Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
23 July, 2018
6 pm (Early start time to allow people to be present at Town Hall for Library Funding Vote)
Shoreline Community Center
Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), Michaelle Pearson (Secretary), Sandra Ziemba (alternate), Frank Maratta (Alternate), Joann Reis Lishing
Absent: David Kelsey, Harry Plaut, Jackie Miano (Alternate),
Also Present (ex officio): Scott Boulanger (FOLB?)
6.02 pm Meeting called to order by Chairman Frank Pappalardo.
Alternate Sandra Ziemba was seated for David Kelsey. Alternate Frank Maratta was seated for Harry Plaut.
Approval of June, 2018 Minutes: Tabled until next meeting.
6.04 pm WPCA Update:
Frank Pappalardo and Sandy Ziemba attended the June 6 WPCA meeting. They reported the following:
1) The WPCA will not commit to upgrading the water lines in Sound View as part of the package, because it “doesn’t help the residents of Old Lyme”. Frank reminded the WPCA that Residents of Sound View ARE residents of Old Lyme. Installation of water is an integral part of the sewer project. Some parts of Sound View have no water lines, some are over 100 years old, and some have been updated.
2) The Public Notice in the Day listed the Sound View beach Association (SVBA) and Town as parties to the EIE. This is incorrect. SVBA is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit civic organization, which has no political standing. SVBA is not a private beach association. Sound View is a public beach. Its streets are town roads. This is a Town of Old Lyme issue. Sound View residents are Old Lyme residents. Comments on the EIE were due by 6/29, which was the date of the posted notice, thereby negating any opportunity for residents to comment.
3) Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs): Frank pointed out to the WPCA that Sound View consists of three different zoning classifications, plus waterfront property, all of which affects assessment. Asked WPCA to reconsider using assessments as the method of EDU calculation.
4) The Sound View Commission (SVC) was established as the advisor to the Board of Selectmen regarding the Sound View area, but SVC has not seen the pump station lease since we initiated the project. SVC should have the opportunity to comment on the lease and make changes before it goes to Referendum. There are also no Sound View residents on the WPCA.
5) Frank Pappalardo stated that Restrooms must be part of the facility and that the SVC must be part of the design process. WPCA Chairman Pendergast said comments regarding the pump station lease must go to the Board of Selectmen.
6) Robert Breen informed the WPCA that when he sold the Sound View Water Company to Connecticut Water, Connecticut Water was supposed to bring everything up to proper standards, which they have not done. Rob Breen has been trying to get the WPCA to understand the urgency of including the water issue. It’s an issue of who pays. Connecticut Water offered to pay for the pipe, and make it part of the infrastructure of the sewers (which would therefore be paid for by Sound View residents. Would add a couple of million dollars to the cost).
Frank Pappalardo later met with First Selectwoman Reemsnyder, who assured him that the SVC’s concerns regarding liability, aesthetics, etc. are all part of the lease. Restrooms are not because of issues with bonding. Frank responded that it needs to be clearly stated that restrooms must be a part of this agreement. The restroom issue could be resolved by drafting a memo of understanding from Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance.
Frank Pappalardo has still not seen the lease agreement yet. Anything that’s not in there, we may need to have some type of separate memorandum before the lease is voted on.
There will be a public information meeting re: Sewers. Public meeting for lease agreement early September. The SVC would want at least one public meeting before any vote on the lease.
Trees: Frank Pappalardo sent letter to the Tree Commission re: Hartford Ave. newly planted trees that need pruning and inspection. Requested that the Tree Commission put the trees on their agenda.
July 4th Weekend Policing: Sent a list of issues to Board of Selectmen, including the following:
Fireworks every night after midnight. Parking lot gates open all night.
Cones in front of 30 min parking spaces in front of waffle shop. 30 minute spaces are open to any business on the street. Placement of 30 min spaces was dispersed throughout the street. Not designated to a particular business.
4-5 cars illegally parked on Swan Ave. No tickets were given until a resident called to complain. Of concern: Why must residents report blatant disregard for the rules, etc.? It’s one thing to ask residents to report activities, but police and rangers should be aware of and enforce basic laws. No response to this.
Sandra Ziemba commented that now that the State is providing free parking at state parks, there has been a significant decrease in parking in the private lots.
7.35 pm: OTHER BUSINESS:
The new Banners, by Twining Design are ready, and will be put up as soon as possible.
It was reported to Frank Pappalardo that the gate onto the beach at the end of Hartford Avenue was chained closed. He called Miami Beach Association (MBA). Mike Girard responded that they don’t know who locked it. It is supposed to remain open. Miami Beach Association President Mark Mongillo said the gate would be open immediately. The issue was resolved within a half hour of receiving the report.
Frank Maratta said he has heard rumors that MBA wants to close off Pond Road. Frank Pappalardo called Mark Mongillo who relayed that there was concern regarding safety issues after the incident where a drunk driver crashed through the parking lot. There is a lot of pedestrian traffic on Pond Road. Mike Girard said the issue had been raised, but there is no plan to close Pond Road. Assured us that any changes regarding Pond Road would include SVC. Closing Pond Road is not on the table at this time.
Frank Maratta said he’d heard that Frank Pappalardo was telling people that he (Maratta) had given money toward Kathleen Tracy’s lawsuit against Miami Beach, regarding the fence. Mr. Maratta stated that he had done no such thing. Mr. Pappalardo stated that this was rumor, denied that he had ever said anything to that effect, and was happy to clear the air.
Neighborhood ZBA Updates (for informational purposes only) NONE
Blight Ordinance: Attorney’s revisions based on public comments to Blight Ordinance were due back by July 1st. There will be further public informational meetings. No further information is available.
Joann Lishing said that on this past Saturday, it was counted that 36 cars in two hours failed to stop at the stop sign in front of community center during the morning period.
Frank Lishing commented that on Sunday the parking lot was closed all day, despite good weather for most of the afternoon.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
6.50 pm Joann Lishing motioned to adjourn. Frank Maratta seconded.
Meeting adjourned at 6.50
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