Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Monday, 4 November 2013
Regular Meeting
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 PM 4 November 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 21 October 2013
Selectwoman Nosal moved to approve the minutes of Regular Meeting 21 October 2013. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to add to the Agenda under Communications - Correspondence from Fritz Jellinghaus of the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley moved to add an item to the Agenda under Old Business – Update on the Bayberry Motel. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications
a. Email from Fritz Jellinghaus – Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that Governor Malloy has created a new Arts Council and has appointed Fritz Jellinghaus as Chair. The Council will dispense all State funding for arts and culture, lead discussions about policy and new statewide program initiatives, and oversee the annual Governor’s Arts Award. This appointment honors Mr. Jellinghaus and brings recognition to the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts. The Selectmen offered their congratulations to Mr. Jellinghaus.
3. Appointments - NONE
4. Old Business
a. Rogers Lake Dam Update
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the dam repairs are essentially finished and the fish ladder is installed. Grates are on order and will be installed as soon as they come in. Fencing needs to be placed on both sides of the dam. This will be done after the dry hydrant is installed which should be in the next couple of weeks. Additional seeding and landscaping may be needed in the Spring, due to the dry weather. The level of the lake continues to be low with some residents experiencing dry wells.
b. Rogers Lake Authority and BOS from Lyme and Old Lyme Meeting – 11/18/2013
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that there will be a meeting of the Rogers Lake Authority and the Selectmen from Lyme and Old Lyme on 18 November at 6:00 PM in the Meeting Hall of the Old Lyme Town Hall. The discussion will focus on the weed problem in Rogers Lake.
c. Bike Path / Sound View Improvements Update
Selectwoman Nosal reported that there was a Committee meeting on 23 October. The Committee determined that the architectural bid for the bathrooms was high and requested that their consultant get a second bid for the work. The next meeting will be on 6 November at 5:00 PM. Hopefully at this meeting the scope of work and the man hours can be finalized. It may be possible to present this at a December Town Meeting.
d. Boathouse and Hains Park Improvements Committee
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that there are three applicants who have volunteered to work on the Committee. There will be a meeting on 22 November that includes the First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectman Skip Sibley, the Superintendent of Schools, John Rhodes, and Greg Hack to discuss the current agreements and understandings between the Town, the District and the Rowers Association.
e. OSHA Inspection Update
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that on 25 October there was an informal hearing with OSHA regarding the inspection that they did last August. There were citations issued and the Town had to respond to said citations. The only item still outstanding for the Town was training on Blood-borne Pathogens. This training was scheduled for 24 October, but because the trainer was stuck in traffic and could not make it to the Town Hall, the training was rescheduled. The Town received the maximum fine reduction of 50%. What would have cost $4,350 in fines was reduced by one-half. It was a very open and transparent process.
f. Update on the Bayberry Motel
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the meeting that was scheduled for last Thursday was postponed due to the fact that she wanted to meet with Town Counsel before a meeting with the Motel owners and other interested parties. She will meet with legal counsel tomorrow and another meeting will be scheduled as soon as possible. All permits are presently in place at this time. Selectman Sibley reported that there are a large number of residents that are concerned and frustrated with this matter. He wants to be sure that there is a meeting as soon as possible to review the issues and give the residents an opportunity to voice their concerns. Selectwoman Nosal stated that it is important for the Town to be respectful and timely with issues such as this and thanked First Selectwoman Reemsnyder for
her work in dealing with this matter. She feels it is wise to meet with Town Counsel before the meeting.
5. New Business
a. Revisiting Recycling
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read an email from a resident that contained suggestions to help people with knowing what items go into recycling and which bin is for recycling. A discussion followed about how to deal with the issue of people putting unacceptable items in the recycling carts.
b. Election Day Preparations
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that on 22 October she met with representatives from the Fire Department and Ambulance Association. She followed up with a meeting with Don Tapper and Silvia Peterson and also a meeting with the Police and Public Works. There were some issues that needed attention and they have been resolved.
6. Public Comment
Stacy Winchell resides on 438 Shore Road, next to the Bayberry Motel. Her intent in getting involved with the issues of the Bayberry Motel is more to the problem of residents of the motel staying longer than two weeks and children staying that will most likely attend our public schools. She discussed the previous problems with the behavior of the customers of the motel and feels that these same problems will continue. She asked how the Town will enforce the length of time customers stay at the Motel.
Wendy Zito resides on 435 Shore Road, across from the Bayberry Motel. She reviewed what had gone on in the past at the Motel. The behavior of the residents has been a nightmare for them. They have had to call the Police many, many times. She asked who from the Town will be monitoring if the rules are being followed at the Motel. If this is a Motel, she asked why there are electric meters for each unit. Another concern, why is there not someone there 24 hours a day to check in customers. If this business is really a Motel, wouldn’t there be someone there to do this? She stated that she has read conflicting information from the meetings between the Town and the Motel owners about how long the time period will be for a rental. The residents have many questions and respectfully
request a meeting. Residents feel that they have not been given answers to date.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that there is no building code that says the Motel cannot put in individual meters. Although she agrees that this is questionable, this is not something the Town can stop as long as code and electrical requirements are met. In regards to people being there longer than two weeks, this is not something the Town can stop because this does not fall under zoning regulations. If somebody is without a home, lives at the motel with a child, and registers the child for school, they cannot be denied.
7. Other Business
The next Board of Selectmen's Meeting is scheduled for 18 November at 7:30 PM.
8. Executive Session
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 PM. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
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Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
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