Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting: Monday, 18 October 2010
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting at 7:30 PM on Monday, 18 October 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: 4 October 2010
The Selectmen did not have sufficient time to review the minutes before this meeting. This agenda item will be included in the next Board of Selectmen's meeting.
2. Communications – None
3. Appointments – None
4. Old Business
a. Review of Open Space Commission / Sound View Beach Commission Ordinances
Sound View Beach Commission: First Selectman Griswold received a letter from Attorney Clarke regarding the proposed ordinance establishing the Sound View Commission. Attorney Clarke would like to determine the ownership of a particular portion of property mentioned in the proposed ordinance. Once she has this information, she will meet with Frank Pappalardo and First Selectman Griswold to review any text changes. This should be done by the next Selectmen's meeting. First Selectman Griswold reported that there has been a discussion with Mr. Pappalardo regarding the membership criteria discussed at the Selectmen's meeting of October 4, and this was acceptable to the Committee.
Open Space Commission: First Selectman Griswold stated that the Town has received a draft ordinance from Attorney Cassella. It appears George James still has questions for Attorney Cassella. Mr. James stated that he has emailed Attorney Cassella his questions and opinions, but to date has not heard back from him.
Hopefully both ordinances will be brought to a public hearing in early November and to a Town Meeting before Thanksgiving.
b. Automated Single Stream Recycling Bid Update
The Town received two bids from interested contractors, but the information in each bid was incomplete. First Selectman Griswold contacted the contractors and requested the additional information. Additional information has been received from one of the bidders, but it is still incomplete for the other. Hopefully this will be resolved by the next Selectmen's meeting. The single stream contract and the purchase of the 95 gallon carts must be approved by the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance, and then by a vote at a Town Meeting before we may proceed.
c. Church Corner Update
First Selectman Griswold reported that he has called American Industries several times and has not heard back from them. The new bluestone has been delivered, and Salem Country Gardens should be doing the installation. Backfilling the two sections of curb sections must also be done. If First Selectman Griswold does not hear back from American Industries shortly, he will call Salem Country Gardens for information.
d. Bus Barn Construction Cost Repayment
First Selectman Griswold reviewed the Bus Barn Cost Repayment Schedule. The cost of the Bus Barn was just slightly more than $650,000 and within the $675,000 approved at Town Meeting. First Selectman Griswold met with Betty Osga, Superintendent of Schools, and Jim Witkins, School Board Finance Chairman, to review a potential repayment plan, using an interest rate schedule that the Town's underwriter provided. It will take about 17 years to repay the principal and interest, including a reserve payment of $5,000 per year and $500 for insurance and miscellaneous items. The purpose of the reserve is to set money aside for repairs that will be needed over time. Currently the rent is $50,000 per year for five years, then after deducting the $5,500 per year, there will be $44,500 available for
repayment. If a payment was made once a year, it would take 17 years to retire the balance. If there were two payments per year, it would still take 17 years to repay, but there would be an interest savings of about $6,000. The repayment plan provides that the rent will increase by $5,000 every five years.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder requested that the Selectmen see the final numbers of the Bus Barn Construction budget as soon as they are ready.
5. New Business – None
6. Public Comment
George James, Chairman of the Conservation Commission, spoke with regard to the use of pesticides on Town-owned parks. As of July 1, 2010, pesticide treatment is not allowed on any elementary or middle school grounds in the state of CT. The Conservation Commission would like the Town to consider adopting this policy for the Town Woods Park because so many children use it. Pesticides pose a health risk to humans, especially the children who play on pesticide-treated fields. Mr. James presented the Selectmen with a cost analysis showing the transition from pesticides to organic treatment. It showed that organic treatment is significantly less costly than standard pesticides. There was a discussion, and it was decided that the Selectmen will request Ron Tyler, of Country Lawn and Garden,
who is presently the lawn care contractor for the Town Woods Park, and Phil Neaton, Town Woods Park Committee member, to come to the next Selectmen’s meeting. Mr. Tyler is qualified in organic lawn care.
Laurie Lewis, from the Conservation Commission, also expressed her concern about the use of pesticides on Town-owned parks. With the school construction project going on, more kids are, and will be, playing on Town fields. She mentioned that there have been two incidences of cancer in the past year with school-aged children. She thanked the Selectmen for their consideration of this important matter.
7. Other Business
First Selectman Griswold reported that a John Deere Flail Mower has been acquired for Public Works. Also, a new 6 cylinder Dodge Charger has been delivered for use by Town Police. Officer Collins is presently using the car. The Boards of Selectmen and Finance received a letter from the police thanking them for their support in obtaining the new vehicle.
Selectman Sibley inquired as to the status of the Town Hall Expansion Project. First Selectman Griswold reported that the solar panels are functional, and that the Town has received confirmation from the utility company that all documentation is complete. In a few weeks, the Town should have an idea of how many kilowatts are being produced. Three additional thermostats have been installed in the building in order to balance the temperature in those areas. The damper system was adjusted, and Meeting Hall radiators need to be checked by a plumber. A company (ABS Environmental Control) will monitor the HVAC system and respond to issues when called upon. Knotweed, which is an invasive weed, is growing behind the building and this will have to be treated chemically. Weather stripping
on certain doors has to be completed. The punch list will be revisited, and there will ultimately be a discussion with the Contractor on existing disputes.
Selectman Sibley asked that the Town Hall Expansion Committee be brought up to speed on the progress of the project. First Selectman Griswold thought that the Committee had not met in four or five months. Selectwoman Reemsnyder suggested that as soon as it is confirmed that the photovoltaic system is on line, it would be a good idea to have a reception acknowledging this, along with photos of the system. These photos would be of great interest to Town Residents.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder, who serves on the Senior Center Board of Directors, reported that two residents of the Lyme community have donated a commercial stove to the Center. The Board thanked Dr. Gita Safain and Dr. Tarik Kardestuncer for their very generous donation.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder has spoken with a couple of Girl Scouts who are working on their Silver Awards. Their project involves bringing recycling to special events, i.e. tournaments, games or events held on Town fields. At this time, only garbage cans are available, and they are suggesting that event organizers should be able to request recycling bins for their event by filling out a form at Town Hall. Selectwoman Reemsnyder would like to invite the Girl Scouts to the next Selectmen's meeting, so they may present their plan. The Selectmen are supportive of this idea.
The next Board of Selectmen's meeting will be held on Monday, 1 November 2010 at 7:30 PM in the Meting Hall of the Old Lyme Town Hall.
8. Executive Session – None
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 PM and Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted, ~
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
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