Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Monday, 6 August 2012
Regular Meeting
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 PM on Monday, 6 August 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.
1. Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting 16 July 2012 and Special Meeting 31 July 2012
Selectwoman Nosal moved to accept the minutes of Regular Meeting16 July and Special Meeting 31 July 2012 as presented. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications - NONE
3. Appointments
Doris Rand (D) – Commission on Aging – 3 Year Term to Jan 2015
Selectman Sibley moved to appoint Doris Rand to the Commission on Aging for a 3 year term, expiring January 2015. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Tom Meyer (R) - Harbor Management Commission, Alternate – 4 Year Term to Jan 13
Selectwoman Nosal moved to appoint Tom Meyer (R) to the Harbor Management Commission for a 4 year term, expiring January 2013. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Roderick White (R) – Eastern CT Regional Tourism District – 3 Year Term to Sept 2015
Selectman Sibley moved to appoint Roderick White (R) to the Eastern CT Regional Tourism District for a 3 year term, expiring September 2015. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to add the appointment of Linda Clough, to the status of a full member on the Conservation Commission to the agenda. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to appoint Linda Clough, presently an alternate on the Conservation Commission, as a full member on said Commission for a 3 year term expiring January 2014. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
4. Old Business
a. Doreen Day – 32 Grandview Ave., Waiver of Sec. 25-5 Ordinance
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that they had met with Doreen and received feedback from the Fire Department, Tom Metcalf and Marylin Clarke. Tom Metcalf spoke to the Selectmen and reviewed the history of this property dating back to 1988. The present ordinance requires upgrading unaccepted roads to a standard outlined in the ordinance. Mr. Metcalf was asked by the Selectmen to take a look at the road requirements and to review the ordinance. Doreen Day’s request is for the requirements of the Ordinance to be waived. Mr. Metcalf stated that in his opinion the roadway is deficient and barely meets a driveway standard. He provided printed information to the Selectmen regarding the history of the property and street. It was decided that the Selectmen would review the
material before making a decision.
b. Landfill Closure Update
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder gave an update on the project. Matt Brown of Anchor Engineering said that the work is proceeding as expected. The contractor has encountered some unexpected tires and rocks, which have been buried in the landfill.~ They started bringing in the low permeability cover soil and this will continue through the next few weeks.~ They will likely be bringing in topsoil starting in another week or two. All in all, things are going well and no major issues have arisen.~
c. Midsummer Festival Update
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder gave an update on the Midsummer Festival held on the weekend of July 27, 28. Even with the stormy weather on Saturday, it was a huge success.
d. Town of Old Lyme Financial Policies – Special Meeting w/BOF to review
There will be a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen, with the Board of Finance on 21 August at 6:30 PM to review the draft of the Town’s Financial Policies. Director of Finance, Nicole Stajduhar, will review the draft policies at this time.
5. New Business
a. Old Lyme Rowing Association – Request to install fence at Hains Park
The Old Lyme Rowing Association has made a request to install a temporary chain link fence at Hains Park. The land is owned by the Town and the boathouse is owned by Regional District 18 and the precedence for improvements was discussed. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder will speak with Dr. Hack of the Rowing Association about working with the Town and Regional District 18 about this matter.
b. Lindsey Maratta – Sound View Street Parking
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that she had received an email from Lindsey Maratta on July 23 requesting a meeting to discuss the present and future parking at Sound View Beach. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder did respond to Ms. Maratta inviting her to a Selectmen’s meeting and stated that the Board would be open to hearing her concerns in order to support the businesses. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder gave a history of Sound View Beach including the Town’s efforts to improve things for residents and businesses.
Lindsey Maratta spoke to the Board as a representative of the business owners at Sound View, many of whom were present at the meeting. She stated that the new parking regulations were made without consulting the business owners and that several of the businesses believe that these new parking regulations and high parking fees have hurt their business. She requested that street parking be free of charge for the rest of the summer.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that it is the Board of Selectmen’s charge to do what is right and safe for the residents and business owners of Sound View and defended how these changes came about both through the Sound View Commission and the Town. The Town must do everything in its power to make it a safe environment for everybody including visitors from out of town.
c. Beach Passes
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reviewed the policy of beach passes and some of the unique requests that arise. She spoke of exceptions that should be implemented.
6. Public Comment
Daniel Tricarico (Hartford Avenue) stated that the quality of life at Sound View has improved and thanked the Town for its efforts.
Scott Boulanger (Pond Road) applauded the Selectmen for their efforts over the last few years and applauded the start-up of the Sound View Commission and the Town Rangers. The changes are welcome.
Vic Dellaripa Sr. (Miami Beach) spoke to the noise problem that still exists due to the music from the bars at the beach and questioned the enforcement of the noise pollution ordinance. He complimented the good police work.
Deb Corto (Hartford Avenue – Lennys on the Beach) believes that due to the new parking regulations people are not coming to the beach. She thanked the Sound View Beach business owners for taking a stand and expressing their concerns to the local politicians about the anti-business sentiment in Old Lyme and towards the Sound View businesses.
Gina Gallo Rinehart (Swan Avenue) stated that business has been down even though the weather has been great this summer. She stated that it is a great injustice to Sound View community if the money brought in from the Town parking lot does not go back into the Sound View community.
Angelo Grasso (Swan Avenue) stated that the issues seem to be about parking and bars at Sound View and the safety issues. He wished that the Town would also address other safety concerns i.e. a building on Hartford Avenue that has plywood falling off the roof that the Town is aware of. If safety really the Town’s concern?
Barbara Fox (Lincoln Road) stated that this year the beach is cleaner and a better environment for the people. She thanked the Town Rangers for doing such a great job.
Mary Hyland (Portland Avenue) stated that her property is the closest to the Town Parking Lot. She has been at the beach for 69 years and she has seen terrible things going on at the beach and this year is the best that she has ever seen. She thanked the Selectmen and the police for making the beach a better place.
Robert Donahue (Hartford Avenue) lives ¼ mile from the beach. He has to listen to the loud music from the beach bars constantly. His business is down too but it has nothing to do with parking fees.
Joann Reis Lishing (Swan Avenue) is concerned about people being mislead about the cost of street parking and did a comparison of parking at Misquamicut Beach and Sound View and it is not cheaper to park at Misquamicut. She congratulated the police for doing a fine job of making Sound View a better place.
Joe Vecchitto (Hartford Avenue) voiced his concerns about the decline in business over the past few years and also the lack of concern by the Board of Selectmen. His customers have complained about the cost of parking both on the street and in the lot and stay away from the beach because of it. He suggested that the money made at the Town Parking Lot be used to attract people to come to Sound View.
John Topalis (Pizza Plus) voiced concerns about his business declining.
Bill Perrone (Gorton Avenue Ext.) stated that his family will not come to the beach anymore because they are given tickets as the police tag strange vehicles.
Peter Berns (Hartford Avenue) stated that the changes that the Town has made at Sound View Beach are hurting the businesses and hurting the future of Old Lyme residents that work at these businesses.
Sarah Camili (Washington Avenue) stated that she works at Lennys and her hours have been cut in half due to the lack of business.
John Boccaccio (Portland Avenue) spoke in favor of the changes the Town has implemented at Sound View helping to make Sound View a safer and better place for residents and their families. He spoke favorably about the Sound View Commission.
Michaelle Pearson (Portland Avenue – SVC member) spoke in support of the changes implemented at Sound View and of the Sound View Commission.
Frank Pappalardo (Swan Avenue – Chair, SVC) stated that he does not like being misquoted and that people should visit the Town website and read the Sound View Commission minutes. He was disappointed that the Sound View business owners chose not to come to the Commission to discuss this in house and work together on a resolution. The Commission focuses on public safety, sanitation, healthy environment and quality of life. He commended the Selectmen and the police including the rangers. Mr. Pappalardo then gave an overview of the changes that have taken place over the last year.
Russ Carlo (Swan Avenue – SVC member) stated that he is in complete agreement of what the Sound View Commission is doing to improve the quality of life at Sound View.
Harry Plaut (Old Colony Beach – SVC member) owns a business in Old Lyme and his responsibility is to take care of the beaches. As a member of the Sound View Commission, he has tried to get the business owners to come to the Commission meetings. Their mission is to improve the quality of life at Sound View and this will make some people unhappy. Hopefully the changes being made will change the type of people who come to Sound View Beach from out of town. Business is not only down in Sound View, but all over. He commended the Board of Selectmen and Public Safety.
Dee Vowles (Hartford Avenue) is the owner of the Carousel Shop at Sound View. She appreciates the work that the Town has done to improve Sound View. She stated that the high parking fees on the street parking has affected their business. She looks forward to working with the Town and the Commission.
Bob Breen (Swan Avenue) spoke of the person who just recently was so drunk and driving down Swan Avenue that they had to be taken away in an ambulance and knew that nobody wants this. The people at Sound View Beach need to work together to find solutions.
Melissa Corto (Hawks Nest Beach) (Lennys) asked what the paid parking has to do with noise pollution, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, etc. She hopes that a compromise can be made.
Dino DiNino (Hartford Avenue) owns about nine buildings on Hartford Avenue. He has revamped seven of those buildings over the years. The business owners feel that the Sound View Commission is looking out more for the residents and not the business owners. He stated that the business owners will be starting their own commission.
Peg Serapilia (Swan Avenue) spoke in support of the businesses and thinks it is sad that everyone cannot work together to find a solution. She agreed with Dino that if people are looking for a private beach to live at they should look elsewhere as Sound View is a commercial area.
7. Other Business
Selectman Sibley stated that is was good for everyone to come out and voice their opinion tonight and that with change everyone will have to give a little. The Selectmen have been working over the last ten years for positive changes at Sound View and they feel that progress has been made. Selectwoman Nosal agreed and stated that a common ground has to be found and that the Selectmen do hear what the people are saying. She commended the Town Rangers for doing a fine job. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reminded everyone that the Selectmen work on behalf of everyone and that there will have to be compromise.
The next Board of Selectmen's Meeting is scheduled for Monday 20 August at 7:30 PM.
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:11 PM. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
~
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
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