Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Monday, 18 November 2013
Regular Meeting
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 PM 18 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 4 November 2013
Selectwoman Nosal moved to approve the minutes of Regular Meeting 4 November 2013. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications
Selectwoman Nosal moved to add to the agenda under Communications a letter from the River COG Agricultural Council. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read a letter from the newly formed River COG Regional Agricultural Council. This is the first Agricultural Council of its kind in the state, and is an advisory board that works with local Agricultural Boards.
3. Appointments
Christian Tompkins (U) Inland Wetlands Commission to complete a 3 Year Term to Jan 2016
Karen Conniff (D) ZBA to complete a 5 Year Term to Nov 2015
Selectman Sibley moved to appoint Christian Tompkins to the Inland Wetlands Commission to complete a 3 year term ending January 2016. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to appoint Karen Conniff to the ZBA to complete a 5 year term ending November 2015. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion
There was a discussion: It was noted that Karen Conniff was not the person recommended by the Chair and Vice Chair of the ZBA. Selectwoman Nosal stated that she made the motion to appoint Ms. Conniff due to her experience serving on a Zoning Board in another town and that the person who was recommended by the present Board had not attended a ZBA meeting since last March. Selectman Sibley stated that the appointee had never attended a ZBA meeting or been in touch with either the Chair or Vice Chair of the ZBA. Selectman Sibley stated that he was not comfortable with the Selectmen overruling the recommendation of the Chair of a Board or Commission. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder and Selectwoman Nosal voted for, and Selectman Sibley voted against. SO VOTED.
4. Old Business
a. Rogers Lake Dry Hydrant
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the dry hydrant project is complete.
b. Rogers Lake Authority and BOS from Lyme and Old Lyme Meeting Update
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported on the Special Meeting tonight that included the Boards of Selectmen from Old Lyme and Lyme along with members of the Rogers Lake Authority. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss solutions for treatment of the weeds growing in Rogers Lake. A group of people was formed that includes First Selectwoman Reemsnyder, Ralph Eno of Lyme, a member of the Rogers Lake Authority, a member from Lyme’s Conservation Commission and Inland Wetlands Commission and a member of the Old Lyme Conservation Commission. The group will work on the development of an RFQ. The Towns of Lyme and Old Lyme share the responsibility of Rogers Lake 50 / 50.
c. Bike Path / Sound View Improvements Update Town Meeting
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that hopefully a public presentation can be made the first week in December with a Town Meeting to be scheduled later in December. A Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen before the next BOS meeting to approve the verbiage to recommend the approval of funds for the Bike Path and Sound View Improvements to a the Town Meeting, hopefully to be scheduled on December 10, 2013.
d. Boathouse and Hains Park Improvements Committee
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder updated the Board on the progress of forming the Committee. To date there are five applicants with one more expected. The cut-off date for applicants is December 1. The final agreement has been received from the State of CT for the STEAP Grant.
e. Bayberry Motel Update
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that she had met with the Attorney for the building department and he generated a letter to her with information about moving forward. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read said letter to the Selectmen. Due to his recommendation, she stated that it is not appropriate to host a meeting with the owners and neighbors over this matter. Matters such as the Bayberry Motel should be handled by the appropriate Land Use Departments. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder added that she is always open to listen to the concerns of the people involved.
5. New Business
a. Election Day
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reviewed the results of the election. 1,591 out of 6,068 voters cast their votes. The changes that were incorporated this year at the polls worked out well and the police presence was very helpful. She thanked all those involved for doing such a wonderful job.
b. White Sand Beach Road Plowing
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported on an email from Barry Harrison who is a year round resident at White Sand Beach. Mr. Harrison spoke to the Selectmen asking the Town to reconsider their policy on plowing roads at the Beach. There was a discussion.
c. Regional Shelter Municipal Agreement
The Selectmen reviewed the Regional Shelter Municipal Agreement. This Agreement is being drawn up by several Towns that may take part in a Regional Shelter. This does not preclude that the Town of Old Lyme would not have its own shelter depending on the circumstances. The Regional Agreement would be between the municipalities of Old Lyme, Lyme, East Lyme, Montville, New London, Waterford and the CT Chapter of the American Red Cross. Dave Roberge took part in drafting the Agreement and is recommending it. There was a discussion.
The Selectmen would like more information as to what the formula will be for assigning costs to each Town. Approval of this Agreement will be an agenda item for the next meeting of the Board of Selectmen.
d. Resolution for EMPG Funds
The Emergency Management Performance Grant is an annual grant given to towns to support the efforts of Emergency Management. The average annual award to the Town is $3,600. Selectwoman Nosal moved to adopt the Resolution giving First Selectwoman Bonnie A. Reemsnyder the authority to execute and deliver all documents on behalf of the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
6. Public Comment
Stacy Winchell, who resides at 438 Shore Road, stated that over the past year she has written to several of the departments in Town Hall and to date she has never gotten a response from any Departments except the Board of Selectmen. In moving forward she would like to know what she should do to get a response from them. She has documented all her correspondence and presented her questions regarding the Bayberry Motel that still remain unanswered.
7. Other Business
The Selectmen thanked Ms. Winchell for putting her documentation together. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder will speak with the Departments so that they have a clear understanding of their roles in this matter and for all future matters.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that Ann Brown, the Town’s Zoning Enforcement Officer, will retire in January. There will be a search committee formed to find her replacement.
The next Board of Selectmen's Meeting is scheduled for 9 December at 7:30 PM.
8. Executive Session - NONE
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:02 PM. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
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Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
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