Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
25 June, 2012
Town Hall, 7.30 pm
Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), Joann Reis Lishing, Michaelle Pearson (Secretary), Harry Plaut, Russ Carlo (Alternate)
Also present: First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder (ex officio), Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal (ex officio); Don Bugbee (Parks and Recreation), members of the public.
Absent: David Kelsey, Joseph Camean (Alternate), Frank Maratta (Alternate)
7.30p Meeting called to order by Frank Pappalardo.
Mr. Pappalardo seated alternate Russ Carlo for the absent Dave Kelsey.
7.32p Joann Lishing moved to approve May minutes. Seconded by Russ Carlo. Motion carried.
7.49p Correspondence: Old Colony Beach Chairman Doug Whalen sent a letter regarding the swim area and boat landing, saying that OCB incurs considerable expense each year fixing their swim line after it has been torn by jet skis. He asked if the Rangers could do increased beach patrols between 12pm and 3pm, and take specific notice of jet skis tied to swim lines and/or in the swim area.
7.55p Public Comment: Shirley Annunziata, Portland Ave, said there was a shuttle bus on Saturday at 8 pm, then again at 10 pm, 12am and 1.30am. It was white, unmarked, about 20 person capacity. Frank Pappalardo reported that Bob Tonon of Hartford Avenue said he had called the police regarding a group of motorcyclists that had been running up and down the sidewalks. Barracks said they were busy and would try to get to it.
Officer Heinssen advised that it was important for residents to call, even on busy nights when it may take some time for a response, because once a call is made, a report is generated at the station, and there will be a record of the incident.
Angelo Faenza said he’d heard that firefighters have been warned not to enter the old Dance Hall building to fight a fire because it was hazardous. Discussion of blight, fire procedures and hydrants followed. Frank Pappalardo said that he had called CT Water and Bob Ross told him that the fire hydrants are checked to make sure they are in working order, but they don’t have adequate pressure to use, so pumper truck must be relied on. Also called DPUC re obligations incurred when they acquired Sound View Water Company.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder said the Town pays an annual fee to ensure hydrants are maintained, and that she would look into the hydrant issue. Russ Carlo urged that the Dance Hall building be noted as a fire hazard.
Tony Uccello, Swan Ave, was concerned about the amount of traffic, and noted that it seemed that businesses and residents alike wanted to attract more families to the beach and create a safer environment.
7.50: Privately Owned, Permitted Parking Lots:
Chairman Pappalardo explained that the Board of Selectmen had asked the Commission to review the fee structure of the private parking lots and make a recommendation as to a fair and equitable fee structure for the future. The Commission discussed this issue during the winter months, but wanted to ensure full input from the lot owners. The Commission sent letters to the lot owners, advising them that the issue would be on tonight’s agenda. The primary concern to the Town is that a number of Sound View facilities are incurring costs from day visitors who utilize parking lots, including the town lot and private lots. This could be as high as an additional 15-1600 people on a busy day. There should be a formula to share the costs of extra policing, sanitation, trash removal, beach cleaning, etc. As the fee had remained
unchanged at $20 for many years, the Commission recommended a fee increase of $40 per space per year. The Selectmen reduced this to $30 for this year, with the understanding that we would continue to have input from the lot owners as the summer goes on.
There were questions regarding the fluctuating rates at the Town Lot. Don Bugbee, Parks and Recreation Director, explained that a few years ago, he felt the town lot was losing business at different times of the day, so he started adjusting the rates downward. Mr. Bugbee said if it’s a busy day, we use the higher (posted) rates, but if traffic dies down later in the day, we will drop it to $20 or $15. It’s a judgment call on the part of the lot attendant.
Joyce Grasso, lot permit #4, asked why there are staggered rates listed on the street signs. Frank Pappalardo explained that the posted rate reductions only apply to the on-street parking, which had previously been free. Mr. Pappalardo said he’d rather see the town lot stay at its posted rates throughout the day, but acknowledged that there has been an informal policy where Mr. Bugbee may adjust the rates on cloudy days. Next year, if all goes well, the town lot and street parking attendants will be replaced by electronic kiosks, which can be changed electronically. One idea might be to estimate all expenses, add them together, then divide by the number of spaces available, and that would be the fee. In the interest of fairness, the fee could be a percentage of the total amount, so the full burden wouldn’t
fall on the private lot owners.
Dee Vowles (Carousel Shop/ lot owner) suggested that rental cottages also be assessed a fee for parking. Discussion ensued regarding the difficulty of enforcing this, and also that renters would likely use restroom facilities, etc. at their rented cottage, rather than using town facilities.
Don Bugbee asked if there is a problem with the fees that the lot owners must pay. Harry Plaut explained that for many years the parking lot assessment was set arbitrarily low at $20. The fees do not at all cover the extra expenses. We looked at the total number of spaces re private parking, and calculated that the revenue stream was 20 years behind the times. Frank Pappalardo added that porta potties cost $6K, Beach cleaning is @5600K, plus there’s additional policing, extra trash collection, etc. Officer Heinssen said patrols are up to 6 on the weekends, and said we could really use 5 or 6 more Rangers. This past weekend we had a high police presence.
Joe Malinguaggio (lot owner, Portland Ave) said that it sounds like the town keeps going back to the lot owners to cover the expenses. He noted that beachgoers also buy food, sundries, and carry those items to the beach. Chairman Pappalardo reiterated that the fee would likely be a percentage, and that the Town does not wish to put an undue burden on the lot owners.
Joyce Grasso asked what if a percentage is set, then the following year expenses are higher? Mr. Pappalardo said that the goal was to come up with a fair solution that would be based on a formula would be valid beyond the current Commission members and lot owners. This should include a review process every few years. The fee would not be raised each year. Harry Plaut agreed that the formula can be adjusted going forward. Ms. Grasso also said that the traffic pattern seemed to be working well this year.
Joe Malinguaggio said that on cloudy days or rainy days, lot owners don’t make any money. He asked why food permits, vending permits, etc. haven’t been looked at. Frank Pappalardo explained that the demands on Town services are largely a result of the influx of day visitors. Their end use is the parking lots. We need to get together and figure out how to solve the problem equitably. Rain or shine, the cost of porta-potties, garbage collection, policing, etc. does not change.
Officer Heinssen suggested that perhaps it is time to start collecting data, whether by cameras or people driving around checking numbers. We should also do this for noise and security issues. Harry Plaut said that he keeps records of beach cleaning, e.g., how much trash there is on the beach on any given day. Don Bugbee also keeps records. Maybe the lot owners can help with this by keeping records so we can understand the variables they face day-to-day.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder said she thought this was a helpful discussion because in many ways we are all on the same page. We all want more families here, and a safer, cleaner environment. We have been talking about having an increased Town presence in Sound View on land and water. The best part of this conversation is that we are all facing the same issues. If we have a united front, we say let’s clean this up and not tolerate this behavior. We didn’t set fees on the street parking spaces to take business away from the private lots, we did it to stop the circling of cars and dangerous shuffling of parking spaces between cars on the street. We are taking big steps, and I really appreciate the conversation. Officer Heinssen added: we are trying to go after problems one at a time. We all have to work
together to change the behavior, which has been going on for over 50 years. Other towns have outgrown it, and it’s time to stop it here.
The lot owners agreed that they had been seeing a lot more families lately and that they are a better behaved clientele than in previous years. Frank Pappalardo said that any data parking lot owners could contribute, would be helpful. Then we could sit down and figure out an average for the year, and hopefully reach an agreement.
Sandy Ziemba (Swan Ave. lot owner) asked if we’ve lost any parking lots in the last few years. Frank Pappalardo said that numerous illegal parking lots have been shut down, and other illegal parkers have been warned and shut down, but the number of permitted lots remained the same.
Office Heinssen said the police are also working on how to prevent illegal parking at the State Rest area on Rte. 156. Frank Pappalardo said all of these changes should increase revenue to the private parking lots.
Joe Malinguaggio asked about funding for the proposed changes at the Town Lot: restrooms, picnic area, etc. Frank Pappalardo explained the process of having the studies done, and applying for a grant. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder said the submitted grant proposal was voted on unanimously by the 9 Towns. There is $800K available, and the 9 Towns voted to prioritize our application. It’s 80% of the cost, and the street parking will help fund the remainder. Frank Pappalardo said that once the grant is approved, the next step will be to hold several informational meetings for the town.
9.05 Beach Cooler Policy:
It has been suggested there be a size restriction or ban on coolers. This is an ongoing discussion. Joyce Grasso asked if there was anywhere that people with coolers could go onto the beach. Officer Heinssen said coolers are allowed only in the public areas of Sound View Beach. (Residents of Miami Beach and Sound View Beach with Cooler Passes may bring coolers onto Miami Beach, but not the general public.) The Rangers direct people to those areas, and then check the coolers for alcohol, glass, etc. He added that many visitors are misinformed about the longstanding no-alcohol policy, and that the Rangers are often asked “since when can’t you drink on the beach?” Mr. Malinguaggio suggested that these issues be revisited at a brainstorming session at the end of the summer. Mr. Pappalardo agreed.
Mr. Plaut asked about the weekend policing schedule for July 4th week. Officer Heinssen stated that there would be increased patrols for the entire week.
9.20p:Beachfront Update: On 6/15 it was reported that the swim lines were damaged and had been cut in four places. The Board of Selectmen responded to this immediately, and the lines were repaired and/or replaced as needed.. Harry Plaut said he has already replaced/ repaired the swim lines four times since. Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal, Selectman Skip Sibley, and Harbormaster Mike Moran walked the entire beachfront with Frank Pappalardo to assess the various beachfront, tideline and water-based issues.
The Commission sent a letter to the Board of Selectmen outlining the concerns regarding jet skis in the swim area, tied up to the swim lines, and especially the illegal renting of jet skis. Also included were noise complaints, and issues with the fences recently erected by the two bars on the beach. It was suggested that the fence ropes be pulled tighter to reduce trip hazard. Also, the fences must be reviewed as they currently seem to be encroaching upon property of the town, or for use by the general public, such as the tideline area. Mr. Pappalardo noted that the bar properties do not extend to the high-water mark, but are specifically delineated lots, followed by a portion of town-owned land, then the high-water-mark public trust area.
Also addressed were the hazards of abandoned mooring buoys creating a serious hazard onshore and in the swim area. The swim area buffer line still needs to be installed correctly, according to the DEEP permit. It is currently in the wrong place.
9.27p: Other Business: Frank Pappalardo is working with Miami Beach and the Town to design a barrier/gate at the passthroughs that will prevent high-speed motorbike access, but retain enough width for strollers and handicapped accessibility.
Mr. Pappalardo also said he had received approval as of 7/1 to replace the traffic cones with in-road stop signs. Officer Heinssen said he thought this would add to safety. He also said that he had reported the four streetlights in need of repair. Mr. Pappalardo said there is money in the budget for the refurbishment of the Bocce courts, but volunteer labor is needed. Shirley Grande of Portland Ave. reported that there was a gentleman cleaning the bocce court last Saturday, who has volunteered to help out. Harry Plaut will interface with volunteers to get this done. Frank Pappalardo said that Alley signage will be posted soon.
9.40 Motion to Adjourn
Russ Carlo motioned to adjourn.
Joann Lishing seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.
Next meeting Tuesday, 7/23/12 at the Shoreline Community Center on Hartford Ave. 7.30pm
Respectfully submitted,
Michaelle Pearson,
Secretary
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