TOWN OF OLD LYME
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes
The Board of Selectman held a Regular Meeting at 4:00 pm May 21, 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.
7 May 2018 -Regular Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Selectman Kerr, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to approve the minutes of the May 7, 2018 regular meeting. Motion passed.
2.Communication: None
3. Appointments:
First Selectman Reemsnyder pointed out Mark was in the audience and congratulated him on his appointment to begin on June 1, 2018.
Mark Wayland – Building Official (to replace John Flower)~– 4 yr. ~~~term exp. Jan. 2020
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to appoint Mark Wayland as Building Official, effective June 1, 2018, and expiring Jan. 2020. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to add the appointment of Joan Flynn to the Tree Commission as a regular member for a 4yr. Term to expire Jan. 2019. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Selectman Kerr, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to appoint Joan Flynn to the Tree Commission. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to move item 5. a. up on the agenda. Motion passed.
5. a. Solar Farm on landfill
First Selectman Reemsnyder invited Cela Sinay-Bernie to address the BOS on her proposal to install solar panels on the landfill.
Cela Sinay-Bernie from Citrine Power gave an overview on the background of the program and proposal to install solar panels (one megawatt) on the Old Lyme landfill property. Her overview included the proposal (leasing the land/option agreement) including; a map indicating the location of the panels (approx. 4 acres), the process and some of the benefits for the Town of Old Lyme and the residents. First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she would share a copy of the service lease with the Town Attorney for review and will be speaking with Ed Adanti to discuss the possibility of moving the compost pile. She also added that the process for Old Lyme would include approval for the lease of the property at a Town Meeting once approved by the BOS. The BOS went on to discuss some of the benefits for the Town of Old Lyme
including; no costs to the Town, long-term revenue (approx. $10,000 annually) through the lease plus taxes and potential future discounted power rates. Also discussed were zoning and similar programs in other landfills in the area (Mass. and Groton, CT).
4. Old Business:
- Police Services Options Committee – Update
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the last meeting was cancelled due to conflicts. The next meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday evening at 6:00pm. Darren Stewart of Stonington, the head of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association will be attending to discuss what they can offer to assist with making this decision.
- PGN Library Renovations – Next Steps
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported there is a BOF meeting following the Town Meeting tonight and they may discuss the PGN Library Renovations, but she does not expect them to recommend it to a Town Meeting yet. She has spoken with Tom Newman of the CT Library Construction Grant to ask what would happen if the grant was not approved by the bond commission. He stated the bonding monies have already been set aside for individual projects until they can demonstrate they have the matching funds. He also added that the bond money is considered safe once it has been earmarked for a project.
First Selectman Reemsnyder also reported the Library will continue to offer public information sessions and asked the Selectmen to let anyone asking questions know these will be available to answer their questions.
- Harbor Management Commission – Addendum Amendment
First Selectman Reemsnyder reminded the Selectmen that Steve Ross, Chairman of the Harbor Management Commission came to speak with them at the last meeting to request an addendum to the Town Ordinance Amendment. The addendum speaks to a variance procedure for the Harbor Management Plan. This will allow the Harbor Management Commission to grant variances for special circumstances and to be applied with only substantial justified specifications. He has sent this to DEEP and First Selectman Reemsnyder has a letter from DEEP stating this has been approved. She has sent a copy of the letter and the original addendum along with a copy that has been reviewed with changes (also approved by DEEP) by the Town Attorney to the Selectmen for their review.
First Selectman Reemsnyder added the BOS would need to approve the addendum and recommend it to a Town Meeting.
Selectwoman Nosal asked who the final approving authority is? First Selectman Reemsnyder believes it is DEEP. They also reviewed the process; the Harbor Management Comm. would review and approve the variance and it would then be sent on for approval by DEEP. First Selectman Reemsnyder will ask Steve to clarify the process for variances and non-variances. Selectwoman Nosal also asked when the 15-day public notification was to be made; before or after approval at the Town Meeting? First Selectman Reemsnyder believes it is after the Town meeting but will get back to her on that.
A motion was made by Selectman Kerr, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to move item 5. b. Approval of YUDW as Sole source Vendor up on the agenda. Motion passed.
5. b. Approval of YUDW as Sole source Vendor
First Selectman Reemsnyder reminded the Selectmen that the Halls Road Improvements Committee has been working on improvements to Halls Road. They have a proposal from the Yale Urban Design Workshop (Yale) to complete some of the work including developing a master plan for Halls Road. This is a unique approach and the YUDW has an excellent reputation for being in the forefront of trends and designs. The proposal is for a total of $20,000, some of which will be funded this fiscal year and some next year. The current bid policy states they need to have two bids on a project costing more than $20,000. In keeping with this she feels it would be helpful to treat this project as one year. She has spoken with the Finance Director who is familiar with Sole Source Vendors and she agrees this would qualify due to the uniqueness of
the vendor. First Selectman Reemsnyder and the Chair of the Halls Road Improvements Committee are working with the YUDW on the proposal to ensure it includes everything they are interested in. This has also already been approved by the Town Attorney.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to approve YUDW as Sole source Vendor for the Town of Old Lyme. Motion passed.
- Call of the Annual Town Budget Meeting: May 21, 2018
- Adoption of the Budget
- Payment of taxes in two payments
- Authorization to sign amended/restated Volunteers Pension Plan
- Appropriate $80,000 for Volunteers Pension Fund
First Selectman Reemsnyder reminded everyone the Annual Town Budget Meeting is tonight at 7:30pm. She reviewed the call for the Annual Town Meeting and noted that the mill rate will only increase from 21.75 to 21.91.
5. New Business:
- Solar farm on landfill – Moved up on the agenda
- Approval of YUDW as Sole Source Vendor – Moved up on the Agenda
- Resolution for 2018 Neighborhood Assistance Grant Program for the Florence Griswold Museum and Lyme Art Association.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported they had a hearing at 3:45pm today and the BOS discussed the two applications; one for the Lyme Art Association for $25,000 for renovations and one for The Florence Griswold Museum for $100,000 for educational programs. The only thing left to complete is for the Selectmen to approve authorization for First Selectman Reemsnyder to sign the appropriate paperwork on behalf of the Lyme Art Association and the Florence Griswold Museum.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to authorize First Selectman Reemsnyder to sign the appropriate Neighborhood Assistance Act paperwork on behalf of the Florence Griswold Museum and the Lyme Art Association. Motion passed.
6. Public Comment: None
7. Other Business:
Selectman Kerr asked for an update on hiring part time police officers for Sound View. First Selectman Reemsnyder replied they are only waiting on one more piece of verification and they will have one officer ready to go. He will need to be trained and may possibly begin training this week-end.
Selectman Kerr also noted that the three beaches have gone ahead with their sewer project and would like to know how that affects the town. First Selectman Reemsnyder replied she has sent the final lease (that was agreeable to them) to the three beaches and she is waiting to hear from them.
Selectwoman Nosal asked for an update on the parking Kiosks that are not working on Hartford Ave. First Selectman Reemsnyder replied she had spoken with Trooper Morse today and due to a software update, that will not be available until June, they will only accept cash. They will put signs up notifying customers they will need to use cash.
Selectwoman Nosal asked for an update on the dingy dock and the possibility of a port-apotty. First Selectman Reemsnyder replied they have been working on an agreement between the Town and Rock River Homeowner’s Association on an agreement to build the docks, but they want a hold harmless for the Private Association which means the Town would need to defend any issues on their land. The Town is not prepared to take on this responsibility at this time. So, this has come to a standstill. The Harbor Management Commission will move the current dingy dock so that it is on Town property. She will speak with Harbor Management regarding the port-apotty even if it is only for the swallow season.
8. Executive Session: None
9. Adjournment:
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to adjourn at 5:00 pm. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Patti Broedlin
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