Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Special Meeting: Saturday, October 23, 2010
The Board of Selectmen held a special meeting at 9:00 AM on Saturday, October 23, 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. Discussion with the Beach Association Representatives
Three representatives of the Beach Associations asked to address the Board of Selectmen: Scott Boulanger, President of the Federation of Beaches, Paul Rowean, President of Old Lyme Shores (“OLS”) and Kathy McKeough, President of Point O’Woods (“POW”).
First Selectman Griswold read a letter from several beach presidents dated 30 August 2010, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He took exception to the statement in the letter that said “The future of the sewers and septic systems in town after 28 years of little action…”. He also said the statement “While the monies given to the beaches over the years is appreciated, most of the amounts haven’t changed since 1967…” is grossly inaccurate. First Selectman Griswold said the allocation to the beaches in 1967 was $10,499 and that it is now $104,300.
Mr. Boulanger said he believed the letter served to make the Federation’s opinions on matters more formal and that things are not going well.
Mr. Rowean said that OLS has formed its own WPCA and that it is speaking with the DEP. The Association members have endorsed obtaining a Request for Proposal for an engineering scope of work to evaluate what should be done. This includes an assessment of the existing septic systems and the water delivery system, which is 80 years old and consists of two-inch diameter water lines. The study will evaluate whether the existing systems are adequate for the 192 homes, whether an off-site holding tank and leaching fields would be better or whether a structural sewer is necessary. There was discussion about using the private roads for leaching fields and Mr. Rowean said this will be investigated. He said it might cost $500,000 to upgrade the water system and another $500,000 to upgrade the roads. He said CT water Co. would require significant road improvements if it upgraded the water pipes.
Concerning funding, Mr. Boulanger said the value of the beach properties has increased significantly over the years, greater than the average in town. He said the financial support from the Town has lagged and calculated that a 1976 contribution of $13,500 to a beach should be about $50,000 now, if it were adjusted for inflation. He said the beach properties use the school system very minimally. When asked how he would reconcile additional support to the beaches from the town to other seasonal residents, such as snow birds, he said that those property owners have access to all town services whereas the seasonal beach properties do not. The Selectmen explained that the Town derives about 91% of its revenue from property and vehicle taxes. We have little commercial taxable property and that has been
the choice of the people. Accordingly, property taxes are our principal source of revenue. It is a well known fact that beach properties appreciate at a greater rate than the average.
Ms. McKeough said that real estate taxes are the number one concern in POW and that POW contributes 10% of the Town’s real estate taxes. There have been suggestions that POW secede from the Town of Old Lyme and handle is own finances independently. Mr. Rowean said OLS contributes about 3% of the Town’s real estate taxes and there has also been discussion about secession.
Mr. Rowean read from the 1960 Town ordinance which states no dogs are allowed on Town beaches. He said the part-time Animal Control Officer has not been responding properly to calls within the beaches. When it was pointed out that the Town dog ordinance does not apply to private property, Mr. Rowean said the beach below high water is not private property.
Mr. Rowean discussed the problems associated with Sheffield Brook. He understands that homeowners in OLS and Old Colony Beach who abut the brook each own 50% of the brook, but he believe the amount of water that comes from north of the railroad tracks is the largest source of the problem. He is unhappy that the Town will not share one-third of the estimated $59,000 engineering cost. The Selectmen pointed out that the Town cannot pay for engineering or contractor work in the private beach associations because then all private property owners would want the same. Mr. Rowean said it could cost upward of $2 million to fix the problem. There are about 13 houses in each beach that are directly impacted by flood waters
Mr. Boulanger commented that there is considerable blight in the Sound View area. He speculated that, if this blight were in another part of town, the enforcement officials would correct it. The Selectmen said the Town has considered a blight ordinance, but it is a slippery slope when it comes to the wording and enforcement. Most will agree a run-down, unoccupied property should be upgraded however, there may not be consensus on things like flaking paint, height of grass or the number of items in the yard. All agreed there must be further discussion about a blight ordinance.
The Selectmen thanked the beach representatives for a candid and productive discussion. It was agreed the group will meet again during the winter.
2. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:27 AM., seconded by Selectwoman Reemsnyder. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted, ~
Timothy C. Griswold
Recording Secretary
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