Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting: Monday, 20 September 2010
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, 20 September 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: 7 September 2010
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to accept the minutes of 7 September 2010 with the following corrections. Under item number (2) second paragraph the word "must" should be changed to "should". Under item number (7a) first paragraph, third line should read: He suggests that Mr. Ross deed to the Town a nearly 60 foot square piece at the Ross property line where the road enters, to create a turn-around area. Under item (9) second paragraph, second line should be removed. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications
a. CT DEP – Grant Award Notification – CT Riverway Trail
First Selectman Griswold read a letter addressed to Joseph Camean, a member of the Economic Development Commission, from Laurie Giannotti, of the CT DEP. The letter states "that the Federal Highways Administration, with the recommendation of the CT Recreational Trails Advisory Board, has approved your proposal entitled 'Connecticut Riverway Trail – Programming and Development Phase' for funding in the amount of $36,720. In the coming weeks we will begin the contracting process . . . Please note that you will not be reimbursed for work done on this project until you get an official DEP contract number. However, you may begin to track and document your 20% matching contribution up to 18 months prior to your official contract date." First Selectman Griswold stated that several
months ago, the Town submitted a programming and development grant application for a combined Greenway-Blueway trail system, the "Connecticut Riverway Trail" along the shoreline of the Connecticut River. It will originate at the CT DOT CT River Scenic Overview and connect with the Town boat launch at Ferry Rd, the DEP Lt. River Boat Launch, the O.L. Conservation Trust Watch Rock Nature Preserve, and finally the CT DEP Great Island Boat Launch. The trail is to enable public access for walking, running, bicycling, in-line skating and ADA accessibility to the riverfront and allow canoeing and kayaking access to the river and waterways.
3. Appointments
Selectman Sibley moved to appoint Suzanne Thompson (R) to the CT Gateway Commission as an Alternate, for a 2-year term, expiring July 2012. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to appoint Harry S. Plaut (R) to the Harbor Management Commission as an Alternate, for a 4-year term, expiring January 2013. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley moved to appoint Richard J. Smith (U) to the Zoning Board of Appeals as an Alternate, for a 2-year term, expiring November 2011. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
4. Old Business
a. Bus Barn – Opening Ceremony - 8 September at 4:00 PM
First Selectman Griswold reported that the Opening Ceremony was well attended and a representative from M&J Bus Company expressed that the bus company was very impressed with the facility.
b. Church Corner Update
First Selectman Griswold reported that the work on Church Corner continues. The aprons have been installed and the two curb sections have been installed, with backfilling and paving still needed. Zanardi Construction is paving the driveway leading into the Christ the King Church rectory and the Cox property. The blue stone contractor, Salem Gardens, is presently waiting for a delivery of blue stone sections in order to finish the sidewalk along the Town Green.
The Historic Commission granted approval for a granite seat to be placed on the green facing the Congregational Church. The seat will be constructed from a curved piece of stone recovered from the corner by the Ames property.
Selectman Sibley inquired about the posts and chains that need to be replaced in front of the Congregational Church. First Selectman Griswold stated that the pillars are being returned slowly by the Church, but more of the special chain called "animal chain" needs to be located.
c. Automated Single Stream Recycling – Pre-bid Meeting
First Selectman Griswold reported that there was a mandatory pre-bid meeting with five companies in attendance. The following items were raised.
1. Can the contractor use a rear-loader truck? No, a rear-loader truck may not be used instead of the automated side-loader specified.
2. Can the contractor's trucks be domiciled at a Town facility such as the Transfer Station or the Public Works Garage? No, there are places in town where the contractor could arrange to park the vehicles.
3. Can the assembly of the carts (as many as 4,700) be done at the Town Garage by the contractor. Yes.
4. Will the Town decide if the 4-year contract will be renewed on the third anniversary of the contract? Yes.
5. If an individual homeowner requests a custom pick up, the contractor is encouraged to do so, and the homeowner would pay a small fee for the service.
Selectman Sibley stated that, at the Board of Selectmen's meeting of 7 September, he asked that the RFP specify the location that the contractor must take the recyclables. First Selectman Griswold stated that this was added. Selectwoman Reemsnyder and Selectman Sibley requested a copy of said RFP. The bids are due on October 1, 2010.
d. UMARS License Agreement
The Citgo Station / convenience store at the top of Hartford Avenue has requested permission to use the Town’s ten-foot alley that bisects the property for business purposes, and the Town Attorney has drafted a License Agreement for this purpose. First Selectman Griswold has spoken with Ann Brown regarding the question raised at the last Selectmen's meeting as to whether unauthorized activities at the Station would trigger a violation and result in a revocation of the license. The License Agreement specifies that any change of use of the property, without the approval of the Zoning Commission, the Zoning Enforcement Officer and/or the Board of Selectmen, shall be grounds for extinguishment. Item #5 states that upon the sale of said premises by the licensee to a third party, the third party would
have to negotiate a new License Agreement with the Town.
The License Agreement will be sent to Zoning and then to UMARS for its review and approval.
e. Ross Property Line Revisions
First Selectman Griswold reported that he has spoken to Ann Brown regarding the Selectmen’s concern that the proposal for the Ross property line revisions would make the second parcel an eligible building lot. Presently, the area in question is 0.55 acres and the revision would make it 0.75 acres. This change would not make it a more viable building lot. Ms. Brown suggested that the owner should have a title search done and make the plan more definite. Selectman Sibley asked if the abutting property owners should be notified if a change is to be made. First Selectman Griswold will talk to Planning about the plan, he will have a dialogue with them about notifying the abutters.
f. FEMA – Reimbursement Estimate for March Storm Damage
First Selectman Griswold stated that FEMA has estimated reimbursement to the Town for damage caused from the storm in March at $56,376. This is 75% of certain categories and 100% of other categories. The Town will have to pay an additional $16,346 towards said storm damage and clean-up.
5. New Business
a. LOL School District Teacher of the Year – Shannon Glorioso
Employee of the Year – Mindy Pollack-Pope
First Selectman Griswold recognized Shannon Glorioso, an eighth grade science teacher at the Middle School, as the District's Teacher of the Year. Mindy Pollack-Pope was recognized as the Employee of the Year. Mindy is an administrative assistant at the Mile Creek School. The Selectmen congratulated them both.
b. Roger's lake Authority - $5,100 for Weed Study (Old Lyme Share = $2,500)
Robert Roach, from the Roger's Lake Authority and a resident of Lyme, spoke to the Selectmen about a proposal to have a study of the weed problem in the lake performed at a cost of $5,100. There are over 29 species of weeds that are overwhelming the lake at this time. The Roger's Lake Authority is requesting the Towns of Lyme and Old Lyme to split the cost 50% - 50% of a study to be done by Dr. Noecklein of Northeast Aquatic Research. Mr. Roach stated that the Town of Lyme is on board with this. The study will be done this year. If the Selectmen agree to fund the study, it will be brought to the Board of Finance on Tuesday. Selectman Sibley moved to recommend that the Board of Finance appropriate $2,550 as the Town's share of said study as outlined by Dr. Noecklein. Selectwoman
Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
c. Pension Vesting and Donating Vacation Time
First Selectman Griswold stated that presently the Town funds the employees’ pension contribution in the first quarter of the fiscal year. The Town needs direction as to what should be done if an employee leaves his or her job in any subsequent quarter. Annual amounts are $6,000 or less per employee (based on 8% of base compensation). The concern is that if an employee leaves his or her job after his or her pension has been funded, what amount would the employee be entitled to keep? The Town’s Finance Director, Nicole Stajduhar, stated that she had contacted The Hartford regarding this question and was told it is up to the Town. The Selectmen believe it could be tiered depending on the number of years of service an employee had given to the Town. Selectwoman Reemsnyder
requested that Ms. Stajduhar make a recommendation to the Selectmen along the line of a tiered plan. Selectman Sibley suggested that quarterly or bi-annual pension funding be considered. The Selectmen will discuss some alternatives and present them to the Board of Finance.
First Selectman Griswold asked the Selectmen their thoughts on allowing employees to donate their vacation and/or sick time to another employee in the case of a hardship. Presently there is no policy in place. Selectman Sibley and Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that they would support this, but with guidelines. First Selectman Griswold suggested that a couple of variations for a policy be drafted, with input from the Selectmen, Ms. Stajduhar and the Board of Finance.
6. Public Comment
J. Ranelli, a property owner in Town, spoke in support of having a study done regarding the weed problem in Roger's Lake. He spoke of his concern about the use of herbicides and requested that the Roger's Lake Authority get more answers than they presently have before any measures are taken. Mr. Ranelli also had questions about the R-10 criteria.
7. Other Business
First Selectman Griswold stated that the Lyme Art Association (non-profit organization) had applied for a building permit to repair the damage done during the March flooding. This permit fee is approximately $476. Nancy Ballek, the Lyme Art Association Director, contacted First Selectman Griswold to ask if the Town would waive or reduce the fee. The Building Department stated that the Selectmen can modify or wave a building fee. There was a discussion, and the Selectmen agreed to table this request until they have more information. First Selectman Griswold will talk to Town Counsel, and will have a recommendation by the next Selectmen's meeting. The Building Department will be asked to hold up on the permit fee until the Selectmen have made a decision.
Selectman Sibley asked if there has been any response from Mr. Sheffield regarding his moving a stone wall demarking a property line, as detailed in a letter from First Selectman Griswold. He was asked to respond by August 23. First Selectman Griswold stated that there has been no response. First Selectman Griswold will move forward on this matter to confirm the wall is in its proper location.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder inquired whether a letter was sent to Mr. Maratta, owner of the Pavilion at Sound View, regarding the large tractor operating on the beach, in violation of the Pedestrian Safety Zone. First Selectman Griswold stated that he could not find any reference to Pedestrian Safety Zones in our ordinances but he will continue to research this. He would need to include the language in the letter. First Selectman Griswold will speak with Marilyn Clarke to see if she recalls drafting the ordinance that applies to this matter.
Selectman Sibley inquired if a date has been set for a meeting with the Federation of Beaches and the Selectmen. First Selectman Griswold said that he had left a phone message with Scott Boulanger suggesting the Saturday dates of September 25 or October 2. Selectwoman Reemsnyder would not be available on any Saturday until after Columbus Day. First Selectman Griswold will contact Mr. Boulanger and request a meeting on the evening of September 30 or on Saturday October 23.
The next Board of Selectmen's meeting will be held on 4 October at 7:30 AM in the Meeting Hall of the Old Lyme Town Hall.
8. Executive Session – None
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 PM and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted, ~
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
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