Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Special Meeting: Sunday, 15 May 2011
NOTE: Digital Recording of this meeting was deleted in error.
The Board of Selectmen held a Special Meeting at 4:00 PM on Sunday, 15 May 2011 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 Associations
First Selectman Griswold welcomed about 30 beach association officials and guests. He said the principal issue to discuss is the plowing of private beach association roads by town equipment and staff. This practice is in conflict with the fact that the Town does not plow other private roads and that the Town does not plow the roads of Point O’ Woods. First Selectman Griswold said there is a considerable history of plowing the beach association roads, which undoubtedly originated with limited plowing of these roads when very few residents were there in the winter. Plowing was done to improve the response by emergency services vehicles and this plowing was done after all of the town roads were plowed and only if there was a snowfall over two inches. Over time, the plowing became more
extensive (all association roads) and the local expectation is that the Town should plow the associations’ roads as quickly as possible. First Selectman Griswold estimates there are between 12 and 15 miles of beach association roads (Old Lyme Shores, Old Colony, Miami, White Sand, Hawk’s Nest and Rogers Lake). Plowing the roads presents unique difficulties. First, there are speed bumps which have damaged the equipment. In fact, a truck spring needed repair this year at a cost of $2,700. Second, there are numerous small and/or dead-end roads which require the trucks to back-up. Often, these roads are not illuminated so the driver may go off course and damage private property.
Mr. Scott Boulanger, Chairman of the Beach Federation, said that the beach associations pay 38% of the taxes but do not use a proportional amount of services. It is his opinion that the plowing is justified as a quid pro quo. He also said that the beach associations have finalized their budgets so, if the decision is to stop the plowing, there are no budgeted funds available. He suggested forming a committee to study the matter over the summer and to have the committee make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen in the fall.
Mr. Paul Rowean, President of Old Lyme Shores, said that the Planning Commission can make it clear that new subdivisions must plow their own roads, to eliminate any confusion. First Selectman Griswold said the Town does not plow a subdivision road unless it has been formally accepted at a Town Meeting.
Kathy McKeough, President of Point O’ Woods stated the POW roads are not plowed by the Town and asked if POW may continue to obtain sand and salt from the Town at no charge. She also said that changing the rules now would be a financial hardship.
Doug Whalen, President of Old Colony Beach said his budget is finished and does not provide any funding for plowing. He said the beach associations are not like other subdivisions because of their seasonal nature, thereby using less services.
Mark Mongillo, President of Miami Beach said that Miami has about 2.5 to 3 miles of road. He said the “gentleman’s agreement” between the associations and the Town should be honored and he believes that, since the beach association charters do not state the associations must plow their roads, State statutes may prohibit the associations from plowing their roads. First Selectman Griswold said he does not subscribe to that logic.
Barry Harrison, President of White Sand Beach, said WSB has the Town beach within its borders and must allow Town residents access all year long. He questioned if the Town has a responsibility to maintain and plow any WSB roads due to its easement.
Numerous other residents had comments along similar lines.
First Selectman Griswold said there are four other issues mentioned in the letter some beach association presidents sent to the Board of Selectmen dated 30 August 2010.
- Sewer and septic system issues
- Annual beach association funding from the Town budget
- Flood and erosion issues in the beach area
- Town staff responsiveness
Mr. Rowean and Mr. Whelan discussed the two studies their two associations have commissioned to examine their septic system issues. These studies are in response to the draft changes to the WPCA ordinance and the two beaches wanted facts upon which to react to the ordinance changes. While the ordinance changes have not been implemented, the studies should be helpful for future planning. Each association received a 55% State grant for the study.
There was general discussion about the four issues and all agreed there needs to be more discussion in the near future.
First Selectman Griswold distributed a Private Beach Assoc. Contact Information and Statistics sheet to each association and requested they be completed and returned. The Town needs to have up-to-date contact information and the proposed committee will need the statistical information as it develops its recommendation.
2. Adjournment
Selectwoman Reemsnyder moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:57 PM and Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted, ~
Timothy Griswold
Acting Clerk
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