Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Monday, December 17, 2007
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, December 17, 2007 at Christ the King Church. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
1. Approval of Minutes: 3 December 2007
The minutes of December 3 were reviewed. Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked that item 5e be changed to state that the land owner is resistant to moving the material. She also asked for one grammatical correction in item 4. Selectman Sibley made a motion to accept the minutes as amended, Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
3. Communications: None
4. Appointments: None (Review January Appointments)
The town committee chairmen have supplied information about members who are interested in continuing to serve. The selectmen reviewed and discussed the list. There are vacancies on several boards and commissions and a request for volunteers has been posted on the town web site. Selectwoman Reemsnyder would like the web notice posted so that email subscribers receive automatic notification. There will be more discussion at the next meeting in January.
5. Old Business:
a. Town Hall Expansion – Status
First Selectman Griswold received a contract from the State of Connecticut authorizing the Town of Old Lyme to receive a $200,000 grant from the Commission on Culture and Tourism for the town hall renovation project.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to approve authorizing First Selectman Tim Griswold to enter into an executed grant contract with the state of Connecticut. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Transfer Station – Bids Results and Order to Proceed
Eighteen companies attended a pre-bid meeting and eight bids were submitted ranging from $242,000 to $394,730. The lowest bid was submitted by Nutmeg Gravel & Excavating. The second lowest bid was submitted by Cunningham Construction. Anchor Engineering investigated the bid packages and recommended selecting Nutmeg Gravel & Excavating based on their price and experience with other landfill sites. The engineer’s estimate for the project was $300,000, so the bid is appropriate. They would start the second week of January and the project should be finished in April. Selectman Griswold confirmed that funds for the project have already been set aside. Selectman Sibley moved to approve the bid of Nutmeg Gravel & Excavating, Inc. for the project titled ‘Transfer Station Improvements for the Old Lyme
Landfill’. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
e. Landfill Closure – Material from Blinkers – Update
The owner’s engineer, Mr. Fortunato produced the test results on the landfill material, which showed the levels of contamination to be over the limit allowed. The town’s engineer, Otis, recommended that Mr. Fortunato supply Anchor Engineering with detailed information about the number of samples, the locations they were taken from and the lab results.
DEP permits were discussed, but the bottom line is the town would like the material removed.
The town is waiting for all the test results before consulting legal counsel.
f. Public Works Garage Committee – First Meeting Postponed Due to Snow
The first meeting was canceled due to a snow storm, and has been rescheduled for December 20, 4 PM, in the Christ the King Church meeting room.
g. Police Staffing Committee – First Meeting Scheduled 21 December
First Selectman Griswold met with the State Police Lieutenant and Trooper Sergeant. The Trooper asked to be on the Staffing Committee. The first meeting is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 21 at the OLPD. According to the State Police contract of 7-01-07 to 6-30-09, the Town of Old Lyme retains the services of two State Police Officers, so staffing will be influenced by the contract. The Committee needs to determine how many police are needed year round including temporary or part time staff in the summer.
6. New Business:
a. Federation of Beaches – Discussion of All Terrain Vehicle Proposal
Representatives from the Federation of Beaches, Kate Abbott, Vice President and Harry Plout, President spoke about obtaining an ATV to patrol the beaches in the summer as a crime deterrent. The top complaint of the beach associations is security in the summertime. The beaches are hard for police to patrol, as most problems occur on the beach at night. Mr. Plout presented information on an Argus 6x6, All Terrain Vehicle, which can go on the beach and in the water. An officer could patrol the beaches and drive around jetties to go from beach to beach. It would hold 4 people and be equipped similar to a standard police cruiser with lights, first aid, communication etc. and would be identified with decals. The Federation has put a deposit on it and agreed on a purchase price of $10,000. They hope to get public
financial support and would like some financial and moral support from the town. They would like to be an asset to the Police Department and estimate the project will cost $20,000 for the year, including insurance, storage, paying the officer, etc. The vehicle would be in use for about ten weeks a year.
First Selectman Griswold asked if police would need to be trained or certified to operate the vehicle. Mr. Plout replied that the vehicle is easy to use, the dealer lives at Old Colony Beach and has sold vehicles to towns and Police Departments on the East coast. He is willing to train officers on its use. Mr. Plout stated people living in the beach communities have a very positive attitude regarding beach patrols and are interested in donating to support the project.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked about the hours of patrol. Mr. Plout replied that the patrols would need to start the last week of June and go through Labor Day, probably Thursday to Sunday nights during height of summer. Police could stagger the times, perhaps from 9 PM to 3 AM. Most of the problems come from out of town visitors to the bars, and underage drinking.
First Selectman Griswold asked for an itemized breakdown of the expenses.
Selectman Sibley asked if one or two police officers would be needed. Mr. Plout replied that the estimate is based on the number of hours and the rate paid. Beach Associations typically base their security needs on a ten week season. The beaches would need to be patrolled four nights a week for ten weeks. First Selectman Griswold stated that perhaps the ATV patrol could dovetail with the police bike patrol. Selectwoman Reemsnyder suggested checking into grant availability to help pay for the project. Ms. Abbott stated that the Federation will do outside fundraising and has started a newsletter for the beach community for which they are trying to sell ads. Selectman Sibley commended the Federation and the Beach Associations for taking the initiative to come up with a solution to the security problem. The
board thanked Ms. Abbott and Mr. Plout for their presentation.
b. 2008 Holiday Schedule
First Selectman Griswold presented the holiday schedule, which mirrors the state holiday schedule. Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to approve the schedule, Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
c. 2008 Schedule of Board of Selectmen Meeting Dates
First Selectman Griswold presented the schedule, which was discussed. Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to approve the schedule, Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
7. Public Comment: None
8. Other Business:
a. Web Site Accuracy
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked about getting the automatic email notifications working for all meeting notices and changes. First Selectman Griswold discussed the situation with Ruth Roach.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked to have the boards and commissions vacancy spreadsheet posted.
b. Estuary Transit District
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked about the Estuary Transit District. Selectman Griswold stated that it is a separate board with one representative from each of the nine estuary towns. It provides bus service, which for Old Lyme is Dial-a- Ride. The board terminated the director and the director has come back with Freedom of Information requests and reinstatement compensation demands. The board now has a labor attorney. The service is still operating in spite of the problems.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked if the town would be liable for legal fees, etc. First Selectman Griswold replied that the Lower CT Valley Selectman’s Association is looking into the matter, along with the State Department of Transportation. Selectman Griswold will keep the board informed.
c. Cross Lane Firehouse Parking Lot Lighting
Selectman Sibley stated that the lighting in the Cross Lane Firehouse parking lot needs to be improved and suggested getting an estimate and adding it to the budget. Selectwoman Reemsnyder agreed and First Selectman Griswold will check into it.
The Board of Selectmen wishes everyone Happy Holidays!
9. Executive Session – Discussion of Personnel Matter
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to go into Executive Session at 8:36 PM. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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