Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting Monday, October 19, 2009
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 8:00 A.M. on Monday, October 19, 2009 in the Meeting Hall of the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
1. Approval of Minutes: 5 October 2009
The minutes of the regular meeting on October 5 were reviewed.
Selectman Sibley moved to accept the minutes as amended. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications
a. CT DOT – Repair Work to I-95 Whippoorwill Road Bridge
The DOT will be repairing the Whippoorwill Road Bridge in the spring of 2010. The bridge, which spans I-95, was damaged by an over height vehicle in September.
Selectman Sibley said there had been a suggestion by a member of the public to move Public Comments to the beginning of the meeting, before Appointments.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder made a motion, seconded by Selectman Sibley, to move Public Comments to the next position on the agenda. SO VOTED
3. Public Comments:
Mr. Bill Folland spoke about the ability of the Town of Old Lyme to change the Building Permit Fee structure which, by ordinance, is recommended by the Building Official and approved by the board of Selectmen. He does not think that the Fee can legally be changed by a vote at a Town Meeting, thereby creating a one-time exception. The policy itself would need to be changed. Mr. Folland met with Ralph Eno, First Selectman of Lyme, to discuss the inspection fees. Lyme has no ordinance and therefore has more flexibility in setting fees.
Mr. Folland also mentioned his concern about the town’s purchase of the Christ the King parking lot on Shore Road and referenced two State Statutes. He stated that a public hearing about the terms of the lease (of the parking lot by a new church) should have been held for purposes of transparency.
Mr. Folland then commented on the Town Hall Expansion Project and the lack of the photovoltaic system on the Town Hall roof. The Town qualified for a free solar panel (one of ten) through the State’s clean energy 20% by 2010 program, because it has at least 100 residents signed up to use clean energy for the source of their electricity. The Town has to meet additional requirements before it can get additional solar panels. He suggested that the Town Hall Expansion Committee should meet more often to handle this issue and asked that the Selectmen pursue the matter.
Mr. Folland also commented on the Town Hall Expansion Project grant funds ($200,0000 Culture & Tourism) that are in limbo due to the ongoing litigation with the contractor. He is concerned that the Town will lose the funding unless the situation is resolved soon.
First Selectman Griswold responded that, while the Town joined the 20% by 2010 Clean Energy Program, there is no penalty for not achieving the goal. Mr. Griswold also stated that Town Attorney, Marylin Clarke, is looking into the license agreement for the church parking lot.
4. Appointments: None
5. Old Business:
a. High School Building Project – Discussion of Fee Structure for Town Inspections
The Board of Finance will meet tomorrow night and the concept of changing inspection fees, rather than the Building Permit Fee, will be discussed.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that, if a fee of $30,000 were charged, it would be rolled into the bond and would cost an additional $6,000 in interest, assuming a rate of 2.5% over 15 years. Old Lyme’s portion would be about $4,800. She stated that the Town would by paying $4,800 to a bank in order to get $6,000 (20% of the $30,000) from Lyme. She stated that she does not have a problem with charging District 18 for the extra time and materials used to perform the inspections.
Selectman Sibley stated that he spoke to Board of Finance chairman Andy Russell, who confirmed that the matter will be discussed, but not voted on, at the Board of Finance meeting tomorrow night. He read a letter (attached) that he wrote to Susan Fogliano and Nan Salvino, of the Board of Education.
There will be more discussion of this matter in the future.
b. Bus Barn Project – Update
The bid documents are being reviewed by our attorney and will be advertised soon. According to Anchor Engineering, the building will not be started this year, but should be started in February or March 2010. He is confident that the project can be built by June 1, 2009. Selectman Sibley stated that the contractor should be encouraged to begin some work this year since the weather is usually satisfactory through December. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that it is important to get the project started because District 18 will begin working on a new bus contract in the first quarter of 2010.
c. Church Corner Project – Update
The binder course of pavement has been put down and the contractor will be installing the curbing and sidewalks next. The utility company still has not moved the utility poles, which may cause a problem for the final paving. The contractor has assured us that paving will be finished before his asphalt plants close in November.
d. Public Works Garage Renovation – Update
The renovation is proceeding on schedule. The walls have been completed and the doors and the roof will be done next.
e. Town Hall Expansion Committee- Update
The Committee met last week to review the bonding results, to discuss the open punch list items and to talk about the demand letter that will soon be sent to the contractor. The HVAC imbalance and the Clean Energy Program were also discussed.
f. Resident State Trooper Contract - Renewal
The Town has received the signed forms from all of our police officers stating that they have a copy of and will comply with the State’s Administrative and Operations manual. There is still conflicting information on how Trooper overtime and OT fringe benefits will be charged. First Selectman Griswold suggested that the overtime issues be resolved before signing the contract.
g. Cell Tower Public Information Meeting
T-Mobile and SBA Towers are willing to come to an informal public information meeting. The meeting has not been scheduled yet. T-Mobile has submitted a request to the CT Siting Council.
6. New Business:
a. High School Track - Dedication
First Selectman Griswold attended the High School dedication for the Charles Niblack Memorial Track. There was a dedication ceremony and then High School Track Team took a ceremonial lap around the track.
7. Other Business:
Shirley Annunziatta asked if residents in an R-10 residential zone that is year-round will be required to pay the registration fee, rumored to be $75. The Selectmen will look into it.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder attended the Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Awards Ceremony yesterday. The ceremony awarded Bronze Awards to Megan Cushman, Alexis Kolar and Meagan Moriarty for a 15 hour project on dentistry for people in need. The Silver Award was given to Amy Lee and Ally McCarthy for a 45 hour project. Congratulations to all the award recipients.
8. Executive Session: none
9. Adjournment:
MOTION: Selectman Sibley made a motion, seconded by Selectwoman Reemsnyder, to adjourn at 9:10 AM. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
| 
