Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting February 18, 2003
The Board of Selectmen held its regular meeting at 4:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. Those present were First Selectman Griswold and Selectman Tom Bice.
1. Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Bice made a motion to approve the minutes of a special meeting on January 27, 2003 which was held to appoint four citizens to the Senior Board. First Selectman Griswold seconded the motion. The minutes of February 3, 2003 will be approved at the next meeting.
2. Communications:
None
3. Appointments:
None
4. Old Business:
a. Reminder of Town Forum – Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 7:30 P.M. MS Auditorium
The Town Forum will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 at 7:30 P.M. in the Middle School Auditorium. This semi-annual event is a good opportunity for the representatives of the various Boards and Commissions, as well as select employees, to speak about their respective areas of responsibility. Also, there will be a presentation by the Town Woods Building Committee Chairman Bob Dunn who will report on the happenings at the Town Woods Recreational Facility. Gary Yuknat of Shoreline Sanitation will have a short presentation concerning the new trash receptacles that will be implemented in April, 2003.
b. Sound View Parking Lot Recommendations - Adoption
It was recommended at the February 3, 2003 Board of Selectmen’s meeting that action would be taken at the next meeting concerning the Sound View Parking Lot Committee recommendations. Selectman Bice agreed with the recommendations and made a motion to adopt the recommendations as written. First Selectman Griswold seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
c. Receipt of Anthem Demutualization Proceeds
First Selectman Griswold received the distribution of the Anthem Blue Cross demutualization proceeds from Superintendent David Klein which amounted to $368,908.14. Lyme’s share will be $96,241.51. The difference between those two amounts and the whole is $74,903.27 which the school is holding in anticipation of paying a portion of the proceeds to eligible staff. First Selectman Griswold encouraged the superintendent to await a more definitive ruling than an arbitration hearing before making a distribution because he feels the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner and Anthem originally stated that the proceeds were a distribution of equity and not a return of premiums. It is hoped the Attorney General will render an opinion on this matter.
First Selectman Griswold executed an agreement with Superintendent Klein indicating that, should the calculation require a larger distribution to the employees than what has been held, the town would remit additional funds to make it the proper amount. First Selectman Griswold also asked that the business manager share the method of calculation for a better understanding of who gets what. There may be Town of Old Lyme employees who are eligible for a payment but the town has made no attempt to quantify that at this point. Selectman Bice added that when this situation first started, he worked with Doris Johnson to determine the portion of medical benefits paid by the employees of the town.
d. Town Woods Building Committee - Update
The Town Woods Building Committee is working on a bid package to be made available to various contractors by mid –March. Following the award of the contract, work should commence on the facility in the spring. The Building Committee worked with our engineering consultant, Vollmer Associates, and was able to pare back the original estimate of $1.23 million to $1.16 million. Lyme’s Town Meeting is scheduled for February 28, 2003.
e. Affordable Housing – 102-1 Mile Creek Road Not Suitable
The town-owned parcel at 102-1 Mile Creek Road was deemed unsuitable as a housing site by a soil consultant. The soil has traces of lead, arsenic, and oil making any solution to the problem expensive. The standards that were exceeded are not sufficient to warrant the town to take any corrective steps. The site at Alpha Avenue will be re-examined although it was thought initially to be wet and probably not suitable.
f. Hartford Avenue Task Force – Update
Selectman Bice stated that the final meeting of the Task Force will be on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 at 7:00 P.M. at the Cross Lane Firehouse. A set of recommendations to create a new zoning area will be submitted to the Board of Selectmen and, if approved, will be submitted to Zoning.
g. “New” Resident State Trooper – Judd Howes
Three applicants applied for the resident trooper vacancy. Trooper Judd Howes was chosen for the position and had been serving since November 2002 as a temporary trooper in Old Lyme. He had also been temporarily assigned to Old Lyme between July and December 2001.
5. New Business:
a. CDC Cooperative Agreement (Bio Terrorism) Resolution
The State of Connecticut is offering grants that would enable all 98 health districts to have funds to prepare an overall bio terrorism plan. Old Lyme has a grant of $4,458 and would work with the health district to pool funds for a more thorough and efficient result. Sanitarian Ron Rose had previously pointed out that Old Lyme is part of the Ledge Light district in the New London County. Old Lyme has been asked to approve a resolution from the Connecticut Dept of Health which would enable the execution of the paperwork. Resolved, that First Selectman Timothy Griswold of Old Lyme, is authorized to make, execute and approve on behalf of the Town of Old Lyme and all contracts and amendments thereof with the State of Connecticut Dept of Public Health to the contract for bio terrorism preparedness. Selectman Bice made a motion to authorize First Selectman Timothy Griswold to sign the resolution. First Selectman Griswold seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
6. Public Comment:
None
7. Other Business
Selectman Tom Bice stated that the letter the Board of Selectmen wrote regarding the computers has been circulated to the various Boards and Commissions and he will begin interviewing next week.
8. Executive Session:
None
9. Adjournment:
Following the adjournment of this meeting, the Selectmen will review the town fiscal year 2004 budget. A motion was made by Selectman Bice and seconded by First Selectman Griswold to adjourn at 4:28P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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