TOWN OF OLD LYME
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 pm on June 19, 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.
June 5, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes
Selectman Sibley requested the following changes:
The Board of Selectmen – when using plural
Page 4, item 7 last sentence to read: The last she heard from Commissioner Redeker was that the ROD (Record of Decision) was not expected to include the bypass, but they were struggling with the wording.
Selectwoman Nosal requested the following changes:
Page 1, 4b. She is also keeping a punch list, which includes hydro seed, drainage, the bike racks need to be re-installed and there is a loose post that needs to be fixed on Gail’s green.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Sibley, to approve the minutes of the June 5, 2017 meeting with corrections. Motion passed.
- Communication: None
- Appointments:
Harvey Gemme, (U) Zoning Commission, alternate, 1 yr. term ending Jan. 2018
A motion was made by Selectman Sibley, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to Harvey Gemme to the Zoning Commission as an alternate for a 1 year terming ending Jan. 2018. Motion passed.
4. Old Business:
- Boathouse Hains Park Improvements / Dedication Update
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the boathouse is completed and the landscaping is being completed - it has been seeded and she has been in contact with the Chair of the committee and the contractor to make sure they have made arrangements for the seed to be watered. She spoke with the building official today and he said he is only waiting for one section of tile to be installed on the walkway in the back of the building and expects to issue the CO once that is completed. Once they receive the CO they can sign the lease (within 30 days). They also have the right to review the lease between Region 18 and the OL Rowing Association before it is signed.
First Selectman Reemsnyder gave a copy of the agreement for Reg. 18 and the OLRA to the Selectmen for their review. She noted they are working out a few issues including; parking permits for out of town visitors, locking up, and she also pointed out they will be signing a one year agreement so that it can be adjusted if needed after the one year. She asked the Selectmen to review the agreement and send her any comments they have.
First Selectman Reemsnyder shared she has received a lot of positive comments on the new boathouse from visitors and community members.
First Selectman Reemsnyder also reported they began discussing updating of the bathroom building and $150,000 was approved in the FY 2018 budget for this project. The committee met last Thursday night and began discussions but there was not a quorum to hold a meeting. The BOS discussed the size of the new committee and who should be on it. The BOS agree a committee of 5 or 6 members is appropriate for the size of the project and discussed who should be on the committee. Possible members should include; Chair of the committee and Parks & Rec. First Selectman Reemsnyder stated they should begin by putting together a plan for the building and a budget (listing expenses). Selectman Sibley noted that the fundraising committee has received another $10,000 in donations which brings that up to over $100,000 for improvements as
well.
- Rte. 156 Bikeway/Sound View Improvements
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the PAT (pavement assessment team) sent by the CT DOT agreed with the Superintendent of Public Works findings on the sub-standard paving quality of Hartford Ave. A letter was sent to B&W paving asking how they were going to resolve the issues. They will be meeting tomorrow morning to review the issues and proposed resolution and they expect to receive full restitution. Ed Adanti also suggested the cross walks be painted in water soluble paint for the summer. They are hoping to have the corrections completed after the Labor Day Holiday. The next committee meeting is scheduled for June 26th at 4:30 pm.
Selectwoman Nosal reported they have begun work on the punch list including: re-installing some of the bike racks and putting the mailbox back in front of the Community Center. They will also be discussing when to complete the final walk though.
Selectman Sibley asked if there was any way to fix the road water problem on Pond Road. First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she is having Ed Adanti address this.
- Administrative Order/WPCA Update
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported they met last week and the members reviewed the draft power point presentation with the engineers to make suggestions prior to making the presentation to the general public. The presentation provided a valuable review of the process and included comparison costs in other communities. She also pointed out some of the numbers in the plan, including the anticipated cost of the total project in Sound View will be between $8-10 million and after grants, $7-8 million will need to go to a town vote to be bonded at a low rate, likely through the Clean Water Funds. When shared by the benefited properties, the cost will be somewhere between $25-30,000 each. This price is comprised of sewer use fees, the facility connection charge and the benefit assessment. They also talked about an EDU cost of $26,800 per
residential home.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the task force will meet this week so they can update the BOF. They could go out to a referendum/Town Meeting either this Fall or next Spring. Although they don’t want to rush this, the cost of waiting increases the construction costs.
Selectman Sibley asked if there was an attempt to coordinate the construction with the other 3 beaches. First Selectman Reemsnyder replied it could happen if the Town Meeting was held in the Fall. But they would have to build the pump house and the force main first, which would serve all of the areas. DEEP would like to see everyone go to construction at the same time.
Selectman Sibley also asked if the Town’s consultant engineering team would prepare the Bid and contract. First Selectman Reemsnyder replied that Woodard & Curran would put the contract and bid package together and they would probably stay with them because they are aware of the project to date.
Selectman Sibley asked when the public information/education presentation may happen. First Selectman Reemsnyder replied the WPCA is working on this and she is hoping this will be presented at the July meeting for the first time. She will ask that question at the Task Force Meeting on Thursday.
- Academy Lane Fire Dock Update
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the project is underway. They have stopped working while they are waiting for the steel corner pieces, which should arrive in the next couple of days. There were some concerns expressed about the osprey nest on the other side of the river and they are keeping an eye on this. The osprey have been sighted on the dock while the work has been stopped and seem more curious than bothered by the project.
5. New Business:
- Rogers Lake Herbicide Treatment
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported that the herbicide treatment on Rogers Lake was done on June 8th. Notices were posted at the Lake and on the Town website so everyone was aware. Park & Rec also had a staff person on duty that day to keep swimmers out of the water.
They are completing pre-&- post water testing and water quality testing will be ongoing.
They have received positive feedback from some of the lake residents stating they are seeing a difference in the amount of weeds (less than) from the same time last year.The minutes from the Rogers Lake Authority meeting indicate that they are also seeing less weeds than last year.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reminded them that this was a three-year permit and they will complete the treatment again next year.
- LED Light Conversion Contract
First Selectman Reemsnyder gave an overview of the process to date, including having the audit completed, trying two different types of manufactures lighting (pilot project), getting the publics feedback, etc. She also reported on the final cost of the project. The original cost was estimated at $115,000. After the audit and with a contingency for additional arms, the estimated cost was $140,000.
The final estimated is $109,035 with an anticipated $44,000 rebate from Eversource, bringing the total cost for the Town to around $65,000. There is still a contingency for arm replacement if needed, which would bring the final cost up, but still under what is budgeted.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she has a received the contract from Tanko Lighting and has shared it with the committee.
Selectman Sibley asked if Tanko Lighting can help with the lighting on Hartford Ave. First Selectman Reemsnyder stated she had asked them about this but will ask them again before she signs the contract.
Selectwoman Nosal asked why the cost was lower than the original estimate. First Selectman Reemsnyder reported it was because some of the lights listed on the audit were not town lights but private association lights and some of the wattage was lowered, along with other factors.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Sibley, to authorize First Selectman Reemsnyder to sign the contract for the LED Lighting project with Tanko Lighting. Motion passed.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported they are very close to hiring a new police officer if all of the paperwork comes back positive. Jay Rankin, a retired officer from Old Saybrook will begin soon and they are also looking at a second retired officer from Old Saybrook who would be able to begin in July. She also shared she had offered the position to two other candidates who chose to pursue other opportunities. They do have one part time officer and will continue to look for other part-time officers.
She will keep the BOS posted and invite them to the swearing in when they get to that step.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the Ledge Light Health District addresses mosquito management differently than what has been happening in the Town of Old Lyme in the past. She has spoken with Innovative Mosquito Management, who has provided our services for many years, and they have sent her a document explaining why mosquito management in OL is critical. They focus on marshes and the location of marshes by doing regular assessments each week. If they do not treat these areas, they may see a larger number of adult mosquitos as the summer goes on. After discussing this with the BOF Director she signed an agreement for the month of June. Mosquito management was not put in the budget for fiscal year 2018, and the quote for July through the middle of September is for approximately $20,000. However, LLHD just took on an additional
town and they may be able to give the Town of Old Lyme a credit, which could help with the cost of this. They also reached out to the DEEP and the person responding agreed with the recommendation from Innovative Mosquito Management. She will be discussing this with the BOF at the meeting tomorrow night. She will forward the information onto the selectmen for their feedback and suggestions on this.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported that LLHD does assist residents with mosquito management on their property. They will go out and assess, make recommendations, supply residents with larva dunks and show them how to use them.
- Reminder: Next meeting June 30 at 9:00AM
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported they may change the meeting from Friday, June 30th to Thursday, June 29th. She will keep everyone posted.
6. Public Comment: None
7. Other Business:
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she has reached out to Anna Reiter regarding the plans for the Cross Lane playground. She suggested that the BOS put together a committee for this project and that she should be on it.
The BOS discussed how they would like to see the committee set up. Suggestions included Anna Reiter, someone form Parks & Rec. Commission, Don Bugbee, Fire Dept., and maybe another member from the Junior Women’s League and possibly a community member. They agree the committee should be made up of approximately 5-7 members to be appointed by the BOS. Anyone interested should complete a form and submit it.
Selectwoman Nosal asked if there has been any word from the Historic Commission on the grant they received. First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she had just seen the Chairman of the Historic District this morning and she asked him that very question and he has heard nothing.
Selectwoman Nosal reported she ran into the Fire Marshall at a meeting and he indicated that OSHA has a concern for municipalities and people who work outside. Specifically, do municipalities have a process in place to address tick exposure. First Selectman Reemsnyder will look into this.
Selectman Sibley asked if the parking issues that had been expressed in the email from the Sound View Commission have been addressed. First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the Police have followed up on the parking behind the Shore Line Church. The Town has offered to provide South Shore Landing with signs, which they can post stating that cars will be towed and fined. However, she pointed out that towing companies are not willing to tow from there due to the issues it causes them (confrontations and additional staffing). She suggested they put this on their agenda to increase the ticket fee to the maximum allowed of $90.
8. Executive Session: None
9. Adjournment:
A motion was made by Selectman Sibley, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to adjourn at 8:47 pm. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Patti Broedlin
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