Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Monday, October 6, 2003
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, October 6, 2003
at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectman Robert Sevieri were present.
The State of Connecticut promotes October as Breast Cancer Awareness month. Prior to the meeting, Representative Marilyn Giuliano spoke about the special gift of life by encouraging women to be tested for breast cancer. Judge of Probate Sylvia Peterson spoke of her personal experience of having a lumpectomy and emphasized following doctor’s recommendations for mammograms. A quilt, made by Pat Chadwick, is on display in the Town Hall and was made to serve as a reminder for all women to have checkups.
Approval of Minutes: September 15, 2003
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Selectman Sevieri seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
CT. DOT – I-95 Resurfacing in 2007
The Connecticut DOT will be resurfacing I-95 in the East Lyme, Waterford and New London area and will be done in sections during 2004, 2005, 2006 and in the Old Lyme area of I-95 in 2007. It is desired that when the project is finished, the bridge crossing Lyme Street will have the same appearance it does now.
Library – Response to Dist. 18 Access Proposal
John Rhodes made a presentation to the Board of Directors of the library regarding pedestrian access from the school to the library. Questions arose concerning bus and car patterns, lighting on the path, expenses on library property for a path, and insurance issues. These and other concerns will be answered by John Rhodes, First Selectman Griswold and District #18.
Appointments:
a. Edgar Butcher (D) – Alternate – ZBA – 2-Yr. Term Ending November 2003
Mr. Butcher was involved in the Sound View Task Force and is a Director of the Sound View Beach Association. His background is in computers. The Democratic Town Committee Chairman Dave Woolley submitted his name. Selectman Sevieri made a motion to appoint Edgar Butcher (D) as an alternate to the ZBA for a two-year term ending November 2003. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Roderick White (R) - SE CT Convention & Visitors Bureau – 3-Yr Term
Rod White has been the Chairman of the Mystic and More tourist organization and the Old Lyme representative for several years and would like to continue serving in the same capacity. The organization has changed its name to SE CT Convention & Visitors Bureau. Selectman Sibley made a motion to appoint Rod White to represent Old Lyme in the SE CT Convention & Visitors Bureau for the three-year term. Selectman Sevieri seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
c. Steven Ross (R) - Alternate – Harbor Mgmt. Comm. – 4-Yr. Term Ending Jan 06
Steven Ross is presently a member of both the Planning Commission and the Flood and Erosion Control Board. He is involved with the Hawks Nest Beach Club as a Director and is Treasurer of the LOL Chamber of Commerce. The chairman of the Harbor Management Commission recommended Steven Ross. Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the appointment of Steven Ross (R) as an alternate member of the Harbor Management Commission for a four-year term ending January 2006. Selectman Sevieri seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Old Business:
Town Woods Park – Status
Town Woods Park is in the final phases of construction. The building proposal will be brought up at a later time when the costs of the project are known. Fencing will be installed around the perimeter as a security measure and the new irrigation system will be tested.
Information Technology Committee – Status
The Information Technology Committee generally reported that some computers in the town hall need to be replaced, but the hardware is in good shape. Tammy Stearns, an Old Lyme teacher, is eager to conduct program training sessions for people in the community as well as town hall staff. The current financial system upgrade will be looked at as well as other financial systems and a decision will be made for the next fiscal year. The GIS system could be done incrementally. The Land Use Dept will be linked with Building and Health Depts. The Tax Dept will be linked with the Assessor’s Dept. It is hoped this will create good customer service improvement. Selectman Sibley suggested that the surveying of surrounding towns such as Chester and East Lyme might result in helpful
suggestions for our needs.
Sound View Development District - Status
Joe Camean, past chairman of the SVDD, is willing to work to get the revised regulations of the SVDD to Zoning by April, 2004. Selectman Sibley made a motion to form a steering committee of the SVDD consisting of Joe Camean as Chairman from the Economic Development Commission and representatives to be selected by the chairmen of WPCA, Zoning, Planning and ZBA with Linda Krause, Ann Brown and Ron Rose as resources for the committee. Selectman Sevieri seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Rowing Association Program – Update
At a Leadership Meeting at the school, questions were asked about the ownership of the boathouse at Haines Park, the rowing shells, who provides the insurance, who pays the instructors and the like. The Rowing Association has evolved over 20-25 years. Regional District #18 funded the construction of the boathouse and currently insures the boathouse. The Rowing Association holds fundraisers and the money is given to the school so the school can purchase the rowing shells which become property of the school. The shells are used by the school and, when not in use by the school, they are used by the Rowing Association. There is an agreement between the association and the school. There is clarification needed about the insurance on the athletes and the instructors and on the towing of the
shells to regattas when it is not a school function. The Town of Old Lyme, for purposes of simplicity and economy to the Rowing Association, has been paying the rowers. The association has been giving money to the town to make the payroll and the town writes the check. Selectman Sibley added that the preliminary fact-finding work that Nan Selvino has done on this issue is a good start to addressing the questions.
New Business:
Estuary Council of Seniors – Joint Community Cooperation Resolution
The Estuary Council of Seniors is asking the member towns to sign a cooperation agreement resolution. The Estuary has a building in Old Saybrook that is a regional senior center which provides transportation and food preparation for the Meals-on-Wheels Program. The Board of Directors of the Estuary believes that the center needs to be improved and expanded, especially the kitchen facility. The Town of Old Saybrook applied for a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant for $750,000. First Selectman Griswold read the cooperation agreement that states our town supports the application of the grant. It does not obligate the town to any additional current expense. Town Attorney Marylin Clarke has read it over. Selectman Sibley made a motion to sign the joint community resolution.
Selectman Sevieri seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Match Coalition – Smoking Ban Resolution
The town received a request from the Match Coalition to talk about the smoking ban. The Coalition thanked the State of Connecticut for ending smoking in restaurants and bars. It is a two-step process. The bars that do not have café licenses must have a no smoking environment as of Oct 1. Those with café permits will end smoking April 1, 2004.
National Federation of the Blind – October as Meet the Blind Month
The town received a request from the National Federation of the Blind recognizing October as Meet the Blind month. People should be made aware of the needs of the blind and the white cane and dog serve as reminders.
Millstone Power Station – Regional/State Economic Impact Study
The Dominion Power Plant held a reception at which municipal officials were invited to learn more about the impact of Millstone on our economy. Millstone is largest employer in Waterford. It has a $515,000,000 impact on the New London county and a $585,000,000 impact on the State of Connecticut. There are 1464 employees. Millstone generates approx. one half of the power for Connecticut and 12 percent of the electrical needs of New England. Nuclear Power Plants operate in 31 states, and it is estimated they supply electricity to one in every five homes and businesses. The meeting was an attempt to heighten the awareness as to the importance of Millstone. This and more information will be available at the library.
Public Comment:
Pat McCarthy, the Democrat Registrar of Voters, reminded citizens of the special voter making session on Saturday, October 18, 2003 from 10:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. and on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 from 9:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. Any mail-in registrations must be received by October 21. On November 3, 2003, the day before the election, a special session will be held only for those who turn age 18, have just become citizens, or have just moved into town. Pat was please to comment that 45 students registered at the voter registration session at the high school.
David Woolley complimented the Board of Selectmen for following through on his previous questions to the Board about the town information technology. He was invited to attend a meeting by the information technology committee and pleased to see members with varied backgrounds. Mr. Woolley also commented on the dangerous situation of the five lanes on the bridge narrowing to two lanes on I-95. He stated that accidents happen frequently, especially in the summer, resulting in an overflow of traffic on Rte. 156 and Rte. 1. He feels the Selectmen should speak with a representative from the DOT about necessity of another lane in the northbound direction. First Selectman Griswold stated he would have a session with the DOT representative and invite Mr. Woolley to attend. Dave Woolley also asked if the Selectmen
would take a hands-on role in the SVDD steering committee. First Selectman Griswold responded he did not provide for Selectmen representation, but the Board will be involved by attending the meetings. The meetings are open to the public.
Other Business:
None
Executive Session:
None
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Selectman Sibley and seconded by Selectman Sevieri to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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