The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, March 20, 2006 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of Minutes: February 6 and February 27, 2006
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes of February 6, 2006 as written. First Selectman Griswold seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder suggested amending the last sentence under 5. New Business in the minutes of February 27, 2006 to read: The Connecticut towns are concerned that the State could pull back on funding in a few years as they have done in other areas. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to approve the amended minutes of February 27, 2006. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications: None
Appointments:
Inland Wetlands Comm. – Linda Krulikowski (U) – 3 Yr Term to Jan 07
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to approve the recommendation of Linda Krulikowski (U) who will replace Robert Linde on the Inland Wetlands Commission to a three-year term ending in January, 2007. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Resignation – Lymes Senior Center Bd. – Jim Nichols
First Selectman Griswold received a letter from Jim Nichols who is resigning from the Lymes Senior Center Board.
Lymes Senior Center Bd. – Mary Miles (D) – 3 Yr Term to Jan 08
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the recommendation of Mary Miles (D) who will replace Jim Nichols on the Lymes Senior Center Board for a three-year term ending in January 2008. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion.
Tree Commission – Donna Dean (R) – 3 Yr Term to Jan 09
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to approve the recommendation of Donna Dean (R) to fill a vacancy on the Tree Commission for a three-year term ending in January 2009. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Old Business:
Information Technology Committee – Update
Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the Information Technology Committee is still looking at accounting packages. District #18 is putting together a Request for Proposal (RFP). First Selectman Griswold suggested that a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) might be more appropriate, and he stated more guidance is needed in selecting a company that could satisfy the needs for both the town and the school district. Mr. Griswold thought the committee should get information from other
towns that have been in the same situation. Selectman Sibley suggested consulting with the town auditor. The next meeting will be held on April 13 at 2:00 P.M.
Rogers Lake Dam – Update
First Selectman Griswold stated that the borings to determine the subsoil on the sides of the dam have been completed. On one side, there is gravel 70 feet down and the other side has cobble. Jacobson Engineering will be giving the town some basic cost estimates in a week. The DEP and the Ct. River Watershed Council have informed the town that funding for the fishway is available through August, 2006. The level of the water at Rogers Lake is down. First Selectman Griswold will contact Rogers Lake Authority Chairman Fred Holth concerning the strategy being considered for weed control. There will be more information at the next BOS meeting.
White Sand Beach Bath House – Update
First Selectman Griswold called surveyor Tony Hendriks to get a fix on the property line of the bath house at White Sand Beach. This information will define what could be done with the current structure.
Town Hall Facilities Committee – Update
First Selectman Griswold stated that adding elevators to the town hall would be complicated to stay within the fire code. An addition to the building would have to be to the south. The house next door is empty and a decision to acquire the building would need to be made soon. John Forbis and Nina Peck voluntarily put together a preliminary plan compatible with the existing town hall building. Input will be necessary from board, commissions, citizens, and users of the space. More information at the next BOS meeting.
Cameron Parish Relief Effort – Update
Buckets filled with cleaning supplies can be purchased at Christiansen’s Hardware and Laysville Hardware for $40. The deadline for sending contributions to Cameron Parish is the end of March. Claire Kearney reported that surrounding communities have contributed items such as 1,000 books from Wheeler Library, bicycles from Preston, fire hose from New London Fire Department and items from East Lyme High School. Claire stated that help is needed to box the items for shipment.
New Business:
Conservation Commission Booklet – Ellie Czarnowski
Ellie Czarnowski presented a town trail booklet that includes maps on 8 open space and other Old Lyme properties to be distributed free to interested citizens. The cost of $2,800 is for 1,000 booklets. Ellie will contact businesses to see if there is interest in sponsoring the booklets. First Selectman Griswold will confirm the project with Ann Brown. Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked for a second quote for comparison. Old Lyme citizen Chris Oliveira asked if the booklet will be on the town website. Ellie answered yes.
Ethics Committee – Formation
Applications have been received from eight individuals interested in serving on the Ethics Committee. First Selectman Griswold stated that a committee of five to six individuals would be sufficient. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that it would be beneficial to have an employee of the town on the committee. More information will follow.
DEP Marine Patrol – Testimony for Additional Funding
First Selectman Griswold testified before the State Legislature’s Environment Committee in Norwich concerning a bill to increase funding for DEP marine patrols. It is hoped that other state representatives will be in favor of increasing the funding.
Lymes Senior Center 10th Anniversary Celebration
The Lymes Senior Center celebrated its 10th anniversary on March 12, 2006. The previous Social Services Director Kay Mannetho attended. Area restaurants supplied food and the event was well attended.
Document Preservation Grant Resolution
Town Clerk Irene Carnell requested the Board of Selectmen to approve a resolution authorizing First Selectman Griswold to sign a grant request. This would enable the town to receive $7,000 to assist with filming and rebinding volumes.
Muscular Dystrophy “Lock Up”
First Selectman Griswold and Democrat Registrar Pat McCarthy participated in a “lock up” fund drive for muscular dystrophy. While incarcerated, they used cell phones to get bail money (contributions). Together they collected $1010 for the charity.
Public Comment:
Resident Chris Oliveira stated that representatives from both political parties should be considered as members of the Ethics Committee. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that members of both parties could attend meetings.
Other Business:
The Connecticut Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility mission is to enhance communication between municipal, financial and educational organizations on issues affecting them before the State Legislature. First Selectman Griswold will invite Michael Guarto to attend the next Selectmen’s meeting.
Executive Session:
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to go into Executive Session at 8:55 P.M. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED. Selectman Sibley made a motion to recommend the Board of Finance appropriate $8,000 for an 8-month option on the Speirs property located at 50 Lyme Street for the months of April through November 2006. It would be a non-refundable sum that would not be applied to the purchase price of $350,000. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to out of Executive Session at 9:45 P.M. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED
Adjournment:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to adjourn the Board of Selectmen’s meeting at 9:48 P.M. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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