Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Monday, January 3, 2005
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, January 3, 2005 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of Minutes: December 20, 2004
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to approve the minutes of December 20, 2004. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
CT Office of Emergency Management – Millstone Exercise
The Board of Selectmen received a letter from the CT Office of Emergency Management referring to a minimum number of issues cited that would require corrective action in the form of planned changes or training. A copy of the final report will be forwarded to Old Lyme at a later date.
CT Dept of Social Services – Closure of Hamilton Rehab Center in Norwich
The Hamilton Rehab Center in Norwich is in the process of closing. Representatives of the CT Dept of Social Services, the Office of Long Term Care Ombudsman and the Department of Public Health are working with residents, family members and Hamilton staff to plan resident relocations to other health care facilities or community settings. They are also helping to assist experienced employees find new employment.
Appointments:
Resignation of Catherine Petrillo from Economic Development Commission
Catherine Petrillo has resigned from the Economic Development Commission.
Preparations for Annual Appointments on January 18, 2005
Before the next Board of Selectmen meeting, First Selectman Griswold will be finalizing a list of appointment recommendations to fill vacancies on boards and committees.
Old Business:
Information Technology Committee – GIS Provider Recommendation
Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the GIS committee made a decision to come before the Board of Selectmen with a recommendation on the GIS (Geographic Information System). Five companies were invited to bid and the committee accepted Applied Geographics for the Old Lyme’s GIS system and host to a website for the GIS. The cost is $40,350 and the committee recommended adding $3,150 in reserve for training making the total cost $43,500. In the budget for the fiscal year 2005, there is $25,000 that could be put toward GIS. The committee is asking for an appropriation of $18,500. The cost for fiscal year 2006 capital investment would be $1,500 for the software program and operating expense would be $5,000 for fiscal year 2006.
A significant portion of the $43,500 will not be paid until fiscal year 2006. By executing a contract with Applied Geographics now, the town will be committed to the expense in the fiscal year 2005 budget year without assurance that the balance of $18,500 will be funded. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to recommend the Board of Finance appropriate $18,500 to capital - general government - GIS to fund the cost of the Applied Geographics Inc proposal, plus a reserve for training. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. First Selectman Griswold stated this would be a nine-month implementation. If the $43,500 is approved, any unspent money balance would be carried over into the next fiscal year. Selectman Sibley inquired about whether the $5,000 maintenance fee would be yearly.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that fee would average $6,000.
Part of keeping the costs down on maintenance of parcel maps would be to use digital format on any changes. All were in favor of the motion. SO VOTED.
Sound View Community Center – Use of Bocce Lane Property for Parking
First Selectman Griswold read a letter from Atty. Marylin Clarke in which she recommended not encumbering the Bocce Lane parcel with parking spaces at this time. First Selectman Griswold inquired of Zoning as to what the requirement would be on the availability of the parking spaces in the town lot. Gail Fuller, Vice President of the Sound View Beach Association, stated she was concerned that once Zoning makes a change of use for a property it becomes a total change of use for 365 days a year. In order for Zoning to consider a change of use on the second floor for office space, parking must be available for the same period of time. Gail Fuller’s request is that parking be available seven days a week with a negotiated fee between the tenant and the town.
First Selectman Griswold will request Atty. Clarke to prepare a statement for the Board’s review at the next meeting that would refer to a contingency upon the passage of the SVDD regulations. Selectman Sibley commented on two of his concerns. First, this is a request for a permanent change that will somewhat obligate the town to agree to give up seven to eight parking spaces. Secondly, in order to be fair to everyone, the original idea of a place of public assembly is now also a place of business and revenue and others may have the same desire with parking needs. Selectman Sibley suggested this concept would be a good topic for the parking committee.
Lyme Street Reconstruction – Update
First Selectman Griswold stated that the granite curbing has been removed from the lawn of the library to a section of the road opposite the Ice Cream Shop. As soon as the weather improves, that curbing will be installed.
New Business:
Rogers Lake Authority – Weed Control Public Hearing
The Rogers Lake Authority has been working on controlling the weeds in the lake. The options are to do nothing, dredge or cut the weeds, or use a chemical treatment. A special meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 7:30 P.M. in the Rogers Lake West Shores Association Hall to discuss this problem.
b. Formation of Town of Old Lyme Safety Committee
The insurance company for the Town of Old Lyme, Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA), recommends that the town institute a safety committee to deal with employee safety. First Selectman Griswold stated that he would appoint eight to ten employees from the Town Hall, Public Works, Police, Ambulance, Fire, and Park and Rec Departments. The committee will meet four times a year to review injury cases to minimize incidents. Selectman Sibley suggested holding a collaborative meeting occasionally with District #18 since they are already holding safety meetings once a month.
c. Health Dept. Roundtable – Alternate Septic Systems
The Health Department will be holding a roundtable discussion on January 20, 2005 at 1:00 P.M. in the library about getting alternate types of septic systems approved on the State level. Invited to this meeting are representatives from the EPA, DEP, State Representative and local surrounding town sanitarians.
d. Stone Wall Agreement – Timothy & Chris Dennison – 78 Lyme Street
Timothy and Chris Dennison of 78 Lyme Street went before the Historic District Commission and received a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a wall. The agreement states that the town acknowledges the wall is on town property within the right of way of the road. Should the town need the area where the stone wall is for some future purpose, it will be at the discretion of the town to remove the wall. The maintenance of the stone wall, insurance, etc would be the responsibility of the property owners.
First Selectman Griswold will request Atty. Marylin Clarke to draft an agreement incorporating the above information for the Board of Selectmen to sign.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion that the Board of Selectmen approve an agreement with the Dennisons of 78 Lyme Street, pending the draft requested of Atty. Marylin Clarke, regarding the removal of the wall should the town need that land and that the maintenance and liability is the responsibility of the homeowner. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Public Comment:
None
Other Business:
None
Executive Session:
None
Adjournment:
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:46 P.M. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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