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Regular Meeting Monday, September 17, 2007
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 5:00 P.M. on Monday, September 17, 2007 at Christ the King Church. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
1. Approval of Minutes: August 20 & September 4, 2007
a. August 20 minutes
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked that on page 1, item 2a (letter to High School Building Committee members) be amended to include her comment that the meeting of the Citizen’s Building Committee should have been publicized since town letterhead stationary was used for the letter. She also asked that on page 2, item 7 b (School bus depot) the sentence about funding and reimbursement be corrected to read: “A discussion took place about the town funding the feasibility study.”
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to accept the minutes as amended. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. September 4 minutes
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked that on page 2, item 5b (short-term disability income) be corrected to read: “Selectwoman Reemsnyder would like to talk to a labor attorney about how to help him without setting a precedent for the future.”
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to accept the minutes as amended. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications:
a. Letter to Lynn Fairfield-Sonn – Bus Barn Relocation Meeting
First Selectman Griswold read a letter to be sent to Lynn Fairfield-Sonn about a meeting scheduled with Anchor Engineering and District 18 to discuss building a Bus Barn at the landfill. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that she did not think a letter should be read publicly before it is sent; and also that previous letters of response from Lynn Fairfield-Sonn regarding the proposed bus barn were not read publicly. She would like to have both sides presented. Selectwoman Reemsnyder read the response letter from Lynn Fairfield-Sonn of October 2006 which stated that District 18 wants a firm proposal from the town including site design, costs, liability and potential hazards before it decides to support the bus barn. First Selectman Griswold reaffirmed that the town wants a commitment from District 18 to support the
project if the feasibility study, financed by the town, shows that the site is acceptable.
3. Appointments:
a. Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate) – Frances Sadowski (R) – 2 Yr. Term to Nov 2007
First Selectman Griswold presented a letter from Frances Sadowski offering her services to the town as an Alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. There were no other applications for the position. Selectman Sibley stated that Frances is a fair-minded person who has attended ZBA meetings, and he thinks she would do a good job. Selectwoman Reemsnyder would like to have more time to consider her qualifications. First Selectman Griswold moved to appoint Frances Sadowski to the 2 yr term; Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. First Selectman Griswold voted for the appointment, Selectman Sibley and Selectwoman Reemsnyder voted against it.
4. Old Business:
a. Ethics Formation Committee – Public Information Meeting – 1 October 2007
A Public Information Meeting will be held on October 1, 2007, at 7:30 P.M. at Christ the King Church. The revised Ethics Code has been posted on the town’s web site.
b. Town Woods Park – Status
Machnik Bros. should be complete the work in the next few weeks. Use of the playing fields will have to wait until spring, after the grass has grown.
c. Town Hall Expansion – Status
The south side framing is progressing, steel beams and rafters have been installed and the second story is being built. The material found buried behind the building contained a small amount of asbestos, and has been disposed of properly. Selectwoman Reemsnyder expressed concern about the comfort of town employees and heat loss in the coming cold weather. First Selectman Griswold stated that double-paned windows will be installed, the heat will be working, and that areas that are still open when cold weather sets in will be sealed off to prevent drafts.
d. Four Ponds Meadow PRCD Agreement
A letter has been sent to the developer of the Four Ponds Meadow subdivision requesting that the company improve and maintain the 200 ft. section of Stagecoach Road it needs for access from the Boston Post Road. First Selectman Griswold is waiting for an update from planning and zoning.
e. Information Technology – Laserfiche Update
Demonstrations of Laserfiche were held for town staff so they could see the capabilities of the software. Selectwoman Reemsnyder will be getting cost and installation proposals from two companies by the end of the week. Laserfiche is document scanning software which can transfer a variety of town documents into a secure, searchable digital format with a clear audit trail.
f. Town Landing Committee – Update
The committee met last week and scheduled site walks to analyze three sites and their access to the water at different tides. The sites are on Tantummaheag Road, Buttonball Road, and Kathryn Road. The committee also discussed different types of signage.
5. New Business:
a. Sound View – Post Design District Conditions – Discussion
A discussion took place about how the Sound View district is working, and whether the town should purchase the alleys between Hartford Avenue, Portland Avenue, and Swan Avenue.
b. Robert Chapman – Purchase of Certain Rogers Lake Lots – Discussion
Robert Chapman would like to purchase some small (.1 acre) parcels of land owned by the town in Rogers Lake. The parcels adjoin property owned by Chapman.
The Selectmen felt that there should be a specific procedure to follow which would insure that this type of request is handled the same way each time, with proper notification of surrounding property owners. Selectman Sibley recommended that a committee be formed composed of certain land use board and commission members.
6. Public Comment: None
7. Other Business:
a. Substandard buildings – Update
Selectman Sibley asked about the investigation into the dilapidated building next to the Community Center on Hartford Avenue. First Selectman Griswold has been in contact with Ron Rose who told him that the building was occupied only in the summer, and by its elderly owner who usually lives in Florida. Selectman Sibley stated that the town has a responsibility to enforce the ordinance covering substandard buildings. The adjacent Community Center is in compliance with town standards. Mr. Griswold will contact Ron Rose again about the issue.
b. InfoTech- Update
Selectman Sibley asked how the check cutting was going with InfoTech. First Selectman Griswold replied that it was fine, Doris is getting used to it.
c. Transfer Station Plans
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked again for a copy of the original plans for the transfer station. First Selectman Griswold replied that she can have a copy of the original plans, but that Anchor Engineering is revising them. There will be solid information available when the survey is completed.
d. Citizen’s Building Committee meeting
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked if the Citizen’s Building Committee meeting notice had been posted. First Selectman Griswold questioned if the meeting should be posted since it is an informal (not appointed by the Board of Selectmen) committee. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that if town letterhead was used for the invitations then the meeting should have been posted.
e. Replacement of Officer Howard Smith
There was a discussion about whether Officer Howard Smith, who resigned at the end of June, would be replaced. First Selectman Griswold has requested a policing schedule from the State Police. He wants to see if there will be adequate coverage during the winter months without replacing the officer. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that beach residents are concerned about security. There has been a rash of burglaries and she believes the policing schedule should be decided by a committee which includes a constable. She would like the discussion to begin with the policing schedule. Mr. Griswold said that the discussion should include the Selectmen, the Board of Finance, and the State Police.
f. Old Lyme Events, 1st Issue
Selectwoman Reemsnyder commented that in the first edition of Old Lyme Events in the Selectman’s letter there was no mention of the contributions of the other Selectmen.
8. Adjournment:
Selectman Sibley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:34 P.M. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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