The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of Minutes: June 6, 2005 and June 20, 2005
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes of June 6, 2005 as written. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to approve the minutes of June 20, 2005 as written. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
Gov. Rell’s Office - Reply
Gov. Rell’s office replied to a letter from First Selectman Griswold in which he requested that she not veto the extra conveyance tax that has been in effect for a year. The reply letter stated that Gov. Rell would keep Mr. Griswold’s comments in mind when she makes her decision. On July 1, Gov. Rell signed the bill to continue the tax for two years. The extra tax equates to $100,000 in revenue to the Town of Old Lyme.
Appointments:
Lymes Senior Center Board of Directors – 3-Yr. Terms to July 2008:
Francis Balboni (R) , James Nichols (R) and Jessie Smith (R)
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to appoint Francis Balboni (R) , James Nichols (R), and Jessie Smith (R) to three-year terms ending in July, 2008. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Old Business:
Lyme Street Reconstruction Project – Update
The contractor for the Lyme Street project has a list of items to complete, many of which are in the library crosswalk area. The town will complete sidewalk work on both sides of the street and drainage work at the ice cream shop during the month of July. The Town of Old Lyme has received a payment of $109,000 from the State on the work completed last fall.
Sound View Design District – Public Hearing – June 27 7:30 P.M. Middle School
Selectman Sibley reported that the Sound View Village District public hearing was held on June 27, 2005. Atty. Mark Branse and Selectman Sibley conducted a formal presentation as requested by the Zoning Commission. The meeting was opened for public comment. Some of those attending the meeting were in favor of the new regulations and others were not. Some felt the regulations did not go far enough. Letters from the public were read. Zoning will have a meeting on Monday, July 11, at 7:30 P.M.
The SVVD regulation discussion will be on the agenda and, possibly, there will be a vote by the Zoning Commission on Monday evening.
Rogers Lake Authority Meeting - Update
The Rogers Lake Authority meeting held on Saturday, June 25, 2005 was well attended.
The consultant who did the weed study reinforced his point of view that chemical treatment was the best method to control the weeds in the lake. The vote to use chemical or mechanical weed control was split (about 35 to 35). The Rogers Lake Authority decided to defer any action until a meeting in September to allow those who were opposed to using chemicals to make a presentation. Individuals may elect to have selective mechanical harvesting in front of their property, if the property meets certain conditions. The contractor must be contacted to evaluate the weeds. Property owners could pool their resources and have an area cleaned out. Inland-Wetlands will issue permits, as required.
Town Forum – July 20 7:30 P.M. Middle School Auditorium- Church Corner
First Selectman Griswold reminded the Old Lyme citizens that a Town Forum would be held on July 20, 2005 at 7:30 P.M. in the Middle School auditorium. Elected officials and department heads will speak on their areas of responsibility. There will also be a presentation by the Church Corner Committee concerning the design of the church corner.
Information Technology – E-Tran Presentation
The Information Technology Committee viewed a computer demonstration about paying taxes and fees on line. Taxes and fees would be paid by an E check through the automated clearinghouse and the taxpayer would have a 50-cent or $1.00 fee. First Selectman Griswold attended another meeting on the same subject and he reported that E-Tran is a separate company affiliated with Webster Bank. The electronic message would go to the bank and, if there were not sufficient funds, the account would bounce it back. This system would be a convenience that would not cost the town to implement. If one used a credit card, there would be a three percent fee paid by the payer. Information from other vendors will be looked at and training will be necessary for various departments.
Darian Sheffield – Offer to Purchase Town Lane
Darian Sheffield, who lives on Four Mile River Road, needs an additional 153 square feet to make his parcel a conforming lot. The town owns adjacent land to his lot and, if approved, Mr. Sheffield would pay the town $5,000 for this parcel. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that she was concerned about setting a precedent by allowing the sale of the small amount of town land. First Selectman Griswold said it would be on a case by case basis. Selectman Sibley suggested tabling the discussion to the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting to research the information.
New Business:
Rep. Giuliano – Bus Pollution Funding
Rep. Marilyn Giuliano is eager to work with the Town of Old Lyme on trying to obtain Federal and/or State grant money to help with the bus pollution funding. Rep. Giuliano
will arrange a meeting with the DEP. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that Superintendent Klein has sent a letter of intent that he is submitting an application for a Federal EPA grant, and it would be a help to have letters of support from the First Selectmen of Lyme and Old Lyme and Health Officers from both towns that the towns are committed to improving the air quality. First Selectman Griswold will call Superintendent Klein to organize a meeting on the subject.
The Whale Trail – 3 Old Lyme Locations
The Whale Trail starts in Old Lyme and continues through New London County to Westerly, Rhode Island. In Old Lyme, the whales are located at the Marketplace, the Lyme Art Academy and the library. A sponsor pays to commission the work and an artist creates the whale. An organization has the whale from now until the end of November at which time the whales are sold to interested parties and the beneficiary organization receives the proceeds from the sale. Brochures are available where the whales are located as well as the Old Lyme Town Hall and certain stores.
c. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day Schedule
First Selectman Griswold reminded the citizens that brochures are available in town hall regarding the collection schedule for household hazardous waste.
Public Comment:
Jack Alexander, Acting Chairman of Adelphia, reported that Adelphia has been operating on extensions of its franchise for over two years. The Dept of Public Utility Control acted on June 30 to grant Adelphia a seven-year renewal of the Old Lyme franchise. The franchise renewal has a number of conditions.
Other Business:
First Selectman Griswold stated he was informed by Senator Daily that Lyme and Old Lyme are on a list to received $150,000 each of STEAP money for Phase II of the Town Woods Facility. That is not certain until the Bond Commission votes on it.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder inquired about the progress on the White Sand Beach facilities. Selectman Griswold stated that Don Bugbee was getting a quote from a painter. Mr. Griswold will get more of an update.
Selectman Sibley asked about the facilities at Haines Park.
Adjournment:
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 P.M. Selectman
Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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