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TOWN OF OLD LYME
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
The Board of Selectman held a Special Meeting at 4:00 pm on March 13, 2017 in the Meeting Hall of the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. First Selectman Bonnie Reemsnyder and Selectman Skip Sibley were present. Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal was present by speaker phone.
- Authorizing Resolution for FFY 2016 Homeland Security Grant Program/Motion:
First Selectman Reemsnyder explained that in order to apply for the Homeland Security Grant the board needs to approve a resolution authorizing the First Selectman to sign the application. First Selectman Reemsnyder read the resolution and then explained that the funds go to the entire Regional Emergency Planning Team in Region 4. The grant, which is over $317,000, is used to provide equipment and services for all towns in the region, and each town must pass this resolution before signing the application
A motion was made by Selectman Sibley, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to approve the resolution as read. Motion passed.
2. Miami Beach Clean Beach Process Discussion:
First Selectman Reemsnyder explained that the special meeting was scheduled to allow the officers of Miami Beach to update the Selectmen on their plans for the summer. Mark Mongillo, Miami Beach President, and Mark Girard, VP of Miami Beach, were invited up to speak to the Selectmen. Mark explained that the purpose of the Clean Beach pass is to provide a safe, clean and enjoyable beach for all who visit. He provided a document that described the Clean Beach Pass Program, effective May 15, 2017, which is attached to the minutes. A fee of $10 per adult, and $5 per child 10-17 yrs. of age will be charged at the gate between Sound View Beach and Miami Beach (children under 10 are free). The Lot b-11 entrance would be for only residents with seasonal passes – either from Miami Beach, Sound View Beach Association or Town of Old Lyme. First
Selectwoman Reemsnyder expressed her concern with all paying customers coming in through Sound View Beach, which she previously requested would not happen. There was discussion about the possibility of having paying customers come in through Lot b-11, but they Miami Beach officers rejected that idea, as they felt that they had to consider the residents around Lot b-11. There was discussion about how this will work when there are large crowds trying to get on the beach. The officers shared their plans for the security on the beach, and handling non-compliant customers (those who are on the beach without paid wrist-bands). Instructions will be given to security to call 911 if a patron adamantly refuses to leave the beach. There was also discussion about the trash on the beach, and Miami Beach plan to issue a 13-gallon trash bag to each patron, in hopes that they will take the bag with them when they leave the beach. There was concern about garbage receptacles being filled and/or bags
being left in the parking lots.
Fire Marshal Dave Roberge had some comments on the beach access to Miami Beach, and the number of patrons that could fit on both Sound View Beach (approx. 460 people based on 15 sf per person) and Miami Beach. There were also comments about emergency access at each entrance/exit. Since Miami Beach would be charging for entrance, the beach becomes a venue, just like a business place. Mark Mongillo and Mike Girard agreed to get additional information to the Fire Marshal. Frank Pappalardo, chairman of Sound View Commission and member of Sound View Beach Association, thanked the Miami Beach Association officers for bringing Sound View Beach Association into the process, and requested that a review of the process be conducted soon after busy, hot days and holidays, such as July 4th so that any issues can be addressed promptly. He
also expressed hope that if behavior down at these two beaches is corrected the fence could be removed. There was further discussion about crowd control and the ability to control overcrowding on a beach with wide access to the beach.
The Selectmen thanked the Miami Beach Association officers for following up on their commitment to keep them updated on the plans for this first summer.
3. Adjournment:
A motion was made by Selectman Sibley, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to adjourn at 5:47 pm. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Bonnie Reemsnyder
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