Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Monday, March 15, 2004
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, March 15, 2004 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of Minutes: March 1, 2004
The minutes of March 1, 2004 should be amended as follows:
Page 3, under g. Info. Tech, add to the end of the second sentence, ….for the website.
Motion was made by Selectwoman Reemsnyder, and seconded by Selectman Sibley, to approve the minutes of March 1, 2004 as amended. SO VOTED.
Communications:
CT Dept. of Agriculture – Closure of Certain Shellfish Areas
First Selectman Griswold received a letter from the Connecticut Dept of Agriculture concerning shellfish growing waters. The National Shellfish Sanitation Program model ordinance requires a sanitary survey of all shellfish growing areas to be completed every 12 years. The last shoreline survey of Old Lyme’s growing waters was completed in October, 1991. To keep Connecticut Shellfish Program in compliance, the Dept of Agriculture will place a restricted relay and conditionally restricted relay shellfish growing areas in Old Lyme at a closed status effective March 10, 2004. These areas will be reopened when a shoreline survey of the Old Lyme fish growing areas and a 12-year evaluation is completed by the Dept of Agriculture during the summer of 2005.
CT Dept. of Public Safety – Telecommunications Service Credit
Each year Old Lyme receives a telecommunications service credit for coordinated medical emergency direction services from the Connecticut Dept. of Public Safety. In the past Old Lyme designated Valley Shore as the recipient of the credit. This year the amount of $1,116.30 will again be designated to Valley Shore.
c. Connie Kastelowitz Thanks for Citizen of the Year Honor
Resident Connie Kastelowitz sent a thank you note to the Board for naming her citizen of the year.
Appointments:
None
Old Business:
Town Woods Park – Update
First Selectman Griswold reported that he met with Lyme First Selectman Koch regarding the Town Woods Park. They are waiting for the builder’s estimate to construct the building as well as costs of hooking up utilities and bringing in phone lines. Bids for ground maintenance are due on March 22, 2004.
SVDD – Update
Selectman Sibley stated that Linda Krause presented a draft of new regulations to the SVDD committee, and they were able to go through half of it. There will be another meeting on April 7, 2004. First Selectman Griswold reported that there were detailed comments on certain provisions, and he urged that the committee think about including the alleys within the district because they could play a role for sanitation purposes.
Info. Tech. – Update
Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that she is in communication with two companies concerning accounting packages. When she receives the material, she will set up appointments with the committee to review the accounting information. Ted Crosby is waiting for quotes for the GIS system. Selectwoman Reemsnyder and Charlie Delinks are waiting for information on web sites. The GIS system and the town would have different web sites, but the town web site could link to the ability of the GIS web site.
The GIS web site will deal with data base information. The town web site will handle information on current meeting minutes, current calendars, and each department will update its own information.
Roche Property - Update
District #18 has requested a two-week extension to the end of March deadline to draw their final conclusions of interest in the Roche property. They will revisit the Historic District Committee in April. They are interested only in the property to put a road in from Lyme Street. First Selectman Griswold reminded the group the town would be very concerned about an entrance that would generate a great deal of traffic in front of Town Hall. The Board of Selectmen will give the school the requested two-week extension.
e. Lyme Street Reconstruction Project - Update
The Lyme Street reconstruction project is expected to begin mid July. The work will include paving, installing sidewalks and granite curbing. At about the same time, the electric company will be upgrading poles along Lyme Street. A meeting will be held with property owners affected by the work. Selectman Sibley suggested asking the designer Tony Hendriks about the installation of permanent flashing speed lights to serve as a reminder for drivers on Lyme Street.
f. Rowing Program – Roles of the Towns, District #18 & Rowing Association
First Selectman Griswold stated that the rowing assets should be owned and insured by the entities that currently own them. Andrea Buck, Rowing Association coordinator, will do direct interface between the rowers, coaches and paperwork. The town will continue to pay the staff and pay a lump sum back to the Rowing Association for the repair of boats and incidental expenses. The registrations will come through Park & Rec. The town will receive $1,000 of compensation for doing paperwork. If a personal car is used for towing a trailer and boat, that car owner’s insurance will be used in case of a mishap.
The Rowing Association said that rowers must be part of the U.S. Rowing Association to be eligible for their insurance as a primary insurance. There will be one more meeting to finalize the policies and procedures for using the equipment outside of the school season.
District #18/Town Hall Utilities Connection - Update
A meeting attended by First Selectman Griswold, John Rhodes, and the school’s engineering consultant Steve McDonnell resulted in the opinion that the water service would require a couple of pipes between Center and Middle Schools to bring the water off the school system to the Town Hall. It may be that the town’s Public Works employees could dig a trench and put in the appropriate pipe at a modest cost. With respect to the septage, it is estimated that the town hall generates about 500 gallon a day, and that extra quantity would not have any impact on the Zenon system but it would on the leaching field. It would require a six-inch thickness of sand on an area of 400 ft. x 120 ft. which equals 700 to 800 cubic yards of material. The town would be responsible for that extra quantity at
$20,000 as well as the expense of $6,000 to install a pump and the piping. Projected cost to install the pipe is another $19,500, but Public Works might be able to do the work at a savings for the town. First Selectman Griswold will confer with Public Works and the Health Dept about the proposal. First Selectman Griswold will also check on a water line to the firehouse on Lyme Street. The school is interested in knowing the town’s intentions because paving will begin within six weeks. Selectwoman Reemsnyder agreed that the town should proceed.
Halls Road Sidewalk - Update
The town is interested in putting in a sidewalk from the Lyme Art Association to the area near the Bess Eaton Donut shop. The DOT did not like the idea of a mid-block crosswalk near the Post Office entrance because Halls Road is a busy State road and people might step into the crosswalk area thinking they were totally safe. To put a sidewalk behind the guide rail near the Art Association would require building up the ground which slopes off. The DOT and Town Engineer George Roberts suggested moving the guide rail out a few feet and having the sidewalk on the edge. Some of the rail might be removed near the Florence Griswold driveway that would create a raised sidewalk. The guide rails at the Lieutenant River Bridge might need to be moved back by three to four feet. The DOT provided a
quote of $14,000 to $15,000 for the guide rail work and the paving will be an additional cost.
Regional Hazardous Household Waste Facility – Update
The Regional Hazardous Household Waste Facility will be opening sometime in April, 2004. The construction is underway. Clean Harbors will be the operating contractor. Ralph Eno will be managing the facility when it is operating. More information will follow.
New Business:
Testimony on Proposed Legislation Concerning Boating Noise & Speed
First Selectman Griswold testified at an environmental subcommittee about boating noise and speed on the Connecticut River. This bill proposed increasing the fines to $500 for people who refuse inspection due to loud boats. Rep. Marilyn Giuliano has taken a keen interest and has brought this topic to the attention of the legislature. There was discussion about using some of the boating fuel tax money to help fund the cutbacks in staffing for the DEP and other law enforcement. Old Lyme used to have a boat but the Board of Finance cut its funding.
Departure of Sherry Jackson – Director – Estuary Council of Seniors
Sherry Jackson, who was the director of the Estuary Council of Seniors, has left her position. For Old Lyme, the Estuary Council of Seniors is the supplier of Meals on Wheels, Senior Center meals and Dial-a-Ride bus. There is also a bus service provided by the Estuary Transit District. Old Lyme is asked to contribute $25,000 for the meals and bus program and appox. $6,000 for the Estuary Medical Transportation Service. Lyme and Old Lyme do not believe they get all the services that are offered. The two towns will take this opportunity to resolve this issue.
Creation of Town Hall Building Committee
A Town Hall Building Committee will soon be created to understand the options to the downstairs area. The Fire Marshal and Building Official stated that renovations in a substantial amount of space that would trigger making the entire building compliant with respect to the fire code and handicap regulations. The plan was to address the handicap access but not making the whole building fire compliant. Selectman Sibley feels the town hall should have a committee for the building and grounds. Mr. Reemsnyder completed a survey of all the town’s buildings and the town hall building is sound.
Red Cross Fundraiser – Arrest a Mayor/Selectman
Mr. Griswold said he has volunteered to be “arrested” in a fundraising effort for the American Red Cross. His “bail” would be donations from people to benefit the Red Cross.
Public Comment:
None
Other Business:
Sound View Parking Committee
First Selectman Griswold said the Sound View Parking Committee will meet soon to review the parking situation in Sound View. Any recommendations for change should be brought to the Committee’s attention.
Senior Center Port Cochere
The port cochere (overhang) at the Senior Center is too low to allow the vans to pass under. The Senior Center Board is evaluating solutions to the problem, such as raising the roof or lowering the driveway.
Executive Session:
None
Adjournment:
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to adjourn the meeting at P.M. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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