The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 PM on Monday, 19 March 2012 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.
Also present were David Woolley; Sound View Commission Chair Frank Pappalardo; and Conservation Commission members Lauralyn Lewis, George James, and Susan Baehr. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
1. Approval of Minutes: 6 March 2012
Selectwoman Nosal moved to accept the minutes of 6 March 2012 as presented, and Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications:
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read a request from Gail Fuller requesting permission for the non-profit Social Connections to use the Town of Old Lyme Parking Lot at 290 Shore Road (adjacent to the Police Station) on May 26, 2012 and August 18, 2012 from 2pm to 9pm. The group has received permission in the past to use the lot for parking by 15 to 25 people who will be attending a Social Connections picnic at Ms. Fuller’s home at 46 Swan Avenue.
Selectman Sibley noted that the dates requested are Saturdays, typically busy beach days, and that the lot will likely be used for towed cars. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder will seek input from Public Safety personnel before granting permission.
3. Appointments:
a. Selectman Sibley moved to appoint Louis Russo (U), currently a WPCA alternate, to complete a 4 year term on the WPCA, expiring January 2013, as a regular member. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Selectman Sibley moved to reappoint David Kelsey (R) to the Sound View Commission for a 3 year term expiring January 2013. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
4 Selectman Sibley moved to add a Conservation Commission presentation on Earth Day to New Business as 5d, and Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley moved that New Business 5c (Parking in Sound View – recommended changes) and New Business 5d (Conservation Commission – Earth Day presentation) be moved up in the agenda, prior to Old Business, and Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
5. New Business:
c. Parking in Sound View – recommended changes
Sound View Commission Chair Frank Pappalardo presented the following recommendations:
Private Parking Lot Permit Fees: The Sound View Commission recommends that, for the summer of 2012, permit fees for the 9 private parking lots be increased to $40 per space to reflect the additional burden on town services, and that Private Lot owners be required to post “Beach Rules” signage in their lots. Permit fees are currently set at $20 per space.
Mr. Pappalardo stated that most lot owners will earn back the permit fee they pay on their first day of business.
For the summer of 2013, the Sound View Commission will develop a fee formula after they receive and review input from lot owners and the community. Mr. Pappalardo anticipates that the formula will be satisfactory to all stakeholders and that the Board of Selectmen will be able to use it in future years to determine fee schedule(s).
Selectwoman Nosal stated that there has been no increase in fees in a number of years and the 2012 increase seems reasonable. Selectman Sibley requested that a letter be drafted to parking lot owners advising them of the fee recommendation before the April 2 BOS meeting when a vote will take place.
Mr. Pappalardo said the Town should supply the “Beach Rules” signs to the private lots. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that lot owners should bear the cost of the signs and be responsible for the storage and posting each year.
Elimination of Free On-Street Parking: The Sound View Commission recommends that free on street parking be eliminated for the summer of 2012 and replaced with a pre-paid parking permit system. Signage about the permit system would be posted at the entry to Hartford Avenue, and the parking would be managed and monitored by the Bike Patrol. Mr. Pappalardo estimated the permit system cost at $10,000 and revenue at $82,000.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder believes it may be possible to use handheld scanners, currently used to issue parking tickets, to issue the permits. The permit system is likely to result in reduced parking ticket revenue. Because of the Board of Finance Budget process, she said it is necessary for the Board of Selectmen to make a decision on the recommended change tonight.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to approve the recommendation of the Sound View Commission for permit parking on both sides of Hartford Avenue for the summer of 2012, and Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. Decisions still need to be reached on a fee schedule and the logistics of permit fee collection and management. SO VOTED.
d. Conservation Commission – Earth Day presentation
Lauralyn Lewis announced the Conservation Commission’s plan for its 1st Community Earth Day celebration on Sunday, April 22 from 1 to 3 pm at the Lymes' Senior Center. She said that 13 local organizations have agreed to participate. Activities are geared to all ages and the day will culminate with a Trail Walk to the Indian Caves led by George James.
Mr. James reported that Conservation Commission members attended the most recent Rogers Lake Authority meeting. He is pleased with the Authority’s pesticide avoidance
efforts and the use of benthic blankets for weed suppression.
Old Business
- Proposed Amendment to Ordinance, Parking Tickets
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read the proposed changes to the Parking Ticket Ordinance:
§ 210-5. Removal of vehicles. [Amended 1-27-2003] Whenever any vehicle is being parked in violation of § 210-3 or 210-4 above, or parked in any parking space on a public street beyond the legal parking time established for such space by a parking meter or by signage posted by order of the Board of Selectmen, said vehicle may be removed or conveyed by or under the direction of a Town or state policeman or a Town constable by means of towing
or otherwise removing the same to a public parking facility or garage at the risk of the owner. Before the owner or person in charge of such vehicle shall be permitted to remove the same from the custody of the Town or state policeman or a Town constable, he shall furnish evidence of his identity and ownership or right to possession and shall sign a receipt for such vehicle and for each violation shall pay to the Town of Old Lyme a fee of not more than $90, plus towing and storage charges, such towing and storage charges to be payable directly to the operator of the public parking facility or garage.
§ 210-6. Parking tickets; penalties for offenses; appeal procedure. [Amended 1-27-2003] A. Whenever any vehicle is parked in violation of §210-3 or §210-4 of this chapter, or parked in any parking space on a public street beyond the legal parking time established for such space by a parking meter or by signage posted by order of the Board of Selectmen, any Town or state policeman, Town
Constable or designated parking official may serve upon the operator of such vehicle, or attach to such vehicle, a parking ticket stating the time, place, and nature of the violation and the registration number displayed on the license plate or other descriptive identification of such vehicle. Such parking ticket shall direct the operator of such vehicle or the owner thereof to appear at the office of the First Selectman within seven days of the date of the parking ticket to pay the fine stated on such ticket.
B. Any person violating the provisions of these parking regulations shall be subject to a fine established by the Board of Selectmen, which fine shall not exceed $90.
Selectman Sibley moved to accept the amendments to 201-5 and 201-6 as presented by First Selectwoman Reemsnyder, and Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder clarified that the Selectmen need to move the proposed amendments to the agenda of the next Town meeting.
Selectman Sibley moved to add the amendments to 201-5 and 201-6 as presented by First Selectwoman Reemsnyder to the agenda of the next Town Meeting, and Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
- Proposed Amendment to Ordinance, Private Roads
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read the proposed changes to the Parking Ticket Ordinance:
Article II Chapter 25 Building on Unaccepted Roads
§ 25-5D. “The Board of Selectmen, after consultation with professional engineers (at the applicant’s expense), shall be authorized to waive any of the conditions set forth in Section 25-5 if satisfactory evidence shall have been presented to the Board that appropriate vehicular access can be provided without all of said conditions.”
She added that the Planning Commission voted unanimously to support the amendment at their March 8 meeting.
Selectman Sibley moved to add the amendment to Article III, Chapter 25: Building on Unaccepted Roads as presented by First Selectwoman Reminder to the agenda of the next Town Meeting, and Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
- Town Woods Fields – Organic Care Presentation Scheduled
A presentation on Organic Care of lawns and fields by Todd Harrington is scheduled for 7:30pm on Wednesday, March 21 at the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Auditorium. Todd Harrington has over 20 years of field experience with organic care both locally (Chester, Manchester) and elsewhere (Martha’s Vineyard, Washington State). A power point presentation is planned, followed by a Q&A session. The presentation will be taped and shown on Public Access Channel 14.
Selectman Sibley said it would be appropriate to send special invitations to both Parks & Recreation Commission members and the Town of Lyme.
5. New Business:
a. Resolution Authorizing Signature of Grant Award for Harbor Management $200,000
First Selectwoman read the following resolution: “RESOLVED: That Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, First Selectwoman is authorized to make, execute and approve on behalf of the Town of Old Lyme any and all contracts and amendments pertaining to the Grant for Design/Engineering Services for the Dredging of the Black Hall and Four Mile Rivers and 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.”
Selectwoman Nosal moved to approve the resolution, and Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Resolution for support of Central Corridor Rail Line
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read an e-mail she received requesting support for reinstituted rail service from Brattleboro, Vermont to Palmer, Massachusetts to New London. Known as the Palmer connection, the line also extends from Palmer, east to Boston or west to Chicago.
Selectwoman Nosal spoke with New London’s Union Station manager who supports the Rail Line and has invited the Board of Selectmen to tour the Union Station. She also spoke with a New London Councilman and John Forbis, Old Lyme representative to the Estuary Transit District. Both are in favor of the initiative. Selectman Sibley requested input from State Senator Andrea Stillman and State Representative Marilyn Giuliano. Action tabled until the next meeting.
6. Public Comment: None
7. Other Business:
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder requested a motion to add “Resolution Authorizing Signature for Homeland Security documents” as item 5e under New Business. Selectwoman Nosal made the motion as stated, and Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read the following resolution: RESOLVED, that the Board of Selectmen may enter into with and deliver to the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security any and all documents which it deems to be necessary or appropriate; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, as First Selectwoman of the Town of Old Lyme, is authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the Board of Selectmen and to do and perform all acts and things which he/she deems to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of such documents.
Selectman Sibley moved to approve the authorizing resolution as read, and Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that she received a request for the Town to fly a “Donate Life” flag, encouraging organ donation, during the month of April. The flag is provided to the Town at no cost. The request was made by an East Lyme resident whose daughter’s organ donations, upon her death at age 16, saved the lives of five people. The Selectmen agreed that this was acceptable. A ceremony will be scheduled for Friday, March 30 at 9am to raise the Donate Life flag.
Selectwoman Nosal announced that Lyme Old Lyme students have been named State Champions in the Science Olympiad. The middle school and 9th grade students are seeking sponsorships to defray the cost of traveling to the national competition in Florida on May 18 and 19. Selectwoman Nosal expressed congratulations to the team and suggested that anyone interested in offering financial support should contact the Superintendent of Schools.
Selectman Sibley referred to information provided by CCM on House Bill 5155, which deals with pest management of school fields and facilities. He requested an update on the condition of Town Woods fields. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that overuse of the fields is the biggest challenge and she reported on ongoing efforts to limit the use of the fields wherever possible.
8. Adjournment:
Selectwoman Nosal moved to adjourn at 9:08pm and Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Catherine Frank
Temporary Meeting Clerk
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