Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Special Meeting Tuesday, March 01, 2005
The Board of Selectmen held a special meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present and First Selectman Timothy Griswold joined the meeting at 10:00 P.M.
Executive Session: To discuss pending litigation
Selectman Sibley made a motion to go into Executive Session. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED. There were no motions made during Executive Session.
Adjournment:
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to adjourn the meeting at10:35 P.M. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman
Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Special Meeting Wednesday March 3, 2005
The Board of Selectmen held a special meeting at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 3, 2005 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present along with Joan Bozek and Eric Fries from the Zoning Commission, Ann Brown, Zoning Enforcement Officer and Attorney Mark Branse.
Discussion of the Draft Sound View Design District Regulations
There was extensive discussion concerning the revisions to the Sound View Design District Regulations that were prepared by Attorney Mark Branse. Please refer to the tapes of the meeting for details. No votes were taken.
Adjournment:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:25 P.M. Selectman Griswold seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy C. Griswold
Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Monday, March 7, 2005
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, March 7, 2005 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of Minutes: February 16, 2005 and March 1, 2005 (Special Meeting)
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes of February 16, 2005 as written. First Selectman Griswold seconded the minutes. Selectwoman Reemsnyder abstained. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting to discuss pending litigation on March 1, 2005. Selectman Sibley seconded the minutes. SO VOTED.
Communications:
CCM – FOIA – Email and Voice Mail as Public Records
First Selectman Griswold received a communication from Connecticut Conference of Municipalities concerning the retention of email and voice mail that may be especially important to board and commission members. This bulletin addresses items that are stored in home and workplace computers and may be considered public record. The Public Records Administrator has determined that although voice mail, including answering machines, can be considered a type of electronic mail communications, voice mail is transitory in nature and may be deleted at will. If a board chairman were to email ideas on an issue to all board and commission members, that could be considered a meeting and should be made public record. If a board member received an email at home concerning a board issue, it could be made public
record.
Appointments:
None
Old Business:
a. Lyme Street Reconstruction Project - Update
The Lyme Street project will restart toward the end of March. The surface of Lyme Street will be pulverized and paved during the week of April 18 (school vacation) depending on the weather. In working with the Tree Commission to save two large spruce trees on Library Lane, it was determined that the paving will stop near the trees and the grade of the road will not change. The Tree Commission determined that nine trees were damaged during the Lyme Street project last fall. The contractor agreed that money will be available to feed the damaged trees and a reserve will be created in escrow until October 2006 to pay for any or all of the nine trees, if they fail to survive. On March 16, a meeting will be held with the emergency services and the school to discuss the width of Lyme Street.
Information Technology Committee – Update
Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that there is a signed contract for the GIS system with Applied Geographics and that the committee discussed the budget for next year. The GIS committee viewed the website on line. Ms. Reemsnyder requested citizens to send emails to the Selectman’s office for further information on topics of interest of errors that need to be corrected. Citizens can subscribe to notices and announcements.
Sound View Design District - Update
Selectman Sibley reported that the SVDD committee worked on a new zoning district for Sound View to be referred to as a village district. With the help of Atty. Branse, the committee will draft a new set of rules and regulations and the next step will be to submit them to the Zoning Commission.
School Bus Garage – Air Quality Issue
First Selectman Griswold stated the plan is to look for an alternative site to house the school buses while bids are out. The town engineer has been asked to consider a location at the landfill near the commuter parking area.
Probate Court – Revised Reorganization Proposal
The Urban Probate Courts reorganization plan was changed to serve a population of 45,000 instead of the previous number of 50,000. Any five towns that have a population of over 10,000 could merge to become Modified Local Probate Courts. The Local Court (single court), with a population of under 45,000, would have a fixed budget of $5.00 per person (7500 population in Old Lyme would equal $38,500). The health care costs borne by the Probate Administration Fund would be transferred to the State’s General Fund in the 2008 budget. The changes are said to insure that all courts could remain open with no contribution from the towns. First Selectman Griswold doubted that Old Lyme’s Probate Court could operate on a budget of $38,500. He further stated that moving the health care costs to the State’s
General Fund should be looked at carefully. There are some who work few hours and are covered by costly health insurance. Selectman Sibley suggested that the Board of Selectmen communicate an opinion to the Connecticut Representatives and Senators to make sure the Board’s position is understood.
Safety Committee –Meeting with CIRMA
The newly formed Safety Committee will meet on March 14, 2005. One item on the agenda will be to apply for a Preferred Provider Network for Managed Care regarding workmen’s compensation. Also to be discussed will be a formal Return to Work Program. The committee will observe safety issues in the town buildings that need attention. There will be training for the committee members involving inspection techniques. Selectman Sibley suggested having CIRMA conduct a meeting involving all town employees so that everyone understands the intent of the Safety Committee.
Town Budget Preparations
The Board of Finance is working on the town budget. First Selectman Griswold stated that the capital budget will be challenging because the Fire Department has a number of items it is considering.
Revaluation – Board of Assessment Timetable
The Board of Assessment Appeals will be holding hearings in April, 2005. Taxpayers must have an application in by March 20, 2005. The applications are available in the Assessor’s office.
New Business:
a. Adelphia Cable – Franchise Renewal Hearing Negotiat. – March 16 LOL M/S 7 PM
Adelphia Cable will be having a public hearing to discuss the franchise renewal at the Old Lyme Middle School on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. Information is available in the Selectmen’s office.
Reg. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day – 2005 Schedule
The Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day schedule has been set for 2005. There will be 15 scheduled collections on May 7, 14, 21; June 11 and 25; July 9; August 6 and 20; September 17, 24 and October 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2005. Pamphlets are available in town hall on the location and items that can be brought to the site. An individual collection in Lyme will take place on September 10, 2005.
Ellie Czarnowski – Report on Conservation Commission Activities
Ellie Czarnowski, Chairman of the Conservation Commission, presented the Conservation Annual Report in accordance with a statute that requires a yearly presentation. The report covers activities on the Conservation Commission and the Open Space Committee. The Conservation Commission worked on advertising for Storm Water II, developed a radio public service announcement regarding lawn care, developed a model conservation easement for subdivision open space, and applied for grants.
George James, Chairman of the Open Space Committee, stated that the committee is working on updating the open space plan and has added three new maps on committed open space. Old Lyme currently has 35 properties in town with 20 acres or more with undeveloped parcels. Mr. James credited the Conservation Commission with the concept of hiring an engineer who makes an analysis on a parcel of land to be developed from an engineer’s point of view preventing future problems with wetlands, etc.
Marmalade – Feline Diabetes
The mobile vet John Caltibiano determined that Marmalade, the town hall cat, has feline diabetes. Several town hall employees have been instructed on how to administer a daily injection to the cat.
Public Comment:
None
Other Business:
First Selectman Griswold stated that he has informed the Connecticut Water Company that the town has no interest in the 0.9 acres on Brightwater Road in Old Colony Beach.
Executive Session:
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to go into an executive session at 8:46 P.M.to discuss an employee matter. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
9. Adjournment:
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to go out of Executive Session at 9:25 P.M Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED. First Selectman Griswold made a motion to adjourn the Board of Selectmen’s meeting at 9:26 P.M. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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