The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, July 16, 2007 at Christ the King
Church. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
1. Approval of Minutes: June 18, 2007
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to approve the minutes of June 18, 2007 as written. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications:
a. Letter to CT State Police – Request for Temporary Trooper First Selectman Griswold sent a written request to the Connecticut State Police for a temporary trooper to fill the vacancy by Officer Howard Smith who left the police force. Officer Chris Olson has filled that vacancy. Also, a second TDY officer has been assigned to fill the vacancy of Trooper David Todd who has been reassigned.
b. DOT - Repairs to the Baldwin Bridge
The Department of Transportation has informed the Towns of Old Lyme and Old Saybrook of the maintenance work that will be done on the Baldwin Bridge starting June 19th.
3. Appointments:
a. Resignation – Evald Johnson – Lymes Senior Center Board
Evald (EJ) Johnson has resigned from the Lymes Senior Center Board.
b. Lymes Senior Center Board – Ann Griffith (D) – 3 Yr. Term to Jan 09
Ann Griffith has been recommended to fill the vacancy by Evald Johnson. Selectman Sibley made a motion to appoint Ann Griffith (D) to a three-year term on the Lymes Senior Center Board ending in January, 2009. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
c. Resignation – Anthony Licitra from Harbor Management Commission
Anthony (Tony) Licitra has resigned from the Harbor Management Commission after being on the Board for
twenty years.
4. Old Business:
a. Discussion About Tantammaheag Rd/Mile Creek Rd Land Swap Proposal
First Selectman Griswold read a letter from Diana Atwood Johnson in which she withdrew her offer to swap
her land on Mile Creek Road for town-owned land on Tantammaheag Road. Ms. Johnson emphasized that only those persons with proper permits and authorization have the right to clear the brush or post signs.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to move the Public Comment portion of the agenda to this point in the meeting. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
6. Public Comment:
Old Lyme resident Rebecca Griffin asked how it was decided that the land offer should go before a town
meeting. The Selectmen explained that the town operates under Connecticut General Statutes and that
the town meeting is the legislative body to decide on important matters. A town meeting gives all citizens
a chance to vote on important issue.
Coult Lane resident Cindy Fecher asked who withdrew the proposal. Ms. Fecher thought perhaps Harbor
Management made the initial proposal and that Harbor Management should make the withdrawal. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that it was Diana Atwood Johnson who made and withdrew the proposal and that Ms. Johnson sent a copy of her withdrawal letter to all the Boards who weighed in on this issue. Cindy Fecher stated that the town should install the signage on all town landings and do maintenance on the land. Her group has formed a committee and the website is oltlc.org.
Coult Lane resident Donald Porter thanked the Board of Selectmen and Cindy Fecher for the discussion on the topic. Mr. Porter stated that he still has a problem with the approval process and wondered if this same
topic could become a new proposal for the Board to consider which, he feels, could result in harm to the
value of the surrounding properties of the town landing.
J. Ranelli of Old Lyme asked if it is on record who made the initial proposal of the land swap, will there
be an official response to the withdrawal, what due diligence is done to assess the true value of
surrounding properties, and will there be a maintenance schedule?
Harry Smith stated that time is of the essence to install signs and do maintenance on the town landing
for this year.
b. Town Woods Park – Status
The Town Woods Park work is proceeding as scheduled. At this time, there is difficulty in locating sufficient water to irrigate the new fields.
c. Town Hall Expansion – Status
The concrete foundation has been installed on the south of the building and the roof has been removed on
the north side and the carpenters are working on the new roof. The elevator shaft has been installed.
d. Boat Study Committee – Update
At the Boat Study Committee meeting, members were given assignments to talk with other towns to evaluate other options. The Committee wants to understand whether the existing Harbor Commission boat is worth using as a fireboat or a police boat.
5. New Business:
a. CT Dept of Emerg. Mgt Homeland Security – Various Resolutions
Fire Marshal David Roberge provided First Selectman Griswold with the paperwork for resolutions
authorizing Mr. Griswold to sign, on behalf of the Board of Selectmen, and the memorandum of
understanding between the State of Connecticut Department of Public Safety and the Town of Old Lyme
Office of Emergency Management. The purpose is to have agreements with the Department of Emergency
Management and Homeland Security, the American Red Cross, and FEMA in place in the event of an emergency.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to authorize the First Selectman to sign various resolutions attending to the emergency management activities. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Discussion on Potential Sale of Town Parcels
i. Chapman
ii. Gardner
iii. Graeb
iv. Dubricki
Jim Gardner of Grandview Avenue, Charles Graeb who owns land on Alpha Avenue, Mr. Dubricki and Bob
Chapman are interested in town-owned land owned that is adjacent to the above-mentioned property owners. First Selectman Griswold stated that Planning and Zoning are not opposed to the idea but feels the town would be wise to get a formal proposal and go through Planning, Open Space, Board of Selectmen, the abutters and a Town Meeting. Interested parties would be responsible for appraisals and any kind of testing. Roger Davis of Beta Avenue stated that he tried to buy the parcel of interest to Charles Graeb and the land has no access and involves wetlands. Mr. Davis is opposed to any building in back of his property because of wetlands.
c. Four Ponds Meadow PRCD – Use of a Portion of Old Stagecoach Rd.
First Selectman Griswold read a letter from Atty. Diglio who appeared before the Board of Selectmen on
March 19, 2007 regarding a 200 ft. section of the northerly side of Old Stagecoach Road that would
provide access from the Boston Post Road to the Foster parcel. Mr. Griswold stated that Attorney Clarke
feels there should be an agreement between the town and the company to improve and maintain the 200 ft.
section. First Selectman Griswold recommended that Attorney Clarke prepare a draft for input from the
developer, Planning and Zoning.
d. Millstone Exercise on June 21 – Excellent Rating
The Town of Old Lyme received an excellent rating on the non-rated Millstone exercise on June 21st.
e. Change of Town & Police Employees
i. Reassignment of TFC David Todd Trooper David Todd has been reassigned from the Town
of Old Lyme to Troop F.
ii. Resignation of Office Howard Smith
Officer Howard Smith has submitted a resignation that was effective at the end of June.
iii. Bob Gentile – Hired as Recycling Coordinator & Landfill Closure Supervisor
Bob Gentile has been hired as the recycling coordinator and landfill closure supervisor.
iv. Resignation of Jeff Olaski – Public Works
Jeff Olaski is moving from the area and, therefore, has resigned from Public Works.
f. Recognition of 60 Years of Service to Bert Dean – Old Lyme Fire Dept
The Board of Selectmen recognized Bert Dean for his 60 years of voluntary service to the Old Lyme Fire
Department.
7. Other Business:
First Selectman Griswold stated that he and the engineer from Anchor agreed that the town is not ready
to open the transfer station yet. There is still capacity in the landfill. Anchor will supply refined
drawings for improvements to the road and traffic patterns and pinpoint the steps to be taken.
8. Adjournment:
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 P.M. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Coffee, Clerk
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