Old Lyme Board of Selectmen - Unapproved
Regular Meeting Monday, June 16, 2008
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, June 16, 2008 at Christ the King Church. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
The Techno-Ticks presented a program and slide show to the Selectmen. The team competes in robotics competitions and has frequently won awards. The Selectmen announced that in honor of the Techno-Ticks team, June 16, 2008 is declared “First Robotics Techno-Ticks Team 236 Day”.
1. Approval of Minutes: 5 May and 2 June 2008 (Regular Minutes), 10 June 2008 (Special Meeting)
The minutes of the regular meeting on May 5 were reviewed. Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to accept the minutes as presented and Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
The minutes of the regular meeting on June 2 were reviewed. Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked to have the spelling of Adam Burrows name corrected. She stated that for item 5a, the South Chapel Lot purchase, she did not remember discussing the amount to be paid. Selectman Sibley stated that there were some items under Public Comment that he would like to have clarified. The Selectmen agreed to check the tape recording for the information. Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to accept the minutes as amended, Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
The minutes of the special meeting on June 10 were reviewed. Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked to have some spelling and grammatical errors corrected. Selectman Sibley moved to accept the minutes as corrected, Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications: None
3. Appointments: Town Counsel - Marylin Clarke – 2 Year Term to January 2010
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to appoint Marylin Clarke as Town Counsel for a 2 year term ending in January 2010. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
4. Old Business:
a. Town Hall Expansion – Resolution to Recommend an Appropriation Not to Exceed $200,000 to Complete the Town Hall Expansion Project.
A discussion took place about whether to have a town meeting or a referendum to let the townspeople decide whether or not to approve an additional $200,000 for the Town Hall Expansion Project. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that she has received some emails from townspeople and would prefer to have the matter decided at a town meeting so that people can get answers to whatever questions they have about the project. She believes that the townspeople will approve it when they have all the information because they want to see the project completed in the right way.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to recommend an appropriation not to exceed $200,000 to complete the Town Hall Expansion Project and bring it to a Town Meeting on June 30, 2008. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Transfer Station – To Open for Business on 23 June
The Transfer Station will be open on June 23 and a Selectman’s Update communication notification will be mailed on Wednesday, June 18, to townspeople. Selectwoman Reemsnyder expressed her concern that people will only have 5 days notice of the change. She asked to have a notice posted on the web site with the information. First Selectman Griswold said that regular users of the landfill are well aware of the change and that there has been considerable information in prior newsletters.
c. Proposal to Purchase South Chapel Lot from Christ the King Church
First Selectman Griswold and Janet Sturges have been working to create an option proposal to hold the parking lot property for 6 months in order to give the town time go through the decision process. There is another buyer who has made a full price offer so there is some competition for the property. The Board of Finance and the Planning Commission must also consider the purchase and then it would have to be voted on at a town meeting.
d. Police Staffing Committee – Update
Four candidates have been interviewed and tested. The priority of candidates for full and part-time positions will be decided soon. Three of the candidates are already certified.
5. New Business:
a. Florence Griswold Museum – Neighborhood Assistance Act Approval
Florence Griswold Museum is eligible for a $75,000 of Neighborhood Assistance Act funding program from the State of Connecticut. If approved by the Board of Selectmen, the Museum will be eligible to receive commercial donations for special educational programs at no cost to the town. Businesses receive a tax advantage with this program.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to approve $75,000 of Neighborhood Assistance Act funding for the Florence Griswold Museum. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Sound View Parade – Hartford Ave. – Saturday 5 July at 10:00 AM
The Sound View 4th of July parade will be on Saturday, July 5 at 10:00 AM, on Hartford Ave.
6. Public Comment:
Mr. Folland commented that he is pleased to find that a new, easily accessible bulletin board has been put up at the Town Hall. He has noticed that meetings are being posted the way they should be to comply with FOI requirements.
Mr. Bysko read a prepared statement asserting that the town is in compliance will all laws and procedures regarding check signing and distribution of town funds, according to state statutes and the town’s auditor. This was in response to Mr. Folland’s statements at the June 10 Board of Selectmen’s meeting that the process was in violation of the law and should be investigated by the Ethics Committee.
Mr. Foland responded that he has presented his questions to the Selectmen and will await answers from them.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that the statement from the auditor should answer the questions. Selectman Sibley asked Mr. Bysko to obtain a formal letter from the auditor confirming that the town is in compliance with proper procedures.
7. Other Business: None
8. Executive Session: None
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn at 9:13 and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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