Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Monday, 1 October 2012
Regular Meeting
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 PM on Monday, 1 October 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 17 September 2012
Selectman Sibley moved to approve the minutes of Regular Meeting 17 September. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. Selectman Sibley asked that First Selectwoman Reemsnyder review the tape of this meeting where Jeff Flower speaks. Selectman Sibley rescinded his motion for the purposes of clarifying this particular paragraph.
2. Communications
3. Appointments
Selectman Sibley moved to appoint Doris Johnson, Ann Griffith and Don Tapper to the Lymes Senior Center Board each for a 3-year term ending July 2015. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
4. Old Business
a. Doreen Day, 32 Grandview Avenue – Waiver of Sec. 25-5 Ordinance
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reviewed the history of this issue. Since the last Selectmen’s meeting, she stated that she had met with Doreen Day and her attorney, Tom Metcalf and Marylin Clarke. Selectwoman Nosal moved that the Board of Selectmen consider waiving Ordinance Section 25-5 in full with respect to 32 Grandview Avenue. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. MOTION DENIED.
b. Acceptance of Woodcrest Estates as a Town Road
The Selectmen had previously requested that some changes be made to the road before they would recommend this to a Town Meeting. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that she had visited the site and the improvements were completed. Selectman Sibley moved to refer the acceptance of Woodcrest Estates as a Town Road to a Town Meeting with a date to be determined. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
c. Fire Department Request Regarding Pension and Abatement – Discussion
The Selectmen agreed that a committee should be formed to address this issue. Suggestions for committee members were Skip Beebe and Rick Colangeli from the Fire Department, Selectman Sibley, a member of the Board of Finance, a member of the Pension Committee, and a representative from the Ambulance Association.
d. Discount Prescription Card for Residents
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder did some research on this issue and reported that the Town of Durham has just implemented the program and so far they believe it to be beneficial to their residents. The only administrative task that will fall to the Town will be to work with ProAct Pharmacy Services, Inc. on some marketing pieces. Marylin Clarke had reviewed the program and gave positive feedback. Selectwoman Nosal moved to allow First Selectwoman Reemsnyder to authorize the agreement with ProAct. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
e. Water Resource Code – Update
The Water Resource Committee had recommended that the Board of Selectmen adopt a code which they had drafted. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder communicated with an attorney from Shipman and Goodwin and this attorney said that he felt the code would be challenged. Although the CT DEEP controls the exportation of water above 50,000 gallons per day, the way their regulations read, it does not say that they would relinquish their authority to oversee the exportation of less than 50,000 gallons per day. They do not give up their authority just by not mentioning it. It would cost the Town about $7,500 to get a written opinion from the firm of Shipmen and Goodwin. The Selectmen want to know if the Town does have the authority over the exportation of water under the 50,000 limit per day. First
Selectwoman Reemsnyder will have a conversation with the CT DEEP about this.
5. New Business
a. WPCA Recommendation for Community Septic System
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reviewed the timeline of this issue. On 18 September, First Selectwoman Reemsnyder and Ron Rose had met with three representatives from the CT DEEP to review the report from Lombardo Associates Inc. The main purpose of the meeting was to develop a working relationship and decide how to move forward. On 20 September the WPCA recommended that the Board of Selectmen appoint a task force to begin the process of an RFQ for a site study on several potential sites. The consensus of the Board of Selectmen was that they would solicit members to appoint a task force for this purpose.
b. Joint Committee on Playing Fields Formed
A new committee called the Joint Committee on Playing Fields has been formed to look at the possible synergy between the District and the Towns of Lyme and Old Lyme. This Committee has met twice. Their initial goal is to determine if Regional District #18 and the Towns of Lyme and Old Lyme can work to develop common athletic field maintenance protocols and practices for all fields within their combined jurisdiction to be implemented for the 2013-2014 management cycle. Regional District #18 does have some equipment (dealing with organic care) that the Town does not have, and by working together the Towns can save money and all fields will be maintained to the same degree.
c. Election Day Preparations
The Presidential Election will be in November and it is expected to be a very busy place at Cross Lane. It is too late to move the location for this November election due to voting regulations, but the Town should consider a new location for the future. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder met with the Registrars and the Police Department and there will be a posted traffic pattern for the election this November. Police will be there at the busiest times of the day directing cars to move in the correct direction. Selectman Sibley mentioned that he would like to see additional lighting in parking area.
d. Sound View Improvements Presentation Recap
Last Monday evening, the Sound View Commission met and Frank Pappalardo gave a Power Point Presentation about the proposed improvements planned for Sound View. There will be two more presentations and these will be announced on the Town Website. The Town is still waiting to hear on the grant which would pay for 80% ($527,000) of the improvements. A Parking Sub-Committee will be formed to study the parking. The application to be considered for membership on this Committee will be on the Town Website.
e. Budget for Fiscal Year 2014 Timeline
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that letters have gone out to the spending agencies and the agencies have been asked to respond by 31 October. The Board of Selectmen will review the initial budget and then make recommendations to the Board of Finance.
f. Flat Rock Hill Road – New Standpipe Agreement
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that in 2014 the CT DOT will be making repairs to Flat Rock Hill Road Bridge, which goes over I-95. They have offered to install a standpipe on the bridge, which would allow the Fire Department to hook up to the standpipe for water. The Town signed an agreement last year which stated that the State of Connecticut would install the standpipe and the Town of Old Lyme would be responsible for testing it, and the State of Connecticut would repair any defects. Recently First Selectwoman Reemsnyder has received a new agreement that would need to be signed. The new agreement states that the Town will pay to have it installed, tested and maintained. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder did contact the State of Connecticut about this and she was informed that in this case
the State would pay for the installation of the standpipe, but the Town would test and maintain it. A new agreement is on its way to the Town and the Selectmen will need to recommend that it be signed. Selectman Sibley stated that he would like First Selectwoman Reemsnyder to speak to the state and remind them that when the Fire Department is responding to a call on I-95, they are servicing a federal highway and not a Town Road.
g. Paving on Johnnycake Hill Road / Meetinghouse Lane
Paving has begun on Johnnycake Hill Road and Meetinghouse Lane.
Selectman Sibley moved to add to the agenda under New Business (h.) Grant Authorization for the Police Department. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
h. Grant Authorization for the Police Department
Selectwoman Nosal moved that Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, First Selectwoman, is authorized to enter into and execute grant documents with the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management on behalf of the Town of Old Lyme for the operation Lyme Old Lyme Grant, which was awarded through an application by the Police Dept. to work with local youth. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
6. Public Comment
Scott Boulanger, President of the Federation of Beaches, thanked the Sound View Commission for the presentation and encouraged residents who were not at the presentation to come to any future ones. Regarding the WPCA, he encouraged the Town to get involved in understanding the need to stop the pollution that is present in the waterways.
7. Other Business
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder had sent two emails to members of the Blight Committee asking for their recommendations and had not received a response.
The next Board of Selectmen's Meeting is scheduled for Monday, 15 October 2012 at 7:30 PM.
8. Executive Session
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:41 PM. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
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