Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting August 18, 2003
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, August 18, 2003 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold and Selectman Skip Sibley were present.
First Selectman Griswold thanked Russ Gomes of the Lyme/Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce who was instrumental in preparing a special banner from the Chamber that will be sent to the 325th Military Intelligence Battalion serving in Iraq. They are based in East Windsor, Connecticut and are currently at the Baghdad Airport. Mr. Gomes explained that Corey Gillette, who is serving with this Battalion and was a 1999 graduate of Old Lyme High School, requested a banner when asked what could be sent to him. The banner was signed by the high school students as well as high profile personnel. There are also pictures, signatures and comments from Chuck Yeager of the U. S. Space Program, the WASPS (Women Air Force Service Pilots), military pilots who were in the first combats in Iraq, the Blue Angels,
some members of the Green Bay Packers, and others.
Approval of Minutes: August 4, 2003
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes as written. First Selectman Griswold seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications: None
3. Appointments:
a. Michael Mackey (U) – Harbor Commission – 4 yr. Term Ending January 2004
b. Michael Magee (U) – Harbor Commission – Alternate 4 yr. Ending Jan 2004
Chairman Norman Hewitt recommended Michael Mackey be moved from an alternate position to a regular member of the Harbor Commission. He also recommended that Michael Magee (U) fill the position of alternate. Mr. Magee was also recommended by Dave McCulloch. He is a carpenter and built his own 26 ft. sailing trimaran.
Selectman Sibley made a motion to appoint Michael Mackey (U) from alternate to regular member and to appoint Michael Magee as an alternate. First Selectman Griswold seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
3. Old Business:
Interim Selectman Appointment of– Term Ending November 18, 2003
First Selectman Griswold placed the name of Robert Sevieri as interim Selectman. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion for discussion purposes. He has an extensive background in food service and is chairman of both R.J.S Associates and Restaurant Design & Equipment Corp. He has lived in Old Lyme for 35 years. He has not served on other boards or commissions and is not seeking political office. First Selectman Griswold called for a vote on the motion to have Robert Sevieri serve as interim Selectman from now until November 18, 2003. All in favor: unanimous. SO VOTED.
First Selectman Griswold, as Justice of the Peace, administered the oath of office to Mr. Sevieri.
Town Woods Park – Discussion of Possible Building
The contractors, Machnik Brothers, indicated that some money could be saved if some site work could be done in the fall before the machinery is removed from the site. From a financial standpoint, it will be necessary to review the budget to ascertain if there will be adequate money left over to construct a building. Also, the size and description of the building have to be finalized. More information will be given at the next meeting.
Ames Property – Recommendation to Approve Acquisition
Steven Ames, who owns property on Whippoorwill Road, is interested in having the town acquire property from him that would be added to the existing open space which includes the McCulloch conservation easement, Noyes property and Fairfax property. The town would acquire approximately 71 acres for $700,000. In time, an additional 36 acres would be acquired at no cost to the town. The 36 acres would be subject to a conservation easement and the property would be put into a trust having the Town of Old Lyme as the beneficiary. During Mr. Ames lifetime, he would have access to the property. This would be a significant addition to open space. Mr. Ames’ attorney and the town attorney are working on the details. This will be discussed at a town meeting. Selectman
Sevieri made a motion to recommend to the Board of Finance and at a town meeting that the town move forward with the two-step acquisition of the Ames property on Whippoorwill Road. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Rogers Lake Dam – Meeting with DEP
The Rogers Lake dam on Town Woods Road is safe. However, there are issues with holes in the pipe at the gate which allow water to go into the dam and out the face of the dam. There was a meeting with the DEP and Jacobson Engineering about further analyzing the problem. It was suggested that the gate be rebuilt. There is State funding available based on the nature of the ownership of the property around the lake. State-owned property is reimbursed at 100 percent, town-owned land at 66 percent, and individual landowners at 33 percent. The next step is to send a letter to the DEP requesting help with the grant. In the meantime, the Public Works Dept will work to help analyze the nature of the problem.
Halls Road Sidewalk – Meeting with DOT
The plan is to install a sidewalk on the north side of Halls Road from the corner of Lyme Street near the Lyme Art Association property down to Bess Eaton Donuts Shop. The Chamber of Commerce has been interested in this project. There was a meeting with the DOT and it was indicated that a sidewalk could be installed behind the guide rail near the Art Association property to the Florence Griswold driveway. There is additional guide rail before and after the Lieutenant River bridge, which could be moved back away from the road, allowing the sidewalk to be in front of the guide rail. State funding may not be available. A permit will be necessary to have a crosswalk near the Post Office and another permit will be needed to have a sidewalk alongside Rte. 1. This project may
begin in the spring.
Town Forum – Wednesday, August 20 at 7:30 P.M. – High School Auditorium
First Selectman Griswold reminded the residents that the Town Forum will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 at 7:30 P.M. at the Old Lyme High School auditorium. This is an opportunity for various town employees, boards and commissions representatives to talk about items of importance to their areas of responsibility. It will be televised for distribution later. There will be a presentation by Alan Kyle on the Rogers Lake weed study.
New Business:
OLFD – Purchase of New Pumper
The Old Lyme Fire Department has ordered a new pumper from Pierce Manufacturing. This purchase has been in the budget for two fiscal years. The cost is $275,000 and will be delivered in approximately six to seven months. By prepaying for the truck, the town would receive an interest discount of 4 ¼ percent and also a discount on buying a chaisse amounting to approximately $7,800. To protect the investment, the town could have a performance bond for $728 that would insure anything happening to the apparatus to impair the delivery. This will be brought up at the next Board of Finance meeting.
Rental of Town Parking Lot by Pavillion for Bike Fest on September 7, 2003
The manager of the Pavillion has requested permission to rent the town parking lot for a bike fest which displays motorcycles and holds a raffle on a bike to benefit a charity. Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the rental at the rate of $400 for the bike event with contingencies of an insurance certificate from the Pavillion and provisions to take care of the police supervising detail. The motion was seconded by Selectman Sevieri. SO VOTED.
Senator Melodie Peters – New Resident at Rogers Lake
First Selectman Griswold extended a welcome to Senator Melodie Peters who has purchased a home at Rogers Lake.
Consumer Electronics Collection Day – October 4, 2003 – 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. – Essex
There will be a consumer electronics collection day on Saturday, October 4, 2003 from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. at the Essex Transfer Station. This will be available to the towns in the lower valley area. It is for items such as computer monitors, printers, CPUs, fax machines, answering machines, TVs, stereos, VCRs, etc. It is not opened to commercial entities.
Real Choice Grant Application for Handicap
In conjunction with the Real Choice System Change Grant application, there is an effort by the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education to do a survey. This confidential, telephonic survey questions whether citizens of Connecticut with disabilities are able to participate in all desired aspects of community life in the town in which they live. The resulting information will identify crucial gaps in the integration of persons with disabilities in the community life and identify changes necessary to make communities more supportive and inclusive. Persons interested should call 866-623-1315, ext. 1587 or 860-679-1587.
Public Comment:
Cmdr.Glenn Sulmasy stated he spoke with Harbor Management Chairman Norman Hewitt and was told one of the appointments was a misread. He requested a delay in the nomination for the regular member of the Harbor Commission. There is a person who has served as an alternate for three years and mistakenly was not recommended. First Selectman Griswold suggested tabling the nomination of Michael Mackey as a regular member of the Harbor Commission for the 4-yr. term until the next meeting. Selectman Sibley made a motion to rescind the earlier vote and table the appointment of Michael Mackey relative to the Harbor Commission. Selectman Sevieri seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
David Woolley complimented the Selectmen for trying to cover all the bases in the purchase of the fire truck. He asked if the fire truck is sold FOB Wisconsin or FOB Old Lyme? First Selectman Griswold stated that the fire personnel have gone to the factory in the past and driven the truck here using Old Lyme’s insurance coverage.
Other Business:
Selectman Sibley commented on how dependent people have become on electricity as was evident in the recent black out. He received an e-mail from a concerned resident regarding the updating of the data base of those who are medically dependent on electricity and a tie into the EMS service. Selectman Sibley asked if Old Lyme’s Emergency Management Chairman Hoblin would look into the situation. First Selectman Griswold stated the EMS director has special needs cards that are useful for evacuations, hurricanes, etc. There are three generators available. People are registered with the town. Resident changes could occur frequently. They should have a backup plan of their own. Mr. Hoblin should speak with Barbara McCarthy to be sure the information is current. Residents with
special needs should be on record with the town.
Executive Session:
None
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Selectman Sevieri and seconded by Selectman Sibley to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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