Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
10th August, 2012
Special Meeting
Town Hall, 7.30 pm
Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), Joann Reis Lishing, Michaelle Pearson (Secretary), Harry Plaut, David Kelsey, Joseph Camean (Alternate), Frank Maratta (Alternate) Also present: Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal, Officer Thomas Heinssen (OLPD), members of the public. Absent: Russ Carlo (Alternate)
7.40 Meeting called to order by Chairman Frank Pappalardo.
Special Meeting: On-Street Parking at Sound View Beach.
Frank Pappalardo stated that Lindsey Maratta, Dee Vowles and Lenny Corto petitioned for a special meeting to discuss Hartford Avenue on-street parking. Because of the time factor, the Commission granted a Special Meeting to address a possible reduction in parking fees.
Mr. Pappalardo reviewed several initiatives enacted this year, including cooler policies, increased police enforcement of existing laws/ordinances, reduced parking fees in the Town lot and eliminating free parking on the street at Hartford Ave, while retaining the free parking spots for businesses. So far we have heard from the public that these policies are working very well. The bars have also banned coolers in front of their establishments.
Regarding the decrease in business, Mr. Pappalardo said there are many factors to consider: the economy, the weather, and rising gas prices as the summer has progressed. There were also several weekends where the forecast predicted thunderstorms, though the actual weather at the beach was fair.
At the merchants’ meeting earlier this year, the merchants asked the Sound View Commission to eliminate free street parking because the free parking was attracting a crowd that wasn’t patronizing their businesses. In compensation for eliminating the free spots, the Commission lowered the price of the town parking lot from $30 weekends /$25 weekdays to $25 weekends /$20 weekdays.
Now, some of the merchants claim that the street parking rates are too high, so the private parking lots and town parking lot are filling up first, and the street parking is the last to fill up, especially in the upper reaches of Hartford Ave. One private parking lot owner sent info saying that her parking lot was way down in July.
Harry Plaut said the Commission should adjust the on-street parking downward for the remainder of the summer to accommodate the business owners and show that the Commission is open to their ideas. He suggested that business owners put together a list of things that they would like to see done so the Commission can help them to succeed. But at the same time, the businesses must realize that Sound View is changing, and the Commission must also satisfy the residents and interests of public safety as well.
Michaelle Pearson said that she was disappointed by the hostile tone of some of the commentary and publicity surrounding this issue. There is no need for such angry rhetoric, which pits neighbors against each other instead of working together to make Sound View a better place for everyone. The Commission wants to help our local businesses to succeed, but must also balance the needs of residents, businesses and visitors. There are also issues of revenue, expenditures and public safety to consider. It is difficult to please everyone, but without calm, reasonable dialogue it is impossible. Ms. Pearson said she believes the downturn to be part of the greater economic difficulties across the region, rather than a result of the few parking spaces in question, but if the business owners feel that lowering the fees would help
them, she would be happy to support such a reduction.
Mr. Pappalardo said that he would like to make it clear that the forum for discussion of Sound View issues is the Sound View Commission, not the Board of Selectmen, and that valuable time was lost due to the merchants’ attempt to circumvent the Commission by petitioning the Board of Selectmen directly. The Commission is the process by which residents and businesses can resolve problems and move forward. The Commission is part of Town government. It is charged to advise the Selectmen regarding any and all issues pertaining to Sound View. Progress means making Sound View better for everyone, and the Selectmen have received numerous letters of support for the work the Commission has done so far.
David Kelsey said he thought it was important to have an open channel of communication for residents and businesses to bring up their concerns. He noted that there has been a significant downturn in business across the Shoreline, not just in Old Lyme. If you look at the overall attendance at State Parks and related shoreline concerns, the numbers are down. Mr. Pappalardo concurred, stating that
Rocky Neck has had no closures for capacity this year as opposed to last year when they had several. Joann Lishing added that Misquamicut also did not have any capacity closings this year. Ms. Lishing also said that she was concerned about the level of divisiveness that the businesses had fostered at these meetings, and that many things have been said that are simply not true.
Frank Maratta stated that in addition to The Pavilion Bar in Sound View, he also has another restaurant six miles away that is up by over 20 percent this year. He said that it was a hassle for people to come down and pay $30 for parking.
Mr. Pappalardo corrected this assertion, stating that parking has never been $30 this year. Not in the Town lot, not on the street. The top rate is $25 for a full day (weekends/holidays) and $20 for a full day (weekdays). All parking rates are adjusted downward due to market and weather conditions, at the discretion of Parks and Rec Director Don Bugbee.
Joe Camean said parking at Sound View was comparable to other beaches, such as Rocky Neck, which costs $28 weekends/ $22 weekday. Mr. Camean also noted that the business owners have repeatedly said that they are trying to make a year’s worth of revenue in three short months, and that’s an important issue: not to have tumbleweeds going down the street for nine months out of the year. The Commission is trying to make a difference in the character of the area. When it was time to paint the Community Center on Hartford Avenue, many residents from all over town came to help out, but the people who complain the loudest were absent. Mr. Camean said that the goals of everyone could be served through increased participation and communication.
Mr. Kelsey said free parking encourages people to bring everything they need, which doesn’t contribute to the community or the businesses. A reduction in the on-street parking rates would vet the situation, but free parking attracts folks who are not patrons of the establishments. There should be some sort of a fee for parking. He asked Mr. Maratta if he agreed that some sort of fee would be in order.
Mr. Maratta responded that if there were kiosks (metered parking) that would allow people to come to the beach for an hour, that would be ideal, and that there should be free street parking until the kiosks are installed.
Mr. Pappalardo said that the goal was to have the kiosks in place next year, so parking can be tailored to individual needs and weather conditions. Over the winter we will discuss how to integrate the kiosks and the private parking lots. For the rest of this season, the Commission should recommend to the Selectmen that the on-street parking rates be reduced.
Mr. Maratta asked what is meant by “refer to the Selectmen”? Mr. Pappalardo explained that after the Commission votes on this issue tonight, he will draft a formal recommendation letter, and the Selectmen will take it up at their earliest convenience.
Ms. Lishing motioned to recommend a reduction of on-street parking fees for the remainder of the 2012 season, from $25/$15/$10 on weekends/holidays, and $20/$10/$5 on weekdays to $15 full day/ $10 after 1 pm on weekends/holidays and $10 full day/ $5 after 1pm on weekdays.
Mr. Kelsey seconded the motion.
Motion carried, 5-0.
Ms. Lishing motioned to adjourn. Harry Plaut seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned 8.35 pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Michaelle Pearson
Secretary
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