Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Regular Meeting
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 PM on 18 February 2014 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.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to correct Agenda item 1. Approval of Minutes Special Meeting 23 January 2014 to Approval of Minutes Regular Meeting 3 February 2014. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
1. Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting 3 February 2014
Selectman Sibley moved to accept the minutes of Regular Meeting 3 February 2014. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications – NONE
3. Appointments – NONE
4. Old Business
a. Bike Path / Sound View Improvements Update
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that there was a meeting on 10 February where the Committee met with the engineering firm that has been working to finalize the scope of work and specs for the project. They presented quotes from the architects that they were able to get for under $10,000. The next step will be to review the architects’ scope of work and the cost. There will be a presentation on 6 March at the Town Hall presenting the plans, scope of work and the cost before this goes to a Town Meeting. The meeting on 6 March will begin at 7:00 pm which will allow ample time to present the Public Improvements Regulations information along with the Sound View Improvements information. Both items will go to a Town Meeting for approval.
b. Boat House and Hains Park Improvements Committee Update
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the Committee met on 10 February. There are eight people on the Committee. A very aggressive timeline was put together and the RFQ should be published tomorrow looking for an engineering firm to help with plans and designs for the Boat House expansion and improvements to Hains Park. Selectman Sibley stated that it is the consensus of the Committee that the biggest challenge of the project will be the site design. He requested that First Selectwoman Reemsnyder send a letter to Jim Witkins, Chairman of the Board of Education, requesting the release of the Boat House to the Town. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that she will do so and that the Town Attorney is already working on the release document.
c. Senior Center Well Update
The Senior Center has reopened as the new well is complete. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder thanked the State, Town Sanitarian Sonia Marino and Senior Center Director Stephanie Lyon for working very hard to get this done in such a short time.
d. Budget – Beach Stipends Discussion
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that the Board of Finance is presently going over the budget requests and this year they inquired about the history of the beach stipends, the reasons for them, and if there had been a formula used in the past for deciding what they were. The stipends have been mostly based on supporting the security of the private beaches and some road maintenance. The Board of Finance states that there are many private associations and some beach associations in Town that have private roads that do not receive stipends. The Board of Finance suggested that the stipends remain the same for this year with a gradual decrease over the next ten years and that a formula be used in the future to decide on what associations should receive a stipend and if so, how much it should be.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that a formula should be used in the future and she agreed that stipends should stay the same this year. Selectwoman Nosal agreed that this issue needs attention and suggested that a Committee be formed to set up a formal process. Selectman Sibley agreed with First Selectwoman Reemsnyder and Selectman Nosal. The message to the Board of Finance is to leave stipends the same this year and to create a formula for deciding stipend amounts for next year. A Board of Finance member will be asked to serve on the Committee.
e. Snow Removal on Sidewalks Discussion
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that this was discussed at the last meeting and if the Town is to be responsible to remove snow on the sidewalks a new piece of equipment will need to be purchased at a cost of $22,000. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder would like to have the Town’s Public Works continue to clear the sidewalks in Town that are used on a daily basis by many people such as Lyme Street and Ferry Road. There was a discussion which included the Town’s liability regarding the sidewalks. The Town Attorney has suggested that an Ordinance be adopted no matter what.
Selectwoman Nosal moved that the Town continue to clear the sidewalks as they have been doing this year. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to move Agenda item 4. Old Business (f) Lyme Old Lyme High School Video Submission to 5. New Business (e). Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
f. Lyme Old Lyme High School Video Submission
This agenda item was moved to New Business (e).
5. New Business
a. Connecticut DOT Master Agreement Resolution
All Towns in Connecticut need to sign a Master Agreement with the State DOT. For example the Town will be installing a standpipe hydrant on Flat Rock Hill Road where the Fire Department will be able to get water to the highway. In order to construct the hydrant, the Town signed an Agreement with the State which took a lot of time to process. In order to make future projects easier, Towns are asked to sign a Master Agreement with the DOT.
Selectman Sibley moved to adopt the Resolution which reads, “Resolved, that the Honorable, Bonnie Reemsnyder, First Selectwoman, is hereby authorized to sign the Agreement entitled “Master Municipal Agreement for Construction Projects”. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. DOT Grant, Sound View Improvements Resolution
This Agreement between the State of Connecticut and the Town speaks to the 80% reimbursement from the State for the Sound View Improvements Project. Marylin Clarke has reviewed the Agreement and she recommends that it be signed.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to adopt the Resolution which reads, “Resolved, that Bonnie Reemsnyder, First Selectwoman, be and hereby is, authorized to sign the agreement entitled “Agreement Between the State of Connecticut and the Town of Old Lyme for the Development of Contract Plans, Specifications and Estimates for Route 156 and Sound View Bike Path Improvements Utilizing Federal Funds from the Transportation Alternatives and Urban Components of the Surface Transportation Program.” Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
c. Pension Committee Recommendations
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the Pension Committee has chosen T. Rowe Price to put together some funds for the Town’s Pension Fund. In addition, the Pension Committee has adopted a Pension Investment Policy which will be reviewed at the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting. A third party administrator will be used to watch over the funds. By moving the funds over to T. Rowe Price, thousands of employee dollars will be saved in fees. Selectman Sibley stressed the importance of having communication with Employees at a pace where everyone can digest the information and stated that Emergency Services in Town may be going the same route with moving their funds to T. Rowe Price.
d. Request from Pet Connections
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that Glynn McAraw has been deeply and passionately involved in Pet Connections for many years. Since 1990, Pet Connections has been a community leader in rescuing and placing abandoned and abused pets in responsible, loving homes. They provide fostering, rehabilitation, veterinary care, adoption referrals, and lost-and-found assistance. They do not have a shelter for these animals at this time.
Ms. McAraw and Gary Smith spoke to the Selectmen. Pet Connections is interested in building a shelter on the same piece of property that the Town’s Animal Shelter is on. Pet Connections would bear the cost of building and maintaining the shelter and staffing it with volunteers. There would be no cost to the Town. Pet Connections went to Zoning and were told that the regulations have to be changed and to go to the Selectmen first before proceeding. Gary Smith stated that if the zoning regulations could be changed, there would still have to be some variances made to accommodate the shelter. Plans were presented and a discussion followed.
The Town will ask legal counsel if this will work and in the end it would go to a Town Meeting for approval. Ms. McAraw explained the need for a shelter in this area. At this time animals are fostered in private homes and placed on Petfinder.com for adoption. It could certainly be used as a regional shelter if needed. Ms. McAraw stated that it would be a positive addition for the present Town’s Animal Shelter to have Pet Connections next door and vice-versa. A discussion followed.
e. Lyme Old Lyme High School Video Submission
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the High School put together a video to send off to Washington D.C. for a contest. The video is about how technology was being used in the High School. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder had seen the video on Facebook and showed it at this point in the meeting. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder will draft a letter of support of the video and ask the Selectmen to sign it. The video will be on the Town website. The Selectmen applauded the video and those who were responsible for creating it.
6. Public Comment - NONE
7. Other Business
Change of time for Selectmen’s Meeting Time 3 March 2014
The next Board of Selectmen's Meeting is scheduled for Monday, 3 March 2014 at 8:15 AM.
Selectwoman Nosal asked if much feedback had been received from various Boards, Commissions and Departments about the Public Improvements Regulations. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder had received some feedback and some had gone directly to the Planning Commission.
8. Executive Session
To discuss pending litigation with Town Attorney regarding Doreen Day, Grandview Property
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:32 PM. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
~
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
| 
