Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Monday, December 3, 2007
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 5:00 P.M. on Monday, December 3, 2007 at Christ the King Church. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
1. Approval of Minutes: 11 October 2007 (Special) and 13 November 2007
a. October 11 minutes
The minutes of October 11 were reviewed. Selectman Sibley made a motion to accept the minutes with no changes, Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. November 13 Minutes
Selectwoman Reemsnyder requested that on item 5a Fire Marshal(which has one l), August 2005 should be changed to August 2006; and on item 6b OLPD Staffing, Selectman Sibley did not ask for a staffing schedule, he presented one put together by Officer Collins. Also on item 6b, correct the last line to end “State Police”. Finally on item 8d, correct the spelling of Docko.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to approve the minutes of November 13 as amended. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
3. Communications: None
4. Appointments: None (Discuss Appointment Cycle)
First Selectman Griswold stated that letters have gone out to those serving on various town
boards, committees and commissions. The replies should be received this month along with recommendations from the chairmen. There will be time to make changes before the Board of Selectmen makes the appointments at the second January meeting.
Selectman Sibley recommended posting a spreadsheet on the town web site so people can see who is serving on the boards, commissions or committees and if there are vacancies. Selectwoman Reemsnyder agreed.
5. Old Business:
a. Town Woods Park – Status
The work is at a standstill for now. The committee will be meeting on Thursday to see what still needs to be done and to discuss the maintenance on the new fields. It looks like the project will be completed under budget.
b. Town Hall Expansion – Status
The Town Hall Expansion project is moving along. A new power pole needs to be installed so that the furnace can be used. The trim is going on, and then the clapboards will be installed, along with insulation, which will keep the building warmer. Selectman Sibley asked how often there are job meetings; he is concerned about the roof being finished before it snows. First Selectman Griswold stated that job meetings are held weekly to assess the progress of the project.
c. Hartford Ave. Repaving- Update
Hartford Avenue has been repaved, and the curbing has been installed. Grass will be planted in the Spring. The cost was less than was approved by the Board of Finance.
d. Transfer Station – Bids Due 6 Dec 07
Eighteen companies attended a pre-bid meeting. The bids are due Dec 6. They will be reviewed, and the order to proceed will probably occur first week of January, 2008.
The construction should be completed in three months with the finished paving probably done in April when the asphalt plants reopen. The landfill will remain open during construction, with some rearrangements. Selectman Sibley stated that an engineer’s estimate would be needed for the report for District 18 regarding the bus barn. First Selectman Griswold stated that the proposal from Anchor Engineering should be available at the next meeting.
e. Landfill Closure – Material from Blinkers – Update
The material from Blinkers was supposed to be clean fill, but tests show it was contaminated. The town wants it removed. First Selectman Griswold would like some legal assistance with the issue.
Selectman Sibley made a motion to authorize First Selectman Griswold to engage the services of an environmental legal service ASAP to draft a letter to Blinkers to address the situation at the Transfer Station. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
f. Public Works Garage Committee – First Meeting Date
First Selectman Griswold has asked the Committee to meet on December 13 at 4 P.M. in the meeting room of Christ the King Church for an introductory meeting. Selectman Sibley spoke to Wayne Devoe and Chris Kerr of the Board of Finance. They were both interested in attending the meeting, and he will notify them of the time.
The Committee will discuss the buildings and grounds, and the condition of the vehicles.
First Selectman Griswold will bring copies of the site plan to the meeting.
g. Police Staffing Committee - Formation
First Selectman Griswold would like to have the Sergeant, the State Police, and Officer Collins present at the meeting. Mr. Griswold spoke to David Griswold about the committee, he has experience with staffing. The Selectmen will look for others to serve also. Selectwoman Reemsnyder suggested David Woolley from the Board of Finance.
6. New Business:
a. CRRA – Motion for Distribution of Funds
First Selectman Griswold received a letter from the lawyer representing the Class for the CRRA lawsuit. The lawsuit will be heard by the Waterbury Superior Court judge, who will decide the distribution of $35 million. According to the letter, Old Lyme may get $168,846. The Selectmen agreed that any money received should be put in a special account until the appeals process is completed.
7. Public Comment: None
8. Other Business:
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to add the Emergency Management Performance Grant to the agenda. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
a. Emergency Management Performance Grant
Dave Roberge gave First Selectman Griswold some paperwork regarding the Emergency Management Performance Grant Program for FY 2008. Old Lyme must accept the Conditions of Eligibility to receive 50% of a $7,000 grant for 2008. One of the requirements is that Old Lyme participates in the merit system regarding personnel procedures. Selectwoman Reemsnyder would like Attorney Clarke to review the terms before Old Lyme signs the agreement.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to authorize First Selectman Griswold to sign the Terms of Condition after review by Attorney Clarke, Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. White Sands Bathhouse - status
Selectman Sibley asked about the status of the White Sands Bathhouse. First Selectman Griswold stated that it should be done by Christmas.
c. Web Site Accuracy
Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that a process should be created to ensure that website information (meeting times, board and commission memberships, etc.) is accurate and that email notifications should go out automatically so people get the correct information. She noted that when today’s meeting time was changed it was not updated on the website calendar although it was posted in Town Hall and filed with the Town Clerk. First Selectman Griswold stated that letters are sent to members when they go on or off a board or commission, and a copy could be sent to the website support person.
Selectman Sibley stated that there should be accountability rules with one person overseeing the website. First Selectman Griswold replied that he will bring the issues up at the Information Technology meeting next week.
d. Fire Marshal Appointment
Selectwoman Reemsnyder checked the tape of the August 21 Board of Selectmen meeting and found that the issue of appointing Dave Roberge as Fire Marshal had been tabled, but a letter was sent to him on August 24 appointing him as Fire Marshal. Selectwoman Reemsnyder noted that the appointment was made without the approval of the board.
e. First Selectman’s Update
Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that a few days before the election a First Selectman’s update was mailed to townspeople which did not contain necessary information. The taxpayers are upset that money was spent on a mailing that was not needed and want the funds returned. First Selectman Griswold replied that the purpose was to provide the facts to the townspeople to correct misinformation. The election officials are reviewing it. Mr. Griswold noted that he tries to make the Selectmen’s letter from all the Selectmen.
d. Tax Relief for Elderly Residents
Selectwoman Reemsnyder has contacted three people who are interested and would like to find a few more. The Selectmen will discuss the issue at a future meeting.
9. Executive Session – Discussion of Personnel Matter
Selectman Sibley moved to go into Executive Session at 6:25 PM. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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