The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, October 6, 2006 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder placed a basket filled with information on breast cancer awareness and a quilt made by a breast cancer survivor near the Selectman’s office. These items are to serve as a reminder for checkups and mammograms. October has been designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Teri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation is sponsoring a walk marathon on October 14, 2006 starting at 6:30 A.M. in Old Saybrook and ending in Waterford. Participants can go online to the Teri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation.Org or call the foundation at 444-7440 for more information.
Approval of Minutes: September 18, 2006
Correction 3c should read Lymes Senior Center Board instead of Sr. Center Ctr.
Correction 4a under Town Hall Expansion Committee, Selectwoman Reemsnyder’s name should be removed from the list of those who went to Hartford.
Correction 4b, 7th line, Town of Old Lyme should be added.
Correction 5a, add after Affordable Housing ordinance the words “to reflect the provisions in Public Act 06-97” passed by the State legislature.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to approve the amended minutes of September 18, 2006. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
Dann Lockwood – District 18 Tennis Court Backboard
First Selectman Griswold received a note from Dann Lockwood who thanked the town for the funds contributed to help install the tennis court backboard.
Adelphia Comcast – Franchise Area Upgrade
A letter was received from Comcast notifying the town that, beginning in the next few weeks, in accordance with the Adelphia franchise agreement, Adelphia, operated by Comcast (name to be changed in December, 2006), will continue its upgrade for the towns of East Haddam, Colchester, Salem, Lyme and Old Lyme. This upgrade will enhance the digital network.
Plaut/Woolley – Sheffield Brook Drainage Issues
First Selectman Griswold received a letter from Harry Plaut, President of Old Colony Beach Association, and David Woolley, President of Old Lyme Shores Beach Association, concerning overflow water problems at Sheffield Brook. A pipe that exits the brook, crosses the beach and discharges into Long Island Sound cannot handle the water flow during heavy rainfalls. First Selectman Griswold and John Roach of Public Works have visited the site and suggest further discussions with the Inland Wetlands Commission as well as investigating available funding under the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan to help with the costs of fixing the problem. More information will follow.
Appointments:
Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate) – Resignation of Wendy Brainard
The Board of Selectmen received a letter from Wendy Brainard who stated that she is unable to continue as an alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Old Business:
Town Hall Expansion Committee – Update
First Selectman Griswold stated that District #18 is expected to reply this week as to whether or not it will be part of the town hall expansion project. Architect Paul Bailey is working on refining the plans of the project. A meeting is planned this week to discuss the budget and the plans. A representative from an environmental company was at the Town Hall today working on a phase I environmental report, which is needed for the Small Cities Grant. The next step will be to schedule the closing for the Speirs property this month. The Small Cities Grant application is in the works and the committee will advertise for a consultant to help with the process. Anna Silberberg and Cathy Frank are working on the Culture and Tourism Grant that is due on October 27. The STEAP
Grant is not an option. The town has Local Capital Improvement Plan money available ($150,000) that could be used for the project. Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked when the work would begin. First Selectman Griswold replied that, if all approvals are secured on time, work should begin in April, 2007.
c. Black Hall Woods LLC – Special Town Meeting Resolution – October 16, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. Middle School Auditorium
A special Town Meeting is scheduled for October 16, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. in the Middle School Auditorium to present the Black Hall Woods LLC resolution. First Selectman Griswold read the call of the meeting which is to authorize the acquisition of 12.51 acre parcel of land on Buttonball Road and 26.65 acre parcel on Route 156 from Black Hall Woods LLC as open space and to authorize the expenditure of $412,500 towards that acquisition. The Special Town Meeting is also to authorize the acquisition of a 4.89 acre parcel of land and a .31 acre parcel of land on Lord’s Meadow Lane from Bassam Awwa. as open space. Selectman Sibley stated that he is interested in talking with members of the Black Hall Club to discuss the possibility of using some of the land for affordable housing. First Selectman
Griswold stated that he would give Selectman Sibley the phone number of the president of the Black Hall Club to discuss the matter. Selectman Sibley suggested postponing the Special Town Meeting to have more time to discuss the affordable housing matter with the Black Hall Club. First Selectman Griswold stated that he would hesitate getting off course. He said if there was an agreement reached, something could be done post-closing as well as pre-closing of the deal. Selectman Sibley agreed to contact the president of the Black Hall Club on this matter. Selectman Sibley made a motion to have a Special Town Meeting on Monday, October 16, 2006 to authorize the acquisition of the Buttonball Road/Rte 156 property, the Lord’s Woods property and any other matters that may come before the meeting. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Lord’s Woods Parcels
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to add Lord’s Woods property from Bassam Awwa to the agenda under New Business. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
CRERPA – Natural Hazardous Mitigation Plan Workshop – October 2, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. at CRERPA
CRERPA is holding a public informational workshop on the Natural Hazardous Mitigation Plan pertaining to the Connecticut River Valley towns tonight.
Cross Lane Firehouse – Connection to Connecticut Water
The connection of the fire main to the water supply in the Cross Lane Firehouse has been accomplished and the cost will be charged to the Public Works Capital Miscellaneous Projects.
New Business:
Town Woods STEAP Grants Approved for Lyme and Old Lyme
The State of Connecticut approved the Towns of Lyme and Old Lyme for a STEAP Grant of $325,000 each to fund the second phase of the Town Woods Project involving the two baseball/softball fields. The towns are very appreciative for the help from Senator Stillman and Representative Giuliano.
b. Reconstruction of Hartford Avenue
First Selectman Griswold reported that the reconstruction of Hartford Avenue is proceeding. The drainage has been worked on and the paving will soon take place.
The owner of the Beachcomber asked if the 8 inch water service provided by the Connecticut Water Company could be extended to the end of the street. The Connecticut Water Company stated that, if the municipality extended the pipes, Connecticut Water Company could supply the pipe material at its cost. Public Works would install the pipes before the paving and the estimated expense would be $25,000 to $27,000. First Selectman Griswold is considering talking to the Hartford Avenue property owners to see if they would like the service and if they would pay the money the town would otherwise pay for the equipment and staff. Selectman Sibley suggested that Connecticut Water Company contact all the property owners with frontage on Hartford Avenue if they would also be interested in the service.
Public Comment:
None
Other Business:
There will be a second Consumer Electronic Collection Day on Saturday, October 7, 2006 from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the Essex transfer station. All personal electronic devices will be disposed of in a proper way. The Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority pays for this service.
Selectman Sibley suggested getting the lights fixed in the parking lot of the Cross Lane Firehouse.
Selectman Sibley stated there are holes in the storm water pipe at the fire dock on Academy Lane that should be fixed.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked if the water problem had been attended to on Craig Road. First Selectman Griswold stated that John Roach of Public Works and Town Engineer George Roberts have visited the site and are working on the problem.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked about the Affordable Housing ordinance. First Selectman Griswold stated that the Land Use Dept needs to give its input.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated there is a citizen who is interested in doing plantings at the triangle located at the McCurdy Road and Rte. 156 intersection. First Selectman Griswold stated that the property belongs to the State of Connecticut and the DOT would have to be contacted. He also suggested contacting the “Ancient Order of Weeders” in Essex who maintain plantings on Rte 154 to see what rules apply.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked if a meeting has been set with a member of the Board of Education in connection with a feasibility study on the bus location. Selectman Sibley answered that he received a response from Superintendent David Klein and that he felt it was not necessary to do a feasibility study. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that she feels the town should pay for the study so the project can move on. First Selectman Griswold believes the school should pay for the study.
Executive Session:
None
Adjournment:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 P.M. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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