Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
28 November, 2011
Shoreline Community Center, 7.30 pm
Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), Joann Reis Lishing, Michaelle Pearson (Secretary), Harry Plaut, Frank Maratta (Alternate)
David Kelsey, Joseph Camean (Alternate), Russ Carlo (Alternate)
Also present: First Selectwoman Reemsnyder (ex officio); Selectwoman Nosal (ex officio), Police Officer Tom Heinssen, Resident Trooper Gary Inglis; members of the public.
7.35p Meeting called to order by Frank Pappalardo.
Joann Lishing moved to approve minutes of 10/25/11. Seconded by Harry Plaut. Approved.
Correspondence: Heidi Fields inquired about retaining on-street parking for businesses and suggested resident stickers. Mr. Pappalardo said that she seemed pleased by the parking lot proposals.
Dee and Jerry Vowles also asked for details regarding the parking lot proposals.
7.45p presentation by Kurt Prochorena and Jesse A. Harris of BSC Engineering regarding proposed parking lot improvements and restrooms: The goal is to green the space, provide parking, add restroom facilities and metered on-street parking. Discussed walkways/ pedestrian access, restroom size and configuration, followed by a lengthy description and discussion of the requirements for restrooms:
Rough restroom size 16x42: 4 toilets and 2 sinks, women’s/ 2 urinals, 2 sinks on men’s side. Due to groundwater issue we’re looking at a fill situation for ADA accessibility without a huge ramp. This can be accomplished through grading.
Can’t use sewers, septic or holding tank due to high groundwater and DEEP regulations, so we’re left with either composting toilets or a packaged treatment system. In discussions with the DEEP, they did not suggest the packaged treatment, because permitting can take several years, and it still has a wastewater discharge, so permit would be unlikely. Composting toilet is really the only option, as composting toilets don’t have a discharge so don’t need to be permitted thru DEEP, just the Sanitarian. Their only discharge is compost.
Angelo Faenza asked that the grading on Portland Avenue fix the current problem of water pooling on that side of the parking lot. He also asked about the emergency exit on Portland Avenue: under what circumstances would it be used?
Mr. Pappalardo stated that it would be an emergency exit only, and would not be used for routine traffic purposes. It would have a hard gate with a lock. Public Safety would have the key, to allow emergency vehicle access.
Mr. Faenza asked how far would the lot extend from the building next door (a private residence)?
Mr. Harris (BSC): 15 feet. There will be a buffer of shade trees, evergreens, etc., to shield neighbors and pedestrians from traffic.
Russ Carlo asked about the lighting plan.
Mr. Harris (BSC): The plan shows three light poles on the interior to light path, and the structure would also have security lighting. We will use ornamental lighting that will fit in with the beach environment. All lighting will be dark-sky, downward-shielded fixtures.
Frank Maratta asked about water for the sinks in the restroom facility.
Mr. Prochorena (BSC) : Sinks are low-flow sinks with timers. All the water goes down into a holding tank which is part of the system.
Mr. Maratta: Is there any way the DEP would approve a small well there or septic?
Mr. Prochorena (BSC): No.
Mr. Maratta: How often does it have to be cleaned out?
Mr. Prochorena (BSC) It depends on frequency of use. We estimate once every several weeks. With the composting process, there is significant volume reduction.
Mr. Faenza asked if the pickup is the same as regular septic?
Mr. Prochorena (BSC): the compost isn’t considered a waste material, so it could be picked up by anyone, such as a landscaper. No need for a traditional septic pumpout for the solids. It’s essentially garden compost. It’s completely degraded. The waste water would need to be pumped and disposed as typical septic waste.
Dave Kelsey: Will the sinks be plumbed?
Mr. Prochorena (BSC): yes, to the holding tank
Mr. Plaut: Is there any winterization process?
Mr. Prochorena (BSC): yes. Basically what you would do for any seasonal structure. It would be quite simple.
8.18 pm:
Chairman Pappalardo turned the discussion to the proposed parking kiosks, saying, “Let’s talk about how to fund these restrooms.”
Mr. Prochorena (BSC) : There will be three kiosks. Typically located at pedestrian access points for convenience. Someone parks their vehicle, goes to kiosk for a ticket/sticker with a time on it. The kiosks we’ve been looking at are called Parkion (sp?) . They are completely solar powered and only need a few hours of light per day to work. Each uses about as much power as a calculator. Cell signal for software operation. At end of season, they can be unbolted and stored off-site. Can take bills or cards. The kiosks are a web-based system, so anyone with an access code can check on the system any time of the day or night. Pay structure can also be adjusted remotely this way.
Officer Heinssen: Is it possible that the ticket could ticket match the car’s license plate? This would prevent theft or switching of stickers.
Mr. Prochorena (BSC): the kiosk software could possibly print the license number also. Will need to confirm with the manufacturer.
Mr. Plaut: What about theft from the kiosk?
Mr. Prochorena (BSC): Theoretically it could be stolen if someone had the right tools, but it won’t have much money in it. It is secured with high strength bolts into a concrete pad. Hartford has 60 of them in some very bad areas and they have fared quite well.
Mr. Pappalardo: Data moves immediately off the kiosk.
First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder: How will people know to find the kiosk?
Mr. Prochorena : There will be strategically placed signage to direct people to the kiosks.
Mr. Maratta: How about the screens? Are they high strength?
Mr. Prochorena (BSC): yes. They’re made to be very durable.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder: I called CRERPA today, and found that there is funding available for pedestrian pathways and bikeways, and we would bring CRERPA in to this. We also need to look at STEAP grants. We should definitely explore whatever possible funds might be available to help fund this project.
Mr. Harris (BSC): Potentially, there’s a grant through EPA Clean Water Act. Also Community Block Grants through DECD or HUD.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder: Is there a possibility of installing an outdoor faucet/ shower for rinsing?
Mr. Harris (BSC): yes. There is an outdoor spray tower is available that would work well. It’s low flow, used regularly in Cape Cod and other beach areas.
8.45: Frank Pappalardo: The next step is refinement of the design phase. That’s the next engineering part. Then prep of bid documents, etc.
Summary of budget items; discussion of having a project overseer/ clerk of the works to ensure project is moving forward.
Harry Plaut: Any estimate of what the year-to-year maintenance would be?
Mr. Prochorena (BSC) : We can get that to you.
Joe Camean: I would think Parks & Rec would have some of that basic info.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder: The tree commission can help you decide what kind of trees to plant.
Mr. Harris (BSC): There’s a lot of coastal-appropriate vegetation that would suit this project. There are plenty of options.
Frank Pappalardo: Currently, the cost of operating the lot is approximately 23K a year.
David Kelsey explained the budget process, stating that we should try to get this proposal into the budgeting process for this year so that it can be considered quickly. This is paramount. Preview it in December’s meeting with the Board of Finance, and have some numbers ready to present at that meeting. The costs (denominator) and incremental elements of income to be defined. It’s a big number to put into the capital budget for consideration, but it will most likely come with some sort of a return. Conversations should be had with the Board of Finance about the project before they discuss it formally, so they are aware of what’s being proposed.
Mr. Pappalardo: In the preview part…do we prepare an executive summary of return on investment, scope of project, etc?
Mr. Kelsey: I would make it a single page statement, with this package (BSC presentation and drawings) attached.
Income would be roughly 17 additional parking places, so approximately 25% increase in revenue.
Mr. Pappalardo: Currently, we have parking attendants at a cost of 16.5K. There was a concern about having attendants. We spoke with Officer Heinssen about transitioning the “bike patrol” to “park security” or “beach patrol”. This would create a consistency and level of onsite management and uniformed security that would be good for the area, and should also result in significant savings.
Mr. Pappalardo: We need to prepare a package for the Board of Selectmen, and they submit to the Board of Finance?
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder: The Board of Finance meeting is the 20th. The next Board of Selectmen meeting is Monday the 5th at 4pm. Then December 19th at 7.30. you should plan to present to BOS, then we can decide whether it should be in the capital budget. We should also start looking for any available grant money as soon as possible. I will contact CRERPA and Andrea Stillman. Joe Camean received a grant through the DEEP for the bike trails.
9.16: Discussion of 2012 Budget - General Issues.
Mr. Pappalardo detailed the following:
Soundview/Miami barricades. 2 @750/ea. Could be SVBC budget, public safety budget or public works.
Center road stop signs: worked very well this past year. Want to get permanent ones. Again, could be any of those 3 budgets.
Security/ beach patrol: we talked about the bike patrol and would like to put together a package of bike patrol for 7 days in Sound View and Miami depending on weather and usage. Public safety budget. Officer Heinssen: It would be much smoother to have seamless patrols rather than private security.
Repair of the beach signs: Need to get estimate.
Harry Plaut was looking into estimates and details of repairing the Bocce Courts. We need this info ASAP.
Trash Cans: Michaelle Pearson will resend info to Mr. Pappalardo regarding pricing and pictures of the heavy barrier cans.
9.28 pm New Business:
Ms. Pearson noted that the Point O’ Woods Association sent a letter to the Selectmen citing the dangers of schoolchildren waiting for the bus on route 156 and asking for street-by street bus service. Ms. Pearson asked that the Commission send a letter on behalf of Sound View residents asking that Sound View be included in any review of school bus service/scheduling to ensure that our residents are receiving the same level of service as other areas of town.
Mr. Plaut motioned to accept draft letter re: school buses. Seconded by Ms. Lishing. Motion carried.
Frank Maratta presented a petition to move the boat lane currently located to the east of Swan Avenue. Mr. Maratta wants the boat lane moved in front of the Pavilion Bar, to the west of Swan Avenue. Mr. Pappalardo asked for a copy of the petition and for a written proposal from Mr. Maratta.
9:41 pm: Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Kelsey, seconded by Ms. Lishing. Meeting adjourned.
Next regular meeting: Monday, 23rd January, 2012 at 7.30 pm, at Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
M. Pearson, Secretary
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