Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Monday, 5 November 2012
Regular Meeting
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 PM on Monday, 5 November 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 15 October 2012
Selectman Sibley moved to accept the minutes of Regular Meeting 15 October 2012 as presented. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley moved to add the approval of the minutes of the Emergency Meeting of 29 October 2012 to the agenda. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to approve the minutes of the Emergency Meeting of 29 October 2012. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. Selectman Sibley inquired as to the motion about extending the deadline for personal property forms. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder responded that the deadline had been extended by the Governor in an executive order and this would be added in (parentheses) to the minutes. SO VOTED.
2. Communications - NONE
3. Appointments - NONE
4. New Business
a. Hurricane Sandy Updates
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder gave an overview of the storm. With the prediction of the storm, preparations began on 25 October in a meeting with Emergency Management Director Dave Roberge. On 26 October there was a staff meeting with the internal staff at Town Hall to discuss preparations and the need for staff at the EOC. Mr. Roberge had also talked with his different agencies that take part in emergency situations. There were statewide conference calls with Emergency Management Directors and First Selectmen and Mayors throughout the State. A State of Emergency was declared by the State at 10:45 AM on 27 October. There were also several Shoreline Community conference calls with the Governor and the State Emergency Operations Center. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder commended the State in
making sure that every community was prepared for the storm. The Town declared a local emergency on 27 October at 2:00 PM and the Town’s Emergency Operations Center went into full activation at this time. There were regular meetings with the Emergency Management Team. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder praised the work of the volunteers in Town including the Boy Scouts. She thanked the Town Staff, Selectmen and Emergency Departments for doing such a fine job.
The transfer station will be open to take storm debris at no cost. This includes mattresses, demolition materials, appliances, and brush. Shoreline Sanitation has placed a cart at the transfer station for spoilage. The transfer station will remain open from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM all this week and next week. Residents are encouraged to register with CTAlert. A public service announcement will be placed on the Town Website tomorrow.
Selectwoman Nosal thanked First Selectwoman Reemsnyder for her leadership throughout the storm. She also recognized the help given from the Coast Guard Cadets. Selectman Sibley congratulated the preparedness made as a Town and would like a follow-up on the Town’s response to the storm in order to make improvements if needed for the future. The Selectmen complimented Dave Roberge for his efforts.
b. Reschedule Special Town Meeting of 29 October 2012
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read the call dated November 5, 2012: “The meeting originally scheduled for Monday, October 29 and postponed due to Hurricane Sandy will take place on November 14, 2012 at 7:30 PM in the Middle School Auditorium Regional District 18, Lyme Street, Old Lyme.” The same three items will be considered at this meeting. Selectman Sibley moved to approve this call and Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
c. Proclamation - America Recycles Day
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read the Proclamation for America Recycles Day which was signed by the Selectmen. This proclamation establishes 15 November 2012 as America Recycles Day in Old Lyme.
Selectman Sibley moved to add to the agenda under (New Business c.) Recommendation of the Anti Blight Committee. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Recommendation of the Anti Blight Committee
Patrick Pryor, Chairman of the Anti Blight Ordinance Investigation Committee and Committee Member Stacy Winchell addressed the Selectmen. Mr. Pryor read the charge of the Committee given to them by First Selectwoman Reemsnyder. He stated the definition of blight and identified areas in Town where there are properties that would fall under this definition. He reviewed the present Town’s Housing Ordinance that refers to blight which was written in 1966. The Housing Code contains different language than the Housing Ordinance. In the
Committee’s research of surrounding town’s Anti Blight Ordinances, they felt that the Town of Clinton’s Ordinance is the most complete. There was a discussion about what was lacking in what the Town presently has on the books. Mr. Pryor stated that presently commercial properties are not included in the ordinance. The Committee recommends that the Town adopt an Anti Blight Ordinance and that it should mirror what the Town of Clinton uses. Mr. Pryor will put the Committee’s recommendation in writing to the Selectmen with a copy of Clinton’s Ordinance. Selectman Sibley asked the Committee to investigate how other Towns enforce their Ordinance.
d. Compensation Study Adjustments
This was discussed at the last Salary Committee meeting and the Board of Finance asked the Selectmen to weigh in on it. Salary adjustments would be made for 1 July 2013. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported on the suggestions made by the Salary Committee. One suggestion was for staff members, who are presently paid below the minimum step, to be given an increase starting 1 January 2013. The total cost in wages alone would be $14,890 with the total cost being under $20,000. Selectwoman Nosal moved that the Board of Selectmen recommends to the Board of Finance their approval of raising the below minimum Town Employees to the first step as of 1 January 2013. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. Selectwoman Nosal amended her motion to state that the Board of Selectmen recommends to the Board of
Finance that the nine personnel highlighted in yellow on the spreadsheet to be raised from below minimum to the first step. SO VOTED.
5. Old Business
a. White Sand Beach Snow Plowing
A Snow Plowing Policy draft was discussed several months ago and in this draft agreement it states that the Town will plow the main road at White Sands Beach and the parking lot. Recently First Selectwoman Reemsnyder met with Peter Bialobrzeski, Chairman of the White Sand Beach Association and he requested that the Town consider plowing all the roads at White Sand Beach. Marylin Clarke was present at this meeting and both she and First Selectwoman Reemsnyder felt that it is not the Town’s responsibility to plow all the roads just because the Town owns property in this Association. The Selectmen were in agreement that the initial offer would stand and will invite members of the Association to meet with them to discuss.
b. Fire Department Incentives Review Committee
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder had put this on the agenda but has not received responses from the people she had contacted about being on the Committee. This was understandable due to the interruption of Hurricane Sandy. This will continue to be on the agenda under Old Business until this Committee is formed.
6. Public Comment - NONE
7. Other Business
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that because of Hurricane Sandy the Town had cancelled Halloween. There have been many requests to reschedule Halloween. With the support of Lyme Street businesses and residents, there will be a Halloween celebration on Lyme Street on Sunday 11 November beginning at 4:00 PM. The Meeting Hall of the Town Hall will be open and refreshments will be served.
Selectman Sibley stated that at the Emergency Meeting on 29 October there was a discussion about extending the deadline of 1 November for filing personal property forms. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder responded that an Executive Order was signed by the Governor that extended the personal property declaration deadline to 15 November.
The next Board of Selectmen's Meeting is scheduled for Monday 19 November at 7:30 PM.
Selectman Sibley moved to go into Executive Session and invite Bob Pierson, Dave Roberge and Andy Russell into Executive Session to take part in the discussion of (1. Discussion on Possible Land Acquisition) only. Only the Selectmen will discuss item 2. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
The Selectmen went into Executive Session at 8:52 PM.
8. Executive Session
1. Discussion on Possible Land Acquisition
2. Pending Litigation Rose vs. Old Lyme
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:04 PM. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
~
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
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