Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Monday, October 1, 2007
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 5:00 P.M. on Monday, October 1, 2007 at Christ the King Church. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
1. Approval of Minutes: September 17, 2007
a. September 17 minutes
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked that on page 1, item 2a (letter to Lynn Fairfield-Sonn) after the sentence “She would like to have both sides presented.” the phrase “Selectwoman Reemsnyder read the response letter from Lynn Fairfield-Sonn of October 2006 which stated that ….” be inserted.
Also on page 1, item 3a (ZBA appointment) should be corrected by deleting “Selectman Sibley made a motion to table the issue until the next meeting. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.” and substituting “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. ”
Selectman Sibley asked that on page 3, item 5b (Purchase of Rogers Lake Lots) the sentence “Selectman Sibley will discuss it with Attorney Marsh.” be deleted and replaced by “Selectman Sibley recommended that a committee be formed composed of members of certain land use boards and commissions.”
Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that on page 3, item 7d (Citizen’s Building Committee meeting) the sentence “First Selectman Griswold replied that he believed there would be a meeting this week and that it had been posted” should be deleted and replaced by “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.”
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked that page 3, item 7e (replacement of Officer Howard Smith) be revised to include the statement “There has been a rash of burglaries and she believes the policing schedule should be decided by a committee which includes a constable.” after the sentence “Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that beach residents are concerned about security.”
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to accept the minutes as amended. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications: None
3. Appointments:
a. Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate) – Frances Sadowski (R) – 2 Yr. Term to Nov
2007
First Selectman Griswold pointed out that the members on the Zoning Board of Appeals will be running unopposed in the upcoming election. Selectman Sibley moved to appoint Frances Sadowski to the 2 Yr. term ending Nov 2007, Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Open Space Committee – Judith Glover (U) – 1 Yr. Term to Jan. 08
First Selectman Griswold received a letter from Dianna Johnson of the Open Space Committee nominating Judith Glover to serve a one year term on the Committee until Jan. 2008. She is the President of the Friends of Gillette’s Castle, has been a special events planner for the Friends of CT State Parks, and has been a board member of the East Haddam Historical Society. Selectman Sibley made motion to appoint Judith Glover to a one year term until Jan 2008, on the Open Space Committee. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
4. Old Business:
a. Ethics Formation Committee – Public Information Meeting – 1 October 2007 – 7:30 PM
The 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, and some comments have been made on the draft.
b. Town Woods Park – Status & Vandalism to the park
The Machnik Bros. work is nearly completed. First Selectman Griswold received an email from Don Bugbee about vandalism at the park. The gazebo in the play area was damaged; shingles were torn off and the cupola was removed. People are urged to keep an eye out when they are there. Selectman Sibley suggested using motion-activated security cameras if vandalism becomes a continuing problem
c. Town Hall Expansion – Status
Sheetrock is going up in the north wing; the south wing is nearly enclosed. It should be fully enclosed before winter. The windows are being installed in the open areas. Closing in the area at the top of the stairs to prevent heat loss is being discussed.
d. Four Ponds Meadow PRCD-Approval of Agreement
First Selectman Griswold requested that the board approve the letter to send to the Planning Commission regarding the improvement and maintenance of Stagecoach Road by the Four Ponds Meadow developer. Attorney Clarke and the developer’s attorney have both approved of the letter. Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to approve the letter, Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
e. Town Landing Committee – Update
The Town Landing Committee met and visited the three town landing sites. The Katherine Road landing has good access and does not need much improvement. The Tantummaheag Road landing can be used as a fire resource if gravel is laid down near the water. At the Buttonball Road landing a parking area can be created on the land above the marsh. The committee will discuss signage at their next meeting.
f. John Roach – Short term disability income
Selectmen Sibley and Reemsnyder stated that this issue qualifies for an executive session, since it’s related to a medical problem of a town employee. First Selectman Griswold moved to add it to the Agenda as an Executive session. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
5. New Business:
a. Hartford Ave. Paving – Resolution to use Parking Lot Funds – Special Town Meeting
First Selectman Griswold consulted the Finance Board about completing the Hartford Ave. paving job. The work that needs to be done is: install a 2 inch overlay of finished paving, which includes milling and applying a tack coating; installing (approx. 40) aprons to connect to the side roads, Rte. 156 and existing driveways; and installing 1900 feet of curbing to direct water runoff into the catch basins. Bids were procured from four companies, with two, American and Pastriak, being about the same. American’s bid was $86,950; Pastriak’s bid was $76,423. Mr. Griswold does not want to exceed $77,000 for the total price. The water main project used $16,900 of project funds, but collected $30,000 for the work, so that project had a $13,100 favorable result in the last fiscal year. First Selectman Griswold
would like the paving work to be finished this fall. There is too much other work to be done in the spring and it would be costly to delay the project. He would like to recommend to the Board of Finance to use $55,200 from the Sound View Parking Lot account to pay for the road work along with a carryover of $21,800 from fiscal year 2007. Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked why the cost is so much more than was expected. First Selectman Griswold replied that petroleum-based materials have gone up in price and that the curbing and apron work was added to finish the project, further increasing the cost.
The Parking Lot account collects parking money (approx. $80,000) from the street, so the mill rate won’t go up and there will not be a general funds appropriation. Selectwoman Reemsnyder commented that the cost of a time delay should be taken into account in the future when considering changes on a project that has already been budgeted.
Selectman Sibley moved to recommend that the Board of Finance have a special town meeting to approve the withdrawal of $55,200 from the Sound View Parking Lot Fund to complete the paving job on Hartford Avenue. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Historic District House Signage Grant – Nondiscrimination Statement
The Historic District Commission is seeking a state grant to do historic research and provide historic plaques for some Historic District properties. The state requires that the nondiscrimination clause be certified by First Selectman Griswold.
Resolved: That the Town of Old Lyme hereby adopts its policy to support the nondiscrimination agreements and warranties under Connecticut General Statute 4a-60(a)(1) and 4a-60a (a)(1) as amended by the state of Connecticut public act 07-245 and sections 9 (a)(1) and 10 (a )(1) of public act 07-142.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to authorize First Selectman Griswold to sign the nondiscrimination clause. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
c. Public Works Garage Committee - Formation
The Board of Selectmen would like to create a Public Works Garage Committee. They need people willing to evaluate the requirements and layout of the public works yard. Selectman Sibley has contacted five people and is waiting to hear from two more. Selectman Sibley moved to form a Public Works Garage Committee. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
6. Public Comment:
William Roundtree, of 49 Brown’s Lane, Old Lyme asked about the economic status of the town hall project and the impact that asbestos abatement would have on the construction budget. First Selectman Griswold replied that while some additional asbestos was found in the town hall, in the building at 50 Lyme Street, and in material buried out back; the abatement cost would not cause the project to go over budget. Selectman Sibley stated that the bid had a cushion, and there was a contingency fund built in to allow room for extra expenses.
Mr. Roundtree asked about the delay in opening the new transfer station. First Selectman Griswold replied that more work is required to open it than was expected. The transfer station must be created first which involves widening the driveway, excavating the road around the scale, installing drainage and a road to the recycling bins. The landfill has to be properly graded and capped after it is closed. Mr. Roundtree asked how this impacts the school bus area. First Selectman Griswold replied that it does not have much impact; the material that needs to be removed to create the bus area can be used in the landfill closure.
Mr. Roundtree asked why the school board is implicated in delaying the moving of the school buses when the facility is not yet ready. Mr. Griswold stated that the town is trying to resolve how to proceed with the feasibility study for the project; and that the buses cannot be moved until the contract ends in 3 years.
Mr. Roundtree expressed his concern over the conditions at the High School, and his desire to have the High School building project go forward.
No other public comment
7. Other Business:
a. Voter Registration dates
Voter Registration will be held on Thursday, October 04, 2007 at the Lyme/ Old Lyme High School from 11:30 AM to the end of the lunch periods. High School students who are 18 years old now or who will be 18 by November 6, 2007 can register to vote.
On Saturday, October 20, 2007, a new voter registration session will be held at the registrar’s office at 100 Hall’s Road, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Mail in registrations must be postmarked by Tuesday, October 23, 2007, to be eligible to vote on November 6, 2007.
On Thursday, October 30, 2007, the registrar’s office will be open from 9:00AM to 8:00PM.
On Monday, November 5, 2007 the registrar’s office will be open from 9:00AM until 12:00PM to offer voter registration for those who have attained citizenship or residence since October 30, 2007.
b. Tax Relief Committee
Selectwoman Reemsnyder emailed questionnaires to Selectmen Griswold and Sibley for review and to pass onto some likely people to serve on a tax relief committee for elderly residents.
c. Transfer Station
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked if the trailer next to the scale at the transfer station is permanent, as it looks deteriorated. She expressed concern about the doors being locked and someone becoming trapped in it in the event of a fire, and has spoken to Fire Marshal Dave Roberge about it who believed it to be a construction trailer. First Selectman Griswold replied that it will be used as the scale office, but is currently housing drawings. Mr. Rutty is using the other building. Selectwoman Reemsnyder commented that Ed Adanti is doing a good job overseeing Public Works and asked about increasing his compensation. First Selectman Griswold replied that it could be discussed in the future.
e. Landfill dumping
Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that she has information that street sweepings from another town are being dumped at the Old Lyme landfill at no cost. Street sweepings and the contents of catch basins have guidelines regarding dumping and she could not find any information about Old Lyme being an approved site. She believes this has been going on for several years and that the landfill has recently gotten several hundred yards of fill or dirt. She understood that if we took fill it had to be screened or determined to be suitable. She brought pictures of piles with junk, car parts, struts, lead pipe, a battery, and a pile of street sweepings. She asked about documentation of authorization to accept this material, and received some 2004 documentation referring to Blinkers, a
junkyard in Waterford. She lives downriver from the landfill and is concerned.
First Selectman Griswold replied that he did not know about the dumping, but that street sweepings have been mixed in with woodchips in the past. He can have Anchor Engineering take a look at it. They deal with landfills all the time and can advise the town. Mr. Griswold does not want to accept trash from other towns, only from residents. Selectman Sibley stated that Mr. Rutty is the gatekeeper; it’s his job to manage the landfill. First Selectman Griswold will follow up on this.
8. Executive Session
Selectman Sibley moved to go into Executive Session at 6:10 PM. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to end the Executive Session at 7:00, Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
9. Adjournment
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:01 P.M, Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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