Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Thursday, December 4, 2014
SPECIAL Meeting
The Board of Selectmen held a Special Meeting on 4 December 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 3 November 2014
The minutes were edited by Mary Jo Nosal to reflect more detail. Selectman Sibley moved to approve the minutes of Regular Meeting 3 November 2014 as submitted with amendments. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Regular Meeting 17 November 2014
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that under Communications from the Parks and Recreation Commission on the second page it states, “Several members of the Parks and Rec have a proven track record of successfully completing Town funded, as well as State funded, Master Plans and construction projects.” She requested that text be added at the beginning of the sentence, “The Recommendation further stated that.”
On page 3 under Old Business a. Boathouse / Hains Park Improvements “is so she anticipates” should be changed to “if so she anticipates”.
Selectman Sibley would like included under Public Comment the figures that Bob Pierson quoted in regards to the funding requests that the Senior Center made in the last fiscal year. These included $14,300 for carpet, which was approved over two years, $5,000 for furniture, which was at first spread out over three years, but finally approved in one year, and $21,352 for renovation of the screened porch, which was not approved.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to approve the minutes of Regular Meeting 17 November 2014 with the aforementioned edits. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications – NONE
3. Appointments – NONE
4. Old Business
a. BHPIC Update and Additional Committee Members
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read the recommendation from Parks and Recreation emailed by Bob Dunn, Chairman of Parks and Rec. The Commission is asking that three members be added to the BHPIC; Chairman Bob Dunn, Vice-Chair John Flower and Director Don Bugbee. At the last meeting the Selectmen spoke about their concern of having John Flower appointed as he is the building official and Don Bugbee because he is already very busy with his present duties as Parks and Rec Director. Bob Dunn had included a list of all the things these individuals could contribute. He stated that these three members could bring project specific expertise and listed them. The recommendation further stated that three rowing experts (ideally from the prior BHPIC), representing both District 18 Athletics and the OLRA,
to provide critical rowing expertise / input and context for prior BHPIC recommendations, one Old Lyme Board of Finance member to facilitate communication with the Board of Finance and to provide Town oversight of project finances be added to the Committee.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder does feel that adding some members to the Committee is a good idea. At the last Committee meeting, it was discussed to add John Rhodes, Facilities Director of District #18 and John is willing to be an ex-officio member. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder feels that the present Committee members provide some of the points that were made and this is why they were asked to serve. Discussions will continue with the Building Official. It is a good idea to have Parks and Rec's input in the project including the Master Plan. Rogers Lake West Shores Association and Rogers Lake Authority and Conservation Commission should be reached out to also. A total reconstitution is not needed.
Selectwoman Nosal had reviewed the charge of the Committee and feels it adequately reflects the mission and should not be modified. Outside legal advice is worthy regarding the bid documents and does not feel the Committee should be reconstituted. She felt that the members of the Committee deserve a lot of respect and that many of these people have not been on a such a Committee before and their passion shows for the project. People who have expertise should come to the meetings and be part of the process.
Selectman Sibley is pleased that Parks and Rec Commission is taking such an interest in this project. The Park has needed attention for a long time. He agreed with not reconstituting the Committee. The State has accepted the changes with regard to the STEAP Grant. The Committee is tweaking the plans at this time. He supports adding Bob Dunn to the Committee and if Don Bugbee can find time he supports that also. Perhaps John Flower could be an ex-officio member or considered as Clerk of the Works but this would be checked with legal counsel as far as a conflict. He would consider adding a member of the Board of Finance. The Committee is tentatively scheduled to meet on December 11 and it would be nice to have these members appointed.
Selectman Sibley moved to appoint Bob Dunn as a full member of the BHPI Committee and First Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. Selectwoman Nosal stated that she will not vote on this as she is not comfortable where there is no application submitted and voted no. SO VOTED – motion passed.
Selectman Sibley moved to appoint John Flower and John Rhodes as ex-officio members of the BHPI Committee and First Selectwoman Reemsnyder seconded the motion. Selectwoman Nosal voted no. SO VOTED – motion passed.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder will speak to Don Bugbee regarding his time constraints and also to the Board of Finance. She will let them know that there is a tentative date for a Committee meeting next Thursday.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder mentioned that $405,000 that was approved for the plan which was submitted at the Town Meeting. The spending of this money will be closely watched by the Selectmen and a volunteer will be asked from the Board of Finance to oversee this also.
Selectwoman Nosal stated that she had a discussion with John Flower a week ago regarding the basketball court proposed location change due to the trees on the property. John will bring this up to the Parks and Rec Commission this week.
b. Solarize Old Lyme Kickoff Meeting Tonight
The Solarize Old Lyme Kickoff Meeting is tonight at Town Hall. It is hoped that residents will attend and people will have until the beginning of April to sign contracts. So far 40 people have expressed interest by signing up on the website.
5. New Business
a. Resolution of Endorsement for River COG RPI Program Proposal
The Town belongs to the CT River COG which is the regional planning agency for the 17 towns within this COG. They are putting together a Regional Percentage Incentive Program and they have proposed in the Grant Request a Tourism and Marketing Plan which will increase tourism in the region. This is a proposal for $638,000 which is no cost to the Town. The Town will give in kind services in the range of about $2,000 as required, and this will be considered the match. In order to apply for the Grant, each Town, who will want to be a part of the study, needs to pass a resolution of endorsement and authorization. The resolution was read by First Selectwoman Reemsnyder.
Selectwoman Nosal moved to approve the Resolution of Endorsement and Authorization for the River COG RPI Program. Selectman Sibley seconded the motion. Selectwoman Nosal asked that this be shared with Inland Wetlands, Open Space, Conservation, Zoning and the Economic Conservation Commission. SO VOTED.
6. Public Comment
Nancy Hutchinson asked if her request of changes to the minutes of BOS meeting of 3 November 2014 would be reflected in the edits. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that they were according to what was said at the meeting and would be posted by tomorrow.
Bob Dunn, Chairman of the Parks and Rec Commission thanked the Selectmen for going over the recommendation from the Parks and Rec. He clarified that this recommendation was from the entire Commission and not just him. He asked for clarification that Don Bugbee would be asked if he had time in his schedule to serve on the BHPI Committee, and if he did, would be confirmed. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder confirmed this. Mr. Dunn also asked if First Selectwoman Reemsnyder would speak to Andy Russell, Chairman of the Board of Finance, to consider putting a member of the Board of Finance on the BHPI Committee. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder confirmed that she will have a discussion with Mr. Russell.
Mr. Dunn added that an item was not discussed that he hoped would have been. This is that the Parks and Rec Commission would like to review any agreements made between Regional District #18 and the Town before said documents are made official. Also that legal counsel would review these documents. He requested that the Selectmen put in writing to the Parks and Rec commission what was decided tonight.
7. Other Business
The next Board of Selectmen's Meeting is scheduled for Monday, 15 December 2014 at 7:30 PM.
8. Executive Session – NONE
9. Adjournment
Selectman Sibley moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:28 PM. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
~
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Recording Secretary
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