Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Monday, September 20, 2004
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, September 20, 2004 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of Minutes: September 7, 2004
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
Sound View Community Center – Support of New Grant
First Selectman Griswold read a letter he drafted to Mark Ryan, Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, regarding the Sound View Community Center grant that had been previously rescinded by the State of Connecticut. In his letter, First Selectman Griswold outlined the purpose of the Center as well as the steps taken before the grant was rescinded and requested that the State revisit the association grant application and approve the needed funds. The Board of Selectmen agreed with the contents of the letter.
Ned Pfeiffer – Town Historian – 150th Year Anniversary of Town Incorp.
First Selectman Griswold sent a letter to Town Historian Ned Pfeiffer regarding a possible 150-year celebration of the anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Old Lyme. The year on the town seal is 1665 which is the date Old Lyme separated from Old Saybrook. The incorporation date was May, 1855.
Appointments:
None
Old Business:
Lyme Street Bids – Update
American Industry bid was $230,000 less than the next highest bidder for the Lyme Street project and $100,000 less than the Old Lyme engineer’s estimate. A meeting was held with the town’s engineering firm, Tony Hendriks, Lee Rowley, John Roach and representatives from American Industry. The town is now waiting for notification from the DOT for clearance to award the bid. Work will begin soon after signing the contract and will take approximately 60 days to complete.
Church Corner – Presentation to Historic District
Representatives from the Church Corner Committee met with the Historic District Commission and presented a rendition of the revised plan. The plan was favorably received. There will be a neighborhood meeting with the affected property owners on Lyme Street and Ferry Road when the plan incorporates all that has been discussed.
Town Woods Park – Opening Ceremony
On Sunday, September 19, 2004 an opening ceremony took place at the Town Woods Park. The Old Saybrook Rotary Club donated $1,000 to the project and will be earmarked for the purchase of a soccer goal. Sen. Daily, Rep. Giuliano, First Selectman Griswold and Committee Chairman Bob Dunn spoke at the ceremony. Refreshments were served. The two towns have submitted a STEAP grant for $290,000 each for Phase II which are the two baseball/softball fields.
Roche Property Closing – Friday, September 10, 2004
The Roche property closing occurred on Friday, September 10, 2004 and the town received the balance of $400,000 plus an adjustment for the oil.
Sound View Design District – Update
Selectman Sibley reported that a SVDD meeting was held on September 8, 2004. The committee went through a revision by Chairman Eric Fries of a draft by Linda Krause. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at 7:00 P.M. at the Sound View Community Center. When the fine details are worked out, the Board of Selectmen will be presented with information for their consideration. Selectman Sibley will recommend to the Board of Selectmen that the Zoning attorney review the information before the SVDD Committee makes an application to Zoning. There will also be a public hearing.
f. Information Technology Committee - Update
A representative from Virtual Town Hall will train town hall employees on a new website program on Tuesday, September 21, 2004. Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that Cathy Frank has been working with the website designer and has kept the Selectmen updated. Selectman Sibley inquired about the updating of information on the website. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that designated town hall employees would be responsible for updating. The Technology Committee will meet next week to look over the three estimates from vendors for the GIS system.
New Business:
Replacement for Officer Wojcik
Officer Tim Wojcik resigned from the Police Department in April, 2004 due to problems with his back and shoulder which prevents him from being 100% able to function as a police officer. At the present time, Old Lyme has two State troopers and a budget for six officers. In his memo, First Selectman Griswold stated there are three options: 1) Offer the position to Officer Dominic Solari, the parking enforcement person. 2) Advertise the position and hire a POST certified officer. 3) Do not fill the position and augment with a TDY trooper for the months of May through September. Trooper David Todd and First Selectman Griswold recommend hiring Dominic full time upon his successful completion of the police academy course. Dominic is a known quantity, has done an outstanding job enforcing the Sound
View parking rules and could continue in that capacity as well as being a regular officer for the town. He is boat and bicycle certified. He would be able to use Officer Wojcik’s uniforms, thereby saving the town money. Trooper David Todd highly recommended him. Selectman Sibley stated there may be an upgrade next year of the marine patrol boat for the police and, since Dominic is boat certified, perhaps he could help in that capacity. Selectman Sibley made a motion that the Board of Selectmen proceed with the plan to replace Officer Wojcik with Dominic Solari as outlined in First Selectman Griswold’s memo. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Millstone Exercise
The nine towns in the Emergency Planning Zone around the Millstone Power Plant went through an exercise on Tuesday, September 14, 2004. Those participating were members of the ambulance, police and fire departments, traffic control and computer operators who kept track of the events. The evaluators concurred the exercise was successful.
Consumer Electronics Collection – Essex – October 9 - 9:00 A.m. to 1:00 P.M.
At the collection facility in Essex at exit 4 off Route 9, consumers can bring their old computer equipment, printers, fax machines, copiers, televisions, VCR’s, radios, stereos, and answering machines. The Regional Planning Agency and CRRA fund this event. More information is available in the town hall.
Public Comment:
Michael Miller from the PICTORIAL inquired about whether Old Lyme ever had soccer fields until now as a town. First Selectman Griswold answered no. Regional District #18 had been the place for Old Lyme and Lyme soccer games. Technically, the towns did not have their own individual playing surfaces. The Park and Rec Departments are in charge of the scheduling and are responsible for the Town Woods facility. If District #18 needs to use the facility, it will have to go through Mr. Bugbee and/or Mr. Winzer. The baseball/softball fields are located on the school and town property. Selectman Sibley added there are three sources of activity – the school, Park and Rec programs, and the soccer and lacrosse clubs.
Selectman Sibley acknowledged the commemorative ceremony took place at the police station to observe September 11th. Those in attendance were Joanne DiCamillo from the Tree Commission, Rev. Peter Vanderveen from St. Ann’s Church, ambulance and fire department members and citizens.
Selectman Sibley inquired about the progress of the new sidewalk on Halls Road. First Selectman Griswold stated that the guard rails have been relocated further away from the road. There was an issue with buried telephone cable near the Lyme Art Association. A paving contractor will put a sidewalk in the area of the Lieutenant River bridge and the Art Association.
Other Business:
None
Executive Session:
None
Adjournment:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:46 P.M. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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