Old Lyme Board of Selectmen - Unapproved
Regular Meeting Monday, September 15, 2008
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, September 15, 2008 at Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
1. Approval of Minutes: 19 August 2008 (Regular Meeting), 10 September 2008 (Special Meeting)
The minutes of the regular meeting on August 19 were reviewed. Selectman Sibley moved to accept the minutes as presented and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
The minutes of the special meeting on September 10 were reviewed. Selectman Sibley moved to accept the minutes as presented and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications:
a. Robert Cashman – Treas. – OLFD – Donation of Equipment
First Selectman Griswold read a letter from Robert Cashman, Treasurer of the Old Lyme Fire Department, stating that the Fire Department raised funds to purchase an imaging camera and the Department is donating it to the town. The camera is used inside smoky structures to fins firefighters. The town is very grateful for the donation and will add it to the asset roll.
b. Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation – 4 Oct Walk
Jay Gionet spoke about the marathon walk to benefit the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation. The walk will start in Old Saybrook and go over the Baldwin Bridge to Rte. 156, then to Mile Creek Rd, Flat Rock Hill Rd, proceeding from there to Hatchet Hill Rd, Four Mile River Rd, the Industrial Park, and then down to Rte. 156 to the State Park, thru East Lyme and Waterford to Camp Harkness, 26.2 miles. About 400 walkers will participate between 8 and 11 A.M. on October 4. Anyone wanting to donate can go to the website, 100% of the funds collected will be used to fund breast cancer research: www.terribrodeurbreastcancerfoundation.org.
c. Old Lyme Affordable Housing – Create a Board or Commission?
First Selectman Griswold read a letter from Les Reynolds of Old Lyme Affordable Housing Inc. requesting the creation of a town board or commission for affordable housing. The Selectmen agreed that it would be a good idea and would like to present an ordinance to create a town Commission on Affordable Housing at the Annual Town Meeting in January. A group of Land Use people and the Town Attorney will meet to discuss the wording of the ordinance.
3. Appointments: None
4. Old Business:
a. Special Town Meeting on 26 August – Approved Purchase of South Lyme Chapel lot
The purchase was approved at the Town Meeting on August 26. The closing has not been scheduled yet.
b. Town Hall Expansion – Update
The expansion project has been completed except for some punch list items. An Open House will be held on Sunday, October 5 from 3-5 PM.
c. McCurdy Rd/Duck River Bridge – Status
There may be a way to simplify the repairs by using the existing drain pipe as a form for a new concrete support. The project is still being evaluated.
d. Church Corner – Discussion about Movement of Utility Poles
Some utility poles on McCurdy Rd. and Lyme Street need to be moved slightly to allow for better parking. The work will be done by the utilities at no cost to the town. The town would like to start the Church Corner project in the summer of 2009, after the White Elephant Sale.
5. New Business:
a. Town Woods Park – Phase II – Opening Ceremony – Saturday 20 September 9:00 AM
There will be an opening ceremony for Phase II of the Town Woods Park and local and state representatives have been invited.
b. Special Town Meeting to Elect a School Board Member to Replace Andrea Fenton – Term Ending Dec 2009 – Middle School Auditorium 20 Oct 2008 at 7:30 PM
School Board member Andrea Fenton has resigned effective 30 September 2008 and a new member needs to be elected to replace her. Townspeople can make nominations and vote at a Special Town Meeting on October 20.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion to schedule a Special Town Meeting to elect a School Board member to replace Andrea Fenton on October 20 at 7:30 PM in the Middle School Auditorium. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
c. High School Building Plan – Discussion
The new High School Building Plan was discussed. Selectwoman Reemsnyder expressed her support of the new plan which saves as much of the old building as possible. Selectman Griswold supports the plan based on the recommendations of the former Citizens Building Committee members on the High School Building Committee. Mr. Griswold noted the $48 million request will be an economic hardship for many taxpayers, but the High School building improvements are needed. Selectman Sibley expressed his strong support of the plan and his appreciation of the hard work that went into creating it. There will be a referendum on the High School Building Plan on October 14.
d.~Emerg. Mgt. – EMPG Resolution
The Town of Old Lyme is eligible for an Emergency Management Performance Grant.
Selectman Sibley moved to authorize Selectman Griswold to execute the paperwork to apply for an Emergency Management Performance Grant. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
e.~Matthew Hoadley – New Asst. Recycle Driver
We welcome Matthew Hoadley as the new assistant Recycling driver.
f.~Old Lyme Historical Soc. – 1938 Hurricane Exhibit – Sunday 21 Sep 2:00 PM White Sand Beach Community Center
The Old Lyme Historical Society is sponsoring an exhibit commemorating the 70th anniversary of the 1938 hurricane on Sunday, September 21 at 2 PM at the White Sand Beach Community Center.
6. Public Comment
Eileen Mueller, town resident, spoke in support of the High School Building Committee’s hard work to come up with a new plan for the high school and commended the Board of Selectmen for its support. She asked if the town has a plan for tax relief for residents who cannot afford to pay higher taxes. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that the Elderly Tax Relief committee will recommend local tax relief measures that may help. Selectman Griswold commented that Social Services Department is looking into ways to help people pay heating bills this year.
7. Other Business
Selectman Griswold spoke about the meeting of the Flood & Erosion Control Board earlier in the day. We have received a proposal to repair the Swan Brook outlet structure at a cost of about $6,200. The Flood & Erosion Control Board recommended the Town proceed with the repair before winter. Further, Flood & Erosion will be preparing specifications for engineering firms to work on improvements to Sheffield Brook, Swan Brook and Mile Creek. The Board is working with our Emergency Management Director to identify possible grant sources for this larger scope of work.
Selectman Sibley moved to recommend that the Board of Finance approve an amount not to exceed $6,200 for improvements to the Swan Brook outlet structure. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley asked that a letter sent to Monsignor Bride thanking him for the use of the Christ the King Church meeting rooms during the renovation of Town Hall. First Selectman Griswold said such a letter will accompany the last rent check.
Selectman Sibley spoke about a letter the Selectmen received from Michael Sullivan asking for a 6 month moratorium on the Short Hills Road project. The Zoning Commission and Town Attorney Marylin Clarke will be consulted.
8. Executive Session- None
9. Adjournment
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 P.M. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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