Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting: Monday, 1 November 2010
The Board of Selectmen held an Executive Session at 6:00 PM and a Regular Meeting at 7:30 PM on Monday, 1 November 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.
Executive Session: Contract Negotiations and Personnel Matter
Selectman Sibley moved to go into Executive Session at 6:00 PM and invited Andy Russell, Chairman of the Board of Finance, to join the meeting for the purpose of discussing a contract negotiation. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion.
SO VOTED. Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the Executive Session at 6:30 PM. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED. No votes were taken.
Selectman Sibley moved to go into Executive session at 6:36 PM and invited Ron Rose to join the meeting. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the Executive Session at 7:27 PM. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED. No votes were taken.
Regular Meeting
1. Approval of Minutes: 4 and 18 October 2010 (Regular Meetings)
18 and 23 October 2010 (Special Meetings)
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to accept the minutes of (Regular Meeting) 4 October 2010 with the following exception: Under Item 4a, Selectwoman Reemsnyder believed that there was a discussion of a meeting with the various Land Use Boards and Commissions to review the proposed ordinance, but that there had not been a final consensus. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED. (The Secretary listened to the recording of the meeting and determined there was a discussion about asking the Land Use Boards and Commissions to do a final review, but there was no consensus.)
Acceptance of the minutes of (Regular Meeting) 18 October 2010 will be done at the next Selectmen's meeting.
Selectman Sibley moved to accept the minutes of (Special Meeting) 18 October 2010. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Acceptance of the minutes of (Special Meeting) 23 October 2010 will be done at the next Selectmen's meeting.
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to move Agenda Item 5a to this point in the Agenda. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
5. New Business
a. Town Woods Fields – Pesticides versus Organics – Phil Neaton
Phil Neaton spoke to the Board about using organic treatment, in place of chemical treatment, on the Town Woods Park playing fields. Mr. Neaton is an advisor to the Parks and Recreation with regard to lawn maintenance, and he is the Superintendent of the Black Hall Club. Mr. Neaton discussed how the switch from pesticides to organic would negatively affect the condition of the fields, and that a large investment would have to be made to purchase equipment to spread the organic matter. Organic fertilizers are made from poultry feces and ground body parts from the birds. Mr. Neaton explained that the fields would be unplayable for about a week after each organic application. There is an unpleasant smell associated with said applications, and the playing fields would be slimy for a week or so after
the applications. Mr. Neaton was not aware of any instances where organic treatment had been successful to the extent that chemical treatments are. Everyone agreed that the safety of the children is the most important thing to consider. Don Bugbee, Director of Parks and Recreation, reviewed the current process for the applications of chemicals on the fields. Ron Tyler, of Country Lawn and Garden, calls Mr. Bugbee to schedule a day when applications will be made. Mr. Bugbee contacts all the teams and Regional District 18 to advise them of the Park's closure. This is posted on the Town website, the Parks and Recreation webpage, signage at the Park, and the Park gate is locked. People are kept off the fields for an appropriate amount of time. The Selectmen suggested that a group of interested parties meet, and if possible, come to a consensus on this matter.
2. Communications
a. Letter from Atty. Simones – UMAR's Request to Purchase the Alley
First Selectman Griswold read a letter from Attorney Simones, legal representative for UMAR's LLC. UMAR's seeks to purchase a portion of Alley #1 from the Town; the portion of the Alley that is within the limits of its property. The Selectmen believe they would have to consider selling most, or all of, Alleys 1 and 2 to the abutters in order to be fair. First Selectman Griswold suggested that if the Sound View Commission is formed, they could look into the situation and make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. First Selectman Griswold will inform Attorney Simones that the Board of Selectmen will consider his client's request. He will also check with Zoning as to the status of the UMAR's license agreement.
b. Card from the Bus Drivers – pleased with the Bus Barn
First Selectman Griswold reported that the bus drivers had all signed a thank-you card to the Town for building such a fine bus facility.
3. Appointments – None
4. Old Business
a. Review of Open Space Commission / Sound View Beach Commission Ordinances
Open Space Commission – First Selectman Griswold reported that Attorney Cassella and George James have had a conversation regarding the draft Ordinance. Attorney Cassella will put in some changes that Mr. James had suggested, and the final draft should be ready for the next Board of Selectmen's meeting.
Sound View Beach Commission – There will be a meeting tomorrow with Frank Pappalardo, Attorney Clarke and First Selectman Griswold to review the draft Ordinance. It should be ready for the next Board of Selectmen's meeting.
b. Automated Single Stream Recycling Bid Update
First Selectman Griswold is reviewing the bids with the Town’s attorney and will have a recommendation shortly.
c. Church Corner Update
First Selectman Griswold reported that two granite curb sections have been backfilled, but the bluestone sidewalk is not completed yet. The chip sealing of the drive to the Cox and Catholic Church Rectory properties will be applied on Tuesday.
d. Bus Barn Construction Cost Repayment
First Selectman Griswold reported that he had met with Betty Osga, Superintendant of Schools and reviewed the Cost Repayment Plan. Under this proposed repayment plan, 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. In the meantime, the Town receives rent in the amount of $50,000 annually for the five-year bus contract. Under the present lease agreement, the bus company is responsible for all utility payments.
e. T-Mobile – Siting Council Approvals
First Selectman Griswold reported on correspondence received from the CT Siting Council, dated October 22, 2010, stating that on September 23, 2010, the CT Siting Council had granted T-Mobile with a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for all three proposed cell tower locations in Old Lyme. These locations are at Buttonball Road (Swaney), Shore Road (Self Storage) and Point O' Woods (Laundromat). Selectman Sibley stated that the CT Siting Council overrode the Town's zoning regulations, and he suggested that the Town investigate an appeal process at the State level. Selectwomen Reemsnyder suggested that the Selectmen write a letter to the CT Siting Council, with a copy to the Attorney General and the State Legislature, stating that the CT Siting Council made its decision with no
regard to our zoning regulations. It is important for this to be on record. First Selectman Griswold will look into the matter further before drafting a letter.
f. Town Pension Contribution – Funding Proposal
First Selectman Griswold reported on a meeting the Pension Committee had with a representative of The Hartford regarding the Town Pension Fund. All favored funding the pension contributions on the last day of each fiscal year quarter in arrears rather than once per year in October. This will enable employees to earn income and possible appreciation on their contributions, while standardizing and improving the way the Town handles contributions for employees who leave the employment of the Town during the fiscal year. If an employee left his/her job during
any given quarter, said employee would receive a credit for time employed during that quarter. A representative from The Hartford will come and speak to the Town Employees regarding retirement savings options. The Committee and The Hartford will likely add some investment options to the mix, and The Hartford will provide a free service to the Town, which is a third party evaluation of the various funds on a quarterly basis.
5. New Business
a. Town Woods Fields – Pesticides versus Organics – Phil Neaton
This Agenda item was moved and was discussed after Agenda item 1.
b. Regional District 18 – High School Project Groundbreaking
First Selectman Griswold reported that the High School Groundbreaking Ceremony held on October 29 was well attended.
c. Millstone Exercise – Excellent Performance
First Selectman Griswold reported that the Evaluated Millstone Exercise went extremely well. The Board of Selectmen thanked all those who made it happen, with special thanks to Emergency Management Director Dave Roberge.
6. Public Comment – None
7. Other Business
First Selectman Griswold reported that he will be meeting with John Forbis, Chairman of the Town Hall Expansion Committee, this Tuesday. The Committee will finalize a plan for the work that still needs to be completed.
First Selectman Griswold spoke to Zelek Electric regarding a “show and tell” of the Photovoltaic System, and Mr. Zelek will be happy to demonstrate how the system works. This would best be done on a sunny day. The Selectmen would like photos and a press release to be posted on the Town website. Selectman Sibley asked if the kilowatt output will be tracked and quantified. First Selectman Griswold will explore having the system tied into the Town website for all to see.
The next Board of Selectmen's meeting will be held on Monday, 15 November 2010 at 7:30 PM in the Meeting Hall of the Old Lyme Town Hall.
8. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:43 PM. Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted, ~
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
| 
