The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, February 5, 2007 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of Minutes: January 22, 2007
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes of January 22, 2007. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
None
Appointments:
None
Old Business:
Annual Town Meeting
Citizen of the Year – George James
At the Annual Town Meeting on January 22, 2007, George James was designated as the Citizen of the Year. Mr. James has volunteered on several committees including Open Space, Inland/Wetlands, Lyme Youth Service Bureau and more.
The Board congratulated George James.
Ethics Ordinance – Postponement
The Ethics Ordinance, as presented at the Annual Town Meeting, elicited discussion about the selection process of the members of the Commission. Since there were a number of comments from the audience, it was decided to postpone the vote. The committee will meet within the next month or two to revisit those questions for recommended changes and will present the changes to the Board of Selectmen before the next Town Meeting. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that most of the audience had not read the Ethics Ordinance before the Town Meeting. She reminded the citizens that the ordinance is on the town’s website and/or citizens are welcome to visit the Old Lyme Town Hall for a paper copy.
Dock Standards Ordinance – Withdrawn
It was decided to withdraw the Dock Standards Ordinance since the regulations are such that they can be accomplished through the Harbor Management Commission.
Town Meeting Vote – Town Hall Expansion Project – Passed
The vote on the approval of $4.4 million dollars for the Town Hall Expansion and Renovation Project took place on January 30, 2007 and it was a favorable vote. The third cost estimate will be available at the next building committee meeting on February 7 at 10:00 A.M. The draft documents have been given to Atty. Garcia to be sure they contain the proper protections for the town when the documents go out for bid. A temporary office location outside of town hall will be necessary for some of the staff and they will
move out by April or May. All the various town approvals for the expansion project have been secured. There should be a report available soon on the asbestos material and the removal of it in the building at 50 Lyme Street. The cast iron material will be removed by the Public Works staff. The wood building will be demolished and taken to the landfill thereby saving the town a significant amount of money versus using a regular disposal facility. Construction bids are expected in March and construction in late April.
Town Woods Park
Inland/Wetlands Approval
Inland/Wetlands gave its approval on the Town Woods Park since the wetlands have n not changed from the way they appeared some months ago.
Phase II Timing
An informational meeting and presentation about Town Woods Phase II has been scheduled for Thursday, February 8 at the Middle School Auditorium at 7:30 P.M. The committee noted the taxpayers approved $1.4 million dollars for three fields and an additional $315,000 for the building totaling $1,715,000. The actual improvements cost $1,564,000, making the project under budget by $150,520. Lyme’s Town Meeting will be on February 23. Old Lyme is aiming for a Town Meeting on March 12. The question for each town will be to appropriate $785,000 minus the STEAP Grant of $650,000 leaving a balance of $135,000 to be paid by Old Lyme (75% or $101,250) and Lyme (25% or $33,750). Construction needs to begin in April or May for the construction to be completed in the summer and the grass
planted in the fall.
The next meeting of the Board of Selectmen will be on Friday, February 16 at 11:00 A.M. First Selectman Griswold will draft a resolution for Finance.
Information Technology – Update
Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that there would be more information to report on the progress of the Information Technology Committee at the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting. The next meeting of the Information Technology Committee will be on Thursday, February 8, 2007.
New Business:
Judicial Branch (New London) – Legislative Reception
First Selectman Griswold reported that he attended a meeting of the Judicial Branch of the State of Connecticut in New London. Criminal, Civil, Family and Juvenile Judges talked to Mayors, First Selectmen and State Reps from the various districts. Mr. Griswold was amazed at the number of caseloads that are the responsibility of the judges. As an example, the Family Judges processed 1,400 cases last year with 1,000 to 1,200 pending cases. The Juvenile Judges processes between 2,300 and 2,500 cases a year with 1,000 pending cases.
Public Comment:
None
Other Business:
None
Executive Session:
None
Adjournment:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:56 P.M. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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