Old Lyme Board of Selectmen
Tuesday 17 February 2015
Regular Meeting
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 7:30PM on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 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 requested to have added “ Selectwoman Nosal asked that the WPCA take a careful look at what the liabilities are to the town to hook up to an old system” to the revisions of the 16 January 2015 Special Meeting minutes. Selectman Sibley made motion to approve minutes of 16 January 2015 with amendment. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley moved to approve the minutes of 6 February 2015 Special Meeting. Selectwoman Nosal seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
2. Communications
Carol Noyes-Winters (R) – Historic District, alternate member – 3yr. term exp. Jan. 2016. Selectman Sibley made motion and Selectwoman Nosal seconded. SO VOTED.
Selectman Sibley moved to add John MacDonald to the agenda under appointments, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal. SO VOTED
John MacDonald (R) Harbor Mgmnt, alternate member – 4yr. term exp. Jan 2019. Selectman Sibley moved, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal. SO VOTED
a. Boathouse/Hains Park Improvement Cte. Update –
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder attended the meeting of the BHPIC this past Thursday evening. A discussion regarding articulating the needs of the boathouse, regarding storage and other needs to be met. John Flower, Ex Officio, was in attendance and was able to give good feedback about the impact on the code of the planned use of the building. The Crew team customarily reviews their video after practice and this space is ideal for such, however it then possibly categorizes the building as education, not just storage. A lively discussion took place and further discussion will take place at the next meeting. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder also stated that a decision was made regarding the docks. A vendor has been selected and ordering and installation of docks will likely take place before the spring season begins.
Selectwoman Nosal commented that the boathouse is often discussed in regards to the benefit to the schools, but there are also many adults who use the boathouse and would also benefit from a couple of ERGs (rowing exercise machines) at the boathouse for their use.
b. Rte 156 Bikeway/Sound View Improvements Update
No meeting has been held since our last BOS meeting. Selectwoman Nosal stated that the minutes of the 6 February 2015 meeting incorrectly stated that the next meeting is March 16, but in fact, the next meetings will be March 2, 2015 at 4:30 pm and March 24, 2015 at 4:30 pm.
c. Solarize Lyme and Old Lyme Workshop Cancelled, rescheduled
Meeting has been rescheduled for February 26, 2015 at 6pm in the Meeting Hall.
d. Annual Town Meeting Cancelled, rescheduled for Feb 23, 7:30pm at Town Hall
Meeting has been rescheduled for February 26, 2015 at 7:30pm in the Meeting Hall. The call of the Town Meeting is the same.
e. Budget FY 2016 process
Currently in process, BOF has started their process. Selectwoman Nosal suggested it stay on the agenda. A new request was made by the Ambulance Association requesting $13,000 for OSHA required safety uniforms for the six paid staff that currently are without said uniform. Since safety is a primary concern, the BOF approved that night for the Ambulance Assoc, to purchase right away, so as not to have to wait until the next fiscal year.
- New Business:
- WPCA – update on follow up with DEEP
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder spoke with Denise Ruzicka from CT DEEP. Before discussing that conversation she gave a brief overview of where we began 2 ½ years ago when two beach associations had separate vendors do a study on pollution in their associations. Both studies stated that pollution existed. Another study was conducted by Lombardo Associates, Inc. (LAI), which stated that pollution existed in the general area. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder noted that there was consensus between the Selectmen and members of the Board of Finance about forming the Task Force to review the LAI report and determine if a study should be done. Woodard and Curran (W&C) was chosen as the firm to do a study after the proper process was followed. Funds for the study were approved at a Town Meeting, based on the Scope of Work submitted
by W&C, and approved by DEEP. W&C completed the study and submitted a report in Dec. of 2013. In April, 2014, the CT DEEP responded with 3 comments, one of which would be very costly to continue on the Community System. The WPCA (members of Task Force were appointed as WPCA members) voted in May, 2014 to continue with the study but focus on connecting to the New London Wastewater Treatment Facility. The WPCA discussed proceeding and realized that a Town Meeting would be needed to approve a bond, which would include all the costs of the planning as well. They began working towards this goal hoping for an August or September Town Meeting, and then settling on an October, 2014 target date. There were some funds in the FY 2015 WPCA budget to cover the initial costs of W&C. In working on the details of the plan, and in an effort to determine the amount of the bond for the Town Meeting, W&C continued to respond to comments by CT DEEP, ultimately 33 comments in all, which
is highly unusual, including a lot-by-lot analysis. The decision by CT DEEP to remove White Sand Beach from the service area caused the Town Meeting to be delayed yet again. Further work was needed to develop the costs and Scope of Work by W&C. The chairman of WPCA requested an accounting of the work done to respond to CT DEEP, and those costs came in as invoices, though W&C understands that there is no contract for the work done. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder updated the Selectmen on her conversation with Denise Ruzicka of CT DEEP Wastewater section. Ms. Ruzicka stated that the CT DEEP still maintains that there is pollution in Sound View and Hawks Nest area, that the pause was a good thing as the project was moving along very quickly, and that the agreements with East Lyme and New London needed to be pursued by CT DEEP before the project could move to a Town Meeting. In addition, she stated that the CT DEEP does have two options at this point. The have the
authority to order the Town of Old Lyme to complete and submit the plan, and they have the authority to order the Town to implement the plan submitted. While it is not likely to happen right away, it is likely to happen should the town try to totally withdraw the plan. Reemsnyder feels that these expenses should not be part of the WPCA requested budget for FY 2016, but rather should all be part of a Town Meeting requesting the ability to bond the project.
A letter from David Prickett was read by First Selectwoman Reemsnyder, summarizing the process and timeline to date, as well as anticipated costs for the initial planning to get to a Town Meeting, which ultimately would exceed $250,000 due to the requests from CT DEEP. Denise Ruzicka also encouraged the Town to submit an application for Clean Water Funds for reimbursement of 55% of these costs.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder recommends that all of these additional costs should be approved at a Town Meeting that would allow the WPCA to bond the entire project through the Clean Water Funds, with the cost borne by the users of the service. She will share this information and recommendation with the Board of Finance.
Selectwoman Nosal thanked First Selectwoman Reemsnyder for the update and expressed appreciation for the documentation. She would still like an accounting of work that has been done. Selectman Sibley expressed concern about the costs of the project not being shared earlier, he was concerned that the initial additional cost should have gone to a Town Meeting. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder pointed out that all of these additional costs were anticipated to be at one Town Meeting, rather than repeated Town Meetings asking for additional money each time. Selectwoman Nosal suggested that it may be time to have an additional Information session for the public.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked for a motion to add an item “Resolution to apply for an RPIP grant (Regional Performance Incentive Program)”. Selectwoman Nosal made a motion to add the item. Selectman Sibley seconded. SO VOTED.
- RPIP – Resolution for Nutmeg Network Grant application
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder explained that the RPIP grant would be in the amount of $15,700 which would cover the cost to install the Nutmeg Network System. Currently, this system is would be more expensive than Comcast. Securing the grant does not necessarily mean we would install, however if and when the price comes down and the town feels the need, we will have secured the funds with no cost to the town. The RSD Schools are currently hooked up to this system, and the Fire Dept is looking at hooking up.
A resolution from the BOS is necessary before applying for the grant. Selectwoman Nosal asked if we could table this so that she can review.
6. Public Comment: None
7. Other Business: Selectwoman Nosal asked if there were any other applicants to be looked at for the Solid Waste committee. There were none at this time.
The next Board of Selectmen's Meeting is scheduled for 2 March 2015, 7:30pm
8. Executive Session – NONE
9. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn made by Selectman Sibley at 9:11pm, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, SO VOTED
Respectfully submitted,
~
Julie Campbell
Recording Secretary
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