillion. Mr. Maratta is interested in purchasing this town-owned 10-ft. piece of land. First Selectman Griswold stated this would not be a good time to consider the option because of plans that are underway in the area. Selectman Bice and Selectman Sibley agreed. First Selectman Griswold will send a letter to Mr. Maratta explaining that, at this time, it is unlikely that sale will go through.
3. Appointments:
a. Gregory McMahon (U) – ADA Coordinator – 1 yr. Term to Jan 04
Motion was made by Selectman Sibley and seconded by Selectman Bice to continue the appointment of Gregory McMahon (U) as the Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator for the Town of Old Lyme. This is a one-year term from January, 2003 to January, 2004. SO VOTED.
4. Old Business:
a. DSL Service – Status Report
First Selectman Griswold spoke with a contact from SNET who stated that the case for the business proposal was accepted by management. There are plans to install the equipment by the end of March. Shortly thereafter, SNET will be contacting citizens with telephone numbers in the service area, which will be larger than originally, described. Selectman Bice asked how that information relates to Adelphia’s offer. Adelphia has over $800,000 for the upgrade of nodes, etc. Selectman Sibley stated there will likely be a choice of carriers. First Selectman Griswold said that contact should be made with Adelphia so they can give more explicit information on their plans.
b. Town Woods Park - Update
Two questions regarding the Town Woods Park will be voted on at the Town Meeting on Monday, January 27, 2003. The Town Woods Park Committee will be meeting next week.
c. Sound View Parking Committee - Update
The Sound View Parking Committee will meet on Thursday, January 23, 2003. Chairman Don Bugbee met with First Selectman Griswold and discussed making a list of decisions that the committee needs to make. The recommendations will come back to the Board of Selectmen who will take action.
d. Hartford Ave. Task Force – Update
Selectman Bice stated the Hartford Avenue Task Force has not met since the last Board of Selectmen meeting. The next meeting will be Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 7:00 P.M. at the firehouse on Cross Lane.
e. Affordable Housing – 102-1 Mile Creek Road – Update
The Board of Finance approved up to $6,000 for various tests on the property located at 102-1 Mile Creek Road. Originally $750 was approved for limited soil tests, and it has been recommended to do sub soil testing. The results should be back within the next two to four weeks. The information will then be presented to the Zoning Board of Appeals in order to acquire a variance on the 15-ft. access point. If all approvals are in order, the property will be conveyed to the Old Lyme Affordable Housing Corporation.
5. New Business:
a. Annual Town Meeting – Monday, January 27 – 7:30 P.M. – Middle School Audit.
The Annual Town Meeting will be held on Monday, January 27, 2003 at 7:30 P.M. in the Middle School Auditorium.
1. To accept the Annual Town Report as submitted by the Board of Finance.
2. Announce Citizens of the Year for 2002.
3. Adopt an ordinance establishing the effective date for tax exemption for certain real estate property as defined in the Connecticut General Statutes.
4. Adopt an ordinance exempting certain motor vehicles of the disabled from personal property tax.
5. Adopt the proposed code for the Town of Old Lyme said code being the compilation of the ordinances of the Town of Old Lyme codified and consolidated into chapters and sections to be known as “The Code of Old Lyme”.
6. To amend the solid waste ordinance adopted at a Town Meeting on June 18, 1990 by requiring standardized trash receptacles provided by the town.
7. Amend the parking regulations ordinance by providing for an appeal procedure in connection with fines imposed thereunder as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
8. To authorize the sale of an undivided 25 percent interest in 45.8 acres on Town Woods Road to the Town of Lyme for the sum of $100,000 and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into a construction agreement and an operating agreement for said property with the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lyme said sale having been approved by the Board of Finance and the Board of Selectmen.
9. To authorize the expenditure not to exceed $1,400,000 for the construction of improvements, engineering and related costs on said Town Woods property which improvements include lacrosse-soccer fields, road access, paving for sports
activities and programs coordinated by the Parks and Recreation Commissions of the Towns of Lyme and Old Lyme. Said expenditures shall be contingent upon State grants of $450,000 to the Town of Old Lyme and $500,000 to the Town of Lyme which grants shall be used toward said project. The balance of the project shall be funded by the Town of Old Lyme 75 percent and the Town of Lyme 25 percent. The total expenditure has been approved by the Board of Finance and the Board of Selectmen.
10. To approve the purchase of the premises at 47 Lyme Street from the estate of Thomas P. Roche for the price of $363,000 as recommended by the Board of Finance and the Board of Selectmen.
11. To adopt an ordinance extending the terms of office of the Treasurer, Tax Collector and Registrars of Voters as authorized under Connecticut General Statutes to be four years.
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve an ordinance establishing an effective date for tax exemption for certain real estate property as defined in the Connecticut General Statutes. Selectman Bice seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve an ordinance to exempt certain motor vehicles of the disabled from the personal property tax. Selectman Bice seconded the motion. SO VOTED. When asked all in favor, Selectman Bice was not in favor.
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the adoption of the proposed code for the Town of Old Lyme said code being the compilation of the ordinances of the Town of Old Lyme codified and consolidated into chapters and sections to be known as “The Code of Old Lyme”. Selectman Bice seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Bice made a motion to approve an amendment to the solid waste ordinance adopted at a Town Meeting on June 18, 1990 by requiring standardized trash receptacles provided by the town. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the amendment of the parking ordinance regulations by providing for an appeal procedure in connection with fines imposed thereunder as recommended by the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Bice seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the authorization of the sale of an undivided 25 percent interest in 45.8 acres on Town Woods Road to the Town of Lyme for the sum of $100,000 and entering into a construction agreement and operating agreement with the Town of Lyme for said property. Selectman Bice seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley made a motion to recommend to the Board of Finance that, if the appraisal from Lyme comes in at a lesser amount, the Board of Selectmen would request that the Board of Finance accept a reduction of payment to the Town of Old Lyme to be equal to 50 percent of the difference. Selectman Bice seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Bice made a motion to approve the authorization of the expenditure not to exceed $1,400,000 for the construction of improvements, engineering and related costs on said Town Woods property which improvements include lacrosse-soccer fields, road access, paving for sports activities and programs coordinated by the Parks and Recreation Commissions by the Towns of Lyme and Old Lyme. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Bice made a motion to approve the adoption of an ordinance extending the terms of the office of the Treasurer, Tax Collector, and Registrars of Voters as authorized under the Connecticut General Statutes to four years. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED. Selectman Sibley stated that it would be more consistent to change the above-named offices as well as the offices of First Selectman and Selectmen to four-year terms. As it stands, the offices of First Selectman and Selectmen will remain at two-year terms.
b. Town Budget - Process
The budget request forms have been sent out to all the spending agencies. The timetable provides that the Board of Selectmen reviews the budget during the month of January. In the past, the budget information comes back and the focus is on the operating expenses exclusive of the salaries which are deliberated on near the end of the budget year. This year the salary information will be presented with the operating expenses and will go before the Board of Finance by mid-February. Next week there will be a joint meeting with District #18. Selectman Sibley recommended projecting three-year capital expenditures instead of five years. First Selectman Griswold stated both procedures should be used. The Fire Department and Public Works might project large purchases within five years and others
could use a three-year plan.
6. Public Comment:
None
7. Other Business:
Selectman Bice presented a draft of a computing committee.
Selectman Sibley stated that CCM is challenging the State proposed cutbacks especially for small towns and wanted to know if Old Lyme was participating or had been contacted for imput. First Selectman Griswold stated that CCM’s position is that there should be no cuts to the municipal aid because it directly affects the taxpayers. The Selectmen’s association passed a resolution to the affect that they would oppose any legislation that required towns acting on behalf of the State without the towns having the finances. If the
money was rescinded at a future point, the requirement would cease. First Selectman Griswold feels it should be a negotiating stance and would agree with a longer-term solution. He further stated that a good dialogue with our representatives is necessary to keep the pressure on.
8. Executive Session:
None
9. Adjournment:
A motion was made by Selectman Bice and seconded by Selectman Sibley to adjourn at
5:20 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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