Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Monday, 17 March 2014
Regular Meeting
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 PM on 17 March 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.
1. Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting 18 February 2014
a. Regular Meeting 18 February 2014
Selectman Sibley moved to approve the minutes of Regular Meeting 18 February 2014. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Special Meeting 4 March 2014
Selectwoman Nosal moved to approve the minutes of Special Meeting 4 March 2014. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. SO VOTED. Selectman Sibley abstained as he was not present at the Meeting of 4 March 2014.
Selectman Sibley moved to add an item to the Agenda under Communications - Letter from student Ethan Fenton. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications - Letter from Ethan Fenton
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read a letter addressed to the Selectmen from Ethan Fenton who is a sophomore at LOL High School. He requests permission to plant a vegetable garden at the Senior Center as a Community Service Project. He would consult with appropriate participants and look for donations of money or materials to build the garden. He has sent a letter to the Lyme Selectmen and is asking the Senior Center Board for their permission. The Selectmen think it is a wonderful idea and complimented Ethan on thinking the plan through so well. They will wait to hear what the Senior Center Board thinks and at some time in the future the Selectmen may have to vote on this.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to add to the Agenda under Appointments an appointment to the Harbor Management Commission. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
3. Appointments
Selectman Sibley moved to appoint David Musto to the Harbor Management Commission as an Alternate for a 4-year term ending in January 2015. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
4. Old Business
a. Public Information Meeting 6 March – Update (Design Standards / Bike Way)
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder gave an update of the Public Information Meeting held on 6 March. The Design Standards were reviewed and will go to approval at the Town Meeting on 24 March. The Design Standards are available on the Town Website.
The second item for review at Public Information Meeting was the Bike Way and Sound View Improvements. A Power Point presentation was given. Approval for the appropriation of funds in the amount of $148,500 will go to the Town Meeting on 24 March. A Grant will pay up to 80% of this amount. Copies of these documents are available on the Town Website.
b. Public Information Meeting 8 March – Update (Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan)
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported on the Public Information Meeting on 8 March where a Power Point presentation was given regarding the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan updates. The Committee has worked very hard on this project. This Plan is available on the Town Website which includes a ten-minute survey that residents are encouraged to take. Hard copies are available at the Town Hall. This will also be presented on Public Access TV. Updating this Plan and having it accurate makes the Town eligible for grant money. The Plan will need to be approved by the CT DEEP and then approved by FEMA. Once FEMA approves the Plan it will go back to the Board of Selectmen and then to a Town Meeting for approval.
There was a discussion of funds already granted ($820,000) to two Beach Associations in Town through NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Services in CT) to help eliminate the flooding of Sheffield Brook during certain times. This Grant is given to bring natural streams back to their natural state. Selectman Sibley noted that through the efforts of the Flood and Erosion Control Board two more Beach Associations in Town with similar flooding issues from Swan Brook will also apply for funding from NRCS.
c. Special Town Meeting Scheduled – 24 March 2014
There will be a Special Town Meeting on 24 March at 7:30 PM in the Middle School Auditorium. The following will be on the call of the meeting.
- Approval of Design Standards for Public Improvements
- Bike Way / Sound View Improvements Appropriation of $148,500
- Kiosk for Parking Lot Appropriation $13,000
- Boathouse / Hains Park Improvements Appropriation $478,000
- Update on Wastewater Management Study from the WPCA
It was hoped that on the call of the meeting there would have been approval of the Amendment to the Housing Ordinance. Per the Town Attorney this is not ready for approval at this time.
d. Light Up the Night Event Request / Letter
This item was discussed at the last Selectmen’s meeting, but due to the absence of Selectman Sibley it was not voted on. To review: Tim Griswold and Mark Lander, co-chairs of the Board of Trustees of the Old Lyme Historical Society, have been looking for an appropriate place in Old Lyme to have a bon fire on the Light Up the Night Event on 8 April to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the invasion of the CT Valley by British sailors and Marines on Long Island Sound. They have decided on the area on the Connecticut River between the private property of Herb Chambers and the DEEP building on Ferry Road called the dinghy dock. Along with the bon fire there will be some pageantry. The fire would go for about 30 minutes. This Event would be on 8 April beginning after dark. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that she received a letter from the Town Fire Marshal supporting the activity which included his recommendations for safety. The Fire Department, Police, Public Works and
Harbor Management are all on board
.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to approve this event on 8 April 2014. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. There was a discussion: Letters will go out to abutting property owners making them aware of the event and that there will be cannon fire. SO VOTED.
e. British Raid on Essex Historic Panel Request
The Essex Historical Society has created four historic panels; two will be installed in Essex, one in Old Saybrook and hopefully one in Old Lyme at the scenic overlook. The colorful panels have a map showing the action that happened on 8 April 1814. The Town Attorney reviewed the restrictions that exist for the scenic overlook and found it to be all right to install the panel on the walkway.
Selectman Sibley moved to approve the installation of the panel on the walkway of the scenic overlook. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. There was a discussion: First Selectwoman Reemsnyder will ask the Essex Historical Society if Old Lyme could have a few more panels made for use in Town buildings i.e. the Town Hall and the new home of the Historical Society on Lyme Street. SO VOTED.
f. Recycling Incentive Grant Committee
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the Town received a good number of applications for the Committee including one student. Selectwoman Nosal is the Selectmen’s liaison with members Thomas Gotowka, Jim Ward, J. Ranelli, Brenda Moriarty, Leslie O’Connor, Sam Fuchs (a student at the Middle School), Paul Gleason, Gary Yuknat (Shoreline Sanitation), Cathy Frank and Janice Ehlemeyer. The first meeting will be this Wednesday evening.
Selectman Sibley moved to approve this list of members to the Recycling Incentive Grant Committee. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
g. Rogers Lake Weeds Committee Update
First Selectwomen Reemsnyder reported that three firms responded to the RFQ and all three firms have been interviewed and one was selected. The Committee has already met with the firm and after this meeting the Committee feels that they made the right pick. There will be quality water testing and possible testing for pesticides before the work begins. The scope of work is presently being defined. There was a discussion about putting some money for this expense in this year’s budget.
h. Boathouse Hains Park Improvements RFQ Update
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that ten firms submitted their qualifications. The Boat House Committee narrowed the submissions down to four firms. A date for interviews has been set for this Thursday.
5. New Business
a. Connecticut Trek Hike: 30 June – 1 July Town Woods Park
This is the 10th year that a group of students from Griswold Elementary School have taken an eight day walk for charity. Their leader, who is a teacher at the school, has again requested the use of Town Woods Park on 30 June through 1 July to spend the night. This same group used the Park last year. Selectwoman Nosal moved to approve the request and Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Lockout Tagout Policy Approval
The Lockout Tagout Policy was explained by First Selectwoman Reemsnyder. The Town’s Insurance Agency supplied the Town with a template for the Policy and the Town customized it. The Safety Committee has recommended the Policy to the Board of Selectmen for approval.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to approve the Lockout Tagout Policy. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. There was a discussion. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder will ask the Fire Department if they have a policy in place. SO VOTED.
c. Exposure Control Policy Approval
The Exposure Control Policy was explained by First Selectwoman Reemsnyder. Many know this Policy as the Bloodborne Pathogens Policy. The Safety Committee recommended the Policy to the Board of Selectmen for approval with the changes as to who the appropriate person should be in place to take care of certain things. Other changes were discussed and questions asked. Approval of this Policy was tabled.
6. Public Comment - NONE
7. Other Business
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that in mid to late April there will be a hearing scheduled for the Neighborhood Assistance Program. There may be two applications made this year.
Selectwoman Nosal asked for an update on the Fire Dock at the end of Academy Lane. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that a survey that had been done which showed just what the previous survey showed and it did not clarify who actually owns a portion of the dock. The Town has submitted application to the DEEP for approval of a permit.
The next Board of Selectmen's Meeting is scheduled for Monday, 7 April 2014 at 7:30 PM.
8. Executive Session – NONE
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 PM. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
~
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
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