Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Monday, August 20, 2007
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 9:30 A.M. on Monday, August 20, 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, 2007
The August 6 minutes will be reviewed at the next meeting due to recording difficulties.
2. Communications:
a. Letter to High School Building Committee Members
First Selectman Griswold sent a letter to the High School Building Committee members requesting that they come to the Citizen’s Building Committee meeting last week. The meeting followed the Ad Hoc Advisory committee meeting. The Ad Hoc meeting and the Citizen’s Building Committee reviewed the critical needs list, and the report from the Fire Marshall and Fire Consultant about deficiencies at the High School. Selectwoman Reemsnyder commented that because the letter was sent using town letterhead stationary, the Citizen’s Building Committee meeting should have been posted publicly.
Selectman Sibley requested that the Citizen’s Building Committee post their meetings publicly and record minutes. First Selectman Griswold will ask a member of the committee to record the minutes. The next committee meeting will be posted on the Town’s web site.
3. Appointments: None
4. Old Business:
a. Town Woods Park - Status
The Town Woods Park work is proceeding smoothly. The well problem has been corrected and the fields are being completed. The work is targeted to be finished in September.
b. Town Hall Expansion - Status
The north addition is nearing completion and the south addition will begin framing soon. Construction is proceeding on schedule. Some buried items were found in back of the building and are being checked for asbestos. Selectman Sibley asked to have Ron Rose notified to make sure the situation is handled correctly.
c. Church Corner Committee - Update
The Church Corner Committee met last week and had the most recent plan from Hendricks. The Committee made some minor changes and recommendations which Hendricks will incorporate. Before the project is started there will be a meeting of residents on Ferry Road, Lyme Street and McCurdy Road, and then a public meeting. First Selectman Griswold will check the status of state funding for the project. It would be ideal to have the project start in the next fiscal quarter, but it will depend on the status of funding.
d. Town Landing Committee – Update
The Town Landing Committee held their second meeting, a continuation of the analysis to define a town landing. There are Historical and legal definitions. The Committee is still analyzing what we have and what we want to consider public access to water. The group decided to wait on additional signage on Tantummaheag Road so that the signage will be consistent. The next meeting will be on September 13.
5. New Business: None
6. Public Comment: None
7. Other Business:
a. Landfill and Transfer Station
Anchor Engineering will create a detailed plan of what needs to be done to improve the access road, and create a turnaround and a new approach to the recycling area.
b. School bus depot
Selectman Sibley stated that the town is at a dead end regarding a bus depot at the landfill and suggested that before going forward with a feasibility study we ask Anchor (off the record) what their gut feeling is about the site. If we get a positive response he suggested that the town move forward with the study and then create a plan estimating the cost, including site analysis. A discussion took place about the town funding the feasibility study. Selectwoman Reemsnyder suggested getting a legal opinion about putting a bus depot on a prior landfill area. First Selectman Griswold stated that the DEP has been consulted and that he would like to move forward with the project but is concerned about who will pay for it. He does not want the town to bear the whole burden of paying
for the site analysis. He would like District 18 to get involved from the beginning and agree ahead of time to support the project if it is feasible, since they will not be charged rent if the depot is built at the landfill. Selectman Sibley agreed to list the points to be considered in the project.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to schedule a meeting with officials from Anchor Engineering and District 18 to discuss creating a school bus depot at the landfill. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
c. Substandard buildings
Selectman Sibley talked to Ron Rose regarding the general housing ordinance about substandard buildings. He is concerned about a building on Hartford Avenue which is in disrepair and may have an illegal well. The enforcement officer is the Director of Health, Vijay Sikand, M.D. Selectman Sibley made a motion that a property investigation request be made, in writing, to the Director of Health, with a copy to Ron Rose. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
d. Tax Relief Committee
Selectwoman Reemsnyder spoke about appointing a tax relief committee for the elderly. First Selectman Griswold stated that beyond tax relief and income thresholds there is another issue. The town has a large group of people who have to move out of town in order to downsize to a smaller house. Old Lyme needs more 55 and over housing. From a land use perspective this impacts a large group of people. He asked Selectwoman Reemsnyder to outline the charge of this committee before the next meeting.
e. Hains Park - Update
Selectman Sibley stated that recent weed cutting at Hains Park was successful. There are 30 to 40 geese there now. It is time for another Do Not Feed The Geese reminder.
8. Adjournment:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to adjourn the meeting 10:35 A.M. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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