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The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 8:00 A.M. on Monday, May 7, 2007 in Memorial Town Hall Auditorium. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
Approval of Minutes: April 16, 2007
Selectman Sibley made a motion to approve the minutes of April 16, 2007. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Communications:
None
Appointments:
None
Old Business:
Town Woods Park – Phase II – Award of Contract to Machnik Bros. Inc
First Selectman Griswold reported that the Town Woods Building Committee met on April 18th and voted unanimously to award the phase II contract to Machnik Bros Inc. in the amount of $584,760. Mr. Griswold said the Lyme Board of Selectmen will also vote on this today and, if successful, Machnik would begin work shortly. Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to award the contract for phase II of the Town Woods Park to Machnik Bros Inc. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Town Hall Expansion
Short Term Financing Rate
First Selectman Griswold reported that the $3,300,000 short-term (9 months) borrowing rate is 3.06% from Sovereign Securities. Webster Bank handled the transaction and the net funds ($3,300,000 less payoff of $700,000) will be available on May 1, 2007. At maturity (Feb, 2008) we will decide whether to issue the bond or take out another short-term note.
Alternate Office Space
Due to the costs of requirements related to the fire code, it was decided to relocate the Probate Office and the Registrars from the library to 100 Halls Road. There was also concern about accessibility of the space to persons with disabilities. The cost differential is minor, when comparing the rent at Halls Road to the cost of the required improvements plus the rent there. The staff is pleased about the move.
Project Timing
The contractor has commenced the demolition of the lower level space on the south
side of town hall. More asbestos has been discovered inside the bathroom wall. The
various utilities (phone and alarm) have been relocated.
c Town Budget – Budget Vote Scheduled for May 21 @ 7:30 P.M. Middle School
Citizens are reminded about the town budget vote on May 21st at 7:30 P.M. in the Middle School Auditorium. The town budget will increase 3.23% and the mill rate will increase from 17.8 to 18.2 or 2.25%.
Organic Pesticide Study Committee – Update
The Pesticide Committee had its inaugural meeting on April 25th. Chairman Phil Neaton and three other members discussed the cost differential between synthetic and organic pesticides. John Rhodes, ex-officio from District 18, discussed the pesticides used at District 18. The Committee will meet on May 23rd at 4:30 P.M. at the District 18 office on David Road. It is hoped Judith Prill from the DEP will attend.
5. New Business:
Affordable Housing Annual Meeting – Update
The Affordable Housing Committee held an annual meeting on April 24th. Chairman Les Reynolds reported that several members are interested in touring the Seaspray development in East Lyme on May 10. Selectwoman Reemsnyder suggested that at the next Affordable Housing meeting on May 16th, the committee should be asked for suggestions of approx. five townspeople to serve on a formation committee. Selectman Sibley suggested using press releases and contacting the local churches to find interested and knowledgeable citizens. Resident Nathalie Judson stated that she has worked on large housing projects and would be interested in volunteering.
Call of the Budget Meeting
Adopting the Budget
Payments and Installments of Taxes
Amending Chapter 25 of the Code
Other matters which may properly come before the meeting
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to approve the agenda for the Annual Budget meeting. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED
Public Comment:
Resident Bill Folland inquired about the status of the Ethics Committee. Selectman Sibley stated that Acting Chairman Jack Collins has been involved with the cleanup of extensive water damage in his business office. Mr. Folland suggested publicizing the place and date of the Ethics Committee meetings and adding it as a line item on the Selectmen's agenda. Mr. Folland stated that he represents the neighborhood of Library Lane/Dunn's Lane and, on behalf of his neighbors, he commended First Selectman Griswold for his courageous vote to oppose the high school building project plans and for his comprehensive op-ed piece that appeared in THE DAY newspaper. Mr. Folland continued to express his and his neighbors' concern on what he considers a callous endorsement by other town officials including Selectman
Sibley and Selectwoman Reemsnyder. Mr. Folland's concern is whether the residents can afford the project, and he asked Selectman Sibley and Selectwoman Reemsnyder if they still have the high level of support as they did when they initially endorsed the project. Both Selectman Sibley and Selectwoman Reemsnyder answered they do support the plan.
Attorney Alex Tighe from Old Saybrook appeared before the Board because he represents the Robert Day Co, an owner of those house lots in the Blackhall Lake Shores subdivision. Mr. Tighe is trying to resolve an issue that was raised in 1987. Atty. Tighe stated that in 1987, an ordinance was enacted to apply to subdivisions that were created prior to 1958. The Blackhall Lake Shores subdivision was created in 1932 by Thomas Riley who died in 1954, but never deeded out the roads. Technically, the roads are still owned by Thomas Riley or his estate. There are 450 lots and 20 homes in the subdivision. The ordinance required an association, but it was allowed to lapse. Atty. Tighe has been working with Town Atty. Marylin Clarke. The ordinance change that Atty. Tighe is proposing would
give the town the leverage to force, over time, more lot owners to join the association that would have bi-laws and a declaration. The association would take care of the maintenance of the roads. There are other properties in town that fall into this category, and it is hoped that this would resolve the same issues for them. Atty. Clarke stated that she has made the changes concerned with removing ownership of the roadway as a requirement as long as there was an association in place. Also, liability insurance will not be required and it will be left up the Board of Selectmen, counsel and the town engineer to determine what would be required for construction and improvement to allow safe passage. A caveat will be put on the land records with respect to the development listing the addresses that states no permits will be issued without compliance with a mandate that they belong to the association. Matt McDonald, property owner in the Blackhall Lake
Shores subdivision, stated he would be willing to join an association and recommended asking his neighbors to voluntarily join. Selectman Sibley stated it was important to him to have input from ZEO Ann Brown. Atty. Clarke will send a copy of the changes to Atty. Jane Marsh who was involved with Zoning in 1987. First Selectman Griswold suggested the approval of the agenda for the annual budget meeting on May 21st including amending chapter 25 of the code.
Selectman Sibley made a motion to add to the agenda under New Business the call of the annual budget meeting. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Other Business:
Selectman Sibley proposed the creation of a committee to evaluate the need for a fire boat, a police boat and a Harbor Commission boat. Mr. Sibley volunteered to be on the committee and would like to include a member of the Fire Dept, Board of Finance, Police Dept, Harbor Commission and Emergency Management.
Selectman Sibley referred to an article in the DAY newspaper about the Town of Montville working on an ordinance dealing with commercial property blight and different standards concerning the upkeep of property. First Selectman Griswold stated that the town has looked at a blight ordinance and it can be controversial.
Selectman Sibley stated that he and Selectwoman Reemsnyder attended the Court of Honor for Eagle Scout Matthew Graves.
Adjournment:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:13 A.M. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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