The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 4:00 P.M. on Monday, October 16, 2006 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Old Business:
a. Ethics Formation Committee - Recommendation
Jack Collins, Acting Chairman of the Ethics Committee, thanked the other Ethics Committee members for their time and efforts in constructing the Ethics Code. Atty. Collins stated that he would appreciate it if the Code could be put on the town’s website to notify the Old Lyme citizens of its existence and receive comments. Atty. Marylin Clarke will prepare the ordinance. There will be a public information meeting in November. The Ethics Code and the Ethics Ordinance will be presented at the Annual Town Meeting in January.
Approval of Minutes: October 2, 2006
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to approve the minutes of October 2, 2006. First Selectman Griswold seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
Reg. Dist. 18 – Central Office not Coming to Town Hall
First Selectman Griswold received a letter from Regional District 18 in which the school declined the offer to join with the Old Lyme Town Hall in the expansion project.
Response to the Above
First Selectman Griswold and John Forbis will respond to the letter from the school so that the record is clear as to the position of the town and the school.
Reg. Dist. 18 – Bus Barn Location
First Selectman Griswold received a letter from Board of Ed Chairman Lynn Fairfield-Sonn stating that, while the school is interested in the new bus barn location,
the Board of Ed does not believe the town has the right or enough information to determine if the new location is a good site.
Response to the Above
In his response to Ms. Fairfield-Sonn, First Selectman Griswold stated that he has sent a copy of her letter about the bus barn location to Jim Otis of Anchor Engineering requesting that he review the letter and respond with a written estimate of the costs to adequately evaluate the use of the Four Mile River Road bus barn site. Mr. Griswold further stated that the town would pay Anchor for this service, but will not undertake the responsibility or costs for a full-blown analysis. Mr. Griswold will schedule a meeting with Ms. Fairfield-Sonn, Superintendent David Klein, and himself when he receives Jim Otis’ response. Selectwoman Reemsnyder added that she disagrees that the school, rather than the town, is expected to pay for the feasibility study.
Machnik Bros., Inc. – Craig Road Work Quote
A Craig Road property owner has complained about water flowing to her property coming from a town catch basin. John Roach of Public Works asked Machnik Bros., Inc. for an estimate of an alternate drainage pattern. The quote, in the amount of $64,180, is for blasting through a hill and the installation of a 350-ft. drainage pipe. First Selectman Griswold suggested discussing the problem with the landowner and perhaps solve the problem by installing an underground pipe across her land at a much-reduced cost.
Appointments:
None
Old Business:
Town Hall Expansion Committee – Update & Request for $200,000
John Forbis stated that the cost estimate for architect and engineering design development and contract documents for the Town Hall expansion project until the February referendum is $225,000. First Selectman Griswold stated that a resolution has been prepared for the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Finance, and for the Special Town Meeting on November 13, 2006. Selectman Sibley made a motion to recommend to the Board of Finance and to a Special Town Meeting the resolution provided by Updike, Kelly and Spellacy. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Town Hall Expansion Committee – Culture & Tourism Grant Resolution
The Culture & Tourism Grant for which the town is applying will be an amount up to $200,000 in conjunction with renovating our historic Town Hall. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to pass the resolution to authorize First Selectman Griswold to file the application for the Culture & Tourism Grant that he read at the meeting and also that First Selectman Griswold be authorized and directed to complete the other forms that were also read at the meeting. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Purchase of Black Hall Woods LLC Property – Special Town Meeting – October 16 at 7:30 P.M. Middle School Auditorium
First Selectman Griswold read a letter from Atty. Royston, who represents the Black Hall Woods LLC. He stated that the sale of the two open space parcels owned by Black Hall Woods LLC land requires authorization from members of Black Hall Woods LLC. At this point, members holding a majority interest in the LLC are not prepared to authorize the signing of the contract. They need an additional period of time to evaluate the terms of the transaction. The majority of the members wishes to emphasize that they have not rejected the terms but are reevaluating them at this point. They request that the town obtain the authorization to make the acquisition under the terms contained in the contract of sale in the event the majority members of the company determine that it is prudent to conclude the sale under
these terms.
Reconstruction of Hartford Avenue – Extension of CT Water Co. Water Main
The town has been working on drainage improvements for repaving of Hartford Avenue. A couple of property owners asked whether or not the water line south of Martino could be extended to the end of Hartford Ave. The Connecticut Water Company would be willing to supply the main and lateral pipes if the town were willing to do the work. John Roach of Public Works estimated $27,000 for labor, equipment and materials. There are now about 15 people who may want to hook up to the line at a cost of approx. $2,000 each. Atty. Clarke is preparing a receipt for those who pay indicating that the service will be installed to the back of the sidewalk and the landowner is responsible for the connection to their property. Also, the seasonal or year-round status is not affected. First Selectman
Griswold will present this information to the Board of Finance.
Cameron Parish Relief Effort – Update
The recommendation of the Cameron Parish Relief Committee is to send Dave Roberge to Louisiana in December to talk to the emergency management people about the problems in that area and also to talk about the status of our relief effort. There was discussion of a fundraiser dance in February to coincide with Mardi Gras.
New Business:
CCM Convention – Included 3 Students
Three local students attended the CCM convention – Greg Berryman, Elizabeth Comstock and Eileen Rice. There were 120 high school students in all.
Techno Ticks “Bash at the Beach” – Middle School Gym – October 14 at 9:00 A.M.
The Techno Ticks had their eighth annual “Bash at the Beach” on October 14, 2006. There were 30 teams competing.
Holiday – Day after Thanksgiving
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion that the staff at the Town Hall will have the day after Thanksgiving off. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED
Marmalade the Town Hall Cat – Died October 4, 2006
First Selectman Griswold announced that Marmalade, the Town Hall cat, died on October 4, 2006.
Public Comment:
Pat McCarthy, the Democrat Registrar of Voters, stated that special voter making sessions will be made on Saturday, October 21, 2006 from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. and Tuesday, October 31, 2006 from 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Old Lyme Town Hall. The registrars will go to the high school to register eligible students. Ms. McCarthy stated that the voting machines that will be used in this election are the same ones used by the town for the past few years. She also stated there would be a State Senate and congressional debate at the Middle School tomorrow night. First Selectman Griswold mentioned that absentee ballots are available through the Town Clerk’s office.
Other Business:
None
Executive Session:
None
Adjournment:
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:19 P.M. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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