TOWN OF OLD LYME
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
The Board of Selectman held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 pm June 4, 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.
21 May 2018 -Regular Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to approve the minutes of the May 21, 2018 regular meeting. Motion passed.
2. Communication: None
3. Appointments: None
4. Old Business:
- Police Services Options Committee – Update
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported Darren Stewart, the Chief of Police in Stonington, who also serves as Chair of the CT Police Chiefs Associations Study Committee attended the meeting to discuss how his committee assists Towns exploring going from a Resident Trooper model of policing to an independent police department.
He brought up a lot of things they should be considering, looking at and discussing. The Survey Committee is available to assist the town at no cost. They can assist with making sure they are asking the right questions, developing and identifying what the needs are for the Old Lyme community. First Selectman Reemsnyder will continue her conversation with Chief Stewart and will keep the selectmen posted. The next meeting has not been scheduled yet, but she will let the selectmen know when it is.
Selectwoman Nosal added that she thought the presentation by Chief Stewart was very informational and respectful.
- PGN Library Renovations – additional information sessions announced
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the PGN Library has scheduled two additional information sessions on Tuesday, June 12th at 5:30pm and Wednesday, June 20th at 7:00pm at the library and both will include tours. The library Director and Board of Directors will be meeting with the BOF on June 13th at 7:30pm to discuss the library renovations and financing. If the BOF recommends this to a Town Meeting the BOS will need to schedule a Town meeting at their next meeting. The BOS discussed possible dates for a Town meeting and agreed on July 16th as a tentative date. They also discussed moving the July 2nd BOS meeting to June 29th at 8:00am and possibly adjusting or cancelling the August 6th meeting due to scheduling conflicts.
- Solar farm on landfill – discussion
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she had received an email from Selectman Kerr making her aware of a new vendor interested in putting in a solar farm on the landfill. She has contacted them and scheduled a meeting with them next week. The BOS continued to discuss the idea of installing a solar farm on the landfill and agree it would be good to hear from another vendor, that a solar farm would be good for the environment and additional revenue for the town. First Selectman Reemsnyder reiterated this would need to be approved by DEEP and then the lease agreement would need to be approved at a town meeting before this could done. She also added this is the BOS doing their due diligence.
- Harbor Management Commission – Addendum Amendment approval
First Selectman Reemsnyder gave a recap of their last meeting and addressed and answered the questions that were raised by Selectwoman Nosal.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to approve the Harbor Management Addendum Amendment. Motion passed.
First Selectman Reemsnyder will add this to the agenda for the next Town Meeting.
- Annual Town Budget Meeting Update
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported there was a good turn out at the Annual Town Budget meeting. The Adoption of the Budget was approved unanimously; Payment of taxes in two payments was approved; Authorization to sign amended/restated Volunteers Pension Plan was passed; and the Appropriation of $80,000 for Volunteers Pension Fund also passed.
5. New Business:
- Appointments of Volunteers Pension Committee members
First Selectman Reemsnyder began by pointing out how this committee is different from the pension committee for the Town of OL employees. This plan is a length of service award plan and the plan for employees is a defined contribution plan. The BOS discussed the draft change for the Volunteers Pension Committee including but not limed to; reviewing pension funds as needed with the fund administrator, review the plan document as required by the IRS, complete a performance review of the plan administrator, appoint a trustee for the plan, the committee membership (2 each from the OL Fire Dept. and the OL South End Volunteer Ambulance Assoc., First Selectman of the Town of OL and the Finance Director will serve as ex officio).
The BOS discussed and agree the charge includes everything.
A motion was made by Selectman Kerr, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to approve the charge for the Volunteers Pension Committee. Motion passed
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported that after discussions with the fire department and the EMS they recommended the following for appointments to the committee:
A motion was made by Selectman Kerr, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to appoint Rob McCarthy for a 3-year term expiring in Jan. 2021. Motion passed
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to appoint Arthur “Skip” Beebe for a 2-year term expiring in Jan. 2020. Motion passed
A motion was made by Selectman Kerr, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to appoint Claire Haskins for a 3-year term expiring in Jan. 2021. Motion passed
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to appoint Jane Bysko for a 2-year term expiring in Jan. 2020. Motion passed
First Selectman Reemsnyder added they are also looking at switching over to the new plan administrator PASI for both plans (this does not involve moving any funds).
- SW and Recycling Recommendation for Ordinance Amendment
First Selectman Reemsnyder began by apologizing to the SW and Recycling committee who worked on this amendment for quite some time and completed their work some time ago. The BOS has been very busy and unable to review it until now. She sent copies of the amendment to the selectmen last week for their review. She noted that this has been reviewed by Cathy Frank who is very well versed in ordinances and how they should be written. The BOS reviewed some of the recommended changes to include universal language to reflect current processes, definitions (ex. Add recycling) and state requirements. It was also suggested they develop and add a form for haulers coming into OL to register with the town, imposing fines (for not recycling/repeated, inappropriate discarded item), communicating with residents on proper garbage and recycling
requirements, and appointing a Director who would be able to enforce and impose fines.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reminded them that once they have reviewed and approved the amendment it will need to be reviewed and approved by the Town Attorney. She also added that the Chair of the SW and Recycling committee is willing to come to a BOS meeting to answer any questions they may have, and she will invite her to the next meeting.
Selectwoman Nosal will email her questions to First Selectman Reemsnyder to pass on to the Chair of the SW and Recycling Committee.
Selectman Kerr will take this to his next Sanitation meeting for discussion.
- Employee Handbook updates
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she gave each of the selectmen a file containing two documents, one is the original with suggested edits and the other document is accepting all the changes.
Many of the changes have come from Amy Jensen from the payroll department who must refer to policies in the employee handbook as she is processing payroll. Some of the suggestions include; having a generic welcome, taking out the name of the First Selectman and deleting language not necessary (town history).
She is not asking for approvals tonight but would like to review two of the most significant changes she would like to see happen. The first is accrual of vacation time being applied through the payroll system versus getting all of their time at once. The second is short term disability which is available to employees after they have completed one year of employment and pays 70% of salary for up to six months. They would like to add that employees would need to work one full year after receiving short term disability before they would be eligible for this again. The remainder of the changes include tweaking the language or making it clearer than it was. She asked the selectmen to review the changes for discussion at future meetings.
- Welcome New PT Officer Sam Barnes
First Selectman Reemsnyder welcomed their new part time police officer Sam Barnes who was sworn in on Friday of last week. He comes to OL from the town of Old Saybrook (retired). She also reported they have one officer who is currently out on disability and although Sam was hired as a part-time officer he will work full-time to assist with coverage until he can return.
Selectwoman Nosal asked if they could get pictures of the new officers for recognition purposes. First Selectman Reemsnyder replied they should be able to do that, and she will see if he is available to stop into the next meeting, so she can introduce him.
First Selectman Reemsnyder gave a special thank you and wishes for a great retirement to John Flower the former building official for his many years of service. She also welcomed Mark Whalen who began as building official on June 1st.
Selectwoman Nosal added how impressed she was with his outstanding work especially during super storm Sandy and thanked him for his years of service and dedication.
6. Public Comment: None
7. Other Business:
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported that the third weed treatment for Rogers Lake (in three years) is scheduled for June 11th and the lake will be closed as a precautionary measure. They are working with Scott Fisher from SWCA (formerly, New England Environmental) who will be looking at the current status of the lake to evaluate if the treatment, amounts or location need to be adjusted prior to treatment.
First Selectman Reemsnyder thanked Dennis Overfield, Chair of the Rogers Lake Authority, who has been very helpful with the process and his assistance with signs and notifying the public.
Selectwoman Nosal asked if they would get an update of where they go from here. First Selectman Reemsnyder replied that Schott Fisher is working on and has been reviewing the vegetation survey and the water quality monitoring reports
and she is expecting recommendations once this treatment is completed. She also added should the lake need additional treatments, they would need to reapply for an additional permit. She also noted that she and Steve Mattson from Lyme have been in regular contact regarding the upcoming treatment.
Selectwoman Nosal asked if there has been any discussion or plan for IT and/or to update the Town website, specifically the picture of the Selectmen.
First Selectman Reemsnyder replied they are still working on a plan for IT and is in conversation with a company who will be providing support for all of their technology and the current consultant will assist with the website and hands on support. She suggested everyone dress up for the next meeting and they will take an updated picture of the BOS.
Selectwoman Nosal asked where the phase II plans of Hains park bathroom committee stood.
First Selectman Reemsnyder replied they are waiting for the phase I project to be closed out so they know what their budget is. Phil Parcak is working on the installation of gutters and tweaks to the driveway to address the drainage. Once these are completed they will have a clear picture of what the budget is. She does not know if they have begun working on the building plans for the bathrooms. There has been some discussion on some sidewalk access along with the design for the donor’s sign by the fundraising committee. She will reach out to the Chair of Parks & Rec to see if she can get more information.
8. Executive Session: None
9. Adjournment:
A motion was made by Selectman Kerr, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to adjourn at 8:50 pm. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Patti Broedlin
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