Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 4:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 in the Meeting Hall at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
1. Approval of Minutes: 5 January 2009 (Regular Meeting)
The minutes of the regular meeting on January 5 were reviewed. Selectwoman Reemsnyder said that in item 5 d, the spelling of Don Desautels’ name needs to be corrected.
Selectman Sibley moved to accept the minutes as corrected and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications:
a. AFSCME Council 15 - Police Union Negotiations
Selectman Griswold received a copy of a letter from the Police Union. The contract expires June 30, 2009 and contract negotiations will begin soon.
b. Patrick Pryor – Thanks to Public Works
The Selectman’s Office received an email from Patrick Pryor thanking the Public Works Department for quickly replacing his mailbox which was knocked down by a town plow.
First Selectman Griswold complimented the Public Works Department for doing an excellent job. It has been a snowy winter so far, but the town still has money left in the snow plowing budget. If the snow plowing accounts become overspent, the Board of Finance will be notified and a plan of action will be formulated. Either a transfer of funds from an underspent account can be made or an appropriation may be requested.
c. Proclamation – National Wear Red Day – 6 February 2009
The Cancer Society’s National Wear Red Day Proclamation will be read at the next meeting.
3. Appointments: January Appointments
There was a discussion about the appointments and vacancies on town boards and commissions. The appointments were made as follows:
ADA Coordinator on the Regional Mental health board: Vacant
Commission on Aging: Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint Neil Feinberg (U) and Patricia McCarthy (D) to 3 year terms ending in 2012. SO VOTED.
Animal Control Officer: Selectman Sibley moved and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded to appoint Erik Klockers to a 2 year term ending in 2011. SO VOTED.
Tax Assessor: Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint Walter Kent to a 2 year term ending in 2011. SO VOTED.
Comcast Advisory Council: Selectman Sibley moved and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded to appoint Catherine Frank (R) to a 2 year term ending in 2011. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded, to appoint John Eicholtz (R) to a 2 year term ending in 2011. SO VOTED.
Conservation Commission: Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint as Alternates David McCulloch (R), Michael Sullivan (D) and Richard Sattler (U) to 1 year terms ending in 2010. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint George James (R), as a Regular member, to a 3 year term ending in 2012. SO VOTED.
CT River Gateway Delegate: Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint Ted Crosby (R) to a 2 year term ending in July 2010. SO VOTED.
Economic Development Commission: Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint Susan Cihocki (R) and Geraldine Foster (D) to 5 year terms ending in 2014. SO VOTED.
Emergency Management Director: Selectman Sibley moved and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded to appoint David Roberge to a 2 year term ending in 2011. SO VOTED.
Estuary Transit District Representative: Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint John Forbis (D) to a 4 year term ending in 2013. SO VOTED.
Harbor Management Commission: Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint John Mittelman (R), Charlie Delinks (R) and Robert Doyen (D) to 4 year terms ending in 2013. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint as an Alternate, Ned Farman (D) to a 4 year term ending in 2013. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint as an Alternate, Susan Connors (D) to a 1 year term (filling a vacancy) ending in 2010. SO VOTED.
Historic District Commission: Selectman Sibley moved and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded to appoint Nina Peck (R) to a 5 year term ending in 2014. SO VOTED.
Inland Wetlands Commission: Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint Louis DiCamillo (R) and Robert Linde (U) to 3 year terms ending in 2012. SO VOTED.
Open Space Commission: Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint Frederick Crosby (R), Peter Cable (D), Evan Griswold (R), Chris Bourne (R), George James (R) and Diana Johnson (R) to 1 year terms ending in 2010. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley moved and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded to appoint Ted Kiritsis (R), Robert DiPianta (D) and Amanda Blair (D) to 1 year terms ending in 2010. SO VOTED.
There was a brief discussion about creating staggered 3 year terms for the Open Space Committee.
Parks & Recreation Commission: Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint Mary Ellen Garbarino (R) and John Flower (U) to 3 year terms ending in 2012. SO VOTED.
Pension Committee: Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint Thomas Keogh (R) and S. E. Canaday (R) to a 3 year term ending in 2012. SO VOTED.
Planning Commission Alternates: Selectman Sibley moved and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded to appoint Robert Pierson (R) and Sean Mulligan (U) to 1 year terms ending in 2010. SO VOTED.
Regional Health Board: Vacant
Rogers Lake Authority: Vacant
Shellfish Commission: Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint Mervin Roberts (R) and John Secla (U) to 3 year terms ending in 2012. SO VOTED.
Social Services Coordinator: Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint Sherry Meyer to a 2 year term ending in 2011. SO VOTED.
Tree Commission: Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint as Alternates, Joan Flynn (U) and Geraldine Foster (D) to 1 year terms ending in 2010. SO VOTED.
Tree Warden: Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint Thomas Degnan (U) to a 1 year term ending in 2010. SO VOTED.
Water Pollution Control: Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved and Selectman Sibley seconded to appoint Louisa Grogan (D), Roger Breunig (R) and Mervin Roberts (R) to 4 year terms ending in 2013. SO VOTED.
Zoning Alternate: Selectman Sibley moved and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded to appoint Ted Kiritsis (R), Beth Sullivan (D) and John Eicholtz (R) to 1 year terms ending in 2010. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley thanked all the volunteers who serve on town boards and commissions.
4. Old Business:
a. Church Corner Project – Reminder about Annual Town Meeting on 26 Jan 09 at 7:30 PM Town Hall Meeting Hall – Appropriation of up to $600,000
Items on the agenda include: The acceptance of the Annual Town Report, the naming of Citizen of the Year, a small correction to the Ethics Ordinance and the appropriation of up to $600,000 for the Church Corner Project (to be offset by a $425,000 STEAP grant). Selectman Sibley recommended that people check out the Church Corner Project Frequently Asked Questions on the town website.
b. Sound View Beach Board Formation Committee – Discussion of Membership Applications
Thirteen applications have been received so the Selectmen will have a special meeting to discuss and select Committee members.
c. Beach Improvement Committee – Update on Rest Room Facility
The Committee had a presentation by Clivus Economic Solutions Company, which sells a flushless composting toilet system for areas which are not suitable for a septic tank. The graywater would be pumped out twice a year and the composted solids would be removed every 4 or 5 years. The system is in use at the Essex Town Park, Hammonassett State Park and other parks in the region. There are some design problems that need to be solved.
d. Boston Post Rd. – DOT Culvert Replacement – Public Info. Meeting Recap.
There was a public information meeting at which the DOT explained the project. The start date will be in April 2009 and the completion will be in November 2010. The cost is estimated at $1,500,000, all paid by the State of CT.
5. New Business:
a. Hiring of New Finance Director – Nicole Stajduhar
A new Finance Director, Nicole Stajduhar, has been hired. She is a CPA, has served as the Town’s auditor and will start on February 2, 2009.
b. Town Audit and Upcoming Budget Process
First Selectman Griswold reported that the Town Audit showed an increase in the surplus from $2.4 million to $3.2 million, with a large portion of that due to closing out the Lyme Street Improvement Account. The surplus represents 11% of the FY 2008 budget and is at comfortable percentage, according to the rating agencies. The Library bond will be paid off in June 2009 and the Town Hall note will be converted to a bond during FY 2010. The tax collection rate was 98.77%, down from 99.13%. The town charges 18% interest on delinquent taxes. On 30 June 2008, the Land Acquisition Account had a balance of $508,000 and that should be about $590,000 on 30 June 2009. When the account was created, the goal was to have a balance of between $300,000 and $500,000. On 30 June 2008,
the Landfill Closure Account had a balance of $579,000. On 30 June 2008, the Revaluation Account had a balance of $374,000. The State Legislature may push back the revaluation requirement, which would help the town. The account is funded with small amounts ($25,000 - $30,000) each year to be ready for the revaluation expenses every five years. On 30 June 2008, the Firefighter Equipment Account had a balance of $289,000, with another $350,000 to be deposited in FY 2009. The Quint apparatus has been ordered, with a $600,000 deposit, and two tanker trucks, costing about $780,000, are scheduled for delivery in FY 2012.
There was a discussion about the state’s deficit which is projected to be at least $350 million in FY 2009 and $4 billion in each of years FY 2010 and 2011. This will have an impact on the towns’ and cities’ budgets.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder commented on how helpful it was to have the rough budget figures ahead of time.
c. Formation of Bus Barn Building Committee
First Selectman Griswold reported that Bob Dunn, Ed Adanti, Joe St. Germain, Bob Chapman, and Sophie Marsh have agreed to serve on the Committee. The Committee will have the project design and specifications soon and will assist with the Land Use approval process. It will then oversee the construction of the facility.
d. Safety Committee – Meeting on January 6th
The Committee met on January 6 and decided that the first job will be to analyze the Park & Rec facilities – fields, buildings, etc. - for safety issues. Other departments will follow. Don Bugbee is investigating safety training for his staff. The Committee will meet quarterly and will meet again in March.
e. Secretary of State – World War II Veterans – Recognition Ceremony
The Secretary of State, Susan Bysiewicz, asked if Old Lyme would like to participate in the recognition of World War II Veterans. The town will be identifying the veterans in preparation for a recognition ceremony in April or May.
6. Public Comment - None
Scott Boulanger, President of the Federation of Beaches, invited the Selectmen to the Federation’s next meeting on February 2 at 4 PM in the Town Hall. First Selectmen Griswold and Selectman Sibley will both be out of town that week but would like very much to attend. They asked if the meeting could be rescheduled for sometime the week after. Selectwoman Reemsnyder will be able to attend on February 2, if the meeting cannot be rescheduled.
7. Other Business
a. The regularly scheduled Selectmen’s meeting on February 2 needs to be rescheduled; First Selectmen Griswold and Selectman Sibley will both be out of town. The meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 4:00 PM.
b. Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the Board of Selectmen’s meeting minutes and agenda were missing from the town website due to a problem with the website vendor (not the town staff) and the vendor is working to correct the problem.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 4:00 PM.
8. Executive Session- None
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 5:17 P.M.
SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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