Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting: Monday, June 7, 2010
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 PM on Monday, June 7, 2010 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 – 17 May 2010 and 2 June 2010 (special)
Selectman Sibley moved to accept the minutes of May 17, 2010 with one correction under Other Business (a) (Selectwoman Reemsnyder, not Selectman Sibley, inquired about the Boulanger lawsuit). Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Approval of the minutes of June 2, 2010 was tabled as the Selectmen had not had sufficient time to review the minutes.
First Selectman Griswold requested that agenda item under Old Business (Blood Street Sculls) be discussed before Communications.
4. Old Business
a. Blood Street Sculls Use of Town Pick-up Truck
Greg Hack, President of the Rowing Association, reviewed the rowing program and participant numbers. Dr. Hack stated that one-half of the rowers are Masters Rowers and one-half are Juniors, which are high school age. One-half of the Masters Rowers are from Old Lyme and Lyme with the other one-half coming from surrounding towns. Dr. Hack reviewed the summer schedule with attention to the regattas where the Town vehicle would be needed. During the school year, Regional District 18's vehicle is used. Dr. Hack stated that if a formal rental agreement was made between the Town and the US Rowing Association, the Association would offer insurance for the time the Town vehicle is used. Selectman Sibley addressed concerns that Mr. Adanti had expressed about the wear and tear on the Town's
vehicle from towing such long distances. First Selectman Griswold suggested that the Town of Lyme should be asked to contribute the use of its vehicle and that Regional District 18 should be approached about using its vehicle during the summer months. It was decided that Dr. Hack will speak to the US Rowing Association as soon as possible about a formal rental agreement with the Town. Regatta dates would be reviewed between Mr. Adanti and Dr. Hack. Dr. Hack will approach Regional District 18 and the Town of Lyme about possible contributions of vehicles.
Selectman Sibley requested that the agenda item under New Business (a) Ed Adanti - payment of unused vacation time be discussed in Executive Session.
2. Communications – First Selectman Griswold reported on an email from Old Lyme resident, Chris Magnussen, praising David Roberge, the Town's Emergency Management Director, for his assistance during the storm at the end of March. Selectman Sibley complimented Mr. Roberge with regard to the information that was posted on the Town website during the storm and the phone system that was set up to field calls.
3. Appointments
CT River Gateway Commission: Peter Cable (D), Delegate, 2-year term, expiring July 2012. Ted Crosby (R), Alternate, 2-year term, expiring July 2012. Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to accept these appointments, Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Inland Wetlands Hearing Panel: Robert DePianta (D), 1-year term, expiring July 2011. Thomas Degnan (U), 1-year term, expiring July 2011. Selectman Sibley moved to accept these appointments, Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Lymes Senior Center Board: Vi Gerber (R), 3-year term, expiring July 2013.
First Selectman Griswold reported that Vi Gerber will not continue on this board for health reasons. Doris Rand (D), 3-year term, expiring July 2013. Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to accept this appointment, Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
WPCA Hearing Panel: Robert DePianta (D), 1-year term, expiring July 2011. Thomas Degnan (U), 1-year term, expiring July 2011. Selectman Sibley moved to accept these appointments, Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
4. Old Business
b. Florence Griswold Museum Neighborhood Assistance Act Resolution – First Selectman Griswold reported on a letter of amplification from Janie Stanley, the Director of Development for the Florence Griswold Museum. The Neighborhood Assistance Act is a tax credit program available to the business community through the State of Connecticut. Corporations are granted a 60% tax credit for their contributions. For example, if a corporation donated $1,000 to the Florence Griswold Museum, said corporation could deduct $600 from its total tax liability. Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to authorize First Selectman Griswold to sign the appropriate Neighborhood Assistance Act paperwork on behalf of the Florence Griswold Museum. Selectman Sibley
seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
c. Bus Barn Update – First Selectman Griswold reported that the Bus Barn facility is nearing completion. The building is being readied for use, the parking area and fencing are close to being finished and the fuel tank will be installed within a few weeks. Landscaping will be done in the fall. Selectman Sibley inquired about the lease between the Town and the Bus Company and First Selectman Griswold stated that the Bus Company will be responsible for all operating costs, including all utilities and snow plowing. There will be a spill prevention policy as part of the lease. The Town is providing two poles for security cameras and the building will have the capability for a security system, which will be the responsibility of the
tenant to install. The fuel tank will have an alarm that can detect leakage. First Selectman Griswold stated that the lease is being finalized at this time.
d. Church Corner Update – First Selectman Griswold reported that the Town is waiting for the attorneys to finalize arrangements with the Contractor. There was a Special Meeting with the Boards of Selectmen and Finance to discuss the Church Corner finances. The Boards want the contractor and the engineer/surveyor to agree to settlement figures before approving anything.
e. Town Hall Expansion Update – First Selectman Griswold reported that a meeting was held to discuss the Van Zelm HVAC report. Van Zelm discovered a number of things that need attention. It is believed that the design is satisfactory, but some installation issues need to be resolved. The Town can take care of the issues and deduct funds from what is owed the Contractor, or the Contractor must fix the problems. Selectman Sibley suggested that Paul Bailey be asked for his opinion on the report, and that the Contractor be given a definite deadline to fix the problems.
f. Frank Maratta Sound View Bus Request for 20 June – The Selectmen discussed a request from Frank Maratta, owner of the Pavilion in Sound View. Mr. Maratta has requested permission to allow two busses to come down Hartford Avenue on June 20 (Father's Day) at 11:00 AM to drop off passengers at the Pavilion and return at 6:00 PM to retrieve them. The purpose is to allow passengers a safe way to drink without driving. Selectman Sibley moved to deny the request. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
g. Sound View Crowd Control – First Selectman Griswold reported that over the Memorial Day weekend, Sound View was the most crowded that it had been in 20-30 years. People were parking anywhere that they could find space, including on private property and the State rest area on Route 156. Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported on a meeting that was held at the Old Lyme Police Station to discuss the problems with the crowds at Sound View Beach. Frank Pappalardo, Chairman of Sound View Formation Committee, three police officers and Selectwoman Reemsnyder were in attendance. The crowds were parking illegally and walking with coolers and beach paraphernalia down Route 156. The beach was wall to wall people, with numerous reports of drunkenness and
inappropriate behavior. Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that we have an unsafe situation that the Town must deal with as soon as possible. Some action items for the Board of Selectmen to consider are:
- post no-parking signs
- hire two additional life guards and/or personnel to help with crowd control
- post rules and regulations on permanent signage
- discuss with the State that the Route 156 rest area is not a parking lot
- set up and enforce the proposed traffic pattern with barriers and signage
Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that the meeting was a great start. Selectman Sibley stated that he had spoken to many Sound View Beach residents about the problems. Overall the residents felt that the police and the Town were doing a good job, but there are simply too many people and too many problems. Selectman Sibley will speak to Dave Roberge about putting together a meeting with Town representatives to come up with a contingency plan. The next big weekend will be July 4th and the Town needs to get something in place quickly. Selectman Sibley expects that Dave Roberge will report to him this week, and with a combined effort of the citizens, police and the Board of Selectmen, the problems may be addressed.
5. New Business
a. Ed Adanti, Supt. of Public Works Payment of Unused Vacation Time
To be discussed in Executive Session
b. Village Estates Schedule Public Hearing for 6 July at 3:00 PM
First Selectman Griswold explained that the residents of Village Estates have wanted their road to become a Town road for quite awhile. There are a number of issues that need to be taken care of in order for this to happen, but the developer has not been responsive. The Planning Commission received a communication from its engineer, Tom Metcalf, outlining the items that need attention. There are four principal ones and Mr. Metcalf assigned values to these tasks. The Planning Commission voted to have the Selectmen prepare an RFP. First Selectman Griswold stated that it would be best to hold a public hearing before an RFP is prepared and then call the $32,000 bond. This amount may not be sufficient to do all the work. If the bond does not cover the expense, then the homeowners
would be asked to cover the remaining expenses – not the Town. While the Town is under no requirement to accept a road, the voters have customarily accepted a road at a Town Meeting if the road is constructed to Town standards. First Selectman Griswold will ask Attorney Cassella if he can attend a hearing on July 19 instead of July 6.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to add under New Business an agenda item to discuss the Shoreline Sanitation Contract. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
First Selectman Griswold stated that he would like to add to the next Selectmen's meeting agenda a discussion of using generic resolutions.
c. Shoreline Sanitation Contract – First Selectman Griswold reported on a joint meeting with the Boards of Finance and Selectmen regarding the municipal refuse pick up contract with Shoreline Sanitation. Shoreline Sanitation has had this contract for many years and has done an excellent job. The present contract is a 4-year contract ending June 30, 2011. A provision in the contract states that the Town must decide whether or not to renew the contract for another four years on the third anniversary of the contract (30 June 2010). The Boards of Selectmen and Finance voted to recommend to a Special Town Meeting that the Shoreline Contract be extended for another four years starting July 1, 2011. A Special Town Meeting has been
scheduled for June 21, but Gary Yuknat will not be able to attend that evening. Selectman Sibley felt that it was important that Mr. Yuknat be there to answer questions from residents. First Selectman Griswold will contact Mr. Yuknat regarding rescheduling the Special Town Meeting to Wednesday June 23rd in the Meeting Hall.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to hold a Special Town Meeting on June 23, 2010 at 7:30 PM in the Meeting Hall of the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
6. Public Comment – Lina Tuck reminded the Selectmen that there will be a CT Siting Council hearing on June 23 in New Britain. It is important for representation from the Town to be at this meeting.
Victor Dellaripa, a resident of Miami Beach since 1949, presented a formal written complaint to the Selectmen regarding the excessive noise coming from the bars at Sound View. He invited the Selectmen to sit on his deck and listen to the music. He said that the crowds on Memorial Day weekend were the worst that he has ever seen and he witnessed drunkenness and inappropriate behavior. He reminded the Selectmen of a noise ordinance in Old Lyme passed in 1972. First Selectman Griswold said the ordinance has been updated and he will speak to the police about the enforcement of the ordinance.
Dennis Melluzzo of Portland Avenue thanked the Town for its quick response to the problems over Memorial Day weekend. He spoke of the crowds getting larger and larger and feels that the situation is very dangerous. It took him 30-40 minutes to pull out of his driveway with the traffic backup. Mr. Melluzzo spoke of the public indecency and drunkenness that he witnesses constantly and he is very concerned that if a fight ever broke out, it would be impossible to control with what we presently have in place.
7. Other Business
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to go into Executive Session at 9:33 PM, Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED. Mr. Adanti was invited to attend Executive Session.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to exit the Executive Session at 10:49 PM, Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
The next Board of Selectmen's meeting will be held on Monday June 21 at 7:30 PM.
8. Adjournment – Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:50 PM and Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted, ~
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
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