The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 4:00 P.M. on Monday, May 15, 2006 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of Minutes: May 1, 2006
Selectwoman Reemsnyder suggested the minutes of May 1, 2006 be amended as follows:
Page 3, under 4.g White Sand Beach, third line should be amended to read to alter the bathhouse, it will be necessary to go before ZBA. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to approve the amended minutes of May 1, 2006. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
Phil Salafia – Letter of Thanks to Officer Collins
First Selectman Griswold read a thank you letter from Phil Salafia of Flagler Avenue to Officer Collins of Troop F. Mr. Salafia was appreciative of the investigative assistance he received from Officer Collins regarding an alleged credit card fraud. Mr. Salafia commended Officer Collins as a credit to the town and to Troop F.
Appointments:
Economic Dev. Commission – Geraldine Foster (U) – 5 Yr Term to Jan 09
The Chairman of the Economic Development Commission has recommended Geraldine
Foster (U) be appointed to a five-year term to January 2009. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to appoint Geradine Foster (U) to the Economic Development Commission for a five-year term ending January 2009. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Old Business:
Town Hall Expansion Committee – Update
First Selectman Griswold reported that within the next week the Town Hall Facilities Committee would be formed to create an expansion to the Old Lyme Town Hall. It is hoped the committee will have submissions from interested architectural firms by the end of May and will evaluate the packages and conduct interviews. After the architect selection, a Town Forum will be held so the citizens will see the scope of the project.
Ethics Formation Committee – Update
The Ethics Formation Committee met last week and listened to a representative from CCM who interfaces with the legislature about ethics issues. The committee discussed financial affidavits, conflicts of interest, etc. Information about ethic codes from other towns and cities was distributed for discussion. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2006.
Church Corner Committee – Update
First Selectman Griswold stated that the Fire Marshal is concerned about the fire lane on the south side of Ferry Road along the Congregational Church.
Beach Improvement Committee - Update
One of the changes that the Beach Improvement Committee recommended a while back was to reduce the number of short term parking spaces from 25 to 11. The committee is now making a recommendation for a change to keep the same absolute number but shift them so they are in front of businesses.
New Business:
Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Ordinance – Enforcement Authorization
First Selectman Griswold read a statement from Ann Brown of Inland Wetlands & Watercourses regarding the administration of the Inland/Wetland ordinance.
Suggest Board of Selectmen authorize the resident trooper and all members of the Old Lyme Police Department, the Wetlands Enforcement Officer, and the Chairman of the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission to issue citations.
Suggest a hearing panel of three be appointed.
Selectman Sibley suggested that the Board of Selectmen be the panel. First Selectman Griswold stated that people with a wetlands background might be appropriate.
Selectman Sibley made a motion to authorize the Old Lyme resident trooper, members of the Old Lyme Police Department, Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer and the Chairman of the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission to issue citations. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Public Comment:
None
Other Business:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to add the Fire Department capital items to the agenda. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
One of the items on the Town Meeting agenda on May 15 is to pass the annual town budget. During the course of the deliberations at the budget hearing, there was considerable discussion about the Fire Department budget. Some of the operating expenses that had been requested, but were not funded, were restored at a Board of Finance meeting after the hearing. A number of capital items that had been cut were not restored. In discussions with the fire personnel, there are two particular items they believe are important. One item is the restoration of the full amount of the cost of a replacement generator for the Cross Lane Firehouse. The Board of Finance had budgeted $12,000 that was in anticipation of using an older generator. The Fire Department feels that the extra $18,000 to fund
the purchase and installation of a new generator is necessary. The second item of importance is a $45,500 exhaust system to be installed in the Lyme Street firehouse in the fiscal year 2007 budget. The capital budget was approved at $129,000. By adding $63,500, the capital budget would be $193,000. First Selectman Griswold suggested putting these capital funds into a new fire apparatus and equipment acquisition account until the Boards of Finance and Selectmen are content that
the consultant’s study indicates the expenditure is wise. Also, the $300,000 for the hose truck, of which $200,000 has been appropriated in prior budget years, and $100,000 is in the 2007 budget, will be deposited into this account. First Selectman Griswold read a letter from Atty. Marylin Clarke in which she stated that section 7-344 of the Connecticut General Statutes authorizes a town to make additional appropriations after the annual budget has been approved at town meeting. “Upon recommendation of the Board of Finance at a special town meeting and prior to the laying of the tax for the current year and any appropriation made at such special town meeting shall be included in the amount to be raised by the tax laid by the Board of Finance under the provision of this section.” A
special town meeting will be set on May 25, 2006 for the purpose of addressing the additional $63,500.
At Atty. Clarke’s recommendation, Selectman Sibley made a motion that the Board of Selectmen recommend to
the Board of Finance and to town meeting that the additional sum of $63,500 be appropriated in the 2006-07 budget for Old Lyme Fire Department capital purchases. Further resolve that a special town meeting be held on May 25, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. in the Middle School auditorium to approve the appropriation of said additional $63,500 to the 2006-07 budget subject to the recommendation of the Board of Finance. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked about the progress of White Sand Beach. First Selectman Griswold stated he heard from John Roach that the painting is done at White Sand Beach bathhouse and the fixtures will be taken care of. Haines Park work is completed and painting has been done at Cross Lanes bathrooms.
Selectman Sibley stated that the increased rain amount made it a safety issue for citizens living on Windward Lane. He said this is a drainage issue under the railroad tracks. First Selectman Griswold stated that Fire Marshal David Roberge is assessing the problem and will meet with Amtrak officials and the State of Connecticut.
Executive Session:
None
Adjournment:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:17 P.M. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
| 
