Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Monday, 7 April 2014
Regular Meeting
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 PM on 7 April 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 17 March 2014
Selectwoman Nosal moved to approve the minutes of Regular Meeting 17 March 2014. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications - NONE
3. Appointments
Jasper Sha (U) – Conservation Commission, Alternate, 3-year term to January 2015
Selectman Sibley moved to appoint Jasper Sha to the Conservation Commission as an Alternate for a 3-year term ending in January 2015. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
4. Old Business
a. Special Town Meeting 24 March 2104 Update
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported on the Special Town Meeting held on 24 March.
Design Standards for Public Improvements – Approved
Bike Way / Sound View Improvements Appropriation of $148,500 – Approved
80% of this amount will be reimbursed through a Grant from the DOT.
Kiosk for Sound View Parking Lot Appropriation of $13,000 – Approved
Boathouse / Hains Park Improvements Appropriation $478,000 – Approved
A STEAP Grant will fund this in full.
Update on Wastewater Management Study from the WPCA
An update was presented and the Board of Selectmen and members of the WPCA were available for questions. This study is now in the hands of the CT DEEP and the Town is still waiting for a response.
b. Fiscal Year Budget Update
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reviewed the Budget along with information provided by Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director. The Budget increases on line items are ranging between 2% and just over 4%. This increase is a little higher than normal, but the Board of Finance is comfortable with a 2.32% increase. This Budget will change the mill rate from 19.3 to 19.69 this year. A Budget Hearing will be held on 21 April at the Middle School. There was a discussion about using some of the surplus to offset the increase and/or increasing the collection rate percentage. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder will speak to Nicole about this.
c. Light Up the Night Event Reminder
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reminded everyone about the Light Up the Night Event to be held on 8 April at the Dingy Dock on Ferry Road. This is in commemoration of the 1814 British raid on Essex during the War of 1812.
d. Exposure Control Policy Approval
The Selectmen reviewed the Exposure Control Policy. The Safety Committee has approved the Policy pending the corrections being made as suggested by the Director of Health and the Health Department. There was a discussion and a change in language will be made in the highlighted area where it talks about the report of the exposure (second sentence underneath Post Exposure Evaluation Follow-up) that the word “should” be changed to “must”.
Selectman Sibley moved to approve the Exposure Control Policy as presented with one change in the text as discussed. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
e. Boathouse Hains Park Improvements RFQ Update
Selectman Sibley reported that the Committee continues to evaluate applicants. The applicants have been narrowed down to two at this time. The Committee is still looking at alternatives and they are very pleased to be seeing some great options that would be a great fit. The Committee will tentatively be meeting this Thursday with a goal to get this nailed down by the end of April. Through the process Don Bugbee, Rogers Lake Authority and the abutting neighbors will be kept informed.
f. Recycling Incentive Grant Update
Selectwoman Nosal reported that the Recycling Incentive Grant Committee had met last week and the purpose of the Committee is to look at ways to use the Grant money to incentivize the Community to recycle more and have less trash. As part of the DEEP contract, the Committee is able to use consultants at no cost. To recycle is a State Regulation and it is important for the Town to get the message out to the Community that recycling is required by the State.
5. New Business
a. TWOC Request for Proposal (RFP)
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that a couple of years ago the Town switched to using organic methods for the maintenance of fields at Town Woods Park. There is a problem of grubs at the park. Many people, even those who advocate for organic care, acknowledge that grubs can be a real challenge. The Town needs to reach out to get a consultant who can help the Town with regard to what kind of fertilizer and seeds to use. Ron Tyler presently does the maintenance on the park but it is in the best interest of the Town to have a paid consultant who would make recommendations as to what products should be used along with cost estimates for a three year budget. The RFQ needs to be clear that we want to focus on organic care but understand that sometimes there might be a need for chemicals.
Selectwoman Nosal stated that the intent of Integrated Pest Management is to use an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management using science and biology with looking at the least toxic of chemicals and use them only when necessary. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder worked with the Parks and Recreation Commission in fine tuning the RFQ draft. The draft has been approved by Ralph Eno of Lyme. Selectman Sibley stated that the playing fields have become a safety issue as far as kids playing on them as the condition of the fields has deteriorated with potholes and areas of missing turf. It is important for the Town to take care of the fields with the best interest of the people using them in mind. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder will update the Conservation Commission.
b. Sound View Commission Recommendations
The Sound View Commission had presented a list of suggested goals for the 2014 year in the form of an Operations Manual. The Selectmen reviewed the Manual with Frank Pappalardo, Chairman of the Sound View Commission. The Selectmen would like Don Bugbee to review the Manual. There was a discussion about addressing the encroachment of the Coastal Jurisdiction Line with regard to cost and responsibility. It was decided that the Selectmen will move forward with this by having a discussion with the Board of Finance regarding funding in the future.
c. Estuary Transit District Grant Funds Approval
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the Estuary Transit District is applying for a Grant and in order to use it for the Transit District, the Selectmen will need to assign the funds to the Transit District. A resolution needs to be approved. The resolution reads, “The municipality of Old Lyme is participating in a consolidated application for State of Connecticut Elderly and Disabled Demand Responsive Municipal Grant Program through the Estuary Transit District. The municipality of Old Lyme hereby assigns its Grant proportionment from the State Program to the Estuary Transit District to coordinate the operation of service.”
Selectman Sibley moved to approve the assignment of funds to the Estuary Transit District. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
d. Resolution for Town Clerk Grant
The Town Clerk is applying for a Grant through the State Library for $5,000. The Grant money will be used to microfilm all Old Lyme’s birth, death and marriage certificates with the microfilm to be kept at an off-site storage facility.
Selectman Sibley moved that RESOLVED: That Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, First Selectwoman, is empowered to execute and deliver in the name and on behalf of this municipality a contract with the Connecticut State Library for an Historic Documents Preservation Grant. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
e. Neighborhood Assistance Act Hearing Date
The Selectmen set a date of 21 April 2014 at 3:30 PM for the Neighborhood Assistance Act Hearing.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to add agenda item “Discuss the Sound View Improvements Expansion of the Committee” to the agenda under New Business. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
f. Sound View Improvements Committee – Expansion of Committee
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that the Committee met last week where the idea of expanding the Committee was discussed. The Committee would like to add a couple of more members. Interested people may get an application on the Town Website.
6. Public Comment – NONE
7. Other Business
Selectwoman Nosal reported that the Senior Center has approved the garden project as proposed by a student from the High School.
The next Board of Selectmen's Meeting is scheduled for Monday, 21 April 2014 at 4:00 PM.
8. Executive Session – NONE
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 PM. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
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