Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 4, 2007
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at Christ the King Church. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
1. Approval of Minutes: August 6 & 20, 2007
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked that in the August 6 minutes, item 4 b be corrected to read “James Grant” instead of “James Branse”. Selectman Sibley moved to accept the minutes as corrected. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
First Selectman Griswold stated that the August 20 minutes should be available at the next meeting, a new transcriber is needed.
2. Communications:
a. Letter to Robert Day Co. – Road Improvement
After meeting with town attorney Marylin Clarke and land use engineer Tom Metcalf about town road standards First Selectman Griswold sent a letter to the Robert Day Co. regarding upgrading the dirt road at Kimmic Road and Grandview Avenue behind Boughton Road. The Robert Day Co. is building three houses on Grandview and wants to upgrade the roads. The old 1987 private road standard will be acceptable to the town. Adequate emergency vehicle access and turnaround space is necessary. First Selectman Griswold stated that not all roads need to be up to town road standard. Private roads are appropriate in some situations. They can help to preserve the rural character of Old Lyme and the town does not have to maintain them. The private road standard ordinance no longer exists, and needs to be
brought back. Selectman Sibley stated that private roads need to have a road association to handle maintenance, and there are legal requirements for road associations.
3. Appointments: None
4. Old Business:
a. Ethics Formation Committee – Presentation of Changes to Ordinance
The Committee has met and made recommendations to address concerns brought up at the January town meeting. The chairman of the committee, Attorney Jack Collins, outlined the changes, which will be posted on the web site if they are approved. Some of the issues addressed involved the conflict of interest section, how commission members are appointed and replaced, how they can be removed, penalties for violations, and the appellate process.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked if the old and new versions of the Ethics Ordinance could be posted so that people can see the changes that have been made. The board thanked Attorney Collins for his work, and suggested that a public hearing be held in the next two to three weeks, possibly September 17 or 24 at 7:30 P.M. depending on everyone’s schedule.
b. Town Woods Park - Status
The Town Woods Park work is proceeding smoothly, final grading is being done.
c. Town Hall Expansion - Status
South wall framing is proceeding; some site work on the road is also being done.
d. Church Corner Committee - Update
The Church Corner Committee met and their changes are being included in Hendricks’ plan. There are changes being made to the driveway shared by the Monsignor’s house and the house next to the Congregational Church, and some other minor changes. There will be a neighborhood meeting, then a public meeting. First Selectman Griswold is finalizing the funding with the regional planning agency.
5. New Business:
a. Budget Preparation Timing for FY09
First Selectman Griswold met with the chairman of the Board of Finance, Andrew Russell. The budget process will be moved forward this year. Budget request forms will be sent out October 1 to the spending agencies. The Board of Finance specialists will meet during October with the agencies and ask to have the budget forms returned by November 16 to speed up the process. The Board of Finance thinks that most agencies will be able to meet the deadline.
b. Short-term Disability Income for John Roach, Supt. of Public Works
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked if this should be discussed in a public meeting or in an executive session. First Selectman Griswold said that it doesn’t qualify for an executive session. John Roach has had a stroke and is on medical leave. After his medical leave runs out, he will go onto short term disability, which provides 70% of his pay and lasts for six months. First Selectman Griswold would like to grant him full pay during the short term disability time. John has worked hard for the town for 15 years and has been available 7 days a week. Selectwoman Reemsnyder would like to talk to a labor attorney about how to help him without setting a precedent for the future. Selectman Sibley agreed. The issue was tabled pending legal advice.
6. Public Comment: None
7. Other Business:
a. School bus depot
Selectman Sibley asked about the status of the meeting between Anchor Engineering and District 18 about the bus depot.
b. Substandard buildings
Selectman Sibley asked about the investigation of the house next to the Community Center on Hartford Avenue. First Selectman Griswold spoke to Ron Rose regarding the building which is in disrepair and may have an illegal well. Ron is checking into it.
c. Transfer Station
Selectwoman Reemsnyder would like a copy of the plan for the Transfer station. Anchor Engineering is still working on the latest revision, so the original plan will be provided.
8. Adjournment:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to adjourn the meeting 5:56 P.M. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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