Old Lyme Board of Selectmen Unnapproved
Regular Meeting Monday, May 4, 2009
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, May 4, 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: 20 April 2009 (Regular)
The minutes of the regular meeting on April 20 were reviewed.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder had a correction to item 5, b. Public Works Union Contract: the back wages were for FY2007 and FY2008.
Selectman Sibley moved to accept the minutes as corrected and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications:
a. Rep. Giuliano – Congratulations on Historic Resources Inventory Grant
Representative Marilyn Giuliano congratulated the Town of Old on receiving a Historic Resources Inventory Grant.
First Selectman Griswold read a resolution authorizing him to sign a grant application to update the Historic District Handbook.
Resolved: That the First Selectman is authorized and directed to sign an application on forms prescribed by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism for financial assistance in accordance with the provisions of C.G.S. Sec. 10-392 and C.G.S. Sec. 10-411 of the Connecticut General Assembly, in an amount not to exceed $3,500, and upon approval said request to enter into and execute a Grant Contract and Preservation Restriction with the state for such financial assistance to this municipality or non-profit organization for updating the Historic District Handbook.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion, seconded by Selectman Sibley, to adopt the resolution. SO VOTED.
3. Appointments: None
4. Old Business:
a. Town Budget Meeting – Monday 18 May @ 7:30 PM Middle School Auditorium
There will be a Town Budget Meeting on Monday, May 18, at 7:30 PM in the Middle School Auditorium. A vote will be held to approve the town budget, including the school budget.
b. Regional School District 18 Budget Referendum – 5 May @ Cross Lane Firehouse
The School Budget Referendum will be held on May 5 at the Cross Lane Firehouse. Polls will be open from 6 AM to 8 PM. People are encouraged to vote on the budget.
c. Bus Barn – Inland Wetlands Approval
The Bus Barn project needs three separate approvals. First, the Planning Commission has confirmed the facility is in accordance with the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development. Second, the Inland Wetlands Commission has just approved the plan, with a condition. The condition is that a fuel spill prevention policy be created and added to the lease. Third, the Zoning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on the plan on June 6, 2009. If the project is approved by Zoning, there will be a town meeting in July or August to request approval of the funds to construct the facility.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked if there would be any grants available to help pay for the project, since it is being done in an environmentally friendly way, with the fuel spill prevention plan, etc. First Selectman Griswold will look into it. There may be something available in the Federal stimulus package.
d. Church Corner Project – Bid Results
The bids were opened on May 1 and most were substantially below our engineer’s estimate of about $498,000. The bids ranged from about $329,000 to $534,000, with 5 bids clustered from $329,000 to $398,000. The engineer will evaluate the bids and recommend the best one. American Industries was the low bidder, second was Sullivan Paving from Essex and third was Machnik Bros. of Old Lyme. Colossale Construction was the high bidder. Construction will not start until mid-July. The drainage work will be done separately in May/June.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked if local town contractors were ever given preference to keep business in the town. Selectmen Griswold and Sibley replied that the contractor selected must be the one which will meet the requirements of the job at the best price. If a valid low bidder is passed over, there must be a good reason or it may have cause to sue.
e. Community Resources Roundtable – Update
There was a meeting two weeks ago of the “front line” people and the Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA) organization. TVCCA discussed the large range of social service programs they offer. A list is being created that will detail services provided by local social service organizations.
On Saturday, May 9, there will be a Postal Service food drive to benefit the Shoreline Food Pantry at the Congregational Church. Townspeople are asked to leave nonperishable food in a bag next to their mailboxes for pick up by the postal carriers.
e. Public Works Garage Committee – Update
The Committee has awarded three bids: garage door work, the emergency generator and the boiler replacement and related work. Bid solicitations for roof and siding work were sent out and are due back on May 21.
6. New Business:
a. Sound View Bus Ordinance
If approved by Town meeting, motor buses (vehicles carrying 10 or more passengers) and bus type campers would be banned from certain streets in Sound View: Bocce, Hartford, Martino, Portland and Swan. A resident of the area who owns a bus-type camper may obtain an exemption from the First Selectman to allow him/her to park his/her vehicle on his/her property abutting those streets. Penalties would be $500 for the first violation and $1,000 for the second and successive violations. If passed, signs will be posted at the north ends of the Hartford, Portland and Swan. The ordinance was recommended by the Sound View Beach Formation Committee as a solution to problems caused in the past by large buses driving on very narrow streets in Sound View.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion, seconded by Selectman Sibley, to recommend the Sound View Bus Ordinance to a Town Meeting. SO VOTED.
b. Flood & Erosion Control Board – Ordinance Modification for Alternates
This purpose of this Ordinance is to provide the Flood & Erosion Control Board with three Alternate members. Right now the board is comprised of only five Regular members.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion, seconded by Selectman Sibley, to recommend the Ordinance to a Town Meeting. SO VOTED.
c. Energy Efficiency Project Grants
The Town received a communication on April 29 from OPM concerning the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. The funds can be used for conservation, efficiency, renewable projects. Towns can use the funds to increase the efficiency of materials handling ie. recycling and possibly to purchase new carts for single stream recycling. Towns that partner could be eligible for “bonus” funds.
d. Swine Flu – State Conference Call
There was a conference call hosted by Gov. Rell, with the Director of Public Health, Dr. Galvin, and the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Carter. The State has made a lot of preparations to deal with the situation. A vaccine should be available in September.
Selectman Griswold visited Plum Island recently. That facility will be relocated to Manhattan, Kansas sometime after 2015. About 300 people work there, about 125 from Connecticut and the rest from Long Island.
e. Police Officer Candidates – 10 Applications
Ten applications were received; six candidates seem to be viable and will be interviewed. The Town has applied for a COPS Grant which would cover the salary and fringe benefits for 3 years. The Town would then be 100% responsible for the fourth year. The town should be notified about the grant by September, but is trying to get an answer earlier so that plans can be made to hire a new, sixth Police Officer.
Selectman Sibley made a motion, seconded by Selectwoman Reemsnyder, to add a discussion of the Sound View Parking Lot Permit Fee to the Agenda. SO VOTED.
f. Sound View Parking Lot Permit Fee Increase
The yearly $10 per space fee has not been adjusted since 2002 or 2003. There is a recommendation by the Beach Improvement Committee to increase the fee to $20. The purpose is not to increase revenue for the town, but to increase the funds available from the town to help the Miami Beach Association cope with the beach crowds, if the Board of Finance agrees.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder would like to have a way to ensure that the funds are used to benefit the Beach Associations.
Selectman Sibley made a motion, seconded by Selectwoman Reemsnyder, to raise the yearly Parking Lot Permit Fee to $20 per space. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder would like to bring it up with the Board of Finance at its next meeting.
6. Public Comment: None
7. Other Business:
Selectman Sibley reported that he did not get the usual meeting notification. First Selectman Griswold will check into it.
Selectman Sibley asked if the Hartford Ave. parking space striping is all set. First Selectman Griswold stated that the striping will be refreshed.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked if the Board of Selectmen would be sending a letter to beach residents about keeping vehicles off the beach and reminding people what the rules are regarding swim lines, boating, etc. The Town could include a form for people to report boating violations. It is important to set the tone at the beginning of the season.
Selectman Sibley raised the issue of coolers on the beach and whether they should be banned. There has been a problem with alcohol, glass, trash, etc. on the beach.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked if Ed Adanti, Supt. of Public Works, has been notified of the Library Lane fire well problem and drainage problems. Selectman Griswold replied that Mr. Adanti has been notified. Some small repairs can be made, but an engineer’s report will be needed before the drainage problems can be solved.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the annual meeting of the Old Lyme Affordable Housing Corporation was held last week. They have built three units over the last 10-15 years. The group is responsible for maintaining the units. She would like a formation committee created to evaluate the issue and decide if the corporation has a viable future. Representatives of the corporation may attend the Board of Selectmen meeting on June 1 to discuss the matter.
8. Executive Session: None
9. Adjournment
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved, Selectman Sibley seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:08 PM. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
| 
