Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Monday, February 4, 2008
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, February 4, 2008 at Christ the King Church. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
1. Approval of Minutes: 22 January 2008
The minutes of January 22 were reviewed. Selectman Sibley made a motion to accept the minutes with no changes and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications:
a. Letter from Ned Perkins
A letter was received from Ned Perkins expressing his gratitude at being chosen as Citizen of the Year.
3. Appointments: None
4. Old Business:
a. Annual Town Meeting - Recap
First Selectman Griswold congratulated Ned Perkins on being chosen Citizen of the Year.
The Ethics Ordinance was approved; anyone interested in serving on the Ethics Commission should submit an application at the Town Hall.
b. Church Corner – Status
The Church Corner Committee met recently and worked on finalizing the plan. When it is finalized, there will be a neighborhood meeting, followed by a public information meeting. First Selectman Griswold will speak to Representative Giuliano about funding via a STEAP grant, which would be a much easier grant to administer than a federal grant.
c. Town Hall Expansion – Status
First Selectman Griswold presented a cost breakdown summary sheet. Most items are projected to be below the budgeted cost and a few items will exceed the budget costs. There is a contingency amount for items going over the estimate. Most or all of the staff will be able to move back in May and the project is on schedule to be completed in September.
d. Transfer Station – Status
Work is progressing on the Transfer Station. The landfill material that needs to be moved has been moved, for the most part, and work on the west retaining wall has been started. The Town is dealing with AT&T and CL&P concerning a utility pole that must be moved where it will not interfere with the new entrance to the transfer station or the anticipated entrance to the bus barn.
e. Landfill Closure – Material from Blinkers – Update
Some of the “Blinkers” material has been removed but much remains. A letter has been drafted and is being reviewed by town counsel directing the owner to remove the remaining material by a specified date.
f. Public Works Garage Committee - Update
The Committee met at the Public Works Garage, and has received some rough estimates for the work that needs to be done. They will request $150,000 in the FY 2009 budget for redoing the roof and floors of the bays, and possibly the siding. A wash bay is also needed for washing dirt and salt off the vehicles. The Committee discussed upgrading the generator. They also discussed putting a shed roof on the pole building so it could shelter the police cars. Construction of a small salt shed was also discussed. Selectman Sibley recommended creating a master plan since the work will be done over several years.
g. Police Staffing Committee – Update
The Committee discussed which surrounding towns are looking for police staff and their pay scales. Old Lyme’s compensation is about average. The Committee recommends placing an ad in the paper for a certified officer to see what response is generated. Because of the lead time in having an officer “on the street”, a temporary duty State Trooper will be requested for this summer.
5. New Business:
a. Discontinuance of Ben Franklin Rd – Vote on Agreement
Attorney Clarke has spoken with the landowner, who has agreed to allow a group of up to 20 people to have supervised access under special circumstances. The landowner will be notified in advance by the Selectman’s office. The Selectmen discussed the agreement.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to accept the agreement and Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
6. Public Comment: None
7. Other Business:
a. Tax relief for elderly
Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that three people have volunteered for the committee: Nathalie Judson, Alice Burbank, and Don Tapper. She would like to find two more people, hopefully one with a real estate background. She believes that the committee could develop recommendations in six to eight meetings.
8. Adjournment
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 PM and Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen, Recording Secretary
| 
