Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Wednesday, February 16, 2005
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold and Selectman Skip Sibley were present.
Approval of Minutes: January 18, 2005
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes of January 18, 2005 as written. First Selectman Griswold seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
Rep. Giuliano – Old Lyme Taxes paid vs State Aid Received
First Selectman Griswold received a letter from Rep. Marilyn Giuliano who addressed the amount of taxes Old Lyme pays to the State of Connecticut relative to the amount Old Lyme receives back in state aid. Considering all sources, in fiscal year 2003, Old Lyme paid the State $12,536,405. Old Lyme received major statutory grants and aid during the same period totaling $548,807. Rep. Giuliano also sent information on the special educational cost reimbursement. Selectman Sibley attended a meeting at the school and stated that the main point of the meeting was State mandated outsourcing of children with special needs costs the town. The State reimbursement policy reads that the State is obligated to reimburse the town 100% for anything that exceeds 4-1/2 times the normal cost of educating a child ($12,000 in Old Lyme).
However, at the present time, the State only reimburses 70% of expenses in excess of 5 times the tuition cost ($60,000). The amount of money it would take to restore that mandate to its full capacity on the State level for all the towns to get 100% reimbursement could be $25,000,000 according to David Klein or $56,400,000 according to Rep. Marilyn Giuliano. Senators Stillman and Daily encourage towns to communicate with them and Governor Rell directly. A follow-up meeting is planned in April, 2005. First Selectman Griswold stated that the Council of Small Towns, a lobbying group for the smaller communities in Connecticut, and CCM have been outspoken on this topic.
b. Connecticut Water Co. – Offer to Sell Property at Brightwater Road
Connecticut Water Company informed the town that the company owns 0.9 acres on Brightwater Road and is offering the parcel to the Town of Old Lyme for $5,000. First Selectman Griswold will bring it to the attention of Planning to see if there is interest and will communicate back to the Connecticut Water Company.
Sally Huck – Harley Davidson Dealership in East Lyme
Sally Huck, of Four Mile River Road, wrote a letter to express her concerns about the potential traffic issues that could result from the proposed Harley Davidson dealership in East Lyme. She commented that the facility the company operates in Delaware attracts about 35,000 visitors per month. First Selectman Griswold expressed his concern about what could be a significant impact on the surrounding communities.
Appointments:
Harbor Management Commission Alternate Correction:
Substitute Judi Glover (R) for Christopher Carter (R) – 4-Year Term to Jan 08
First Selectman made a proposal to substitute Judi Glover (R) for a 4-year alternate term ending in January 2008 in lieu of Christopher Carter. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Tree Commission Alternate – Matthew Griswold, Jr. (R) 1-Year Term to Jan 06
Selectman Sibley made a motion to appoint Matthew Griswold Jr. (R) for the 1-year term to the Tree Commission ending January 2006. First Selectman Griswold seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Old Business:
Information Technology Committee – Update
First Selectman Griswold reported that the town has signed paperwork with Applied Geographics for the GIS system. The website is being updated daily with town information. Selectman Sibley noted that there is no link from the town web page to District #18 website. Selectman Sibley will contact Selectwoman Reemsnyder to that effect. The Town Clerk’s office has installed its new computer system.
Sound View Design District – Update
Selectman Sibley recapped that Linda Krause created an original draft that was followed by a re-write by Eric Fries, Vice Chairman of the Zoning Commission. The SVDD committee added notes to the draft, and Attorney Branse was retained to review the regulations before they were submitted to the Zoning Commission. Selectman Sibley suggested a special Board of Selectmen meeting on Thursday, March 3, 2005 at 2:00 PM with Attorney Branse, Ann Brown, Eric Fries and other Zoning Commission members, Linda Krause and SVDD committee members to review the final draft.
School Bus Garage – Air Quality Issue
Last fall, the school bus company agreed to restrict the idling of approximately 20 school buses fueled by diesel gas on Jadon Drive. In the mornings, the buses are warmed up while the drivers perform safety checks. This creates heavy fumes in the air for the residents. First Selectman Griswold stated that a group from the Jadon Drive area, a representative from the school, Health Official Ron Rose and Dr. Sikand will have a meeting on the topic.
New Business:
Police Union Negotiations
The Town of Old Lyme and the police union met today, February 16, 2005, regarding union contract negotiations to establish the ground rules, timetables, etc. Selectman Sibley and John Bysko will work on the town’s behalf. Two police officers and the union representative will work on behalf of the union. The first of the negotiations will begin on March 30, 2005. The rules provide that the terms discussed during negotiations may not be disclosed until the agreement is made. First Selectman Griswold can speak in executive session to the Boards of Finance and Selectmen about the negotiations but not release any information to the press. The Public Works union negotiations will begin in June, 2006.
b. Town Budget Preparations
The Board of Finance has begun the budget deliberations and will continue with weekly meetings until mid-April. The Lyme Academy, an accredited college, is eligible for a Connecticut program entitled, Payment in Lieu of Taxes. Seventy percent of the taxes will be paid by the State of Connecticut to the town and the increase to the town is from $34,000 to $56,000. Revaluation increased land values on average by 68%. The new budget has yet to be formulated.
Public Comment:
None
Other Business:
First Selectman Griswold stated there would be a meeting with the emergency services to address concerns about the Lyme Street project. The roadwork will be finished in May 2005. The road has been narrowed in some places and is now a uniform but 40 feet wide from the firehouse to the Parsonage.
Selectman Sibley inquired whether the town has applied for snowstorm emergency money. First Selectman Griswold stated that the governor asked all the towns to roughly quantify the cost and Mr. Griswold did not know if any FEMA funds would be available.
Executive Session: None
Adjournment:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:51 P.M. First Selectman Griswold seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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