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Sound View Commission Minutes 03/25/2019
Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
25 March, 2019
7.30 pm
Shoreline Community Center

Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), Michaelle Pearson (Secretary), David Kelsey, Joann Reis Lishing, Harry Plaut, Jackie Miano (Alternate)
Absent: Judith Read (Alternate), Frank Maratta (Alternate)
Also Present (ex officio): Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal

7.37 pm Meeting called to order by Chairman Frank Pappalardo.

Approval of February 2019 meeting minutes: Joann Lishing motioned to accept, David Kelsey seconded. All in favor. Motion carried.
Approval of October 2018 meeting minutes:  David Kelsey motioned to accept, Harry Plaut seconded. All in favor. Motion carried.

7.40pm Connectivity Grant:
First meeting of Connectivity Grant Committee is April 2nd, 6-7pm.
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 a 100% grant that provides a 400K grant for construction or enhancements. State of CT Grant. Much simpler to administer than the federal grant, as it does not require the same level of oversight. Sidewalk on the west side of Hartford Ave. Dave Kelsey asked if the committee would be considering scope, possibly adding enhancements to make the most of the grant money? Frank Pappalardo said yes it is the intention to use the funding as efficiently as possible, and it is hoped that the sidewalk would also include a section on Route 156.

7.50: Zoning/ ZBA Update:
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, which is not allowed under town zoning code. The sign 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 sent a letter to the Board of Selectmen asking them to help facilitate a response from the ZBA.

Lenny’s: The Lenny’s on the Beach property is up for sale: $1.2 million. Lenny’s bar will not be back this season. Sound View Commission would like to suggest the possibility of the town purchase the property sometime in the future. 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. Frank Pappalardo raised this possibility at the Board of Selectmen meeting, but in the meantime, landlord Frank Noe has signed a 3-year lease with a new tenant.

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.

Public Works: Portolets will be in by Memorial Day. Frank Pappalardo 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 is pending with CLP to put cameras on existing poles. Hopefully will have cameras in place before Memorial Day.

Dave Kelsey is looking into cast concrete for cans. Also looking at bollards with a locking gate to let beach cleaning or police in. There has been a lot of driving on the beach this winter.

8.10  Police:
Harry Plaut will be the Police Liaison to meet with the Resident Trooper to discuss concerns, etc. He will keep the SVC informed when meetings take place. New Resident Trooper Greg Hunter started today.

8.05 Budget for 2019-20:  Budget was approved. Capital expenses: bike racks and picnic tables (carryover from approved last year). Trash can replacements needed for damaged ones. Should have a regular capital item every year to replace damaged cans. Bike racks also needed, and would like to add a bike repair station. Gazebo not approved as a new purchase, as Public Works will be giving us back our old one which had been moved to Cross Lane.

Picnic Tables: Harry Plaut suggested plastic tables. Frank Pappalardo said that plastic/composite was preferable to wood but must be commercial grade. He and Dave Kelsey are researching options and also looking at bike racks.


Other business:
WPCA Update. WPCA revisiting EDU issue for Sound View. No further info available.

Recycling update: Recycling will now be every week starting this summer. However, trash pickups will also be once per week, as the town is discontinuing the twice-weekly summer pickup in the beach areas.

Food truck festival update: Minimum of 15 trucks. Charge $250-500 per spot from vendors. Has to be early Spring/June. Possibly the second Saturday in June, with a rain date Sunday.
Update: Still interested in doing this, but having trouble finding a promoter to commit to it.

Blight: Frank Maratta wrote a letter about blight. Frank Pappalardo referenced the new Economic Development Commission, which will be meeting on 4/10.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.

8.46 pm Motion to Adjourn
Joann Lishing motioned to adjourn. Dave Kelsey seconded.
Meeting adjourned at 8.46pm