The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, April 3, 2006 at memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of Minutes: March 20, 2006
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to approve the minutes of March 20, 2006 as written. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications: None
Appointments: None
Old Business:
CT Municipal Consortium – Presentation
Michael Guarco of Granby who is Chairman of the Board of Finance and leader of the Connecticut Municipal Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility spoke about that organization.
Information Technology Committee – Update
Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the Information Technology Committee is looking at one more software package. Next meeting is on April 13, 2006 at 2:00 P.M.
Rogers Lake Dam – Update
The town is waiting for cost estimates from Jacobson Engineering for the work on the Rogers Lake dam. The engineer was not optimistic that permits, proposals and the work could be accomplished by August, which is the month the fishway work must be completed in order to receive the $24,000 in funding. Alternate plans are being made to preserve this funding.
White Sand Beach & Haines Park Bath Houses – Update
The town does not have a fix on the property line to the rear of the White Sand Beach bath house. In order to be ready for this summer, First Selectman Griswold, Ron Rose and Don Bugbee decided to remove the fixtures, paint, and get carpentry work done on the facilities at White Sand Beach and Haines Park. A new well will be dug at Haines Park. It is anticipated that the projects will be finished by Memorial Day.
Town Hall Expansion – Update
Input will be necessary from the town hall staff regarding space needed for the Old Lyme Town Hall expansion. The upstairs meeting room needs to have a street level access. The Fire Marshal informed First Selectman Griswold that by having two 5/8” sheet rock separations from one building to the other, the new wing could abut the existing building. An enclosed elevator may have an elevator car that would open up on the east and west sides so that it could stop at the ground level, first floor, second floor and half stop for the mezzanine. With the new building totally compliant and the elevator enclosed, it would not be necessary to do the extensive code work with sprinklers and so change the
character of the old building. The new meeting room on the first floor could hold up to 100 people as opposed to meeting room on the second floor which holds 58 people and is not handicapped accessible. By building the wing, the excavation would provide a lower level that could be accessible from the rear or the elevator and that could provide approximately 1500 ft. of new office area for the staff. The old meeting room on the second floor could be used for more office space. The 1500 ft. addition would extend to the far side of the flagpole. The two parking spaces outside the lower level would be eliminated. First Selectman Griswold is in favor of buying the property next door at 50 Lyme Street that is for sale now.
Ethics Committee – Formation
The Ethics Committee is a group that would decide whether or not the town needs a code of ethics and an Ethics Commission. First Selectman Griswold read a letter he received from Chris Oliveira who recommended that the Ethics Committee consist of five voting members and the following four ex-officio members: David Woolley, Chris Oliveira, Chairmen of the Democratic and Republican Town Committees respectively, employee representation and a representative from District #18. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that the Ethics Committee should consist of five non-partisan members including an ex-officio town employee. Selectman Sibley stated he would attend the meetings and give his input and citizens can do the same. First Selectman Griswold recommended the following five people to be on the Ethics
Committee: John Collins, David Klein, Mark Mercurio, Bob Roser and Glenn Sulmasy. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion that the Board of Selectmen approve the five recommended members for the Ethics Committee and ex-officio Irene Carnell. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED. First Selectman Griswold will schedule a time for the committee to meet.
Church Corner – Review of VHB Traffic Safety Report
The Church Corner Committee put together a plan that was reviewed by an outside traffic consultant for comments before asking the engineer to submit the plan officially to the State of Connecticut. The consultant approved of the crosswalk on McCurdy Road opposite the Catholic Church driveway. It recommended angle parking in front of the Congregational Church, rather than head-in parking. There will be discussion on the elimination of the first three parking spaces on the east side of Lyme Street opposite the angle parking as well as the removal of the six proposed parallel parking spaces on the south side of Ferry Road, due to the existing fire lane. A recommendation is for an addition of a bump out on the east side of the Lyme Street crosswalk. The relocation of the driveway serving the
Green residence and the Catholic rectory would have acceptable site lines. The next meeting will be on April 11 at 10:30 A.M. for review of the report by the committee and fire marshal.
Cameron Parish Relief Effort – Update
The trailer truck will be leaving for Cameron Parish after April 17, 2006.
New Business:
Town Fiscal Year 2007 Budget – Discussion of Draft
On April 4, the Board of Finance will discuss the budget for the Fire and the Ambulance Departments. First Selectman Griswold reported that the Board approved the general government budget increase of $246,000 or 3.95%. Capital is up $297,000 or 48%, which will be offset in part by increased revenue. The whole general government and capital outlay increase is $543,000 or 7.9%. The school budget increase is $1,094,000 or 5.5%. The total budget increase is $1,637,000 or 6.12%. The grand list is up 0.88%. The collection rate has gone from 98.5% to 98.7%. Property tax is up 5.34 %. The mill rate of 16.9 will be 17.8, an increase of 9/10th of a mill.
CCM Energy Program – Introduction
Representatives from CCM spoke with First Selectman Griswold, John Roach and Doris Johnson about putting together profile of energy for the suppliers of electricity. The town and the school will submit copies of their energy bills to CCM. The energy companies will supply bids for a five-year term. Bids will be submitted to CCM in May.
“Mayors on Wheels” – Selectmen Delivered Meals on Wheel
First Selectman Griswold and Selectwoman Reemsnyder received letters of thanks from the Estuary Council of Seniors. Mr. Griswold and Ms. Reemsnyder helped serve the Meals on Wheels Program.
Public Comment:
None
Other Business:
First Selectman Griswold reported that the Office of Homeland Security requires that the Town of Old Lyme approve a new resolution because the grant time period has been extended. Selectman Sibley made a motion to authorize First Selectman Griswold to act on behalf of the Town of Old Lyme to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for participation in the fiscal year 2004 State Homeland Security Grant Program. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked about the weed situation at Rogers Lake. First Selectman Griswold stated that $21,000 for weed control and administration has been submitted to Lyme and Old Lyme, which will split the cost 50/50. Old Lyme is budgeting $11,000. This includes $20,000 harvesting two times over a ten-acre parcel.
Selectman Sibley asked about the removal of the weeds from the site when cut. The Board is not clear on this.
Executive Session:
None
Adjournment:
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:21 P.M. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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