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Board of Selectmen Minutes 05/18/2015
Town of Old Lyme
Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting
May 18th, 2015

In attendance: First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal, Selectman Skip Sibley

  • Meeting called to order at 4:00 PM
  • Approval of Minutes:
  • Regular Meeting Minutes, April 20th, 2015
  • Discussion: Corrections were made to the 4/20/15 meeting minutes to change the following: Under item 4, section b, subsection i, where it reads “WPCA 2014-2015 budget and appropriated for its 2016-2017 budget”, it should be “fiscal year 2015-2016 budget” instead of “2016-2017 budget”. A second correction was made under item 4, section b, subsection ii, where it reads “First Selectwoman Reemsnyder that 55% of the costs would be reimbursed” to read instead, “First Selectwoman Reemsnyder said that 55% of eligible costs would be reimbursed”.
  • Motion to approve made by Selectman Sibley, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal. Motion passed unanimously.
  • Special Meeting Minutes, April 27th, 2015
  • Motion to approve made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Sibley. Motion passed unanimously
  • Communications: None
  • Appointments: Paul Orzel (U) – Sound View Commission, alt. 1 yr. term exp. Jan 2016
  • Motion to appoint Paul Orzel (U) to the Sound View Commission as an alternate member for a 1 yr. term to expire in Jan. 2016, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal
  • Discussion: Selectman Sibley asked if the Sound View Commission Chairman was aware of this appointment and approved of it. The First Selectwoman responded that the Chairman was notified and approved of the appointment.
  • Motion passed unanimously.
  • Old Business:
  • Boathouse/Hains Park improvements update
  • Committee met last Thursday (5/14/15). Selectman Sibley discussed what occurred at the meeting. There was a lot of discussion and energy from the committee members and the architect. The committee has decided to move forward with two possible options for the boathouse and park improvement. One option calls for keeping the existing boathouse foundation, not using the existing building, area of construction around the building only and having flex space for public facility. The other option is utilizing the existing building and foundation and centering construction around addition only and having flex space for public facility. The committee wants to move forward with cost estimates from the architect, moving forward with the project and collaborating with respective parties on the project. The committee may hold a special meeting to discuss the details.  
  • Rte. 156 Bikeway/Sound View improvements update
  • The Rte. 156 Bikeway/Sound View committee met since the last BOS meeting. Selectwoman Nosal provided an update. The committee met last on 04/28/15 and will have its next meeting on 5/19/15 at 4:30. Representatives from the committee, along with contractor VHB will meet with DEEP on 5/20/15 to discuss concerns DEEP has with the park improvements impact on water resources. The committee is debating whether or not to delay or cancel the 6/09/2015 public meeting until it meets with DEEP to discuss those concerns. Selectman Sibley stated that a new date should be set, which the First Selectwoman responded she would look in to.
  • Town Budget Meeting – tonight at 7:30 PM at Old Lyme MS Auditorium
  • Six items would be on call for tonight’s town meeting:
  • Establish a road improvement fund.
  • Establish a town building improvement fund.
  • Approve budget for 2015-2016 fiscal year.
  • Approve $37,500 for town emergency management account due to costs associated with blizzard this past winter, which are eligible for FEMA reimbursement.
  • Mill rate and taxes.
  • Approve $148,000 for WPCA wastewater management facilities plan and study, which are eligible for a 55% reimbursement through Clean Water Funds.
  • Septage Transfer Station
  • The First Selectwoman provided an updated to the BOS. The permit for the transfer station is under the Town of Old Lyme and the town does own some equipment there. The transfer station is currently being operated and run by Wind River Environmental, who acquired it from Shoreline Sanitation (which is now Old Lyme Sanitation). Current billing to the town is done by Wind River Environmental. The town currently provides a subsidy to encourage septic haulers to report pump outs in Old Lyme. The agreement the town has with the septic transfer station expires at the end of this year, and it is the opinion of the WPCA, First Selectwoman, and Sanitarian to not renew the agreement. The First Selectwoman felt that the goals of the agreement have been met, as majority of residents pump out their septic systems and septic haulers routinely report pump outs to the town. The First Selectwoman met with Mike Decosta from Wind River Environmental, previous Shoreline Sanitation owner Gary Yuknat and former WPCA Chairman Tom Risom about ending the agreement and possibly transferring ownership of the septic transfer station to Wind River Environmental. The First Selectwoman spoke with DEEP, who said that should Wind River Environmental take over management, proper permits would need to be completed through the agency. The First Selectwoman said she asked town counsel to notify Wind River Environmental that the town will end its lease on Dec. 31, 2015 and stop all payment of tipping fees by the end of this fiscal year.
  • Selectman Sibley agreed that the original intent of the subsidy to haulers has served its purpose and feels now is a good time to end the agreement. He also stated that it is still important to receive and report data on septic pump outs in town.
  • The First Selectwoman stated that the town has not been subsidizing waste at the transfer station from out of town and has been communicating with respective parties regarding out of town septage. She supported keeping up with reporting on septic pump outs and the importance of this data.
  • Selectwoman Nosal asked if it is an issue to end the tipping fee agreement at the end of the fiscal year. The First Selectwoman responded that she spoke with previous owner Gary Yuknat, who responded that it was ok to do so as the agreement was with Shoreline Sanitation and the agreement did not transfer to Wind River Environmental.
  • Selectman Sibley asked about the equipment the town owns at the septic transfer station. The First Selectwoman responded that the plan would be that Wind River Environmental would take over management and keep the equipment. The First Selectwoman said that the costs for the equipment or any payment for them are not significant. Selectman Sibley said he would like to discuss ending the septic transfer station more and have a clear exit process before making any decision.
  • Selectwoman Nosal asked if Wind River Environmental takes over full management, will there be more activity at the transfer station. The First Selectwoman responded that only three million gallons are allowed to be dumped per year at the site and activity would be limited to that number. Selectwoman Nosal asked if Wind River Environmental could expand the facility if it purchases it. The First Selectwoman said Wind River Environmental would have to discuss that with DEEP.   
  • Rogers Lake Weed Study information meeting update
  • The First Selectwoman reported that on 4/27/15, there was an informational meeting regarding the Rogers Lake Weed Study that included consultants New England Environmental. The meeting discussed at length the recommendation of using a targeted application of the herbicide flumioxazone in areas on Rogers Lake impacted by invasive weeds. The meeting also discussed other methods researched to deal with the invasive weeds including mechanical, biological and other chemical means. The First Selectwoman said that the consultants answered questions well from the public and took into consideration the concerns the town had regarding use of herbicides in the lake. A permit with DEEP will be required before any application of herbicide is conducted on the lake.
  • Selectwoman Nosal talked about the professionalism of the report and the presenters at the meeting and how important it is to educate the public. She said it was good to hear the lake is healthy overall.
  • Selectman Sibley discussed the formal response to the Rogers Lake Weed Study from the Conservation Commission and thought the weed study was very thorough. The First Selectwoman responded that the consultants have received the response from the Conservation Commission and are responding to it properly.
  • New Business:
  • Memorial Day: Weekend/Parade
  • Memorial Day Parade will be at 11 AM and start at the middle school and end at the cemetery, where there will be a ceremony. The First Selectwoman spoke with the State Police at Troop F in assisting the town during the Memorial Day Weekend.
  • Request from White Sands Beach Road repair
  • The First Selectwoman received a request from White Sands Beach (WSB) for funds to help with road improvements on WSB Road. The estimated cost according to WSB is $7,400. The First Selectwoman spoke with the Superintendent at Public Works about the road repair and got an estimate from Public Works for $5,900. The BOS discussed what the best route would be for the board to take. It was discussed that in the past, the BOS would work with the BOF and support 25-50% of requests from beach associations with small projects. There was also discussion of creating a process for future requests that may come from WSB or any other beach. The First Selectwoman and Selectman Sibley supported looking at the idea of working with the BOF and possibly contributing 25-50% of the project, should funds be available. Selectwoman Nosal wanted to discuss the WSB road repair more before making a decision or pursuing any option.
  • Outcome of Electricity Auction with World Energy
  • The town along with Regional District 18, the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library and the Town of Old Saybrook grouped together to get a cost-effective price on electricity. The current contract was with Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) for 9.9 cents/kilowatt hour. The contract expires in December and price would go to 12 cents/kilowatt hour. On May 6th, all parties went to auction and settled on a new 24 month contract with World Energy and CCM for 8.58 cents/kilowatt hour. The contract begins in July.  
  • Anti-blight discussions
  • The First Selectwoman has met with the Zoning Enforcement Officer, Building Official, Fire Marshal and Sanitarian to discuss blight and how each of their offices define it and deal with it. In the past, there was an anti-blight committee that tried to create an ordinance for blight. The Board agreed that it was important to work with the zoning, fire, health and building departments to create a definition of blight and how to best enforce anti-blight.
  • Update on state budget
  • The First Selectwoman provided an update on the current status of the state budget. She highlighted specific items being debated at the state that are important to the Town of Old Lyme. These items include state aid to municipalities, the resident trooper program, car taxes, workers compensation for firefighters and emergency services, prevailing wage for projects, legal notices for public announcements and minimum budget requirements for local education budgets.    
  • Public Comment: No public was present
  • Other Business:
  • Selectwoman Nosal asked about the fire dock at the end of Academy Lane. The First Selectwoman responded that a special permit application has been submitted to the Zoning Commission who will have a hearing on 06/08/2015, which will also include the dock contractor, Docko, Inc. Selectman Sibley stated that he spoke with the fire department about dry stand pipes for the Academy Lane area, which responded that the pipes would not work well there.
  • The First Selectwoman discussed the EV Charging Station at town hall. She said that Jan Daily, who was chair of the Old Lyme Solarize Project Committee, would come and speak about the EV charging station and best locations for it.
  • Selectwoman Nosal received a request from a resident who is managing the upcoming picnic for the Center School. They are working on a project there with the students to reduce trash and to promote recycling. At the picnic, they will give students a voucher for ice cream or other prize if they come with a water bottle designed with their name on it, to promote recycling and reuse. The resident managing the picnic asked if the town would help contribute to the vouchers, which would cost around $160.
  • Executive Session: No executive session occurred
  • Adjournment:
  • Motion to adjourn made by Selectman Sibley, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal. Motion passed unanimously
  • Meeting adjourned at 5:41 PM
Minutes submitted by:
Chris Seery