Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Monday, 20 May 2013
Regular Meeting
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 4:00 PM on Monday, 20 May 2013 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.
Selectman Sibley moved to move Agenda Item New Business (a) to this point in the Agenda. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
5. New Business
a. VNA Presentation of Wheelchairs
When Superstorm Sandy caused the cancellation of the VNA’s annual Health and Wellness Day Fair last November; the VNA decided to explore another project that would have a health related and beneficial effect in the community. At the suggestion of a board member, a survey was conducted about the availability of wheeled transportation for members of the public in need of such assistance. Chairs were presented to the Town of Old Lyme, Christ the King Church, the Florence Griswold Museum, Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts and the Lyme Art Association. Chairs will also be given to the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, and Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church at a later date. The Selectmen thanked the VNA for all their great work in the Community.
1. Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting 12 April 2013
Selectman Sibley moved to approve the minutes of Regular Meeting 12 May. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Special Meeting 22 April 2013
Selectwoman Nosal moved to approve the minutes of Special Meeting 22 April. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Regular Meeting 6 May 2013
Selectman Sibley moved to approve the minutes of Regular Meeting 6 May. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley moved to add to the agenda under Communications a letter that the office of the First Selectwoman received on Friday. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read a letter from a resident expressing what a wonderful job Ruth Roach is doing as the Social Services Director. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder gave kudos to Ruth Roach for a good job in advocating for citizens.
3. Appointments
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that all these appointments are to the WPCA. In January of 2013 four members that were presently serving on the WPCA declined reappointment. A letter was sent to members of the Task Force asking them if they would consider being appointed to the WPCA in some way.
Douglas Wilkinson (U) - WPCA – interim term ending in 2014
Selectwoman Nosal moved to appoint Douglas Wilkinson to the WPCA for an interim term ending in 2014. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Richard Prendergast (R) - WPCA – interim term ending in 2014
Selectman Sibley moved to appoint Richard Prendergast to the WPCA for an interim term ending in 2014. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Donna Bednar (D) - WPCA – interim term ending in 2014
Selectwoman Nosal moved to appoint Donna Bednar to the WPCA for an interim term ending in 2014. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Dr. Ernest Lorda (U) - WPCA – 4 year Term ending in 2015
Selectman Sibley moved to appoint Dr. Ernest Lorda to the WPCA for a 4-year term ending in 2015. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Dr. Frank Chan (D) - WPCA – interim term ending in 2014
Selectwoman Nosal moved to appoint Dr. Frank Chan to the WPCA for an interim term ending in 2014. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Robert McCarthy (D) - WPCA – interim term ending in 2014
Selectman Sibley moved to appoint Robert McCarthy to the WPCA for an interim term ending in 2014. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Kurt Zemba (R) - WPCA – 4 year Term ending in 2015
Selectwoman Nosal moved to appoint Kurt Zemba to the WPCA for a 4-year term ending in 2015. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED
Tom Risom (R) - WPCA – 4 year Term ending in 2014.
Selectman Sibley moved to appoint Tom Risom to the WPCA for a 4-year term ending in 2014. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
4. Old Business
a. Amusement Licensing
This item had been discussed at two prior meetings. The purpose of this ordinance is to preserve the public peace and protect public health and safety. There are licensing fees associated with this ordinance. The Selectmen do not want to overburden local businesses, but they do want to see if there is a need for something to govern outdoor entertainment. They will put together a small internal committee to come up with a recommendation for changes to the present ordinance. The Selectmen are not looking at this as a way to get additional revenue, but they do not want to give up an ordinance that would allow control for the benefit of public safety. For this summer there will be no licensing fees.
b. Sound View Improvements Grant – RFQ
Selectwoman Nosal reviewed that in 2012 the Town applied for a competitive grant to improve the Sound View area. The Town’s application for the grant was approved in February 2013. The grant will cover 80% of eligible costs of improvements. A qualified engineering firm must be selected and today was the last day for interested firms to present their RFQ for development of plans. This will be followed by an interview process and finally a scope of work and an estimation process. Town hearings are planned and a Town meeting to appropriate the project cost will occur this summer.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that six packets were received today.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the parking kiosks were installed on Hartford Ave. They should be up and running this week when the parking plan and signage is complete.
At the last Selectmen’s meeting the Selectmen voted to make paid parking from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Sound View. Officer Heinssen brought it to the attention of the Selectmen that last year paid parking was from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This would allow for free parking up to 10:00 AM.
Selectman Sibley moved to change the hours of paid parking at Sound View from
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM to 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
c. Updated Employee Handbook
The updated Employee Handbook was reviewed and discussed. The Selectmen will consider how often the Employee Handbook should be reviewed for the future.
d. Budget Vote Tonight at 7:30 PM
The Budget Vote is tonight at 7:30 PM. The School Budget was passed a couple of weeks ago. The approval of two expenditures will also be done at the meeting. One is to appropriate the amount of $180,000 for the Town’s Emergency Management Account in connection with Storm Sandy and the other is to appropriate the additional sum of $170,300 for the Blizzard. This will be funded in part by reimbursements from FEMA.
5. New Business
a. VNA Presentation of Wheelchair
This item was moved to the beginning of the agenda.
b. Discussion on use of Town Facilities and Approval of Facilities Form
The Selectmen reviewed the Facilities Usage Form and there was a discussion. Selectman Sibley moved that the form be accepted as presented. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. Discussion: Selectmen Sibley asked about the properties that Old Lyme and Lyme share. He would want to be sure that Lyme was on board with the form. Selectwoman Nosal pointed out that the form states that the applicant should allow sufficient time for review of the request. She would like this to be more direct with a minimum amount of time allowed for the Town to review the application. Also under restrictions on use of town facilities she thought that it should state that use conforms to all local ordinances. She also asked about what signage would be allowed. Selectman Sibley withdrew his
motion.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that signs are not allowed unless it goes to zoning. Non-permanent signs would be allowed and this is clear in a Town ordinance.
A discussion followed. The Town Attorney will be asked to review the form and this will be put on the agenda of the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting.
c. Town Hall Expansion Committee Meeting – CO for Town Hall
The Town Hall Expansion Committee met recently to review where the Town stands in getting a CO for the Town Hall. The CO should be given in the near future once two outstanding items are complete.
d. New Senior Center Coordinator – Stephanie Lyon
Stephanie Lyon has been hired as the new Senior Center Coordinator, and she will start her position on 29 May. The Selectmen welcomed Stephanie to her new position.
6. Public Comment
Dino DiNino, the new owner of the Arcade at Sound View, stated that he is happy that the Town was looking at amusement licensing and associated fees. Mr. DiNino expressed his concerns about the new design of the parking at Sound View. He fears that there will be more traffic congestion and accidents with this new design. He reported that a kiosk was placed on his property and he was not asked by anyone from the Town beforehand, and he hoped that it could be moved in the future. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that the parking layout was all done by an engineer and that as the Town moves forward, this will all be reviewed for the future plans. Information will be collected this summer to aid in the final plan.
Frank Maratta, Owner of the Pavilion, does not agree with the new parking plan, and he feels that strollers or wheelchairs could not go down the sidewalk with the new plan. He stated that the future bike path plan is only meant to eliminate even more parking. He continued to express his concerns regarding the reduction of parking spaces at Sound View. He asked the Town to stop playing the public safety card and actually focus on public safety. Delivery trucks will not safely be able to deliver with this plan.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder thanked Mr. DiNino and Mr. Maratta for their comments and will keep all this in mind when the final plans are made.
7. Other Business
The next Board of Selectmen's Meeting is scheduled for 3 June at 7:30 PM.
8. Executive Session – Discussion about Land Acquisition
Selectman Sibley moved to enter into Executive Session at 5:46 PM. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
The Selectmen came out of executive session at 6:06 PM.
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:41 PM. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
~
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
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