TOWN OF OLD LYME
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 4:00 pm January 16, 2018 in the Meeting Hall of the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. First Selectman Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal and Selectman Chris Kerr were present.
January 2, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to approve the minutes of the January 2, 2018 regular meeting. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to add to the agenda under appointments the approval of three Sub-Registrars of Vital Statistics at the request of the new Town Clerk. Motion passed.
2. Communication: None
3. Appointments: Sub-Registrars of Vital Statistics
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she has received a request from the new Town Clerk, Vicki Urbowicz to approve three Sub-Registrars of Vital Statistics. As Sub-Registrars they would be permitted to issue removal, transit, burial and cremation permits for deaths that occur in Old Lyme during the hours the office of Registrar and Vital Records is closed. The Town Clerk Handbook indicates that at least two sub-registrars that are approved by the BOS be appointed by the Town Clerk. Once the BOS approves these appointments, the Town Clerk will swear in the Sub-Registrars who will remain in service for the length of her Term. Once sworn in, she will notify the Connecticut Department of Public Health. First Selectman Reemsnyder noted these are the same three Sub-Registrars who were in place under the former Town Clerk.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to approve Nicholas Fulton, Bonnie Daley, of Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home and John D. MacDougall of Byles Funeral Home as Sub-Registrars of Vital Statistics for the Town of Old Lyme. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Selectman Kerr, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to move item 5 a. Sustainable CT – Sam Gold, RiverCOG and item 5 b. Budget Review Meetings up on the agenda. Motion passed.
5. a. Sustainable CT – Sam Gold, RiverCOG
First Selectman Reemsnyder introduced Sam Gold, Chairman of the RiverCOG. He thanked First Selectman Reemsnyder for inviting him here today and her commitment and hard work for the RiverCOG, the Town of Old Lyme and the region as well. He gave an overview of the Sustainable CT Program, its background and his involvement. Sustainable CT is a privately funded, voluntary certification program which provides municipalities opportunities to earn points towards certifications (two-levels – Bronze and Silver) by choosing sustainable actions from several categories and implementing them. His overview also included How to get started, Community involvement, opportunities for grant funding, workshops, and sharing resources with other communities (the full power point presentation can be viewed at:
Sustainablect.org).
The BOS discussed some of the things they have already done to earn points towards certification, including adopting a non-smoking policy for their Town properties and the LED street light conversion project. They also discussed opportunities for community involvement, including Scouting projects, High School Interns and building a community team, including non-profits and businesses. First Selectman Reemsnyder asked the Selectmen to look at the Sustainablect.org website for further discussion on passing a resolution.
5. b. Budget Review Meetings
First Selectman Reemsnyder welcomed and thanked Finance Director, Nicole Stajduhar for attending today’s meeting. Nicole handed out binders for each of the Selectmen for the upcoming budget review. She gave an overview of contents of the binders including the FY 2018/19 request for funds, a summary of FY 2017/18 (along with data for prior years), major changes and significant items that have changed the budget, Capital Expenditures, Salaries, Region !8 budget and open items. She has also included percentages showing increases/decreases for the past years for comparison. First Selectman Reemsnyder pointed out that these numbers are subject to change as they begin reviewing the budgets and adding and eliminating items.
4. Old Business:
- Boathouse Hains Park Improvements Project
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she had no update at this time but did note that despite all of the rain there has been no flooding in the boathouse.
- Rte. 156 Bikeway/Sound View Improvements
First Selectman Reemsnyder asked Selectwoman Nosal for the update. Selectwoman Nosal reported that they are waiting to receive a color sample from the new vendor for the skirting to make sure it will match before they order.
She also reported they have received a materials certification from the State indicating that all of the testing completed during the project has passed, which means the State will reimburse them for those items. The inspector is holding his last pay estimate until the final pieces have been received, installed and inspected.
- Cross Lane Playground Committee Update
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the equipment was delivered today and Public Works was at the playground to unload it. They will be watching the weather to determine installation.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she has received the response from the Town Attorney addressing the questions on the blight ordinance discussed at the last BOS meeting. She reviewed the responses to the questions asked by Selectwoman Nosal, which will result in one change to the draft ordinance - Storm Drains will be added to Section #3, item #18. After discussion, the BOS concur the Draft of the Blight Ordinance meets their approval.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to approve the draft Blight Ordinance. Motion passed.
First Selectman Reemsnyder will have the draft posted on the Town Website for public review and will email the Selectmen dates for a possible informational meeting. She also added that she had not received any comments or concerns from any of the other committee members.
- Police Services Options Committee
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she had a meeting scheduled for Jan. 4th with First Selectman of East Lyme Mark Nickerson, Chief of Police Mike Finkelstein of East Lyme, Board of Finance Chair Andy Russell, and Darrin Stewart, Chief of Police of Stonington to discuss the possibility of the CT Police Chiefs Association helping them with a study to look at our needs for the community and how the model of one police department serving two communities might work. The meeting was cancelled due to the storm and has been rescheduled for this Friday. She will let the Selectmen know how the meeting goes and if they are going to move forward.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to add to the agenda the approval of the Charge for the Police Services Options Committee. Motion passed.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she has received one more application for the committee and Selectman Kerr reported he had two other people express interest and she may be receiving more applications.
- Annual Town Meeting: Jan. 22, 2018 7:30 pm at Town Hall
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the Annual Town meeting is next Monday, January 22nd at 7:30 pm at the Town Hall. The Call of the meeting has been advertised and submitted to the Town Clerks office.
5. New Business:
- Sustainable CT – Sam Gold, RiverCOG – Moved up on the agenda
- Budget Review Meetings – Moved up on the agenda
6. Public Comment:
Joseph “Joe” Camean thanked Sam Gold for attending the meeting to talk about Sustainable CT. He is very pleased to see the number of towns involved in the RiverCOG and the regional effort being made with this project and the possibilities it will offer. He is very interested in being involved in this project.
First Selectman Reemsnyder thanked Joe for coming up and will remember his interest and keep him posted as they move forward.
7. Other Business:
First Selectman Reemsnyder shared she has received a request to discuss tax relief for the elderly.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she has received notification from the Department of Public Health that the Flu season is intensifying. The Town will post warnings and best practices on the website and she asks everyone to be careful.
Selectwoman Nosal added she attended the office hours last week with State Senator Formica and Representative Carney and there was a great deal of discussion on elderly tax relief. A resident who was present offered ideas they could take back to the state to help. One of the ideas suggested was to “Adopt a Grandma/pa” to assist with the cost of property tax, specifically car tax.
First Selectman Reemsnyder thanked the Selectmen for attending the Girls Scouts Silver Award Ceremony.
8. Executive Session: None
9. Adjournment:
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to adjourn at 5:25 pm. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Patti Broedlin
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