Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting: Monday, 5 December 2011
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 4:00 PM on Monday, 5 December 2011 in the Meeting Hall of the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal and Selectman Skip Sibley were present.
1. Approval of Minutes – 21 November 2011
Selectman Sibley moved to accept the minutes of 21 November 2011. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. Selectwoman Nosal abstained as she was not present at the meeting of 21 November. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley moved to add a letter from the First Congregational Church Committee for the Environment to the Agenda under Communications. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications
Letter from the First Congregational Church Committee for the Environment
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read a letter addressed to her, dated 28 November 2011, from the First Congregational Church Committee for the Environment. The letter stated that it was their understanding that organic lawn care had not been initiated on the playing fields at Town Woods Park, and that it had been agreed by Town officials that all playing fields in Town would be held to the State's standards for school fields. The letter requested that this be taken care of as soon as possible.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that she had a meeting with several members of the Pesticide Awareness Committee today and she asked that they do a presentation at the Selectmen's meeting of 19 December. This letter will be addressed at that time.
3. Appointment s – NONE
4. Old Business
a. Snow Plowing of Beach Association Roads – Committee Formation
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder has the names of three residents from the Beach Associations and Selectwoman Nosal had submitted the name of a resident from a private road that was interested in serving on the Committee. Selectman Sibley has two people from private roads that also expressed an interest. A person is still needed to represent the public roads. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder will come up with this person. She is also in the process of drafting a charge for said Committee and will send a copy to the Selectmen shortly. Chris Kerr would serve on the Committee as a representative from the Board of Finance and Ed Adanti from Public Works would also serve.
Paul Rowean asked if a snow plowing policy for the entire Town would be considered as part of the Committee's charge and First Selectwoman Reemsnyder responded that at this time it would be too much for the Committee, but it could be considered in the future.
b. CT River Valley Council of Governments – Special Town Meeting Update
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that at the Special Town Meeting of 23 November, the Town voted to table the issue until more information was available. Since that meeting First Selectwoman Reemsnyder and Linda Krause, Executive Director of the CT River Estuary Regional Planning Association, went to Comcast and filmed a conversation about this Council of Governments. This conversation will be on public access for people to see. A YouTube video will be made of the conversation and posted on the Town Website. Printed material will also be available. Hopefully this issue will be voted on at the Annual Town Meeting on the fourth Monday in January.
c. OLFD - $150,000 Appropriation Request for Apparatus Purchase
Special Town Meeting 5 Dec. 2011 at 7:30 PM in the Town Hall Meeting Room
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that there will be a Special Town Meeting this evening to vote on the appropriation request of $150,000 for the purchase of fire apparatus. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that three quotes had been received. The low quote for the two fire engines was about $885,000 which includes a trade-in on two fire engines that the Town presently owns. This quote will be valid until 15 December 2011 and if the Town does not sign the quote the price and trade-in is not guaranteed. Ellis Jewett from the Fire Department will be available at the meeting to present and answer any questions. Selectman Sibley suggested that for people without email or computers that notices should be placed on the bulletin board located in front of the Town Hall. First Selectwoman
Reemsnyder is considering placing file folders in the front hall of the Town Hall for people to find information for all such things.
5. New Business
a. Southwick Commons, 77 Lyme Street Crosswalk
Dianna Atwood Johnson and Debra Petke from the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts and Bob Doane from Doane-Collins Engineering reviewed the proposed plans for a crosswalk on Lyme Street located in front of the Lyme College of Fine Arts and crossing to the property across the street owned by the College where housing is planned to be built for students. He reviewed the three options for the crosswalk including signs, lighting, etc. Selectman Sibley stated that he liked the second option better for safety reasons because of night activity and students crossing the road in the evening. He feels that lighting will be important for safety reasons. Selectwoman Nosal agreed with Selectman Sibley and asked if the College had anticipated any problems at the time of day when the High School lets out.
Ms. Johnson did not think this would be an issue.
A presentation was given to the Historic Commission and they were pleased with the concept so far and will be kept in the loop. Selectman Sibley stated that for consistency he would like all the crosswalks on Lyme Street to have the same look to them with the exception of lighting.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to approve the College Street entrance location sidewalk and crosswalk within Lyme Street right of way as engineered, including lighted signage as presented at today's meeting and pending approval by Public Service Departments. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley asked that a communication be sent about this to Planning, Zoning, Police, Fire and Ambulance to alert them to what was done at this meeting.
b. Sound View Commission – Frank Pappalardo on Parking Lot Draft Plan
Frank Pappalardo from the Sound View Commission reviewed the Parking Lot Draft Plan for the Sound View Parking Lot. The Selectmen had previously agreed that rendering #3 was their first choice. Because of this decision BSC Engineering had done more work on rendering #3. This rendering takes the existing Town parking lot and puts it into a combination parking area and park area, including the gazebo. The park would have entrances off the corner of Portland and Pond and on Hartford Avenue. The restrooms are the biggest challenge at this point. The proposed toilets are zero discharge as waste will be contained in a holding area to be constructed underground. The toilets function just like a regular household toilet, but are compost toilets as a septic system cannot be put
in that area. The parking lot would have about 44 paid spaces, entrance and exit onto Hartford Avenue with an emergency exit only onto Portland Avenue. Sidewalks, lighting and landscaping would be added. The street parking on Hartford Avenue would be reconfigured to angled parking heading south on Hartford Avenue only. There will be no free parking on Hartford Avenue except for the businesses that would have three free parking spaces for their patrons. Kiosk systems would be installed with one located in the parking lot and two located on Hartford Avenue.
All the cost estimates were included in the proposal.
Mr. Pappalardo presented the Committee's thoughts on how this could be paid for through the Parking lot fees and the future re-configuration of the parking lot.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder spoke about what she had learned as to the availability of grant money i.e. for bicycle parking and pedestrian paths. She will inquire about additional types of funding that can be applied for in order to help pay for the project.
c. Heart Safe Community Signs – Locations
In August the Town was designated a Heart Safe Community due to the fact that we have many people in key areas that are certified in CPR and heart emergencies. Coming with this designation are road signs showing the public that the Town is a Heart Safe Community. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder had received a request from Doug and Colleen asking the Town to apply for the various locations that should have one of these signs. The goal being to post signs where people would be entering the Town from different locations plus one on Lyme Street. In total there would be eight signs. The Historic Commission would need to approve the one for Lyme Street. Selectwoman Nosal was very pleased with the concept but Selectman Sibley was concerned that people may not understand what the
term Heart Safe Community actually meant. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder believed that as time went on more and more people would be familiar with this concept as other communities begin to qualify and post signs. Old Lyme is the first in the area to receive this designation. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder suggested that an application could be made for all eight locations and then decide which locations should have a sign, or the Town could apply for only the locations that they would like a sign posted. The Selectmen were sensitive to residents' concerns about too many signs in Town.
d. Resolution to participate in the proposed LCRGIS and Economic Data Center and Economic Development Study Application for funds through RPIP (Regional Planning Incentive Program)
A resolution is needed from the Selectmen for the proposed Lower Connecticut River GIS and Economic Data Center and Economic Development Study. This will not commit any towns as they can get out at any point. Basically it is saying that the Selectmen are supportive of the study and allowing for the funds that will pay others to collect the data. The data will be collected from all the towns in a uniform manner, and it would be used in an effort for economic development. The submission deadline is 31 December 2011. This is not a commitment to spend money, but because the Town is a part of the Regional Planning Association, the Town needs to make a resolution.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read the resolution aloud. Selectman Sibley moved to authorize the signature of First Selectwoman Reemsnyder on behalf of the Town of Old Lyme in conjunction with the Regional Performance Incentive Program application being made by CRERPA. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
e. Resolution to authorize the signature of First Selectwoman Reemsnyder on behalf of the Town of Old Lyme
The Town Clerk needs a resolution to authorize the signature of First Selectwoman Reemsnyder to make, execute and approve on behalf of the Town of Old Lyme any and all contracts and amendments to execute and approve on behalf of this municipality other instruments a part of or incident to such contracts and amendments effective until otherwise ordered by the Board of Selectmen.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read the resolution and there was a discussion as to whether it was too broad. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder will clarify the language in the resolution and come back to the Selectmen with something for the meeting of 19 December.
f. Request from Frank Maratta for exemption to bus ordinance for specific dates
Frank Maratta sent a request for an exemption for the bus ordinance for specific dates, although the dates are not identified in the letter. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read the letter aloud.
The letter requests that the Selectmen make exception to the bus ordinance in the latter part of April and the first part of May thus allowing high school and college students on class trips to come to the Pavilion. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder felt that this letter should be passed along to the Sound View Commission for their feedback. She is also concerned about the busses driving on small roads, and the numbers of people coming to the area. Selectwoman Nosal and Selectman Sibley voiced concerns and would like this request to go to the Sound View Commission and the Police and Fire Departments for their input. This would be pre-season for the beach and the Town may or may not be prepared for the crowds at that time. They would also ask Mr. Maratta to supply them with dates
and the time of day of the visits. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder will send a copy of the letter to the Sound View Commission and discuss getting this in front of Public Safety.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that when the Selectmen had previously spoken of making exception to the bus ordinance, they were referring to a specific date and time request only.
6. Public Comment
Paul Rowean, President of Old Lyme Shores Beach Association (OLSBA) addressed the Selectmen. He congratulated the Board of Selectmen and stated that the OLSBA members are very excited to work with the Selectmen going forward. Mr. Rowean invited the Selectmen to attend a Public Hearing on Tuesday, 6 December at 4:00 PM at the Mile Creek School, to review the OLSBA Wastewater Facilities Planning Report. Fuss & O’Neill, the project consultant, will present the report.~ An opportunity for public input and discussion will be provided.~
Mr. Rowean was pleased with how the issue of snowplowing is moving along and requested that once this is set up could it be used as a model and look at a street light and signage policy in the future. He would suggest that the Town and the Beaches look at more money coming back to the Beaches from the Town.
Selectman Sibley reported that he had received four applications from residents to serve on the Blight Committee and he would like to see at least five or six people serve.
Richard Moll spoke to the Selectmen about the importance of the presentation by the WPCA on 6 December at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall on community septic systems. Mr. Moll stated that fundamentally there are only two people in Town, the Sanitarian and the Assistant Sanitarian that are paid professionals that are involved in this process. He felt that this is the most significant item that has come before the Town (beyond the education area) as far as the potential cost impact this will be to the residents of Town. People in Town need truthful
facts and people who make decisions who will move us in the direction that will benefit the taxpayers in Town.
7. Other Business
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that there will be a DOT meeting at 9:00 AM on Thursday at the Town Hall. The purpose of this meeting will be to put together the RFP for the $200,000 grant that was given to the Harbor Management. The Selectmen are invited to attend.
The next Board of Selectmen's meeting will be held on Monday, 19 December at 7:30 PM in the Meeting Hall of the Old Lyme Town Hall.
8. Executive Session – NONE
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:08 PM. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted, ~
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
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