Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting: Monday, March 1, 2010
1. Executive Session – Selectman Skip Sibley moved to go into Executive Session at 6:20 PM and seconded by First Selectman Tim Griswold. SO VOTED. Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder moved to adjourn at 7:15 PM and seconded by Selectman Skip Sibley. SO VOTED.
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 PM on Monday, March 1, 2010 in the Meeting Hall at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Selectman Skip Sibley and Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder were present.
2. ~Approval of Minutes –February 12, 2010 ~
Selectwoman Reemsnyder requested that approval of the minutes of February 12, 2010 be tabled until the next Board of Selectmen's meeting as she and Selectman Sibley had not reviewed them fully. Selectman Sibley stated that Lina Tuck's name was incorrectly reported as Nina Tuck in said minutes and asked that this be amended.
3. Communications
Letter to Marieke and Sophie Warlitz – Animal Control Donations
First Selectman Griswold read a letter that he had sent to Marieke and Sophie Warlitz thanking them for their donation to the Town Animal Shelter, in lieu of receiving birthday gifts.
Letter to Betty Osga – Naming New Probate Court
First Selectman Griswold read a letter that he had sent to Betty Osga, Superintendent of Schools, asking if the students would like to suggest a name for the new Probate District Court (to be located in East Lyme) which includes the towns of Old Lyme, East Lyme, Salem and Montville.
Mark Mongillo – Miami Beach Funding Request
First Selectman Griswold reported that he had received an email from Mark Mongillo, representing Miami Beach Association, with a request for additional funds from the Town to assist with the cost of security services. The Selectmen will review this matter along with the Board of Finance.
4. Appointments
Open Space Committee: Bruce Baratz, 1-year term, expiring January 2011. Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to accept this appointment, Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Parks and Recreation Commission: Tim Gavin (U), 3-year term, expiring January 2013. Selectman Sibley moved to accept this appointment, Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
5. Old Business
a. Bus Barn – First Selectman Griswold reported that the Town is still contending with litigation by the low bidder that was not selected as the contractor. Following a court appearance on March 1st, the matter was scheduled to be heard in Superior Court in New London on May 12, 2010. The Town has executed a contract with Machnik Bros. and is proceeding with the project as scheduled.
b. Ratify the State Police Contract – Two Resolutions
Selectman Sibley moved to adopt a resolution to authorize First Selectman Timothy Griswold to execute the contract on behalf of the Town of Old Lyme with the CT Department of Public Safety, Division of the State Police. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED. Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to adopt the non-discriminatory resolution, Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED. First Selectman Griswold will send a letter to the State Police with said documentation.
c. Town Hall Expansion Update – First Selectman Griswold stated that the Town Hall Building Committee met recently. They were informed about the purchase of an area rug for the Meeting Hall and the recently added blinds to west windows of the Meeting Hall. The Clerk of the Works has recommended a company that will evaluate the HVAC system and recommended solutions for a price of $13,500. Selectman Sibley would like this expense to be brought to the attention of the Board of Finance. Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to approve the spending of $13,500 as recommended by the Town Hall Building Committee, Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
First Selectman Griswold stated that the Chairman of the Town Hall Building Committee will draft a letter to Ann Brown listing all outstanding land use issues identified by Tom Metcalf, the Town’s engineering consultant. Selectwoman Reemsnyder requested that the Selectmen receive a copy of said letter.
d. Church Corner Update – First Selectman Griswold stated that there had been several meetings regarding the change orders and unsettled issues with American Industries, the contractor. The Town’s engineer and the Clerk of the Works are preparing a revised list of change orders that will be presented to the contractor in the near future. There are eighteen change orders with an estimated cost of $114,000.
e. T-Mobile Cell Tower Applications Update – First Selectman Griswold reported that the Siting Council will meet in New Britain on March 2, 2010 to continue the hearing on the three proposed cell towers (Buttonball Rd., 232 Shore Rd. and 387 Shore Rd.). It is First Selectman Griswold's understanding that the 232 Shore Rd. proposal is now for a 100 foot tower. Previously, T-Mobile submitted a request for a 170 foot tower. The 100 foot tower’s height is not sufficient for the placement of Town emergency equipment. First Selectman Griswold will look into the possibility of the placement of the Town’s emergency equipment on the cell tower located on the Machnik property. First Selectman Griswold will ask for clarification from the Siting Council as to a
future public hearing in Old Lyme, so the public can comment on the remaining two cell tower site proposed locations.
First Selectman Griswold stated that Town’s Zoning regulations call for a minimum setback of 500 feet for the location of cell towers from homes. Selectwoman Reemsnyder requested that Ann Brown provide this information to the Selectmen in a letter and that a discussion of this be an agenda item at the next Selectmen's meeting. The Board of Selectmen will draft a letter to the Siting Council informing them of the Town's regulations.
6. New Business
a. Sheffield Brook Watershed Study Request – Steven Ross, Chairman of the Flood and Erosion Control Board, spoke to the Selectmen with regard to the flooding issue at Sheffield Brook. This flooding has been a primary area of concern for the Flood and Erosion Control Board for over a year, and the problem has been going on for decades. The beaches involved are Old Lyme Shores and Old Colony Beach. Mr. Ross stated that there is a large amount of water emptying into the brook from various areas to the north and the outlet cannot handle it, hence causing flooding. The Flood and Erosion Control Board has made it clear to the beach associations, as the area in question is private property, that the Board is only a facilitator in this matter. Mr. Ross further explained
that when each member of the Flood and Erosion Control Board was polled, each felt that the Town should share in the financial obligation to cover the cost of the study. The total estimate of said study is $57,000 and the recommendation is that each pay $19,000. The Selectmen agreed that in order for the Beach Associations to apply for a FEMA Grant, a study needs to be done and the Town should be involved. Mr. Ross stated that it has been the intention of the Flood and Erosion Control Board and the Beach Associations to make repairs that will have the biggest impact in preventing the flooding. First Selectman Griswold requested Mr. Ross to draft a memo to the Board of Selectmen containing the Flood and Erosion Control Board's recommendations.
Guest Tina Dileo, a property owner at Old Colony Beach, addressed the Selectmen, telling of her frustration with the continued flooding on her property. She appreciates the Town's assistance in this matter, as it has gone on for a very long time. First Selectmen Griswold feels that the Selectmen can make a case to partially fund the study and, while this is private property, the Selectmen agreed that it could be done as a special case.
b. Open Space Committee to Become Commission – Diana Atwood Johnson, Chairperson of the Open Space Committee, presented the Selectmen a document entitled Proposed Ordinance Establishing Open Space Commission. Ms. Johnson reviewed the role of the present Open Space Committee. Selectman Sibley requested that delegates from the Open Space Committee, Planning and Zoning, Conservation, and Inlands Wetlands meet to review the proposal before the Town Meeting in May. First Selectman Griswold will ask Marylin Clarke to review the proposal and he will contact Ms. Johnson to establish on a date to meet.
c. Sound View Beach Formation Committee – Draft Mission Statement
Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that she had received an email from the Chairman of the Sound View Beach Formation Committee asking that this be tabled to a future meeting. The Sound View Beach Formation Committee would like to present it to the Selectmen at that time. Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to table this agenda item to a future meeting, Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
d. Town Clerk - $3,000 Grant Resolution – First Selectman Griswold stated that the Town is eligible for a $3,000 grant from the State. Eileen Coffee, Town Clerk, has identified items from the Town Clerk's office that this grant could fund. Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to execute a resolution stating that Timothy C. Griswold, First Selectman of the Town of Old Lyme, has the power to execute and deliver in the name of, and on behalf of, the Town of Old Lyme a contract with the Connecticut State Library for an Historic Documents Preservation Grant, Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
e. Zoning Commission – Low Impact Development Presentation
First Selectman Griswold reported on a special meeting of the Zoning Commission during which guest speaker Steven Trinkaus gave a presentation on low impact development. These techniques are not meant to eradicate development; they are intended to make development more land friendly.
f. Silver Star Banner Day Resolution – May 1, 2010
First Selectman Griswold read a proclamation from the Silver Star Families stating that Town of Old Lyme declare May 1 as a permanent and official day to honor the wounded and ill soldiers of the Town of Old Lyme.
7. Public Comment – Lina Tuck addressed the Selectmen regarding her concern with the proposed cell tower at the South Lyme Laundromat location. Ms. Tuck stated that her home is only 200 feet away from this location and there are ten homes that are less than 500 feet away. Ms. Tuck stated that the Town's regulation states that a cell tower cannot be constructed within 500 feet of a residence. She requested that the Selectmen address this issue with the Siting Council as soon as possible. Selectwoman Reemsnyder recommended that a letter be sent immediately to the Siting Council stating our Town's regulations on cell towers. Selectman Sibley requested that a copy of this letter be sent to our legislators, Attorney General and Governor. First Selectman Griswold requested
Selectwoman Reemsnyder to help draft this letter.
8. Other Business
a. Girl Scout Week Proclamation – First Selectman Griswold read a statement proclaiming March 12, 2010 as the 98th birthday of the Girl Scouts.
b.Town Budget Review – First Selectman Griswold stated that he has been reviewing the budget with the Board of Finance. So far the Board of Finance has approved the same amounts as the previous year for the non-profits and the beach associations. Shoreline Sanitation showed a 5% decrease due to lower fuel prices. Overall the spending agencies have sent in realistic requests. Revenue is very unpredictable. First Selectman Griswold stated that the Town is in discussions with the Public Works Union and the Police Union and that both were supportive to partial givebacks or furlough days.
c. Selectwoman Reemsnyder recommended that the Selectmen hold a regular meeting at Lyme-Old Lyme High School and use the opportunity to acknowledge the Silver Medal Award which was granted to the high school by U.S. News & World Report for its academic achievement.
d. Selectman Sibley recommended that the Board of Selectmen re-visit the recognition of Old Lyme World War II veterans, which began last year but was not concluded.
9. Executive Session - Selectman Sibley moved to go back into Executive Session at 9:30 PM, and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED. Selectman Sibley moved to exit Executive Session at 10:15 PM and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
9. Adjournment – Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:16 PM, and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted, ~
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
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