Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
25 February, 2018
7.30 pm
Shoreline Community Center
Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), Michaelle Pearson (Secretary), David Kelsey, Frank Maratta (Alternate), Judith Read, Joann Reis Lishing
Absent: Harry Plaut, Jackie Miano (Alternate)
Also Present (ex officio): Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal
7.26 pm Meeting called to order by Chairman Frank Pappalardo.
Jude Read seated for David Kelsey (until late arrival, 7.45)
Frank Maratta seated for Harry .
Approval of August 2018 meeting minutes: Joann Lishing motioned to accept, Michaelle Pearson seconded. All in favor. Motion carried.
Approval of October 2018 meeting minutes: Tabled until next meeting.
7.42 Seating of Officers: Joann Lishing nominated Frank Pappalardo for Chairman, Michaelle Pearson seconded; Joann Lishing nominated Michaelle Pearson for Secretary, Jude Read seconded; Frank Pappalardo nominated David Kelsey for Treasurer , Jude Read seconded.
All in favor. Motions carried.
7.44 Summer of 2018 Recap/ Review:
Would like to appoint a member of this Commission as a Police Liaison to meet with the Resident Trooper to discuss concerns, etc. It would involve having a discussion a few times a year to go over the situation. We have not been getting the service we need at the beach for the past 4-5 years. The Police Options Committee has brought some of this to the forefront. Frank Maratta suggested that Harry Plaut be appointed. Frank Pappalardo agreed and suggested that Mr. Maratta could also be available as backup for Harry. Mr. Pappalardo will contact Harry.
Tom Kelo (who is a resident of Old Lyme) is the temporary Resident State Trooper. The State Police are currently conducting interviews to fill the position permanently. Town can suggest questions, (the Board of Selectmen have the list of questions submitted by the SVC), but can’t ask directly. Should find out in the next few months.
7.57: Zoning/ ZBA Update (for informational purposes only):
ZBA: SVC had sent a letter relating residents’ complaints about the new signage at UMARS/ Bestway Citgo gas station, which is not what was approved on the site plan. The new sign is much larger than the previous sign, and is lighted from within, with very bright LED numerals. It also blocks visibility from Swan Avenue, when turning on to Shore Road. The SVC has received no response to date, and the ZBA minutes said no correspondence had been received. Chairman Pappalardo will send a letter to the Board of Selectmen asking them to help facilitate a response from the ZBA. He will also bring these concerns to Keith Rosenfeld, the town ZEO, in hopes of getting action on this matter.
8.05 Budget for 2019-20: Capital expenses: gazebo, bike racks and picnic tables (not approved last year). Trash can replacements needed for damaged ones. Should have a regular capital item every year to replace damaged cans. Requesting funds for six picnic tables. There are currently four, in pretty rough shape. Bike racks also needed, and would like to add a bike repair station.
Will be heard March 5th at Board of Finance
8.15 Connectivity Grant: One open space left on the committee. Frank Maratta will ask Stephanie Livesey if she’s interested. The plan connects Hartford Avenue from Bocce Lane to Route 156 with a bike path and sidewalks. BSC Group prepared the application, and we received the grant. It’s a 100% grant that provides a 400K grant for construction or enhancements, but does not include engineering. However, SVC has been escrowing money for a survey of Sound View, which may cover a portion of the engineering expenses. Currently have just over 20K. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder is looking into what the 400K can be used to pay for.
8.25 pm Committees:
Beautification & Entertainment: Joann Lishing will Chair this subcommittee.
Concerts will take place on Thursday nights starting 27th June, then every other Thursday. Joann Lishing will get applications for the Coast Guard and Army bands. Michaelle Pearson will help research bands.
Mary Jo Nosal and Jackie Miano will help with the flowers this year. Hoping Sandy Ziemba might be able to help choose the flowers, since she has knowledge of what should be planted when.
Public Works: Frank Pappalardo will continue being the Public Works Liaison. He will order the portolets for the season. Also looking into a 3-sided privacy fence to surround portolets. Cameras are also still in the budget. Approval was signed with CLP to put cameras on existing poles. Hopefully will have cameras in place this season.
Lenny’s: The Lenny’s on the Beach property is up for sale: $1.2 million. Landlord Frank Noe said Lenny’s bar will not be back this season. Place is being cleaned out and locks put on. Sound View Commission would like to suggest that the town purchase the bar. It could be utilized as restrooms, and the restaurant could be rented to a vendor as a snack bar. If the town owns it but leases it out, lessee would still be paying taxes.
Joann Lishing moved that Frank Pappalardo write a letter to BOS regarding potential purchase of the former Lenny’s property. Jude Read said didn’t like to lose any more commercial property in town, and asked if we could amend the motion to include that the town must keep it commercial. Discussion ensued, and it was decided that the situation might be better served by a more informal approach that did not put conditions on the purchase. Frank Pappalardo will approach the Board of Selectmen to suggest the possibility of having the town purchase the bar.
Food truck festival Minimum of 15 trucks. Could do it with trucks on Gail Fuller’s lot. Charge $250-500 per spot from vendors. Has to be early Spring/June. Possibly the second saturday in June, with a rain date Sunday. Frank Pappalardo will speak to Dave Roberge, Ledge Light and the promoter.
Other business: WPCA revisiting EDU issue for Sound View. No further info available.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
8.58 pm Motion to Adjourn
Joann Lishing motioned to adjourn. Dave Kelsey seconded.
Meeting adjourned at 8.58pm
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