The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, April 2, 2007 at Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of Minutes: March 19, 2007
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the written minutes of March 19, 2007. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
DEP – Old Lyme Not Selected for Organic Land Care Project
The Board received a letter from the DEP stating that the Town of Old Lyme was not selected to be part of the Organic Land Care project. The town is interested in forming a group of citizens who are knowledgeable in the use of organic fertilizers and pesticides. Judith Prill of the Office of Pollution Prevention is available as a resource.
Appointments:
None
Old Business:
Town Woods Park – Phase II – Update
The bid packages for the Town Woods Park Phase II will be opened on April 13th at 2:00 P.M. There will be more information at the next Board of Selectmen's meeting.
Town Hall Expansion
1. 50 Lyme Street Asbestos & Demolition
On Thursday, April 5, 2007, the house at 50 Lyme Street will be demolished. The asbestos has been removed. Documentation has been sent to the State. The Fire Department performed a training exercise in the building. Certified letters have been sent to the abutters of the property.
2. Bid Process
A good number of bid packages have been picked up. Opening of the bid packages will be Thursday, April 5, 2007 at 2:00 P.M.
3. Project Timing
Construction is expected to begin on May 3, 2007.
4. Alternate Office Space
Zoning, Planning, Building, Health, Fire Marshal and Park & Rec will relocate at the end of April or early May to the Marketplace office space formerly occupied by Merrill Lynch and the United Bank. The Probate Court and the Registrar Office will be relocated to the upper level of the library. It is anticipated that all Boards and Commissions will meet in the meeting hall at the old Christ the King Church property on Lyme Street. The Tax Office, Town Clerk, Assessor, Financial, and First Selectman's Office will remain in the Old Lyme Town Hall.
5. New Business
a. Resolution – 20% Clean Energy by 2010
The Board will consider a resolution tonight concerning the State of Connecticut commitment to 20% of its energy coming from green sources by the year 2010. The Selectmen have been given a pamphlet from Smart Power that explains for every 100 households that sign up for green energy on their electric bill, the town will be entitled to one kilowatt of the photo voltaic system which translates to $10,000. If a thousand households participate, the system would be free. Guest speaker Kerri Enright of Smart Power stated that this plan is a partnership between the municipality and the residents. The Connecticut Clean Energy Options is a program sponsored by the Department of Public Utility Control. It allows CL&P customers to participate by checking the clean energy box on the utility bill to sign up to
designate 50% or 100% of their power come from renewable energy sources, for an additional $3 to $8 per month. The town commits to obtaining 20% renewable energy for all town buildings, schools, streetlights, etc. for an additional cost of $65 for the first year if using the national supply. Currently 67.5 customers have signed up for the program. First Selectman Griswold stated that the Old Lyme Conservation Trust distributed letters explaining the program and approximately six more citizens responded positively. Forms will be available on the website. All three Selectmen completed the sign-up form and urged all residents to do so as well.
First Selectman Griswold read a resolution supporting 20% clean energy by 2010. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to accept the resolution. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Pedersen Subdiv.–Saunders Hollow Rd Culvert Improvement-Robert Doane PE
Engineer Robert Doane explained he has been working on the Pedersen 17-lot subdivision located south of Burr and Bill Hill Roads and north of Saunders Hollow Road. There is an issue with the increase in downstream drainage. According to Mr. Doane's analysis, there is a 5% to 6% increase in runoff to the downstream culvert under Saunders Hollow that is under designed for a 25-year storm. He is proposing, as part of this project, to bring the culvert up to a 25-year storm standard recommended by engineer Tom Metcalf. In order to do that, Mr. Doane must go before the Wetlands Commission to replace the present system with an oversized culvert. In addition, he will be replacing a culvert upstream that is located on private property. The construction will take approximately two weeks and a constable will
be needed to direct traffic. Mr. Doane needs authorization from the town as owner of the roadway in order to submit the application to Inland/Wetlands and to authorize Mr. Metcalf as the town agent.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion authorizing First Selectman Griswold to sign the application on behalf of the town subject to confirmation by Atty. Mattern. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Discussion resulted in First Selectman Griswold stating that if Atty. Mattern is comfortable with the proposal, the Board will proceed.
Old Business:
Hartford Avenue Flagpole Project – Update
The VFW is willing to assist with the funding to illuminate the flagpole on Hartford Avenue. Frank Noe, owner of the Beach Comber, has generously volunteered to have the wiring connected to his light meter. John Roach of Public Works recommended installing a proper footing for the wall of the planter around the flagpole that will be shorter but the same width and height. There will be a second conduit to a utility pole near the Beach Comber. It is anticipated that the work will be completed by Memorial Day. The planter in front of the Pavilion needs to be repaired as well.
Distribution of Recycling Bins for Paper
The recycling bins have been distributed to the year-round residents. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that she has a meeting with District #18 to request the art students do a project on the value of recycling. Selectman Sibley recommended using a sticker that could be placed on the blue garbage cans to remind residents to use the small bin for paper.
5. New Business:
Resolution – 20% Clean Energy by 2010
See above
Pedersen Subdiv. – Saunders Hollow Rd Culvert Improvements-Rbt Doane, PE
See above
Deputy Commissioner of Homeland Security – Presentation of NIMS Certificate
The Deputy Commissioner of Homeland Security visited Old Lyme on April 2 and commended the town on its NIMS certification (National Incident Management System). All the Selectmen previously took a course in Old Saybrook. Old Lyme is the fourth town to be certified. Dave Roberge and the Commissioner discussed a potential future mass casualty exercise.
Town Budget Preparation – Update
First Selectman Griswold stated that on April 3 the Board of Finance will view the final version of the town budget which provides for a spending increase of approximately 3%.
Establishment of Town Safety Committee
The town has established an eight to ten member Town Safety Committee consisting of both management and hourly employees to identify and take care of potential safety problems. There will be representatives from Park & Rec, Ambulance, Fire, Public Works, Town Hall and Police Departments. Resident State Trooper Scott O'Donnell will serve as chairman. The committee will meet quarterly to review safety problems and incident reports. Next meeting is in July.
"Mayors on Wheels" – Delivery of Meals on Wheels
First Selectman Griswold delivered 15 meals as part of the "Mayors on Wheels" annual program. The Meals on Wheels Program sponsored by the Estuary Council of Seniors delivers meals to people in need every day except weekends. First Selectman Griswold referred to an article in the Lyme Times about Judy Weiner, a volunteer, who had a significant part in saving an elderly man's life when she delivered his meal and discovered he had no heat. The situation was quickly remedied with the help of Sherry Meyer, our Social Services Coordinator.
Center School Mural – Colonial Dames Award of Excellence
The Society of Colonial Dames recognized the Center School mural with an Award of Excellence. A number of students created the mural that was started in the fall of 2004 to honor the town's rich past and artistic roots. The students were also recognized for a documentary they created last year called "Flags on Lyme Street".
Public Comment:
None
Other Business:
Selectman Sibley reported that the legal office of Acting Chairman of the Ethics Committee Jack Collins had a broken water pipe in February that caused extensive damage. This has been a major distraction for him, but he reported that the committee will meet again soon.
Adjournment:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 P.M. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
A Resolution of the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen in Support of 20% Clean Energy by 2010
WHEREAS, electricity production is a leading cause of air pollution in the United States which can result in a variety of health risks; and
WHEREAS, the 20% by 2010 campaign is a Connecticut not-for-profit initiative that has undertaken efforts to encourage community action in support of putting Connecticut’s customers on a path to having 20% of their electricity supply come from clean, renewable energy sources by the year 2010.
WHEREAS, by meeting the goals of 20% by 2010, Old Lyme can begin to address the problems resulting from air pollution; and
WHEREAS, clean energy resources – such as wind and solar energy – constantly replenish themselves, do not cause the buildup of global warming gases and health-damaging pollutants, and if properly managed, will be available to serve our energy needs forever; and
WHEREAS, the Connecticut clean Energy fund has agreed to provide Old Lyme a solar Photo-volaic energy system, for every 100 residential homes signing up for CL&P’s CTCleanEnergyOptions program. The units will be received and installed at no cost to the municipality and allow for direct reduction in conventional electric supply at the Old Lyme Town Hall.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Selectmen encourages all businesses, institutions and households within Old Lyme to adopt the goal of making at least 20% of their energy purchases come from renewable energy sources by the year 2010.
____________________ ___________________ _____________________
Timothy C. Griswold Arthur E. Sibley, Jr. Bonnie A. Reemsnyder
First Selectman Selectman Selectwoman
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