Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 7, 2004
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Tuesday, September 7, 2004 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of minutes: August 16, 2004
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
CRERPA – Household Hazardous Collections on Sept. 11, 18, 25, 2004
There will be a household hazardous waste collection in the Town of Lyme at the Town Garage on Saturday, September 11 from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. On September 18 and 25th, there will be hazardous waste collections in Essex at exit 4 off Route 9. Tentatively scheduled for Saturday, October 9, is an electronics collection to be held in Essex at the transfer station. More information is available in the Old Lyme Town Hall.
Tammi Flynn – 150th Anniversary of Old Lyme in 2005
Tammi Flynn inquired whether the Town of Old Lyme would observe the 150th anniversary of when Old Lyme became a separate entity. First Selectman Griswold stated he would contact Old Lyme Historian Ned Pfeiffer and others to put a program together that would be meaningful and fun.
Trek for Tech – 5K Road Race & Walk on September 18, 2004
The Trek for Tech Run will occur on Saturday, September 18, 2004 beginning at 9:00 A.M. at the Middle School and will involve both walkers and runners. The course is around the high school, down Lyme Street to the Country Club and back.
Richard and Nancy Campbell – Interest in Purchasing Town Property
First Selectman Griswold received a letter from Richard and Nancy Campbell who are interested in buying five small parcels on Hillcrest and Grandview located off Boughton Road. Assessor Walter Kent saw no reason not to sell them. The Planning Commission will review the information. The Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, Planning Commission and a Town Meeting would be required to approve this before a transfer could be made.
Tom Zipp – Bicycle Path along Route 156
White Sand Beach resident Tom Zipp proposed a bicycle path to be established between McCurdy Road and Point O’Woods Beach Association along Route 156. He feels this road is very busy and poses a great deal of danger to walkers and bikers. Mr. Zipp inquired as to what steps are necessary to get the town and State interested and to actively participate in this endeavor. First Selectman Griswold stated that Route 156 is a State road and the width varies. The State would probably not fund the installation of the bike path and, therefore, it would be at the town’s expense. The Board of Selectmen will contact the DOT to get further information on the project.
Black Hall Club – Mosquitoes
A letter was received from the Black Hall Club regarding the increase of mosquitoes this year. First Selectman Griswold stated that Great Island, which is owned by the State, has no mosquito control and this has an adverse impact on Old Lyme. Old Lyme has contacted the State to address this issue.
Appointments:
Acting Fire Marshal – David Roberge – 1-Year Term to July 1, 2005
First Selectman Griswold proposed that Deputy Fire Marshal David Roberge be designated as Acting Fire Marshal for the term ending July 1, 2005. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to appoint David Roberge as Acting Fire Marshal for a one-year term until July 1, 2005. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Estuary Council of Seniors (Recommendation)
Old Lyme is entitled to have two people on the Estuary Council of Seniors. The Director of the Lyme/Old Lyme Senior Center Kay Mannetho recommended Viola Gerber and Gloria Pendleton to the Board of Selectmen to fill the two positions. The Board of Selectmen will now advise the nominating chairperson of the Estuary. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to recommend Viola Gerber and Gloria Pendleton to be our representatives and urge the Estuary Council to consider them. Selectman Sibley seconded the recommendation. SO VOTED.
Town Attorney Marylin Clarke – 2-yr Term to January 2006
Selectman Sibley made a motion to appoint Attorney Marylin Clarke as the Town Attorney for a two-year term ending January 2006. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Tree Commission – Anne Bing (D) – 3-Year Term to January 2007
There is a vacancy for a regular member of the Tree Commission. Anne Bing is serving as an alternate and it is suggested that she fill the three-year term ending January 2007.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to appoint Anne Bing to the Tree Commission for a three-year term ending January 2007. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Old Business:
Lyme Street Bids – Status
Four bids were received on the Lyme Street project, one of which was disqualified because it was late. The low bid from American Industries of Jewett City was $489,355. The next bid from Machnik Brothers of Old Lyme was $719,710. The third bid was from Pond View Construction for $731,689. After careful consideration, it is recommended by our engineer, John Roach, Supt. of Public Works and First Selectman Griswold, American Industries be awarded the contract. The project must be completed within 60 days. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to recommend to the State of Connecticut that the Town of Old Lyme be approved to award the Lyme Street project bid to American
Industries for $489,355.50. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley made a motion that the Board of Selectmen will seek out professional services to quantify the cost of a clerk of the works for the Lyme Street project to be voted on at a later time. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Roche Property – Closing Date
The Town of Old Lyme has sold the Roche property on Lyme Street and the closing date is September 10, 2004. The money will be part of the Town of Old Lyme surplus.
Town Woods Park – Opening Day Ceremony – Sept 18, 2004 at 11:00 A.M.
The opening day ceremony at the Town Woods Park will occur on September 18, 2004 at 11:00 A.M. Legislators have been invited.
Emergency Services Volunteer’s Retirement Plan – Completion
The Town of Old Lyme previously received a settlement of more than $600,000 from the MONY Plan that was used for emergency services volunteers’ retirement. At a Town Meeting, it was authorized to use the funds for a new plan that would be a self-directed type with each member having his/her own account. In addition, a $35,000 contribution for fiscal year 2004 has been funded and the 2005 contribution will be funded in the spring when the volunteer services attendance is determined. The tax abatement is working well.
New Business:
Public Works Payloader Repair – Discussion
Public Works Superintendent John Roach informed First Selectman Griswold that the payloader in the landfill has a transmission problem. Depending on whether a portion of the transmission can be salvaged, Tyler Equipment in Prospect, CT. quoted $20,000 or $29,000 for repairs. The reason to proceed with the repair is, even if the machine were sold, the condition would dictate the price. Old Lyme will be moving to a transfer station in two years and a smaller machine may be appropriate. A new one would cost between $75,000 and $90,000. If it were liquidated in the future, the town would get money back. John Roach will do more analysis and the Board of Finance will have a more thorough presentation.
CL&P Lighting Grant Program – Discussion
Intel Energy of Norwalk, CT. visited First Selectman Griswold and offered to look at the lighting requirements for certain town buildings. If their program would be of help, they would make a recommendation to the utility company to fund the request. The cost of new fixtures is paid 75% by the utility company and 25% by the town. They looked at the Old Lyme Town Hall, the Public Works Garage, Cross Lane Firehouse, Lyme Street Firehouse, Police Department, and Senior Center. John Rhodes is interested in a proposal for the high school. Intel Energy will return with a proposal.
Academy Lane Firedock – Rehabilitation
The Fire Department’s input on the Academy Lane firedock is that it has to be fixed in its original configuration. The town needs to engage a firm, perhaps the one used on the Hawks Nest jetty, to help with the procedure. The next step will be a quote on the cost
and the co-owner’s share of the cost.
Public Comment:
An Old Lyme resident questioned the grant information on the Lyme Street project. First Selectman Griswold stated that the $489,000 includes items that are reimbursed 80% by the grant as well as items that are not reimbursed at all. The State would reimburse for concrete curbing but, being in the historic district, the town wants granite curbing. The increase between the two would not be reimbursed. Included are the installation of the concrete curbing, repairing the aprons, and reconstruction of the roadbed. Sidewalks are not included. The drainage and engineering work was completed by the Town of Old Lyme.
Jeff W. Flower, architect and representative for the GRC Associates (Marc Cummings), stated there are two issues he wanted to bring before the Board regarding property at the end of Tantummaheag Road. First, the rules have changed for private roads over the years. Secondly, in 1987 there was an ordinance created to the effect that if someone applied for a permit to build on a road that is other than an approved private road or a town road, it would be denied. The portion of Tantummaheag Road of interest to his client has never been formalized as a private road. Mr. Flower is requesting the Board of Selectmen agree that the first 400 feet of Tantummaheag Road would be considered an existing private road. With the approval of the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Flower’s client would be able to get a building
permit. First Selectman Griswold stated he would confer with Town Atty. Clarke to get her opinion.
Other Business:
The Board of Selectmen considered repeating last year’s 9-11 observance. The Board will contact the Fire and Police Departments as well as Joanne DiCamillo from the Tree Commission and arrange to have a ceremony in the morning of Saturday, September 11. Selectman Sibley will contact Rev. Peter Vanderveen of St. Ann’s Church.
Selectman Sibley stated there will be a Sound View Design District steering committee meeting on Wednesday, September 8 at 7:00 P.M. in the conference room. A revision of the initial draft will be presented and a conference phone will be set up to include Chairman Eric Fries who will be out of town.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder spoke with Sound View Beach Association Vice President Gail Fuller who is looking for a letter of support from the Board of Selectmen regarding the grant for the Sound View Community Center. Ms. Fuller has written to Governor Rell bringing her up to date on the events and she will contact Rep. Marilyn Giuliano and Sen. Melodie Peters.
Adjournment:
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:04 P.M. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee
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