The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, November 7, 2005 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of Minutes: October 17, 2005 and October 26, 2005 (Special Meeting)
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes of October 17, 2005. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley made a motion to accept the minutes of the special meeting on October 26, 2005. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc.-Amtrak CT River Bridge
First Selectman Griswold received a letter from AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc pertaining to the Amtrak Connecticut River submarine cable replacement project. To fulfill requirements by the Connecticut General Statutes, a copy of a notice published in the DAY on Sunday, October 9, regarding a permit application filed with the CT DEP for the subject project was enclosed. Amtrak proposes to replace existing submarine signal and communication cables associated with a movable span of Amtrak CT railroad bridge
between Old Lyme and Old Saybrook. It will potentially affect wildlife and aquatic coastal resources, but no permanent adverse environmental impacts are anticipated.
Graham Jeffrey – Speed Bumps on Ferry Road
Resident Graham Jeffrey is interested in pursuing speed bumps on Ferry Road. The Board of Selectmen will look into the situation.
Appointments:
Harbor Mgt. Comm. – Resignation of Judi Glover
First Selectman Griswold received a letter of resignation for medical reasons from Judi Glover, an alternate member of the Harbor Management Commission.
b. Harbor Mgt. Comm. – Lori Sulmasy
A letter of resignation was received from Lori Sulmasy for family reasons. She served on the Harbor Management Commission.
c Harbor Mgt. Comm. Alternate – Jonathan Mittelman (R) 4-Yr Term to Jan 08 Jonathan Mittelman is interested in being an alternate on the Harbor Management Commission and should appear before the nominating committee of the Republican Town Committee for its consideration.
d. Lymes Senior Center – Resignation of Rita Rohrberg
The Board of Selectmen has not received a letter of resignation from Rita Rohrberg, but the information did appear in the Senior Center minutes.
e. Parks & Rec. Comm. – John Flower (U) 3-Yr Term to Jan 06
The Parks & Rec Commission and the Republican Town Committee nominating committee have recommended the appointment of John Flower to fill the vacancy of Richard Ward for a three-year term ending in Jan 2006. Selectman Sibley made a motion to appoint John Flower to the Park & Rec Commission for the remainder of a three-year term through January 2006. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
f. Tree Commission – Resignation of Matthew Griswold
A letter of resignation was received from Matthew Griswold of the Tree Commission due to time constraints caused by his involvement in his family business.
Zoning Commission Alternate – Brian Kyle (R) 1-Yr Term to Jan 06
The Zoning Commission chairman and the Republican Town Committee nominating committee recommended Brian Kyle to fill the remainder of John Johnson’s term to January 2006. Selectman Sibley made a motion to appoint Brian Kyle to fill the vacancy as a Zoning Commission alternate to January 2006. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Old Business:
a. Information Technology Committee - Update
Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the Information Technology Committee will be getting information on accounting packages and will review the training needs of town employees.
Social Services Coordinator/Senior Center Director Position – Recommendation
Nine applicants applied for the Social Services Coordinator/Senior Center Director position. The Senior Center Board was unanimous in the selection of one of the candidates. First Selectman Griswold will speak with Ruth Young of the Senior Center Board to refine the hiring points and will send the successful candidate an offer letter. Letters will also go out to the other applicants thanking them for their time and interest.
Rogers Lake Authority – Weed Recommendation
At the meeting on November 1, 2005, the Rogers Lake Authority recommended the use of mechanical harvesting to combat the weed problem. The Authority will be asked to present a proposal to the Lyme and Old Lyme Boards of Selectmen and Finance detailing the scope of the work and its cost. Selectman Sibley reported that Maureen Plumleigh, Chairperson for the Health of Rogers Lake Committee, said they were pleased that herbicides would not be used in the lake. The Health of Rogers Lake Committee will hold a meeting on November 14, 2005 at the Old Lyme Town Hall at 7:00 P.M. The Rogers Lake Authority has been invited as well as the Selectmen from Lyme and Old Lyme.
Selectman Sibley made a motion to add the Rogers Lake dam engineering service recommendation to the agenda. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED. Motion rescinded.
d. Church Corner Engineering Services Contract - Recommendation
The Rowley-Hendricks proposal of $20,300 for the engineering services at the Church Corner included preliminary design, semi-final design, final design, design completion, advertising the bids and contract award as well as a breakdown for additional fees if required. Anchor Engineering’s proposal was $52,000 for the same work. Rowley-Hendricks did the drafting of the original drawings in 1998. Anchor Engineering would have to add that work to their bid. The next step is to inform the Board of Finance of the estimates. Selectman Sibley made a motion to hire Rowley-Hendricks and to accept their plans and proposal. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
e. Hurricane Katrina Committee - Update
The Hurricane Katrina Committee felt that Old Lyme should adopt a town that might have a common bond such as the arts or a location near a body of water. Selectwoman Reemsnyder suggested inviting Red Cross volunteers Leon Just and Peter Cable o a meeting to relate their experiences of the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.
Bus Barn – Letter from Superintendent Klein
First Selectman Griswold read a letter received from Superintendent Klein in which Mr. Klein inquired about whether the town would bear the full cost of constructing a bus yard facility, what the facility would consist of, would the DEP allow the facility, cost of preparing the fuel storage and delivery service, and who would be responsible for maintenance and snow removal. First Selectman Griswold stated that, in his view, the town would build the facility to the specifications required and would come up with a rental number. Mr. Griswold feels the school and First Selectman Koch of Lyme are supportive of the idea of the new location.
5. New Business
Police Union Contract – Signing
First Selectman Griswold stated that work is needed to develop an administrative and operations manual for the town police. The State police have a manual, but must be customized for use by the town. The contract provides for the designation of a patrolman first class after five years and corporal after ten years of continuous service. The medical cost sharing has increased. The new salary increases will be 3.75% for the next two years, and 3.50% in 2008 and 3.25%in 2009. Private duty hourly rate will be increased to $40 for two years and $42.50 for the following two years. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion that the Board of Selectmen sign the police union contract that was worked out by both sides and will submit it to the police union for signatures. Selectman Sibley seconded
the motion. SO VOTED.
Sound View Community Center – Septic System Agreement
The Sound View Community Center has a limited amount of land for its septic system. It is being proposed that the town waive any objections to the construction of a septic system within a ten-ft. setback of the property line of the town-owned alley off Hartford Avenue. This accommodation would satisfy the Health Department to grant the Sound View Community Center the ability to have a proper septic system. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to have the Board of Selectmen waive any objections to the construction of a septic system within a ten-ft. setback from the property line of town-owned land adjacent to the alleyway on Hartford Avenue. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
c. United Nations Day Observation
A brief ceremony was held at the flagpole in front of the Old Lyme Town Hall on October 24, 2005 in observance of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations. Irving Stolberg, President of the Connecticut division of the United Nations Association, spoke at the ceremony.
Estuary Council of Seniors – Brick Campaign
The Estuary Council of Seniors is conducting Buy a Brick Campaign to raise funds to meet the needs of the active and homebound seniors of the nine-town estuary region. To meet the 2005-06 goal, one thousand bricks will be sold to local businesses, organizations and the general public. Following the current senior building renovation expansion, those personalized bricks will be part of a beautiful walkway overlooking the scenic North Cove. The cost for the town to buy a brick is $500. First Selectman Griswold will consult with the Board of Finance on this matter. Connie Cliffe, fund raising chairman for the Estuary, spoke on behalf of the Brick Campaign. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion that the Town of Old Lyme purchase a brick for $500 from the Buy a Brick Campaign for the Estuary
Council in support of our seniors. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
District 18 Students – Attended CCM Convention in Hartford
High school students Rachel Gaudio, Patricia Berghoff, Brian Mickle and Katie Costigan accompanied First Selectman Griswold to the Connecticut Conference of Municipality Annual Convention at the Hartford Convention Center where they attended workshops on government service and municipal issues.
Veterans Day Observation – November 11, 2005
Veterans will participate in programs at Center School, the middle school and the high school in observance of Veterans Day on Friday, November 11, 2005. There will also be a ceremony at 11:00 A.M. at the flagpole in front of the Old Lyme Town Hall conducted by the veterans.
g. Town Hall Closure – Day After Thanksgiving
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion that the Board of Selectmen close the Old Lyme Town Hall the day after Thanksgiving on Friday, November 25, 2005 Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED Mr. Griswold abstained.
6. Public Comment:
David Woolley stated that citizens appear interested in voting and the right to vote is precious.
Other Business:
Selectman Sibley mentioned the Town Woods facility playground dedication took place on Saturday, November 5, 2005. Rep. Marilyn Giuliano presented proclamations from the Legislature to the fire, ambulance, public works and Red Cross organization in recognition of their efforts in October on the evacuation caused by floodwaters in the beach area of town.
Executive Session:
None
Adjournment:
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 P.M.
Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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