Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
28th August, 2017
7.30 pm
Shoreline Community Center
Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), Joann Reis Lishing, Michaelle Pearson (Secretary), Sandra Ziemba (alternate), David Kelsey, Jackie Miano (Alternate)
Also Present, Ex-Officio: Selectman Skip Sibley, Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal
Absent: Harry Plaut, Frank Maratta (Alternate)
7.34 pm Meeting called to order by Chairman Frank Pappalardo.
Sandra Ziemba seated for the absent Harry Plaut
Approval of July Minutes: Joann Lishing motioned to approve, seconded by Sandy Ziemba.
All in favor.
7.32 pm: Sound View Improvements
Meeting tomorrow at Town Hall to review punch list
Items currently outstanding as follows:
- Turf establishment
- Decorative banner & sign posts
- Rub curb faces for pour #1 and other locations
- Paving (corrections required) — Proposal from B&W paving pending
- Line striping (epoxy resin) — after final paving
- Replace merestone at #84 Hartford
- GPS sign locations
- Check bike rack installations and water service at Carousel
No work will be done until after Labor Day, and will be scheduled to accommodate the following scheduled events.
9/9 (raindate 9/10) Terri Brodeur Cancer Foundation Benefit at Rollin’ Reds.
9/24 Lyme-Old Lyme Education Foundation 5k-10k Road Race
Joann Lishing reminded us that the Heart Safe Community sign still needs to be replaced. Frank Pappalardo said it will be located and reinstalled.
Michaelle Pearson said the trash cans still need to be painted. Frank Pappalardo said Dave Kelsey is working with Ed Adanti to paint the cans to match beach sand color.
7.46pm Zoning Board of Appeals Variance Approvals Information:
UMARS, 281 Shore Rd., Public Hearing: September 10th?
A few items: talking gas pumps and ingress/ egress issues. DOT and town engineer Tom Metcalf have taken care of many of the other issues. Also the Gateway project, sidewalks, etc. Need to be included in the planning, so their site will be coordinated with further gateway plan.
SVC Chairman Frank Pappalardo attended the ZBA meeting and submitted list of the SVC’s concerns. The hearing was postponed due to expiration of Umars zoning variances. Umars has since applied to ZBA for extension of variances. Almost everything in the SVC’s comments is being resolved. DOT responded to the stormwater and lighting issues. Egress/ ingress issues are still a problem, which several members on Zoning Commission brought up, especially when the gates are closed on Swan Ave. Zoning commission also expressed their concern, and Umars' representative offered alternative plans for ingress/ egress. Elevations/ canopy: 14 feet high, shingle facing, no letters on canopy. Talking/ music playing gas pumps a concern, also hours of operation. Lighting has been looked at…it’s all dark sky. Need to ensure
that when store is closed, lights are off in parking light and sign. Continued to September. Frank Pappalardo will attend.
This is the only application that has been presented to the Zoning Commission other than the dentist/ lawyer’s office on Route 156. No other applications have been received this year for any projects in the Sound View area.
7.50 Beach & Security:
there was an article in The Day regarding Hartford Avenue resident Kathleen Tracy’s proposed legal challenge to the Miami Beach fence. The SVC Chairman, Frank Pappalardo, facilitated a meeting with the two groups to discuss their concerns. There was agreement regarding the inappropriate behavior and lack of civility by visitors to the beach. The two groups were unable to reach a resolution regarding the fence at this time. Ms. Tracy and her group have hired an attorney, and plan to take legal action against Miami Beach.
Frank Pappalardo asked if the Commission members had heard any positive or negative comments regarding the fence? Joann Lishing and Sandra Ziemba each said that they had heard many positive comments. Michaelle Pearson agreed, stating that many people who had initially been against the idea of the fence had come to appreciate the positive change it has made in quality of life at the beach. As long as Sound View property owners’ rights of free access are respected, the fence seems to be a good thing for residents of both Sound View and Miami beaches.
Regarding security topics, the First Selectwoman has entered into some preliminary discussions regarding the idea of forming a regional police department with East Lyme. Concerns include adequate service and coverage in the summer, especially having police assigned to the beach at high-traffic areas.
The town has hired temporary State Police to augment the numbers for the last few weekends.
Dan Tricarico: Last Thursday, there was a strong police presence, but on weekends there are no police. Is there any interest in possibly downsizing the Rangers and using that money to subsidize more police?
Frank Pappalardo explained that this has been an ongoing issue and finally steps are being taken in the right direction. Staffing is still an issue. Rangers do not cost a lot and if they are properly used, they can be effective. Staffing and scheduling is the issue. The Federation of Old Lyme Beaches (FOLB) has been very helpful in helping to address many of the issues that are shared among the beaches. FOLB is able to assess the issues collectively and recommend solutions to the Board of Selectmen.
FOLB hosted two Meet the Candidates nights, one for each party, and have requested position statements from the candidates which will be sent by FOLB to the 1500 or so constituents in the beach area.
Kathleen Tracy, Hartford Avenue, asked when the FOLB met.
Scott Boulanger, President of FOLB said there are at least three meetings during the summer.
Frank Pappalardo clarified that the Sound View Beach Association (SVBA) the neighborhood organization that operates the Community Center, is a member, but the Sound View Commission (SVC) is NOT a member, because it is a town commission, not a beach association. The SVC is, however, invited to present comments to the FOLB meeting.
Sound View Village District Subcommittee update:
Frank Pappalardo and David Kelsey Kelsey sent a draft letter to subcommittee members. David Kelsey said that the Subcommittee met numerous times with Frank Noe and Bill Randazzo regarding their properties. The Charge of the Subcommittee was to look at existing Zoning Regulations with an eye toward how they might interact with the new FEMA requirements, plus existing regulations. Town officials, including the Zoning Enforcement Officer Keith Rosenfeld, were included to discuss what is allowed and what could possibly change. These are complicated issues and the Subcommittee’s decision is to come up with a helpful direction to see how best to move forward.
All in favor. Motion passed. (Full text of letter attached)
8.11pm: Summer Concerts Update:
A great summer of concerts this year. Joann Lishing said that people have been very complimentary regarding the concert lineup, and have been offering some promising names for next year’s bookings as well.
The Duke Robillard concert brought fans from all over. Ms. Pearson said it was great to have people come to Sound View from all over town and beyond for these positive, family friendly events.
WPCA Update:
The Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) held an informational meeting on August 8th at the Shoreline Community Center at 7.30pm. 7.30pm. It was attended by many people, but mostly from outside SVB. A proposal was made regarding the implementation of sewers in which the numbers discussed were at least 26K per EDU, but WPCA hasn’t yet defined what constitutes an EDU.
Sandra Ziemba said that there were many unanswered questions. A lot of people left with questions. Nothing was resolved. The most pressing question is will the town help pay for this? Other towns have bonded their sewer projects and Sound View is a public beach with public roads. Everyone seems to be talking about that. Its a major issue that needs to be addressed by the town.
Frank Pappalardo said, How the cost is divided and who pays is a major issue. The beaches always test clean, but the shoreline has been targeted by the DEEP based on a density formula.
Angelo Faenza asked if there would be liens on people’s houses, and will it require flood insurance?
Kathleen Tracy said that in towns where they do have sewers and they are public roads, the town is generally responsible for the cost of sewers. There should be some financial support from the town.
Frank Pappalardo said those were excellent questions and urged people to ask them of the WPCA as soon as possible. Attend the WPCA meetings, write them letters and emails expressing your concerns. Recommends looking at other towns and seeing what the example is, then use that information when bringing up the issue with the WPCA. EDUs (Equivalent Dwelling Units) haven’t even been defined. Sound View contains multiple zones within the three streets.
Please send your questions to the WPCA…they need to know your concerns.
Angelo Faenza, Portland Avenue, asked if the entire town has to vote on it at referendum, before it can happen.
Dan Tricarico, Hartford Avenue asked if the referendum would be held during the beach season so residents could be present.
Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal said the town is very sensitive to that. they want to have it when a majority of beach residents are here. Town will look into whether it should be a referendum.
Frank Pappalardo added that the Sound View Commission feels very strongly that any vote on sewers should take place during the beach season.
Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal said that if people missed the meeting, they could view the slide show on the town website.
Blight ordinance currently under review.
Selectwoman Nosal and Selectman Sibley said that the Board of Selectmen has been reviewing the draft ordinance, then it will go to the town attorney and ultimately to a town meeting for approval. It was presented and accepted at the last Board of Selectmen meeting. Being reviewed by the town attorney, then there will be an information session and a vote.
Water Testing: Ledge Light has taken over the town health department and now conducts the beach water testing. Frank Pappalardo said they do not send him the specific results, just the “all clear”. He has requested that Ledge Light send the full analysis on a weekly basis.
Doug Whelen, Old Colony Beach, said he receives the reports weekly, and that sampling should be done at the outfalls.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Doug Whelen, President, Old Colony Beach, said The Rangers are the eyes and ears of public safety. There’s its a good program and helps kids build character. Don’t fault the Rangers for lack of supervision and lack of direction by their supervisors. I hope the town will try to build in better supervison to use the Rangers appropriately.
The Federation of Old Lyme Beaches accounts for 30% of the town’s tax base, but beach residents are very silent at election time. FOLB is putting out a politically-neutral letter asking beach residents to register to vote in Old Lyme, and to understand how to submit absentee ballots. It is frustrating that our voices are heard each year in August, but by the beginning of next season all the issues are repeated again. The questions asked of the candidates are:
1) what are the 3 biggest issues that affect the beaches in OL
2) What would you do in the Selectmen’s office to fix those problems
8.42pm: Adjournment:
Joann Lishing motioned to adjourn. Sandy seconded. All in favor. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8.54pm.
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