Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting September 2, 2003
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at Memorial Town hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectman Robert Sevieri were present.
Approval of Minutes: August 18, 2003
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Selectman Sevieri seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
CL&P – Request for Rate Increase
First Selectman Griswold referenced a letter from CL&P that provided information about an 11.1% fee increase the company is requesting from the NPUC. The last increase was granted in 1992 and the requested $135 million increase will allow CL&P to invest $1 billion over the next four years to improve the distribution infrastructure.
Appointments:
Lori Sulmasy (R) - Harbor Commission – 4-year Term Ending Jan 04
As stated at the last Board of Selectmen’s meeting, the Board considered the appointment of Lori Sulmasy as a regular member. Selectman Sibley made a motion to appoint Lori Sulmasy as a regular member of the Harbor Management Commission to fill the four year term ending in January 2004 that was vacated by Jay Speirs. Selectman Sevieri seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Old Business:
Town Woods Park – Discussion of Possible Building
First Selectman Griswold will ask Bob Dunn, Building Committee Chairman of the Town Woods Facility, to give a presentation at the next meeting of the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance on a building to be constructed at the site. If the information meets with the approvals of both Boards, it will be presented at a Town Meeting. It is anticipated that the excavation for the building will be in the fall and construction in the spring. The building is to be used as a storage area for Park & Rec and maintenance mowing equipment as well as a small office, rest rooms and a concession area. The Park & Rec directors from Lyme and Old Lyme are determining their needs and will report to the Building Committee.
Pumpout Boat – Activity
The Selectmen and the Board of Finance agreed to join area towns in financing the pumpout boat that was previously funded by the State. The boat was in operation last year under a Federal grant and State funding. The State funding was eliminated this year. The Harbor Master in Chester indicated in a letter to the Selectmen that, during the month of July, the boat dealt with approximately 7,071 gallons of septage from 376 boats, averaging 21 boats per day. They also off loaded 150 gallons from individual boats on four different occasions. First Selectman Griswold feels the boat is getting good usage and is well worth continuing.
District #18 Access to Library
District #18 Facilities Manager John Rhodes has been working on the possibility of an access across the Roche property to the library from Regional School District #18. The crossing would be in the area of the school’s maintenance building, across the rear part of the Roche property as well as an adjacent property owner’s parcel. The school would like to acquire a 10’ to 15’ parcel of the adjacent owner’s land in the back. The concept will come before the library board of directors for a final okay later this month. The adjacent landowner is in agreement. A survey and a fence will be needed. Selectman Sibley asked about the progress of the Grange easement. First Selectman Griswold said that the school and the Grange will be working together to
quantify the amount of land that is needed to make the necessary turn and to draft an easement.
New Business:
Dedication of Police Station Tree for Victims of September 11th
A tree planting ceremony will take place at the police station in the Sound View area to commemorate the victims of September 11th. More information will follow.
Proclamation – Plein Air Painters @ Lyme Art Assoc.
The Lyme Art Association is bringing the Plein Air Painters to Old Lyme. The artists, part of the Plein Air Painters Association of America, are from Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Colorado, Nevada and Washington. The 30 artists will paint outdoors in various parts of town. An exhibition will take place from September 14, 2003 to October 18, 2003 at the Art Association. A proclamation welcoming the painters was read by First Selectman Griswold.
LOL High School Planetarium – Mars Observation Dates
News releases will follow concerning times when citizens may be able to use the planetarium at the Lyme-Old Lyme High School to observe Mars.
Public Comment:
Russ Carlo of Swan Avenue asked if a permit was issued for the upcoming motorcycle rally to take place in the Sound View Beach on Sunday, September 7. First Selectman Griswold stated that this rally was discussed at a prior meeting and the consensus was to allow Mr. Marotta to use the town lot under certain conditions. The authorization states only one motorcycle per parking space. Mr. Carlo is against the use of the beach for a motorcycle rally that will create a lot of noise and drinking at the bars. Mr. Carlo also mentioned a new program available to local governments called Civic Radar. This free program by the State CPEC offers 24-hour customer service and provides information about how a problem is being solved by municipal workers.
First Selectman Griswold has given a proclamation to the Boats, Books and Brushes event in New London on September 5 through 7.
Dave Woolley feels strongly that the town should move forward to upgrade and protect the town computer services by using assistants and consultants. First Selectman Griswold stated that there was a committee formed in which former Selectman Bice was involved and it is important to reenergize that effort. The town needs to assess the capabilities it has in house and may need to reach out to professionals. Selectman Sevieri noted that there may be manufacturers who provide a program for municipalities. It may be worthwhile to buy a package and related training from a reputable software company with a fixed price. Selectman Sibley feels a good resource for advice would be the auditor. Mr. Woolley also commented that the State police should use the noise meter at the motorcycle rally.
Other Business:
First Selectman Griswold reminded citizens about the Consumer Electronics Collection Day on October 4, 2003 from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. at the Essex Transfer Station. This is a good way to dispose of unusable computer monitors, printers, CPUs, fax machines, etc.
Executive Session:
None
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Selectman Sevieri and seconded by Selectman Sibley to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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