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Town of Old Lyme
Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting, April 20th, 2015
In attendance: First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal, Selectman Skip Sibley
Board of Selectmen meeting was called to order at 4:00pm.
- Meeting minutes from 3/02/2015
- Motion to approve made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectmen Sibley. Motion passed unanimously.
- Meeting minutes from 4/06/2015
- Motion to approve made by Selectmen Sibley, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal. Motioned passed unanimously.
- Proclamation- First Responders Appreciation Day (attached)
- First Selectwoman Reemsnyder read Proclamation marking April 20th as First Responders Appreciation Day to recognize the hard work and service Old Lyme’s emergency service personnel provide. The Proclamation was in response to actions by Old Lyme Police Officers Martine Lane and William Zipadelli and ambulance personnel Barbara Rozanski and James Jake administering emergency first aid and CPR to an Old Lyme resident, bringing them “back to life”.
- Motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal and seconded by Selectmen Sibley to appoint Mike Moran (R), an Alternate of the Inland Wetlands Commission, to be a regular member for a 3 yr. term to Jan. 2018.
- Motion passed unanimously
- Rte. 156 Bikeway/Sound View Improvements Update
- Since the last BOS meeting, there was a Rte. 156 Bikeway/Sound View improvement meeting. Selectwoman Nosal discussed what has occurred, which includes discussion of the scope of work, data collection and parking issues. The consultants for the improvement committee met with CT DOT to discuss conducting a parking study, which the DOT recommended against. The result was that no parking study will occur. Selectwoman Nosal discussed that the next improvement meeting will discuss the parking situation and inviting business interests to attend. Next meeting with be on April 28th.
- Review of WPCA study costs for referral to town meeting
- First Selectwoman Reemsnyder outlined and discussed the costs of the wastewater management facilities plan study. Originally, the town approved $185,000 for Woodard & Curran to conduct a study. Amendment #1, which is $78,000, was the result of the study plan going from a community system to the current regional plan. Amendment #2, which is $80,000, was the result of additional requests and compliance from the Dept. of Energy and Env. Protection (DEEP). There is also another $50,000 for other processes the town has to go through with the facilities plan, including the CEPA process. The total amount for both amendments and other processes resulted in additional costs of $208,000. Reemsnyder explained that some of this has already been paid in the WPCA 2014-2015 budget and appropriated for its 2016-2017 budget,
resulting in $148,000 that needs to be approved. Reemsnyder said this $148,000 will be on the call for the May 18th public budget meeting.
- Selectman Sibley asked about reimbursement of the study costs through the Clean Water Funds (CWF). First Selectwoman Reemsnyder that 55% of the costs would be reimbursed but the whole amount has to be approved and appropriated. Selectmen Sibley asked if legal costs associated with the study are reimbursed by CWF, which Reemsnyder responded that they are not. Selectmen Sibley stressed that when they present the $148,000 and WPCA study costs at the public budget meeting, to be clear and concise that 55% will be reimbursed and the actual expenditure by the town will be less than what is being asked for approval.
- Selectwoman Nosal reiterated that the amendments were the result of changes in the facilities plan and additional costs and supported Selectman Sibley on being precise when presenting the $148,000 request at the public budget meeting.
- Resolution authorizing signing of Historic Documents Preservation Grant
- Motion made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectmen Sibley.
- Read by Selectwoman Nosal. RESOLVED: That Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, First Selectwoman of the Town of Old Lyme, is empowered to execute and deliver in the name and on behalf of this municipality a contract with the Connecticut State Library for a Historic Documents Preservation Grant.
- Motion passed unanimously
- Town Budget Meeting- May 18th, 2015 call
- First Selectwoman Reemsnyder outlined the items that will be called at the May 18th meeting. These include the adoption of the 2016 budget, appropriation of $25,000 for the emergency management account due to blizzard costs which are eligible for 75% reimbursement from FEMA, adoption of a road improvement fund, adoption of a town building improvement fund and appropriation of $148,000 for the WPCA wastewater management project study, which is eligible for 55% reimbursement from CWF.
- Selectwoman Nosal expressed support for the road and town building improvement funds and asked if sidewalks would be included in the road improvement fund. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder responded that sidewalks would still fall under capital expenditures.
- Selectmen Sibley spoke in support of the improvement funds and discussed how these types of funds were helpful in financing the town landfill. He asked about restrictions to these funds. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder responded that restrictions would be put in place to make sure that these funds would be used for the proposed intentions.
- From First Selectwoman Reemsnyder. The Solarize Old Lyme project will be ending on Friday 4/24/15 but residents can still take advantage of the program. Since the project has started, Old Lyme has gone from 88 credits to 288. For every 100 credits, a town is eligible for either a $5,000 grant for energy efficiency or an electric car charging station. The Solarize committee has recommended building an electric charge station at town hall. The cost and installation would be covered but the town would be responsible for the electricity.
- Selectwoman Nosal said this was a great opportunity and that the new Old Saybrook shopping center has installed electric charging stations and thinks this could help reduce carbon footprints.
- Selectman Sibley asked if town hall was the best location for the charging station and asked if individuals would be charged to use the station. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder said the charging station would be free to use and the town would pay for the electricity.
- The board discussed other locations in town that could benefit from charging stations and agreed to discuss electric charging stations at the next meeting
- Halls Road Improvement Committee appointments
- First Selectwoman Reemsnyder has sent applications to the other selectmen for review
- The goal of this committee would be to look at making Halls Road more attractive, pedestrian & bike friendly and making the road more consistent.
- There was a business breakfast that discussed streetscapes.
- Members discussed process of selecting committee members, who should be on the committee, what agencies and business interests should be included, what is the aim of improving Halls Road and input from other town boards and commissions
- Rogers Lake Weed Study report- information meeting scheduled
- Rogers Lake Weed Committee received report, prepared by New England Environmental and a limnologist. The report included plant surveys, herbicide impacts on human health, domestic wells on the lake, wildlife impact evaluation, water quality and dealing with invasive weeds.
- Study reported that Rogers Lake is healthy, which all members agreed was positive news.
- Report provided solutions to deal with invasive weeks, which included: physical means (hydro-raking, dredging), biological management, chemical options (herbicides).
- Report recommended using the herbicide Flumioxacin.
- Town will have an informational meeting on Monday April 27th, 2015 at 7:30pm in the middle school auditorium by the report’s authors and Rogers Lake Weed Committee to discuss the report in depth.
- The town has received fire dock permit from DEEP
- Members discussed firefighting services in the village area and next step with contracted firm Docko, Inc.
- Norman Angus- 15 Academy Lane
- Mr. Angus discussed issues he had with the repair of the Academy Lane fire dock. He discussed concerns he had regarding use of the dock during the winter when the Lieutenant River is frozen, traffic problems, privacy and safety of residents in the neighborhood. Mr. Angus believed that the town should have pursued alternative solutions, such as dry hydrants and believes this fire dock will not benefit residents.
- Mary Pullen, 6 Lieutenant River Lane
- Expressed concerns regarding parking on Academy Lane and agreed with the previous public comment. She expressed concerns of people using the fire dock for fishing and other recreational purposes and was concerned that the repair of the fire dock could impact the safety and privacy of residents who live in the area.
- Milton Allen, 12 Lieutenant River Lane
- Expressed concerns he had with the fire dock and the status of narrow roads in the neighborhood. Mr. Allen expressed parking concerns, safety of pedestrians and residents on Academy Lane and preserving privacy. He hopes that the town takes residents concerns into consideration with moving forward with the fire dock plan.
- Tom Schellens, 1 Academy Lane
- Mr. Schellens discussed the history of the fire dock and the disrepair it has fallen into. He supports having fire service and utilizing the Lieutenant River in the event of a fire but feels this repair is the wrong solution. He supports alternative solutions rather than repairing the dock.
- Diane Mallory, corner of Lyme Street & Academy Lane
- Discussed parking and preserving the beauty of the estuary and asked the town to look into alternative solutions for providing fire service.
- Selectmen’s response to Public Comment
- First Selectwoman Reemsnyder thanked the public for their comments and responded by saying there is no intention of the fire dock being used for recreational purposes. She discussed some cost issues with alternative solutions and will bring comments presented by the public to respective parties working on the fire dock.
- Selectmen Sibley thanked the public for their comments and will look at the permit to see what details are in it. He expressed support for repairing the end of Academy Lane and wants this project to be a service to the fire department and not for recreation.
- Selectwoman Nosal thanked the public for their comments and will review the permit and reiterated that this project is for public safety.
- Other Business- None
- Executive Session- No executive session occurred
- Adjournment
- Motion made by Selectmen Sibley, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 5:50pm
Submitted by:
Chris Seery
PROCLAMATION
First Responders Appreciation Day
WHEREAS, the Town of Old Lyme Police Department, the Old Lyme Volunteer Fire Department, the Old Lyme Volunteer Ambulance Association, and other public safety organizations are dedicated to the protection of life and property in Old Lyme and the surrounding community; and,
WHEREAS, these First Responders undergo significant education and training in order to achieve the expertise required to respond to any type of emergency situation; and,
WHEREAS, courage, concern for others, and the duty to protect and serve are among the values that define these First Responders; and,
WHEREAS, First Responders provide a vital public service 24 hours a day, seven days per week and 52 weeks each year; and,
WHEREAS, on April 9, 2015, Old Lyme Police Officers Martin Lane and William Zipadelli did administer emergency first aid and CPR to an Old Lyme resident, bringing the resident “back to life,” and ambulance personnel Barbara Rozanski and James Jake provided vital medical attention to the individual;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Selectmen of The Town of Old Lyme hereby proclaims April 20, 2015 as First Responders Appreciation Day, and encourages all residents, businesses and organizations in the Town of Old Lyme to recognize, honor, and support all First Responders who serve in our community.
Board of Selectmen Town of Old Lyme
____________________ ________________ __________________
Bonnie A. Reemsnyder Mary Jo Nosal Arthur E. Sibley, Jr.
First Selectwoman Selectwoman Selectman
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