Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Monday, November 1, 2004
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, November 1, 2004 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of Minutes: October 18, 2004
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes of October 18, 2004 as written. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
Reg. Dist. 18 – Dedication and Tours of Middle and Center Schools
Selectman Sibley reported that the dedication ceremonies of the Middle and Center Schools were well attended. Both Principal Ostroff of the Middle School and Principal Burrows of Center School said the improved environment has heightened the energy of the teachers and students. On Memorial Day, May 31, 2005, there will be a celebration commemorating the 70th birthday of Center School.
Leslie Traver, LOLHS Civics Class – Thank You Note
Leslie Traver’s Civics class at the LOL High School sent a note to First Selectman Giswold thanking him for his recent visit to talk about how the Old Lyme town government works, the job of the First Selectman, elections, budgets, etc.
Appointments:
Resignation of Joan Flynn from the Tree Commission
Due to time constraints, Joan Flynn requested that she move from a regular membership to an alternate membership on the Tree Commission.
b. Resignation of Viola Gerber from Estuary Council of Seniors
Viola Gerber submitted a resignation from the Estuary Council of Seniors.
Tree Commission – Adela Wilmerding –3-Yr. Term to January 2007
Tree Commission – Joan Flynn – Alternate – 1-Yr. Term to Jan 2005
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to appoint Adela Wilmerding to a three-year term ending January 2007 on the Tree Commission and appoint Joan Flynn as an alternate one-year term to January 2005 on the Tree Commission. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED. First Selectman Griswold abstained from voting because he is a relative of Ms. Wilmerding.
Old Business:
Lyme Street Reconstruction – Update
On November 2, 2004, there will be no parking on Lyme Street because the contractor for the Lyme Street reconstruction, American Industries, will start saw cutting near the Congregational Church. The saw cutting will enable the removal of the concrete curb. Traffic flow will be maintained on Lyme Street during the curbing operation. Following the installation of the aprons and granite curbs, a decision will be made as to whether to pave which will consist of pulverizing the existing pavement, building up areas in front of the Old Lyme Town Hall and decreasing other areas. The paving will be completed in a couple of days. If the weather does not cooperate, the paving will be done in the spring.
Information Technology Committee – Update
Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported a meeting was held with representatives from CRERPA who are trying to clarify precisely the specification the town has for the GIS system. The next meeting will take place on Thursday, November 4, 2004 at 3:30 P.M. Computer training will begin next Tuesday, November 9, 2004 for the town hall employees who will be working with the town hall website.
East Lyme Preservation Partnership
First Selectman Griswold attended a function in East Lyme regarding Oswegatchie Hills open space acquisition. From Sandy Point Beach, the Oswegatchie area was viewed. This gathering was to bring together Federal, State and local organizations that could partner together to protect, not only Oswegatchie Hills, but also areas in all towns. Old Lyme has worked with Nature Conservancy, Old Lyme Conservation Trust, the Gateway Commission and the State of Connecticut for open space. This meeting was to encourage dialogue by surrounding towns, Federal government, open space commissions and land trusts.
Lowering Rogers Lake for Bulkhead Repairs
Rogers Lake is in the process of being lowered for residents to work on bulkheads and seawalls. The lake is lowered every four years for a week to ten days.
New Business:
Pesticide Awareness Committee – First Meeting
The Pesticide Awareness Committee is a group formed out of the Conservation and Water Pollution Control Commissions that discusses the consequences of using pesticides and fertilizers both on municipal and private properties. The focus of the first meeting was the link between some pesticides and cancer. Speaker, Nancy Alderman, is President of Environmental and Human Health Inc. There will be additional programs and recommendations for municipal properties for control of the use of pesticides. Discussion will focus on the use of pesticides on the playing fields. First Selectman Griswold suggested inviting a representative from Scott’s Lawn Care to a meeting in order to hear the industry’s side of the story. Selectman Sibley suggested inviting District #18 to be a part of the
process.
b. First Student Bus Barn – Bus Idling Policy
A Jadon Drive resident called First Selectman Griswold concerning the impact on nearby houses from approx. 20 idling buses. A meeting was held with Mike DeCeasar, Chief of the First Student Bus operation from Chester. The bus company leases the property and the use predates zoning. The standard for idling buses in the schoolyard is three minutes. When the buses are started up on a cold morning, they idle longer to warm up and the driver conducts a safety check that can take 10 to15 minutes. When the new contract is to be signed, it could provide for a low sulfur-type of fuel to reduce the amount of emissions. A new location was discussed as well as other solutions.
c. Lyme Flu Shot Clinic
Lyme had a flu shot clinic on Friday, October 29, 2004 at the Senior Center. A lottery-type system was used. There may be flu shots coming to the towns from the State of Connecticut. If Old Lyme receives the vaccine, First Selectman Griswold suggested holding the clinic at one of the schools where there is plenty of parking and areas to come in out of the cold and possible bad weather.
d. Day after Thanksgiving (Friday, November 26)
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to close Old Lyme Town Hall for our dedicated staff and Selectmen on Friday, November 26, 2004. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED. Mr. Griswold abstained.
Public Comment: None
Other Business:
First Selectman Griswold was asked by the Registrar’s office to remind citizens that the polls will open at 6:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the firehouse on Cross Lane for voting. There will be two policemen on duty to direct parking. Selectman Sibley stated that the SVDD meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, November 8, 2004 at 4:30 P.M. at the Old Lyme Town Hall. Selectman Sibley said the building construction at the Town Woods Park is progressing.
Executive Session: None
Adjournment:
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:14 P.M. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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