Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
Regular Meeting
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, 4 September 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 20 August 2012 and Special Meeting 21August 2012
Selectman Sibley moved to approve the minutes of Regular Meeting 20 August. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED. Selectman Sibley moved to approve the minutes of Special Meeting 21 August. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications - NONE
3. Appointments – NONE
4. Old Business
a. Gregory DiMichiel – 62-6 and 62-8 Brighton Road, Waiver of Sec. 25-5 Ordinance
Anthony Hendriks had presented plans of this property at the last Selectmen’s Meeting and the Selectmen had questioned if the ordinance pertained to this property. The ordinance specifically refers to the erection of buildings or structures on lots abutting existing unaccepted roads shown on plans filed with the Town Clerk prior to April 1958. This travelway was actually a road on the map prior to 1958. The property that contained this travelway was purchased by the property owners about 10 years ago; therefore the travelway is no longer an existing road. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read an email from Tom Metcalf stating that in summary, “Regardless of the applicability of the Ordinance, there may be zoning related matters associated with development of the property that I [Tom
Metcalf] discussed with Ann [Brown] but are not associated with the Ordinance.”
This agenda item was tabled until the next Selectmen’s meeting.
b. Acceptance of Woodcrest Estates as a Town Road
There was a discussion of the items that had been completed on Woodcrest Drive in order for the Town to consider accepting it as a Town Road. The Selectmen still had concerns about some maintenance items that should be completed before this could be brought to a Town Meeting. The developer will work with the Town to address these items as soon as possible.
c. Millstone Emergency Drill Update
There was a drill on 21 August that began at 8:15 AM. FEMA was there and the State was involved. The Town was rated on how well they responded. The Selectmen were very impressed on how well all the groups and departments responded.
d. Lombardo Associates, Community Wastewater Treatment Proposal Discussion
At a Special Meeting on Aug. 30, the Selectmen had reviewed a proposal from Lombardo Associates, Inc. regarding Community Wastewater Treatment. Lombardo Associates was retained by the Town to review the study that was done by the Old Colony Beach Association and the alternatives within that study that were presented. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder would like to recommend to the WPCA that the Town continue to pursue this idea and that they utilize some of their funds to expand this study to include what it would look like if we were to address Old Lyme Shores as well as Old Colony Beach. Selectwoman Nosal moved to recommend to the WPCA to allocate funds to continue to move forward with the study. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
e. Draft Financial Policies for Old Lyme Discussion
At a Special Selectmen’s Meeting on Aug. 21, the Draft Financial Policies were reviewed. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked if the Selectmen had any questions at this time. Selectman Sibley stated that he plans to make an appointment with Nicole Stajduhar to go over some of his thoughts with her, specifically regarding the bid policy. Overall he thinks the draft is a great start. Selectwoman Nosal had given Nicole her initial comments in November and she was pleased to see that Nicole had incorporated many of these in the policy.
f. RFP for Harbor Management Feasibility Study – Bid Opening, Oct. 1 at 2:00 PM
The RFP for the Harbor Management Feasibility Study has been posted in the newspaper. The RFP was also sent to about 10 firms that were suggested. The bid opening will be on 1 October at 2:00 PM in the Town Hall.
g. Sheffield Property Resolution
The Town’s Attorney sent a letter to Mr. Sheffield regarding a stone wall that needed to be put back in its proper place. Mr. Sheffield responded back on 27 August and stated that he has moved the stone wall back to its original location. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder presented photos of the stone wall now in its correct location. Selectman Sibley would like a letter to be drafted to Mr. Sheffield thanking him for his cooperation with a copy to the ZBA, Richard Moll and Ann Brown.
5. New Business
a. Salary Committee Meeting
There was a Salary Committee Meeting last Monday evening. After looking into some issues regarding committee meetings and talking to FOI, it was apparent that an agenda needs to be posted for the meetings and minutes need to be provided. The Employee Handbook was reviewed and it will be revised by the Town’s Labor Attorney. The Committee looked through the entire handbook and noted areas that the Town should consider changing. The Salary Committee also reviewed current salaries compared to recommendations from the Salary Study done by Randi Frank Consultants. Minutes of that meeting have been posted.
6. Public Comment
Doug Whalen, Chairman of the Old Colony Beach Club Association, wanted to correct something that was stated about the third design alternative that was mentioned during the discussion of the Wastewater Treatment Proposal. This design was discounted not only due just to cost but also due to the ability to place the systems in the postage stamp lots. He also clarified what pipe size would be used. He spoke of his concerns with how the Town was handling this and where their responsibilities lie. Old Colony Beach understands that the Town of Old Lyme has a sewer avoidance program and the Association respects this, but Old Colony Beach Club Association WPCA does not have one and they are working with the State to clean up their groundwater and Long Island Sound. He also stated that
maintenance is much more involved with the system that the Town is proposing.
Paul Rowean, President of the Old Lyme Shores Beach Association spoke. He does not believe that the system recommended by the Town will address all the problems. He does not feel that the Town is listening to the people at Old Lyme Shores and the residents are angry and he is very frustrated.
Scott Boulanger, President of the Federation of Beaches and VP of Miami Beach Association, spoke. It frustrates him that the Town to date has not done any studies of the Shoreline Communities. He is encouraged that the Town is reaching out to the Associations and for suggesting that they work together as small communities for economic reasons. He asked for a copy of the study to review. The Federation of Beaches feels that the Town is not doing enough.
7. Other Business
Selectman Sibley recommended that a communication be sent to the Beach Associations informing them of what the Town’s intent is.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that it was necessary to present this proposal by Lombardo Associates to the Selectmen before sharing with the Beach Associations. A newsletter did go out today that mentioned this matter.
The next Board of Selectmen's Meeting is scheduled for Monday, 17 September 2012 at 7:30 PM.
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:14 PM. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
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Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
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