Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Monday, November 17, 2003
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 4:00 P.M. on Monday, November 17, 2003 at memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of Minutes: November 3, 2003
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes of November 3, 2003 as written. Selectman Griswold seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications:
None
3. Appointments:
Resignation of Claire Helmboldt (R) - Board of Finance.
Vacancy to be filled by Board of Finance
A letter of resignation was received from Claire Helmboldt, a member of the Board of Finance. The Board of Finance decided to elevate alternate member Chris Kerr to regular member effective November 18, 2003. An alternate position is now available.
The process will soon begin to fill appointments involving about fifty positions on various boards and committees. A letter of intent will be sent to each of the appointees inquiring whether he/she wishes to continue. Appointments will be made in January to fill vacancies.
Old Business:
a. Ames Property Vote and Old Lyme Conservation Trust Donation
The Ames property purchase was approved at the Town Meeting on November 3, 2003. The motion was to take up to $150,000 from the Land Acquisition Fund and $550,000 from undesignated surplus to make the acquisition. The Old Lyme Conservation Trust contributed $25,000 to the Open space Fund thus restoring a portion of the cost to the Open Space Fund.
b. Center School Driveway - Update
Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals stated they did not want the non-conformity of the Center School driveway to increase by the needs of the additional easement. The suggestion was that the school and the Grange work out a modification of the lot line which would essentially exchange 150 sq. ft from one portion of the property where the easement would be increased to another portion of the property; thereby keeping the property the same size. The road in front of the Middle School will be paved soon and the Center School drive gravel will be paved in the spring.
c. Town Woods Park - Update
The Town Woods Committee has worked out the financial aspects of the project and it is projected that about $150,000 will be available toward the construction of a building. A complete proposal is planned for the January Town Meeting. The plan is to contact various design firms to make presentations in early December on building design and costs. If the estimates are above $150,000, the Committee will need to request the additional funds be approved by Lyme and Old Lyme.
d. Regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility - Update
At the regional Selectmen’s meeting, it was learned that collections at the new facility should begin in April, 2004. Residents of the nine towns in the group will be able to dispose of hazardous waste items 16 times a year. There will still be a once-a-year collection in town and Old Lyme citizens may bring hazardous waste materials to the facility or other collection sites during the other collection dates.
New Business:
a. Congressman Simmons - $150,000 Grant for Florence Griswold Museum
Congressman Simmons was helpful in facilitating a grant for the Florence Griswold Museum of $150,000 which is to augment funds being used to upgrade the house.
b. Reg. Dist. 18 – Bond Offering Statement
First Selectman Griswold and Selectman Sibley attended a Leadership Meeting at the school. A bond offering had occurred for the final bond of three bonds the school is putting out for the building expansion. Previously, two bonds had been issued for $10 million each and the final bond will be $4.5 million. The entire debt for the building project is $24.5 million.
c. Veterans Day – Middle School Ceremony
On November 7, 2003 the Middle School students conducted a Veteran’s Recognition Day. Old Lyme resident Cmdr. Sulmasy of the Coast Guard Academy addressed those in attendance. Resident Cory Gillette, stationed in Baghdad, spoke to the students by telephone. On November 11, 2003 at 11:00 A.M. the VFW and the American Legion conducted a ceremony at the flagpole outside the Old Lyme Town Hall.
d. Sound View Beach Assoc. - $53,370 Request for Community Center
Gail Fuller of the Sound View Beach Association requested $53,000 for the community center on Hartford Avenue to finish the main room, bathrooms, and septic system. Most of the $54,000 raised by the association was used to buy necessary materials. Labor was supplied by volunteers. Gail has sent out paperwork for over 70 grants and the goal is to open the building in the spring. Gail presented a budget for the fiscal year as well as a total budget for the entire project of $600,000. When the property was purchased, the town contributed $19,000 from the Sound View parking lot account. The Board of Finance will be visiting the site tomorrow.
e. Swearing In of Newly Elected Officials – Conference Room at 7:30 P.M.
The swearing in of the newly elected officials by Town Clerk Irene Carnell will be held in the Conference Room this evening at 7:30 P.M.
f. Appointments for Jan 2004 – Review Process
The letters of intent will go out this week.
Board of Selectmen Meetings for 2004
First Selectman Griswold prepared a list of the Board of Selectmen meetings for 2004.
Town Hall Umbrella Pines – Transplant to Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
At the suggestion of the Tree Commission, the umbrella pines growing in front of the town hall have been moved to the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts.
Public Comment:
None
Other Business:
Selectman Sibley commented that discussion at the Leadership Meeting included tying the town hall in with the school’s infrastructure including the computer, telephone, water, septic and emergency power. John Rhodes suggested the town get an RFP from the engineering firm the school is using for the cost and scope of the project. First Selectman Griswold suggested looking at possible crossing points.
First Selectman Griswold welcomed Bonnie Reemsnyder to the Board.
Executive Session:
None
Adjournment:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:06 P.M. First Selectman Griswold seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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