Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Monday, 3 June 2013
Regular Meeting
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 PM 3 June 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.
1. Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting 20 May 2013
Selectman Sibley moved to approve the minutes of Regular Meeting 20 May. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications
3. Appointments
4. Old Business
a. Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Vote of 20 May 2013
The Town Budget for Fiscal Year 2014 was approved unanimously on 20 May. The Selectmen thanked Board of Finance members Wayne Devoe, H.P. Garvin, Chris Kerr, Janet Sturges, David Woolley, and alternates David Kelsey, Robert Jose and B.J. Bernblum for doing such a fine job on preparing the budget. They gave a special thanks to Chairman Andy Russell for the excellent Power Point presentation he made at the Budget Vote.
b. Update on Sound View
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that just before Memorial Day the parking was changed from parallel to diagonal parking on one side of Hartford Avenue. It reduced the number of parking spots and mixed reviews were received. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read a letter from Frank Maratta, owner of the Pavilion and an Alternate on the Sound View Commission. Mr. Maratta stated that the business owners were upset over the loss of 18 parking spaces. He requested that the 18 lost spaces be replaced by adding them to the main parking lot. He also spoke about the issues of overcrowding and public safety and the fact that the American Flag was not put up on Memorial Day at Sound View Beach. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder commented on the letter and stated that the present parking changes will
provide feedback for the final plan for Sound View Improvements. The number of parking spots on the Town Parking Lot were reduced a couple of years ago due to overcrowding on the beach. Regarding the American Flag not being raised at Sound View on Memorial Day, First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that in the past the flag was put up by the Sound View Beach Association and they are not a Town entity. The Town Flags did fly on Memorial Day but it is not the Town’s responsibility, nor that of the Sound View Commission, to raise the flag at Sound View. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder also addressed Mr. Maratta’s comment about the possibility of hundreds of cyclists on Hartford Avenue. It is the belief of the Town that more people on Hartford Avenue, either on foot or bicycles, will increase business on Hartford Avenue.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder commented on a letter she received from Robert Breen, a longtime resident on Swan Avenue who wrote in support of the work being done at Sound View. A letter was received from Donna Brown, who was critical of the changes at Sound View and concerned regarding the lack of business parking. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that there are 10 spaces available for business parking and this can be adjusted as feedback is received. Correspondence from Lenny Corto, owner of Lennys on the Beach, expressed dissatisfaction and concern about the diagonal parking. Lenny also asked that the Town put the 18 spaces back in the Town Parking Lot.
A letter from Don Bugbee, Director of Parks and Recreation, was read in part regarding the matter of the reduced parking fees at the Sound View Parking Lot this past Saturday and Sunday. The fee was reduced from $25 to $20 on those days. Don Bugbee spoke to the Selectmen, and in summary it was a decision he made in the best interest of the residents of the Town. He wished that people who voiced concerns would come to him first and he could have made them understand. There was a discussion. The Selectmen would like the process that was laid out to be followed with parking fees lowered due to weather conditions and time of day.
There was a discussion regarding Frank Maratta’s request for the addition of 18 parking spots in the Town Parking Lot. It was decided that this would not be done.
Officer Tom Heinssen stated that the parking kiosks were working very well. He stated that this past weekend brought many people to Sound View and cars were parked illegally. Cars that should have been towed were not as there was too much other commotion to take care of. There was trouble which brought the police and ambulance to Sound View. The Selectmen thanked the police, and public works for doing a fine job.
Frank Pappalardo, Chairman of the Sound View Commission, spoke about the past weekend at Sound View. He also addressed Frank Maratta’s letter and reminded Mr. Maratta, who is an alternate on the Sound View Commission, that he was present at the meetings where the diagonal parking was discussed and was well aware of what was planned. Mr. Pappalardo takes exception to Mr. Maratta’s “lack of transparency” comment regarding the parking changes. Mr. Pappalardo agrees that no more parking spaces should be added as the beach is over capacity already.
Selectwoman Nosal thanked Don Bugbee for doing such a fine job with the parking lot attendants and remarked that they do an excellent job.
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. Eleanor Robinson – Roger Tory Peterson Education Center Initiative
Eleanor Robinson, Dr. Ann Pierson and Dr. Ted Vanitallie from the Roger Tory Peterson Education Center Initiative spoke to the Selectmen regarding the development of a Roger Tory Peterson Education Center in Old Lyme. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that the Town was very fortunate to have Roger Tory Peterson as a resident for a long time and the Town has not captured this as a benefit to the community. The Selectmen applaud the Initiative and offered their support and help along the way.
Selectman Sibley moved to move Agenda Item (New Business b) to this point in the Agenda. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
5. New Business
b. 30 Lyme Street – Request for Fencing on Town Property
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that she had a request from Anthony Kornacki on 30 Lyme Street. He would like to put a fence on his property but to keep in line with the fencing on Lyme Street he would need to put the fence on Town property. This has been done in the past on other Lyme Street properties. The Selectmen will consider this request and make a decision at a future meeting.
Old Business
c. Updated Employee Handbook
The Employee Handbook has been discussed at previous meetings. Changes were drafted and have been approved by the Town Attorney. Selectman Sibley moved that the Employee Handbook be accepted as submitted on 3 June 2013. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Nosal moved that the Board of Selectmen review the Employee Handbook every three years. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
d. Certificate of Occupancy for Town Hall
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reviewed the progress since the last Selectmen’s meeting. Everything is done that needed to be done except the posting of egress maps. Once the egress maps are posted the CO will be issued. The maps should be ready to be posted very soon.
e. Use of Town Facilities and Approval of Facilities Form
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that she had shared the Facilities Form with Ralph Eno, First Selectman of Lyme. Mr. Eno requested that the Facilities Agreement should be for both Towns when it is dealing with Lymes Senior Center, Town Woods Park or the kitchen. These changes were incorporated into the form. Selectman Sibley moved for the acceptance of the Facilities Usage Request Form as presented. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
There will be a discussion at the next Board of Selectmen’s regarding setting fees and usage by profit and nonprofit groups of Town facilities.
f. Memorial Day Parade
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the Memorial Day Parade went well, including the service at the cemetery with the reading of wonderful essays. She thanked all those involved.
g. New Senior Center Director – Stephanie Lyon
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that Stephanie Lyon started her position last week and has been very busy so far.
5. New Business
a. Eleanor Robinson – RT Peterson Education Center Initiative
This item was moved in the Agenda.
b. 30 Lyme Street – Request for Fencing on Town Property
This item was moved in the Agenda.
c. Senior Center Updated By-Laws
The Senior Center Board of Directors updated their by-laws. When by-laws are changed, they have to be approved by the Board of Selectmen of each town. The changes have been reviewed by First Selectwoman Reemsnyder and Ralph Eno. A copy was given to the Selectmen for their review and this will be discussed at a future meeting.
d. Regional Agricultural Council
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the Regional Council of Governments has been asked to see what the interest is in the member towns to have a Regional Agricultural Council. This Council would support farming in the 17 municipalities. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder emailed people she knew that were interested in the agricultural field, and she had not seen any interest yet. The Selectmen will reach out to people that they have in mind and this will be discussed at a future Selectmen’s meeting.
e. Neighborhood Assistance Grant Authorization
Selectwoman Nosal moved to authorize Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, First Selectwoman of Old Lyme, to execute the required Neighborhood Assistance Act paperwork on behalf of the Florence Griswold Museum. ~Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
f. Big Y Community Service Day – 18 May 3013
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that about a dozen Big Y employees went to the Senior Center on 18 May to clean up the grounds and to spread mulch. The Selectmen thanked the employees and managers of Big Y for doing such a good deed.
Selectman Sibley moved to add to the agenda the Approval of the Resident Trooper Contract. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
g. Approval of Resident Trooper Contract
Selectwoman Nosal moved that Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, First Selectwoman, Town of Old Lyme be and herewith authorized to execute a contract on behalf of the Town of Old Lyme with the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Division of State Police, for the services of one State Trooper. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
6. Public Comment
Dino DiNino, a resident of Old Lyme and owner of the Arcade at Sound View stated that he thought that the kiosks at Sound View were working well and the price was fair. He feels that the diagonal parking is unsafe and that the commercial parking spaces are set up in a way to hide exposure for the stores, make store deliveries difficult and provide no easy access to the stores. Mr. DiNino requests that the Selectmen consider changing the parking back to the way it was.
7. Other Business
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that work will begin on the Rogers Lake Dam in the very near future. Proper notifications will be made to lake residents and associations.
Selectwoman Nosal reported on a meeting she held at her home last week regarding volunteers that could be called on when needed for the respite center. About 16 people came and it was decided that the next meeting would be held at the Town Hall where Dave Roberge could speak and answer questions.
Selectman Sibley inquired about the progress of the study for the Wastewater Management Project. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that she does get frequent emails of the progress and there will be a meeting on 11 June at 7:30 PM of the Wastewater Management Task Force where updates will be provided. This item will be added under Old Business to future Board of Selectmen’s Meeting Agendas.
Selectwoman Nosal thanked everyone for attending tonight’s meeting.
The next Board of Selectmen's Meeting is scheduled for 17 June at 7:30 PM.
8. Executive Session
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 PM. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
~
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
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