TOWN OF OLD LYME
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 4:00 pm February 20, 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.
February 5, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to approve the minutes of the February 5, 2018 regular meeting. Motion passed.
2.Communication:
A motion was made by Selectman Kerr, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to add two communications (Thank you notes) to the agenda. Motion passed.
First Selectman Reemsnyder read a thank you note she received from Judy White thanking the BOS for awarding Rob White as Citizen of the year.
She also read a thank you note received from Jeff Anderson thanking them for the part they played in the Jeff Anderson Day celebration.
3. Appointments:
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to add two appointments to the agenda. Motion passed.
Cynthia Taylor – Municipal Agent for the Elderly, 2 yr. term., exp. Jan. 2020
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to appoint Cynthia Taylor to a 2 yr. term exp. Jan. 2020 as the Municipal Agent for the Elderly. Motion passed.
Kristin Magnussen – The Commission on Aging, 3 yr. term, exp. Jan. 2021
A motion was made by Selectman Kerr, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal to appoint Kristin Magnussen to a 3 yr. term exp. Jan. 2021 to the Commission on the Aging. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to move items 5.a. and 5.c. up on the agenda. Motion passed.
5. a. Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library Renovations
First Selectman Reemsnyder shared that members of the Library Board invited her and Andy Russell, Chair of the BOF to a meeting with them regarding renovations they are planning for the library. They have applied for and have been awarded a $1,000,000 grant from the State of CT.
Katie Huffman, Director of the Library, Lynn Fairfield-Sonn, President of the Library Board and Ken Biega attended the meeting to discuss the plans for the library renovations. Lynn gave an overview of how the renovation plans began with strategic planning, staff and patron input and feedback and a feasibility study. They shared copies of the plans with the Selectmen which keep the same footprint, but better utilize(reorganizing) the space to include more room for the children’s, adult, and conference room sections of the library as well as increasing services. The plans also include an outdoor patio and increased parking.
The total cost of the project is approx. $3,000,000, with $1,000,000 in grant money, an anticipated $300,000 in fundraising and they are requesting the remainder to be bonded by the Town (a commitment required as part of the grant). They will be meeting with the BOF on March 13th to present their plan.
The BOS asked questions and discussed the possibility of the expansion of service hours, financing and the reimbursement schedule. First Selectman Reemsnyder thanked them for attending, and the BOS will review the plans they received and discuss this further in their budget meetings.
5.c. Halls Road Improvements Committee update
First Selectman Reemsnyder gave an overview of the Halls Road Improvement Committees plans, ideas and feedback from their recent focus group meetings. They have recently heard of some possible investment interest in Halls Road and have begun to explore what options may be available to assist with the development of Halls Road.
First Selectman Reemsnyder invited B.J. Bermblum, Chair of the Halls Road Improvements Committee, to join the BOS meeting. He gave an extensive overview of two of the options the committee has been exploring. One proposal is from the Yale Urban Design Workshop (Yale Univ. Program), which provides services to assist in redesigning and enhancing community spaces (Halls Road). This would include developing a master plan that would be broken down into phases of development and cost approximately $20,000. The other option that is being explored is the development of a TIF District (Tax Incremental Financing district) which is program which allows the Town to define areas that would utilize incremental taxes generated to incentivize potential investors, or could be used for infrastructure costs.
The BOS discussed the options and agree they would like more time to review the proposals. First Selectman Reemsnyder added she would also like to discuss developing a budget for the Halls Road Improvements committee.
4. Old Business:
- Boathouse Hains Park Improvements Project
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported that Ed Adanti has had the trees removed (discussed at prior meetings), and there is no further update at this time.
- Rte. 156 Bikeway/Sound View Improvements
First Selectman Reemsnyder turned it over to Selectwoman Nosal for the update. She reported the contractor installed the remainder of the decorative signs last week and repaired a fence post that needed to be fixed.
The bases for the breakaway poles should arrive this week and be installed. They have scheduled the final walkthrough for Friday, March 2nd at 9am. Once the walkthrough is completed they will notify DOT, so they can schedule theirs. Once DOT has completed their walkthrough they will be able to close out the project.
- Cross Lane Playground Committee Update
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the playground is just about complete. There is some smoothing out of the soil and spreading of mulch that still needs to be completed along with the installation of the fence around the entire structure.
They have scheduled a grand opening pizza party for April 26th (rain date of April 27th) at 4:00 PM.
She also gave a special thanks to Public Works and Dave Catalano for all their help with the installation of the playground equipment.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported they have begun their process in reviewing the budget for FY19 and are making good progress. She also added she is looking into the possibility of a laser light show as an alternative idea to fireworks in an effort to address the concerns of firework debris issues and clean-up in the future.
- Blight Ordinance Public Info Mtg update
First Selectman Reemsnyder thanked the selectmen for attending the public information meeting on February 12th. She gave an overview of the meeting and the comments and concerns expressed. She will pass the concerns onto the Town Attorney, so they can work on the wording to address the concerns expressed. She feels it is very important to address the concerns expressed and hold another public information session (or two) after the ordinance has been revised. The BOS agree the ordinance needs to be tweaked. The BOS went on to discuss the idea of developing a map of how a complaint would be processed, the impact of foreclosures and suggestions offered by Open Space and the Land Trust for language to be used to ensure protected properties are exempt from the ordinance.
- Police Services Options Committee
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she has reached out to the members selected at the last BOS meeting and everyone accepted. She has scheduled the first meeting for February 28th at 6pm in the Town Hall (Mezzanine room). She will keep the Selectmen updated as they progress.
- Sustainable CT, appointing a Team
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she has gone on the website and registered the Town of Old Lyme as a Sustainable CT town (Old Lyme is #19). She also reported she has already recruited a few volunteers for the Team (must be established within 90 days of registering), including one volunteer from the Solid Waste and Recycling Committee and three high school students who have volunteered. She also plans on reaching out to resident, Jean Dailey who helped with the Solarize Old Lyme project.
The BOS discussed other options for recruiting volunteers including; someone from the Conservation Board, the Chamber of Commerce, LYSB, Library, Jr. Women’s League, and the Economic Development Committee. They agree it is a good idea to have volunteers complete a form, so they can review background and keep track of who is interested. She asked the selectmen to let her know if they have any further ideas about members for the team.
5. New Business:
- Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library Renovations – moved up on the agenda
- Surety Bond Grandview Ave.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she received a letter from Tom Metcalf, the Town’s consulting engineer, confirming that the required paving has been completed and that he recommends release of the bond.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to release the bond with any additional interest accrued. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to add item 5.c. Halls Road Improvement Committee update to the agenda. Motion passed.
- Halls Road Improvement Committee – Update – moved up on the agenda
6. Public Comment: None
7. Other Business:
First Selectman Reemsnyder note that the Heart Safe Community designation has been renewed by the CT Dept of Public Health. She thanks Doug Lopresti and Colleen Atkinson for working on this to ensure it was renewed. There are a number of people in Town Hall and many other community organizations who have completed CPR training. They also have AED’s in many of the Town buildings.
Selectwoman Nosal asked if there was any update on the temporary medical structures discussed at the last meeting. First Selectman Reemsnyder replied she has emailed the Zoning Commission Chair and Land Use Coordinator and asked them to consider this and shared the BOS’s feelings that they would like to opt out. This was acknowledged by the Chair and they will have it on their next agenda for discussion.
Selectwoman Nosal confirmed Jim Cameron will be speaking in Old Lyme at the Town Hall on February 21st at 7pm. He will be talking about many of the transportation issues facing the state, including fare increases and schedule changes to the Shore Line East, tolls, rails, etc. He will also have a Q & A at the end.
8 Executive Session: None
9. Adjournment:
A motion was made by Selectman Kerr, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to adjourn at 6:01 pm. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Patti Broedlin
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