TOWN OF OLD LYME
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
The Board of Selectmen held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 pm on April 1, 2019 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.
18 March 2019 -Regular Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to approve the March 18, 2019 Regular meeting minutes. Motion passed.
Appointments:
Stephanie Mickle (D) – Zoning Board of Appeals – 5 yr. term to 11/21/2023
A motion was made by Selectman Kerr, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to appoint Stephanie Mickle to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Motion passed.
- Old Business:
- Project Updates
- Hains Park Bathrooms Committee
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported they are still working out the details with the architect on the design for the bathrooms and hopes to have more information at the next meeting. Selectwoman Nosal asked how the selections process for the architects was going. First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the committee had reached out to four architects and two were unavailable, one did not get back to them and they are working with one that is familiar with the project who gave an estimate of $5,000 for the design.
- MC and Grassy Hill Road Bridges
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she had no update on the Grassy Hill Road Bridge at this time. In regard to the Mile Creek Road Bridge she reported they opened the bids on March 28th, and they ranged from $834,500 to $1,183,500 (she will send the selectmen a copy of the bids). All of the bids were well over the estimated cost of $610,000 for the bridge. She reported they do have a few options available to cover the increased costs including; moving the funding for the Mill Pond Dam repairs and schedule them for a later date, re-bidding for spring construction (which is better for the product/fabricated parts) and possibly budgeting more. She will discuss the options with the BOF Chair and keep the BOS updated.
- Community Connectivity Grant
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she had no update at this time. The committee will be meeting tomorrow night at 6:00 pm to begin discussing the project.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported they finalized the budget meetings last week with the BOF and they were able to get the capital down to bring in a more reasonable budget. The impact to the towns for the Region 18 budget was substantial due to the increased enrollment, all of which was in Old Lyme. The BOF decided to use $800,000 out of
surplus to keep the mill rate down to approximately 22.44 (a .51 mill increase). She added that both the BOS and BOF do not feel they have enough information at this time to fund the $90,000 request made by the Lyme Academy College.
First Selectman Reemsnyder commended the BOF and the selectmen for all of their hard work on the budget and noted that all of the planning they do is why Old Lyme is 5th in the state for fiscal stability.
- Reminder: Municipal Training Workshop – April 10th
First Selectman Reemsnyder reminded everyone the Municipal Training Workshop is scheduled for next Wednesday, April 10th at 6:00pm. The Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC) will be here working with Boards and Commissions on how they can work together instead of in silos. She thinks it will be a really dynamic training and is looking forward to it.
- Solid Waste Ordinance Amendments – Public Hearing
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she was informed by Town Counsel that the Town is not required to hold a public hearing for the Solid Waste Ordinance Amendments. With that said, she will still present them at the Public Hearing for the Cell Tower Lease on April 9th at 6:00pm in the Town Hall Meeting room. She reminded the selectmen that if the cell tower lease expansion is approved, they will be receiving a one-time payment of $15,000 and the monthly income will increase by about $750 per month. They will be adding AT&T as a new tenant on the tower.
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported she has met with the current and new solid waste collections vendors to discuss current routes and schedules for residents and services for private roads. The new vendors will be riding along with the current vendors, so they can see the current routes. She is hopeful they will be able to maintain the current routes and will let the residents know the new schedules and any changes in services to private roads in May.
- Special Town Meeting items
First Selectman Reemsnyder reviewed the CALL for the April 16th Special Town Meeting at 7:30pm in the Town Hall Meeting room.
- Citizen of the Year
- Cell Tower Lease
- Amendments to Solid Waste Ordinance
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to approve the CALL of the Special Town Meeting and post the Warning of Town of Old Lyme Special Town Meeting notice. Motion passed.
5. New Business:
- Town Woods Park Maintenance Contract renewal
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported that three years ago they went out to bid for the Town Woods Park maintenance contract and Daniel Jones of Jones Landscape LLC was awarded the contract. They have been maintaining the fields for the last three years and have been doing an excellent job. She received a letter from him offering to extend the contract at the same price for the next three years. After discussion, the BOS agree they should extend the contract. First Selectman Reemsnyder pointed out that this was a good example of the change they made in the bid policy allowing them to extend a contract.
A motion was made by Selectwoman Nosal, seconded by Selectman Kerr, to accept the proposal to extend the contract with Jones Landscape LLC for three years at the current rate. Motion passed.
- Neighborhood Assistance Act – schedule Public Hearing
First Selectman Reemsnyder reported the Neighborhood Assistance Act is accepting applications and the Town is required to hold a Public Meeting prior to July 1st and the BOS must vote to approve the applications. She is aware that the Florence Griswold Museum and The Lyme Art Association have picked up applications to apply but has not received them yet. The BOS discussed and agreed that they would schedule the public hearing for May 20th at 3:30pm prior to the
BOS meeting. First Selectman Reemsnyder will notify the Florence Griswold Museum and The Lyme Art Association of the hearing date.
6. Public Comment: None
7. Other Business:
Selectwoman Nosal asked when the beach passes will be available to residents. First Selectman Reemsnyder reported that the tags (beach passes) have been ordered and Michele has put together a letter to be sent out to residents who have purchased beach passes in the past with the new process for pre-order. They will not be available for purchase in Town Hall until the middle of May.
Selectwoman Nosal thanked First Selectman Reemsnyder and Selectman Kerr for all of their hard work on the new sanitation vendor. First Selectman Reemsnyder added that the new sanitation vendor information was included in the letter sent out with the beach passes and there may also be information included in the tax bills. They will continue to take advantage of opportunities to make residents aware of the new sanitation vendors and any changes in schedules.
8. Executive Session: None
9. Adjournment:
A motion was made by Selectman Kerr, seconded by Selectwoman Nosal, to adjourn at 8:18pm. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Patti Broedlin
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