The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, November 20, 2006 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of Minutes: Nov 6, 2006 and Special Meeting Nov 15, 2006
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to approve the minutes of November 6, 2006 as written. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley stated that the minutes of the Special Meeting of November 15, 2006 should be amended to add that Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion and the motion
was seconded by Selectman Sibley. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to approve the amended minutes of November 15, 2006. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
None
Appointments:
Tree Commission – Emily Griswold (R) – 3 Yr. Term to Jan 09
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to appoint Emily Griswold (R) to the Tree Commission for a 3-year term ending January 2009. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Open Space Committee – Peter Cable (D) – 1 Yr. Term to Jan 07
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to appoint Peter Cable (D) to the Open Space Committee for a 1-year term ending January 2007. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Old Business:
Ethics Formation Committee – Revised Information Meeting Date
The Ethics Formation Committee will hold an information meeting on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. at the Middle School Auditorium. The Committee will talk about the Code of Ethics and the Ordinance. Superintendent David Klein will do a power point presentation. Any input solicited from the community will be evaluated. The final recommendation from the Board of Selectmen will be to take the Code and the Ordinance to the Annual Town Meeting. The meeting of the Board of Selectman scheduled for December 4th at 7:30 P.M. will be at 4:00 P.M.
Town Hall Expansion Committee – Special Town Meeting – Tuesday Nov 21, 2006 at Middle School Auditorium and Update
First Selectman Griswold stated that, at the Special Town meeting on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at the Middle School Auditorium, there will be a presentation of the project, followed by a vote. If the vote is positive, some of the proceeds will be used to fund items paid during the previous sixty days. An amount of $475,000 was approved in August of 2006. The $225,000 approval being sought at the Nov. 21st meeting will be tied together for a total of $700,000. There will be a note with a maturity date of May 1, 2007 that will be beyond the referendum. If the referendum passes, a short-term note will take the project from May 1st until after construction.
Town Woods Phase II – Update
There was discussion at the Town Woods Building Committee meeting on November 9th about the irrigation of the two softball/baseball fields and the need for another well in addition to the well now being used for the soccer field. There was also discussion on the need for a perimeter fence and the need for more fill material, especially in areas where
soils are substandard. Unsuitable materials in the lacrosse fields needed to be removed and new materials added. Comments were made about the need for electricity for a scoreboard and grass seed versus sod. The Committee will be soliciting bids in the springtime for Phase II. The next meeting will the November 28th at 7:30 P.M. at the Town Hall for anyone wishing to observe the Town Woods Building Committee.
Reconstruction of Hartford Avenue – Extension of CT Water Co. Water Main
At the end of last week, the 8” water main was extended to the end of Hartford Avenue.
Jerry Vowles has secured checks from the various interested abutting landowners. The abutters are paying a fee of $2,000 each and the checks will reimburse the town for its expenses. Several owners on Pond Road have contacted the town because there is an 8” water main that comes down Portland Avenue and makes a turn into Miami Beach. There could be a connection between Hartford Avenue and Pond Road mains for those living on the south side of Pond Road. Gary Gnazzo is contacting the people who live there.
Information Technology Committee – Update on Financial Syst. Bids
Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that the Information Technology Committee attended two demonstrations on Friday and two demonstrations today by the companies that put in bids. The Committee needs to review the information to make the best choice. Five bids were received and the town is considering four of the five and the school is considering three of the five. An effort is being made for the town and the school to use the same company that will result in savings for both parties. First Selectman Griswold suggested asking our banker to check to be sure there are no negatives regarding credit. Selectman Sibley suggested having members of the Finance Board make a field visit to get information on the financial aspects. The next meeting is December 14, 2006.
New Business:
Reg. Dist. 18 – Veterans Day Ceremonies
First Selectman Griswold stated that Center School, the Middle School and the High School students conducted outstanding ceremonies on November 10 dedicated to honoring the Veterans.
Town Hall Generator from Boughton Road
The 20 kw generator at the firehouse on Boughton Road is being replaced. The original plan was to move the generator to the town hall to replace the one there. Due to the expansion project and the fact that the town hall will need a larger one, the generator will be placed at the police station on Rte. 156. It will be moved and made operational for $4,000.
Public Comment:
Bill Folland of Dunn’s Lane had questions relative to the notice that went out about the Special Town meeting and specifically dealing with the resolution. His question on item 3 of the resolution was to do with the purchase and installation of equipment, fixtures, furnishings and other materials for the foregoing town hall expansion project. He further stated that in reading the letter on the town’s website on November 15, he thought that the resolution was only dealing with soft costs and that there would be no purchasing, installing equipment, furnishing or other materials. He was also concerned about item 4 regarding the preparation and printing of bid documents. If the idea of the vote for $225,000 is for better cost estimates, he recommended that the bid documents be part of
the final design. If there is no approval for the referendum, there is no need for the bid documents. Item 5 states the money is for demolition, construction materials, and site work. The posted letter on the website on November 15 states nothing will be done on the Speirs property until after the referendum being held in February. Mr. Folland requested some input as to why this text is in the document when he feels that it does not pertain to the main object of acquiring realistic bids that will be presented for the February referendum.
First Selectman Griswold stated that, with respect to these categories, he felt they were fairly encompassing so that should something come along it would be allowed. He stated he did not contemplate that the town would be buying any equipment such as copiers, lighting fixtures. It is in there because there may be a need for a piece of equipment in conjunction with the project. People have to rely on the fact that money will not be spent foolishly, but if something comes along in the line of furniture, fixtures and equipment, the committee and the Selectmen would make a sensible decision. As to the site work, Mr. Griswold stated it is true the town would not be doing anything to the house in the way of demolition until after the referendum but may remove asbestos in case the house were to be
remarketed. If the referendum is successful and there is a reasonable sum of money left over from the $700,000, the town would proceed with certain things that would be contemplated under the bond for a quick start. If the referendum is successful, we plan to proceed immediately with the bid documents to start the project in April.
Mr. Folland stated that this is a legal document and those items he mentioned are very specifically noted in the town’s letter that they would not happen. Mr. Folland further stated that at the end of that paragraph, it also allows the Selectmen latitude in modifying the project depending on cost restrictions. Mr. Folland stated there are certain sections in this resolution that should not be there because they do not jive with the letter to the town residents. Therefore, he felt the resolution should be rewritten since the letter and the resolution does not agree as they should.
First Selectman Griswold stated that learned bond council drew up the paperwork and the idea is not to fool the citizens. It is to go forward.
Other Business:
First Selectman Griswold was talking with Olwen Logan of LymeLine.com and she is considering getting into the business of having legal ads posted on LymeLine. She has given the town a document that essentially gives us the ability to put a legal on LymeLine at a modest cost in addition to putting it in the newspapers. The Commission on Unfunded Mandates is trying to modernize the information flow by abandoning the old practices and accepting the electronic legal notifications.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked about the update of paving on Champlain Road. First Selectman Griswold stated that the finished coat has not been applied as of last weekend. Selectman Sibley stated that saw horses are set up on Cross Lane where John Roach has installed a new storm sewer. Selectwoman Reemsnyder also inquired about the status of the drainage problem on Craig Road. First Selectman Griswold stated that no further contact has been made with the property owner. Selectwoman Reemsnyder also inquired about the property lines at the bathrooms at White Sand Beach. First Selectman Griswold stated that Tony Hendriks is finalizing the survey. The research on the project has been difficult. Selectman Sibley stated that Lyme moved ahead with an Affordable Housing plan.
Mr. Sibley would like to contact First Selectman Koch of Lyme to get the details.
Executive Session:
None
Adjournment:
Selectwoman Sibley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 P.M. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee
Clerk
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