Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Tuesday, 6 October 2014
Special Meeting
The Board of Selectmen held a Special Meeting at 3:30 PM on 6 October 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
Special Meeting 16 September 2014
Selectman Sibley moved to approve the minutes of Special Meeting 16 September 2014. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. Selectwoman Nosal requested that a change be made under New Business c, paragraph 3. The sentence should read: “She agreed that the cost of the basketball court maintenance could be part of the Park and Recreation budget.” SO VOTED.
2. Communications – NONE
3. Appointments
Jeffrey Cooley (D) – Historic Dist. Commission, alternate – 3 yr. term expiring Jan. 2016
Selectman Sibley moved to appoint Jeffrey Cooley to the Historic District Commission as an Alternate for a 3-year term expiring January 2016. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley moved to move Agenda Item New Business a to this point in the Agenda. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
5. New Business
a. Presentation by Officer Lane on Youth Program / Training
The Selectmen congratulated Officer Lane for receiving a certificate of appreciation from the MADD organization in June in recognition of his commitment to eliminate drunk driving.
Officer Lane spoke about the Youth and Police Program. This year 15 youths are involved in the Town Program with this being the fourth year in existence. He discussed his involvement in the program which includes training other police departments and the travel required both in state and out of state to do said training. His travel would not interfere with his duties as a member of the Old Lyme Police Force. There was a discussion.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to approve Officer Lane’s travel in conjunction with working with First Selectwoman Reemsnyder and for the effective interaction between the youth programs. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
4. Old Business
a. Special Town Meeting – 6 October, 7:30 PM, MS Auditorium for Allocation of $405,000 for Boathouse Project
There is a Special Town Meeting tonight at 7:30 PM. The call of the meeting is to allocate a sum not to exceed $405,000 for the Boathouse Project. A presentation will be given before the vote takes place.
b. Route 156 Bikeway / Sound View Improvements Committee
There will be an information session on 22 October to introduce the new design for Hartford Avenue and the Park. Selectwoman Nosal reported that there will be a Committee meeting on 7 October to prepare for the informational meeting on 22 October. To date, feedback has been very positive.
c. Recycling Incentive Committee – Update
Selectwoman Nosal reported that the Committee met again, and they are proposing that a standing Committee be formed and supported by the Selectmen with the charge of looking at recycling and trash programs including education. They will request funds for their budget in the amount of $15,000 from the Board of Finance. The Board of Selectmen would need to recommend this to the Board of Finance and this will be discussed at the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting. To date, the Town has not heard from the DEEP on the status of their grant application. Selectman Sibley suggested incorporating the Town’s Solid Waste Ordinance into the newly formed Committee’s charge. There was a consensus that the Selectmen support looking into the formation of a standing Committee, Board or Commission.
d. Solarize CT – Old Lyme
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that Solarize CT is a program supported by the State. The Town was accepted into this program and more information will follow as the Town receives it. A Committee will be formed in the future.
5. New Business
a. Presentation by Officer Lane on Youth Program / Training
This item was moved in the Agenda.
b. Public Information Sessions on Sewers
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder reported that there had been a couple of information sessions on the sewers over the past few weeks. There is clearly lots of interest from residents with many great questions being asked. Residents are encouraged to keep asking questions and come to the information sessions.
c. New Everbridge System for Old Lyme
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder explained the Everbridge System which is a reverse 911. Registered people will get a notification about emergencies. There is an Everbridge program available that the Town can subscribe to for a cost. This would allow for Town announcements such as urgent messages, storm information, closings, delayed openings, cancellations, etc. Residents will be encouraged to sign up for these local alerts. More information will follow.
d. Business Breakfast Scheduled – 16 October
There will be a Business Breakfast on 16 October at 7:30 AM at the Shoreline Community Center on Hartford Avenue. Candidates that are running for State Offices in our district have been invited to attend.
6. Public Comment
Todd Machnik, a resident of Old Lyme and owner of Machnik Construction, expressed his concerns of the Town getting into the business of municipal sewers through a statement that he read to the Selectmen.
Harold Thompson, a resident of Old Lyme, and Chairman of the Planning Commission also expressed his concerns over the sewer project.
Mervin Roberts, a resident of Old Lyme, also expressed his concerns about installing sewers, after years of serving on the Board of Selectmen as well as the WPCA, and being very familiar with wastewater issues.
Gary Yuknat, a resident of Old Lyme and former owner of Shoreline Sanitation, expressed his concerns over the proposed sewer project. He feels it is about land use and the rights of people to use their property and if they have to go to sewers that is the homeowner’s responsibility. He stated that there is no pollution and that has been proven, and if any of the private beaches need sewage, they should have them built at their cost. Beaches such as White Sand and Hawks Nest do not need public sewage. Taxpayers who do not need public sewage should not have to pay for those who do.
The Selectmen requested that Mr. Machnik, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Roberts and Mr. Yuknat email them their statements that they made tonight. The statements received will be included with the minutes of the meeting. (Click on the above highlighted names to read the letters).
7. Other Business
Selectwoman Nosal reported that she had attended a session put on by CIRMA with David Roberge regarding liability coverage for volunteers who work with the Town during emergencies. We have liability coverage for volunteers under our policy with CIRMA, but we are not covered for workman's comp. CIRMA advises the town to have job descriptions for volunteers. This does not refer to volunteer firefighters or emergency personnel, as they are covered under Town insurance.
Selectman Sibley acknowledged the 17 Girl Scouts who received the Bronze Star Award for planting grasses along the beach area at Hammonasset State Park. They did fundraising as part of their project. The Selectmen thanked them for their service.
Selectman Sibley acknowledged that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and encouraged regular exams by all individuals for prevention.
The next Board of Selectmen's Meeting is scheduled for Monday, 20 October 2014 at 7:30 PM.
8. Executive Session – NONE
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:51 PM. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
~
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
| 
