Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Monday, March 13, 2009
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 4:00 P.M. on Friday, March 13, 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: 2 March 2009 (Regular)
The minutes of the regular meeting on March 2 were reviewed.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to accept the minutes as presented and Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications:
a. CT Dept. of Public Safety – Designation of Telecomm. Service Credit
All Connecticut towns are eligible for a Telecommunications Service Credit for Coordinated Medical Emergency Direction (CMED). Old Lyme’s credit for FY2009/2010 will be $2,215.20, which has historically been given to Valley Shore ECC.
Selectman Sibley made a motion, seconded by Selectwoman Reemsnyder, to have $2,215.20 be directed to Valley Shore ECC. SO VOTED.
3. Appointments:
a. Stephen Martino (U), Alternate– Planning Commission – 1 Yr. Term to Jan 10
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion, seconded by Selectman Sibley, to appoint Stephen Martino as an Alternate member of the Planning Commission for a 1 year term ending January 2010. SO VOTED.
b. Geraldine Foster (D) Regular– Tree Commission – 3 Yr Term to Jan 11
Selectman Sibley made a motion, seconded by Selectwoman Reemsnyder, to appoint Geraldine Foster as a Regular member of the Tree Commission for a 3 year term ending January 2011. SO VOTED.
4. Old Business:
a. Town/School Budget – Status
First Selectman Griswold spoke about the State Legislature’s budget discussion. Aid to the towns will be cut, possibly by about 15%. The Town’s income is forecast to be less than the current year. The Building Department and Town Clerk revenues are down and the Town’s interest on investments has dropped. The Tax collection rate has dropped by about 1% below last year’s figure. The town’s Grand List growth is very low (0.13%); less than last year’s ((0.6%) While the Town’s spending in FY 2010 may be near 0% above this year, taxes could still increase because of declining State and local revenues and a nominal Grand list growth.
b. Bus Barn – Update
The engineer is working on applications for the Inland Wetlands and Zoning Commissions. The project should be ready for public hearings in April or May. Even though the cost of the project will be repaid via rent from the successful bus company bidder, the financing of the project must be approved by a Town Meeting. The large pile of material has been moved to make way for the site development. The goal is to begin construction in the summer or fall with completion well before July 2010.
c. Church Corner Project – Update
The project book and plans were delivered to the DOT. The project will be advertised in the paper on March 18 and contractors may then obtain project packets at the Town Hall for $75.
The drainage part of the project is separate and will be bid separately.
The STEAP funds have been deposited in a special Reich and Tang account and project bills will be paid from that account.
d. Sound View Beach Board Formation Committee
No update.
e. Public Works Garage Committee – Status
The Committee met on March 5 but the RFP was not ready. The committee members each took responsibility for one aspect of the project and it is expected the RFP ready for the April meeting.
f. Police Cars Sold
Two Police cars were sold, one for about $1300 and the other for about $1200.
5. New Business:
a. Community Resources Roundtable – Initial Meeting
The Roundtable will meet on Thursday, March 19, in the Town Hall. Local service agencies and organizations will gather to discuss the services they offer and how to best help people in need. There will likely be future meetings to refine how the Towns of Lyme and Old Lyme may do a better job at helping residents during these trying times. A list of available services and contact information will be assembled and placed on the Town’s web site. A hard copy version will be published and made available at the library, senior center, churches and other locations.
b. Resident State Police – Town Share of Cost May Increase
The State has discussed increasing the town’s contribution to the Resident State Trooper program from 70% to 85% on 1 July 2009 and to 100% on 1 July 2010. The matter is still being discussed by the State Legislature.
The town requested a temporary Resident State Trooper to replace Officer Vasko, who resigned on February 17th. The State Police have assigned TFC Troy Gelinas to start on March 15. Trooper Gelinas has 16 years experience and is a former instructor at the Police Academy.
c. Animal Control Officer -Discussion
Eric Klockers, Animal Control Officer has resigned. We now have Assistant ACO Lynn Silva, who would like to remain as Assistant, and Bill Lincoln. Selectman Griswold suggested hiring Sandra Bannon-Rankin, who is a fully certified ACO. She now works part time in Old Saybrook and Westbrook. She has certification from NACA, the National Animal Control Association, as well as various other certifications. She has worked at Old Lyme’s Animal Control Office in the past.
Selectman Sibley moved, seconded by Selectwoman Reemsnyder, to appoint Sandra Bannon-Rankin as the Acting Animal Control Officer until further notice, subject to working out the details of her engagement and subject to the concurrence of the State Animal Control Officer. SO VOTED.
d. Boughton Rd. Cell Tower –Add Verizon to the Tower
Nextel/Sprint erected a cell tower at the Boughton Rd. firehouse a few years ago and the owner, STC Five LLC, pays the Town rent of about $1,200 per month. The owner would like to add a second carrier, Verizon, and would pay the town an additional $375 per month, which is 15% of the Verizon rent. The area that is currently leased at the bottom of the tower would be enlarged by about 500 ft. on the east side. The height of the tower would remain the same. Verizon plans to install some equipment at the base of the tower in the new space. This may include a new generator or Verizon may work with the Town to share a new generator at the Firehouse. The Fire Department was notified and does not object. A copy of the contract has been given to the Town Attorney for review.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked to have the Town Attorney check on the neighbor notification requirements.
Selectman Sibley moved, seconded by Selectwoman Reemsnyder, to execute the contract amendment subject to review by the Town Attorney. SO VOTED.
6. Public Comment - none
7. Other Business – none
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked about the Bus Ordinance for Sound View discussed at the last meeting. She would like something (an ordinance or traffic regulation) in place by April 30. The Town Attorney has a copy of an ordinance prepared by Frank Pappalardo and is reviewing it.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder spoke to Secretary of State, Susan Bysiewicz, about the WWII Veterans acknowledgment ceremony. She needs a list of the WWII Veterans in town. First Selectman Griswold will contact Walter Kent, Assessor, for a list of Veterans exemptions and Bob Roser of the LOL VFW. Selectwoman Reemsnyder will contact Mr. Appleby of the American Legion and will call the Lyme Town Hall for a list of WWII Veterans in Lyme.
Selectman Sibley moved, seconded by Selectwoman Reemsnyder, to go into Executive Session at 5:00 PM to discuss the Union Contract Negotiations.
8. Executive Session: Discussion of Union Contract Negotiation
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion, seconded by Selectman Sibley, to go out of Executive Session at 5:38 PM. SO VOTED.
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved, seconded by Selectwoman Reemsnyder, to adjourn the meeting at 5:39 PM. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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