TOWN OF OLD LYME
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING AGENDA WITH RECORD OF VOTES
The Board of Selectman held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 pm on May 1, 2017 in the Meeting Hall of the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. First Selectman Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal and Selectman Skip Sibley were present.
April 17, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes
Selectman Sibley requested the following changes:
Page 2,2nd paragraph to read:
It has been suggested by Ed Steward at the construction meeting that they install a dry well at the end of Hartford Ave.to capture the water ponding due to the grade of the road. Some of the water is coming from a private sump pump because the lawns are so saturated they cannot absorb the extra water.
Page 4, Under Other Business: Correct the spelling of John Pfeiffer
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Sibley, to approve the minutes of the April 17, 2017 meeting as amended. Motion passed.
- Communication: None
- Appointments: Melinda Kronfeld, Assessor, 2-year term ending Jan. 2019
First Selectman Reemsnyder reminded the BOS that Walter Kent retired and his last day was on April 21st. A committee made up of Chris Kerr, George Finley and First Selectman Reemsnyder completed interviews for the Town Assessor position and Melinda Kronfeld was chosen unanimously for the position. She gave an overview of her background, skills, abilities and experience which will be a benefit in this position. Melinda currently holds a CCMA I certification and will take the test in October for CCMA II. An offer has been extended to her, which she accepted, and if approved by BOS and BOF, she will begin on May 19, 2017. The BOS discussed other factors which will make her a good addition to the Town of OL Assessors office including; having a Real Estate background; being self-motivated; and having additional outside interests.
A motion was made by Selectman Sibley, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to appoint Melinda Kronfeld as Assessor, contingent upon approval of the BOF. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Selectman Sibley, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to move item 5 c. John Pfeiffer regarding SHPO Grant up on the agenda. Motion passed.
5 c. John Pfeiffer regarding SHPO Grant
First Selectman Reemsnyder invited John Pfeiffer up to discuss the SHPO grant with the BOS. He began by making sure the BOS was aware that the grant survey is focused on Historic buildings (standing structures) which includes houses, barns, etc. He does not believe the survey includes any ecological or subsurface areas. He also mentioned the list of surveyors are those who only survey standing structures. After reviewing the material received, it is clear as to how many buildings they need to have looked at. He asked if they are going to go with boundaries on either side of I-95 or are they going to go with a survey throughout the Town of Old Lyme. Clarifying the boundary limits will help to begin the planning process.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reminded everyone that the FRA bypass is what originally prompted this to help identify historic properties along the proposed track to add an additional layer of protection against the bypass. Mr. Pfeiffer suggested he can get a map and draw lines to get an approximate number of buildings to be looked at. He suggested they can be houses that are more than 40 years old, or residences of people who were important to the Town of OL, for instance. He can begin some of the preliminary work to determine the approximate number of buildings to be assessed. They discussed using a list from the Town Assessors office as a tool along with the Historical Society, The Florence Griswold and the Historical Commission. First Selectman Reemsnyder asked if there was a deadline to complete the survey and he
stated he didn’t believe there was a deadline. He will follow up with Mary Dunne at SHPO to see if the survey can include places where historical events have occurred and the date used by SHPO to meet their historical criteria. He also added that because it is federally funded it will be followed very closely by the administration and they want to make sure they have all their ducks in a row.
They went on to discuss other benefits to having the survey completed such as; identifying resources the Town has and for future planning on how to develop and involve the Town. They also discussed the process; waiting for the contract; having the Town Attorney review it before signing; and put together an RFP for SHPO approval. John will keep the BOS cc’d in all the correspondence he has while looking into the questions asked.
4. Old Business:
- Boathouse Hains Park Improvements
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she was copied on an email today from Paul Gianquinto to John Flower letting them know the following items have been completed- the auto closer for door 005 has been installed; permanent room signage is installed; the inverter for the exterior emergency egress lighting has been installed and operable; another flammable locker has been purchased to accommodate all of the launch tank containers; fire extinguishers and associated signage has been installed; a spill kit has been provided and is in the boathouse; the silt fence maintenance has been performed and the site contractor will be working this week and anticipates all site work to be completed by Friday with the exception of spreading the top soil and hydro seeding due to the weather.
She reminded everyone the ribbon cutting ceremony is on Saturday.
Selectman Sibley gave an update on the ceremony. He will catch up with her regarding the speakers, but everything else is set, tables, cake, etc. The OLHS is kicking off their row-a-thon that afternoon and would like First Selectman Reemsnyder and Selectwoman Nosal to join in on that. First Selectman Reemsnyder will reach out to The Day to see if they can cover the ceremony and Selectman Sibley will reach out to Olwen Logan to see if Lymeline will cover it as well.
- Final lease agreement between Town OL/Region 18 Boathouse
First Selectman Reemsnyder reviewed a couple of additional changes to the lease. #1 regarding the Dist. being responsible for additional services needed for events, including such things as port a potties, extra garbage pick-up if needed, and shuttle service if not enough parking. This initially said it was at the District’s sole discretion. First Selectman Reemsnyder recommended that verbage be added regarding reasonable requests by the town, and a section for mediation was added if the Town and District do not agree on the additional services needed. It was suggested that these services could possibly be outlined or included in the permit for special events, however this would not help with having
additional schools visit. #2 In the event something happens to the building and is destroyed and hasn’t been replaced within 12 months the Town can decide it does not want to rebuild, however this could leave the school district in a lurch. The District expressed concern over this section, so a section for mediation was added to this section as well to protect for the future.
Once she has received a response from everyone she will send it out to the Selectmen. She is hoping the final Certificate of Occupancy should be in place within the next two weeks.
- Rte. 156 Bikeway/Sound View Improvements
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported that work is moving along. They had a meeting last Monday with the Sound View Commission and a meeting today with the Sound View Improvements Committee. The contractors have been out there working, the bump outs are being installed and the sidewalks on the east side of the street are almost done to the pavilion parking lot. The bump outs that are finished look very nice and the ones that are not completed are the ones trees will be planted in.
First Selectman Reemsnyder acknowledged all of the hard work that Selectwoman Nosal has done on this project including being down there every day to keep an eye on what is going on and bringing back information that has been important in making decisions.
Selectwoman Nosal gave an update on some decisions and hiccups that have occurred along the way including; they are waiting to see if DOT will approve some milling and paving; WMC is working on getting a bid from the construction firm to work within the contingency so they can stay in budget; the drainage has been completed; they are having a hard time getting the trees they ordered so they are looking into a sub species; they are having a hard time finding the fluted base for the banner poles which have been approved by DOT and are looking for alternatives; they are also working on finding a date for the final walk through to assess anything left to be done; and replacing some, possibly all, of the concrete by the senior center.
- Administrative Order/WPCA Update
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the amendment #3 which includes the well evaluation for Hawks Nest Beach has begun. She met Ed Adanti on Center Beach Ave. to determine where an additional monitoring well could be placed (on town property) and they took some pictures. She also made flyers to inform people about the drilling being planned and distributed them to residents as well as posting this on the Town website to keep the residents informed. She also noted it was picked up by The Day newspaper.
- FY 2018 Budget Hearing update
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the budget hearing meeting took place on April 17th in the Meeting Hall of Town Hall. About 20-30 people attended. Andy Russell, the Chairman of the BOF, did an excellent job with his presentation. There were questions raised about the allocation for the Hains Park restrooms and why they were in the proposed budget and not at a separate Town Meeting. She recommends they have presentation ready for the town vote to address the questions and explain the partial to total rebuild. The selectmen discussed having information prepared for both the Hains Park restrooms and the Cross Lane playground at the town vote to give residents an understanding of why they were incorporated into the budget vs at a Town meeting. First Selectman Reemsnyder will touch base with the BOF chair to work out how to
schedule the presentations into the Town Meeting Presentation.
- Mile Creek Road Bridge over Black Hall River Meeting update
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the public information meeting held on April 18th went well. Approximately 10 people showed up and there were some great questions including will the river be closed for kayak traffic during this time. Public works is also doing some work to ensure the railings where the bridge and the road railings meet to make sure they are safe.
She reminded everyone the cost will be similar, approximately $550,000 - $600,000 and eligible for state local bridge funding if available. The work will likely be completed the summer of 2018 and budgeted FY 2019. They will probably have another public information meeting before the work begins.
5. New Business:
- Vote tomorrow for Reg.#18 budget
First Selectman Reemsnyder reminded everyone the vote for the District #18 Budget (referendum) is tomorrow from 6am – 8pm at the Cross Lane Firehouse.
- Town Meeting Agenda for May 15, 2017
First Selectman Reemsnyder reviewed the agenda for the Town Budget Vote on May 15th.
Agenda item#1 Approving the Budget
Agenda item #2 How the tax bills will be paid (July 1st & January 1st)
Immediately after the budget meeting (if budget approved) the BOF will meet to set the mill rate. Based on the budget right now the mill rate will go from 21.2 to 21.75.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Sibley, to approve the Town Meeting Agenda for the May 15th meeting. Motion passed.
- John Pfeiffer regarding SHPO Grant – moved up on the agenda
A motion was made by Selectman Sibley, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to add item d. Hearing for Neighborhood Assistance Act to the agenda. Motion passed.
- Scheduling a Hearing for Neighborhood Assistance Act
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported there are two organizations, The Florence Griswold Museum and the Lyme Art Association who have completed applications. The BOS scheduled a Public Hearing for May 15th at 3:30pm to review the applications.
A motion was made by Selectman Sibley, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to schedule a Neighborhood Assistance Public Hearing on May 15, 2017 at 3:30pm. Motion passed.
6. Public Comment: None
7. Other Business:
Selectwoman Nosal asked for an update on the no smoking policy. First Selectman Reemsnyder reported that notices have been sent out to all employees and it has been posted on news and announcements. Cathy Frank is looking into signage. First Selectman Reemsnyder will be meeting with Don Bugbee to discuss designated smoking areas in the parks. There is some reluctance to have designated smoking areas in the parks due to cigarette butts littering the area. Selectwoman Nosal noted she was at an event this past week-end at UConn and was very impressed with the smoking kiosks they have and sent a picture to First Selectman Reemsnyder.
Selectman Sibley asked for an update on the part-time police that are being hired for the summer. First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she has three conditional offers out to potential new officers, the one part time officer that they had has taken a full-time position elsewhere. The conditional offers include 1 full time and 2-part time, the polygraph tests are today and the background checks are in process. It is possible they may need to do another round of advertising as well as possibly offer a financial incentive for part time officers who return a second year.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she is working on scheduling a meeting to prepare for the summer.
Selectman Sibley noted there is a May meeting scheduled with Miami Beach to begin planning for summer. The BOS also discussed a recommendation made by the Sound View Commission Chair suggesting they get some publicity out ahead of time on the changes to Miami Beach charging for entrance. First Selectman Reemsnyder would like to give this some thought before deciding what to do.
Selectwoman Nosal noted there was a lot of seaweed up against the fence on Miami Beach. She sent a picture to First Selectman Reemsnyder who sent it onto Marci Balint from the former Office of Long Island Sound Programs (which doesn’t exist anymore), but she did hear back from Kevin Zawoy of CT DEEP. He came down last year and inspected the fence and he did not believe it is below the coastal jurisdiction line. The picture she sent did not change his mind.
8. Executive Session: None
9. Adjournment:
A motion was made by Selectman Sibley, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to adjourn at 8:57 pm. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Patti Broedlin
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