Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Monday, December 6, 2004
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, December 6, 2004 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of Minutes: November 15, 2004
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes of November 15, 2004 as written. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
Sound View Beach Assoc. – Community Center Grant
First Selectman Griswold received a letter from Dennis Melluzzo, President of the Sound View Beach Association. Mr. Melluzzo stated that Secretary Mark Ryan of the Office of Policy and Management informed the association it would receive grant money to be used only for septic system and the installation of any heating, ventilating and air conditioning system.
Appointments:
Resignation of Dorie Manley from Commission on Aging
First Selectman Griswold received a letter of resignation from Dorie Manley from the Commission on Aging.
b. Blair Hoxby (R) - Open Space Committee – 1-Yr Term to January 2005
The Board of Selectmen has received a recommendation to appoint Blair Hoxby (R) to the Open Space Committee for a one-year term. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to appoint Blair Hoxby to the Open Space Committee for the one-year term ending in January, 2005. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Old Business:
Revaluation Notices
Old Lyme residents have received revaluation notices and some of the residents scheduled appointments with Vision Appraisal. The revaluation used to be done on a ten-year cycle, but the legislature changed the frequency of the revaluation to a 12-year cycle. The physical revaluation was scheduled to occur in year 2012 for Old Lyme. In the years of 2004 and 2008, the Assessor’s Office was to conduct a statistical revaluation based on sales in the town. The Legislatures changed the revaluation frequency back to ten years with the statistical reval at the fifth year. As a result, our next physical reval will be in 2009. The Assessor has stated that the average increase of our statistical reval is 68 percent. Residents who have concerns should take the opportunity to make appointments with Vision Appraisal on Lyme
Street before December 18 or with the Board of Assessment Appeals in February or go to court.
Lyme Street Reconstruction – Update
The curbing work on Lyme Street is completed for this year. In the spring, the height of the catch basins will be adjusted to the new street level and paving will be done. The project was delayed due to complications with the state and federal funding.
Selectman Sibley stated that Joann DiCamillo, Tree Commission Chairperson, send letters of concern about the damage to trees during the curbing installation. The tree ordinance falls under the Connecticut State Statutes and, when town trees are involved, there should be an application and approval process. The tree warden or commission could assess fines. There should be lessons learned for future projects. Selectman Sibley added that citizens are concerned about the new appearance of the street being narrower. Selectman Sibley suggested making sure the curbing has been installed in accordance with the standards. First Selectman Griswold suggested doing a few sample measurements. Mr. Griswold stated that the positive outcome of a narrowed street is slower moving
traffic.
Information Technology Committee – Update
Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that bid proposals are expected by 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, December 7, 2005 from five companies for the town GIS system.
Town Woods park Building – Update
Work will begin on the inside of the building at the Town Woods facility. The weather vane has been placed on top of the building and the clock has been ordered. The work is expected to be completed by March 15, 2005. Signage for the park is finished and will be put up at a later time. Money is being raised for the installation of the playground equipment by selling bricks inscribed with names. The Town Woods Park committee will meet on December 18, 2004 at 9:00 A.M. The Field House committee has been working on identifying a data base to send letters of solicitation to raise money for tables, chairs, pots, pans, etc for the inside of the building.
Church Corner Committee – Update
The Church Corner committee met last week to review comments during the neighborhood meeting. It was decided to add two neighborhood citizens to the committee. The project costs can be estimated when more formal plans are made.
Appointments – Status
Responses have been received from letters sent out by the Board of Selectmen to committee and commission members. First Selectman Griswold intends to share the list of vacancies with the Town Committee Chairmen for input.
New Business:
Sound View Community Center – Parking on Bocce Lane Property Request
Sound View Beach Assn. President Dennis Melluzzo reported that the association was awarded a grant in the amount of $52,000 from the State for septic, heat and air conditioning for the Community Center. Mr. Melluzzo hopes the bid packages will be within the dollar amount allowed by the State grant money. The next important project
for the center is to get bathrooms in and working followed by installing the kitchen and smaller meeting room. First Selectman Griswold had spoken with ZEO Ann Brown about parking on the town’s bocce property. She felt the property could be part of the right of way and that would facilitate zoning issues. First Selectman Griswold said a problem of fairness could arise for other commercial property owners if the Community Center tenant uses the bocce property for parking. During the summer, it could be difficult to restrict that property for the tenant as opposed to the public. Signage would be needed.
Gail Fuller stated that Zoning would now only allow offices for the association in the upstairs section of the building. The association will have to file a change of usage with ZBA. It is necessary to having parking before going the Zoning. Once parking is established and ZBA changes the usage, then the upstairs can be structured.
First Selectman Griswold stated that one thing to be resolved with Atty. Marylin Clarke is whether calling the bocce property part of a right of way would lead to criticism for trying to go around Zoning. Parallel parking for three or four cars would be less complicated than using the area for ten cars. Selectman Sibley suggested talking with ZBA and Zoning as well as Atty. Marylin Clarke about the parking ideas. First Selectman Griswold suggested getting a diagram of the lot indicating parking spaces.
Reg. District #18 – Budget Meeting
At a meeting with District #18, Superintendent David Klein talked about trends, teacher contracts, and administrator’s contracts. The contracts have to be solidified by June, 2006. A high school renovation report is due out in June, 2005. The enrollment projections will go from 1600 presently to 1553 students in 2006. The central office is renting space and is currently in the fourth year of a five-year lease. The estimate for the 2005-06 budget is 4.6 percent increase or $1,100,000. Selectwoman Reemsnyder said the kindergarten class was larger than projected. The utilities made an impact on the budget. Selectman Sibley said it was noteworthy that several towns are voicing their opinions and dissatisfaction with the amount of State money not coming back in the form of
educational aid.
c. Board of Selectmen – Meeting Schedule
First Selectman Griswold distributed a meeting schedule for 2005 to the Board of Selectmen. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to approve the Board of Selectmen’s meeting schedule as handed out. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
d Town Government Holiday Schedule for 2005
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to accept the holiday schedule for 2005. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Public Comment:
None
Other Business:
Selectman Sibley reminded the public that an SVDD meeting would be held on Monday, December 13, 2004 at 4:00 P.M.
First Selectman Griswold stated that budget request forms are being sent out and are due back January 3, 2005.
First Selectman Griswold informed the public that the legal holiday for Christmas is on Friday, December 24, 2004. On December 23rd, the Old Lyme Town Hall will close at 1:00 P.M. for an employee function.
Executive Session:
None
Adjournment:
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 P.M. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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