TOWN OF OLD LYME
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 pm on November 5, 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.
15 October 2018 -Regular Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to approve the October 15, 2018 regular meeting minutes. Motion passed.
2. Communication: None
3. Appointments:
Peter Cable (D) - delegate, CT River Gateway Commission – 2 yr. term to July 2020
A motion was made by Selectman Kerr, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to appoint Peter Cable, delegate to the CT River Gateway Comm. Motion passed.
Suzanne Thompson (R) – Alternate, CT River Gateway Commission – 2 yr. term to July 2020
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to appoint Suzanne Thompson, Alternate to the CT River Gateway Comm. Motion passed.
4. Old Business:
- Hains Park Bathrooms Committee
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the committee discussed changing the orientation of the building so the front is facing the lake. In order to do this, they will need to apply for a variance which will need to include an as built survey for the boathouse, so they have an updated park survey. She spoke with BSC and they will provide them with this.
Once this is submitted to the Zoning office, they will discuss this further to make sure it is feasible and not too costly. The committee will be meeting again in the next couple of weeks and she will keep this on the agenda to give further updates.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reminded the selectmen of the proposal request made at the last meeting by Heather Gagnon, Chairman of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) for $44,000 to work with the Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC) to complete a feasibility study, a business survey, SWOT training and onsite support. The BOS discussed the importance of developing and retaining their current commercial areas which could keep taxes low, increased business development, obtaining coordinated data, resources for boards and commissions, the benefits of the EDC working with the Chamber of Commerce and supporting new businesses to overcome any obstacles they face.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to approve the CERC proposal for $44,000 requested by the EDC and recommend it to a Town Meeting. Motion passed.
- Resolution Authorizing Issuance of Bonds/Notes
First Selectman Reemsnyder reminded the selectmen of the resolution they discussed at the last meeting and part of the resolution speaks to the date of the Town meeting. She has spoken with bond counsel, Mike Botelho regarding the timing for borrowing the money. The timeline from the library indicates the soonest they would need a substantial amount of money would be March 2019. She suggests they hold off on approving the resolution until the next BOS meeting. The BOS discussed this further and agree they should wait until at least the next meeting when they may have a date for the next Town Meeting.
- Draft MOA with PGN Library
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she received a copy of the MOU from the library and has sent it on to the Attorney for review. She gave a copy to the selectmen and asked them to review it for discussion at the next meeting.
- Halls Road committee cleanup update
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported they had a great turnout to help with the cleanup at the Lt. River Park, near the Old Lyme Shopping Center. Public works crews removed the debris and continued to clear out more of the underbrush. She thanked all of the volunteers who showed up to work on this for their time and support. She added they may be talking with someone with natural landscaping experience to discuss ideas for landscaping the area.
- Eagle Scout Ceremony/Silver & Bronze medal awards update
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the Girl Scouts Bronze/Silver Award Ceremony will be held on Oct. 21st at 2:00 PM at Town Hall. Several young ladies receive the Bronze and Silver awards along with acknowledgement from several groups, our State Senator and our State Representative, as well as a proclamation from the BOS. She also gave a special thanks to the troop leaders and parents who work with and mentor these girls.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the Eagle Scout Ceremony was held on Nov. 4th at 2PM at the LOL Middle School. The two Scouts who achieved this award are Theodore Wayland, whose project was to design and build retired flag repositories for the Town of Old Lyme, the Town of Lyme and the Senior Center, and Evan St. Louis, who refurbished the Bocce Courts at the Senior Center. She also noted the Town presented Proclamations for both scouts.
5. New Business:
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the audit was completed in record time and everything looks good. The Town outcome of the audit showed that the town ended the fiscal year with a surplus. The fund balance at the end of FY 2018 was $9,703,197, up from $9,247,366. She also added that each year they receive a letter of recommendations and this is the first year they do not have any recurring recommendations.
The recommendations included developing accounting policies and procedures, developing and adopting a comprehensive investment policy that addresses all funds, and a reconciliation of abstract to rate book reconciliation.
She noted that Blum-Shapiro will be attending the BOF meeting on Nov. 20th to present the audit. She went on to thank the finance department for their great work.
- Election Day - Nov. 6, 2018
First Selectman Reemsnyder reminded everyone that November 6th is Election Day and the polls will be open from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm.
6. Public Comment: None
7. Other Business:
First Selectman Reemsnyder reminded the selectmen the Board of Education will be meeting on Wed. night Nov. 7th at 6:00 pm at the Center School in the media room. They will be reviewing the budget drivers and answering questions from the Boards of Selectmen and Boards of Finance of the towns of Lyme and Old Lyme.
First Selectman Reemsnyder also reminded everyone that Veterans Day is Sunday November 11th. Ceremonies will be held on Monday, November 12th beginning with Breakfast at the Middle School followed by a ceremony in the auditorium. They will then go to the High School for a ceremony and from there they will go down to the Town Hall for a ceremony in front of the flag at approximately 11:30 am.
8. Executive Session: None
9. Adjournment:
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to adjourn at 8:08 pm. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Patti Broedlin
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