Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
25th February, 2013
Town Hall, 7.30 pm
Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), Joann Reis Lishing, Harry Plaut, Michaelle Pearson (Secretary), Russ Carlo (Alternate), David Kelsey.
Also present: Sandy Ziemba & Stephanie Livesey (members of the Parking Subcommittee); members of the public.
Absent: Frank Maratta (Alternate), Joseph Camean (Alternate)
7.30 Meeting called to order by Chairman Frank Pappalardo.
7.32p Approval of Minutes: Joann Lishing motioned to approve minutes Jan 28. Seconded by David Kelsey. Motion carried.
7.33 Parking subcommittee update: FP read charge to the subcommittee.
The Parking Subcommittee has issued their recommendations:
Keep fees consistent at the Town Lot. Do not fluctuate rates during inclement weather.
Keep the rates at $20.00 weekdays and $25.00 weekends, regardless of weather conditions. Decision to close or open the lot on inclement weather days will be made jointly by a designated member of the Sound View Commission, the lot manager (Don Bugbee) and Public Safety.
Set pricing for street kiosks at $5.00 per 2 hours parking weekdays; $7.00 per 2 hours parking weekends and holidays. Calculation: $5.00/2 X 4 = $20.00 per kiosk per weekday; $7.00/2 X 4 = $28.00 per kiosk per weekend day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The consensus of the subcommittee members was that the 2-hour fee increments would allow short-time beachgoers an opportunity to pay less than the all-day fees.
Group the business parking spaces together at either end of Hartford Avenue, rather than in front of each business. This will be easier for visitors, less confusing.
The Commission should revisit these issues at the end of the summer and adjust as needed. Public Safety will monitor the business parking spaces and determine whether to add/subtract as necessary.
The possibility of having a “family day” with special pricing was discussed, but no action was taken on this item.
Russ Carlo expressed concern about vandalism if the parking lot remains open until 9pm
Frank Pappalardo said that currently the gates are not locked until 9pm. The lot closes at 5 pm, but gates aren’t locked until 9pm.
Jack Vecchitto asked if under the new configuration Hartford Avenue would become a one-way street. Frank Pappalardo said that Hartford Avenue will still be a be two- way street. Only the parking configuration will change, to remedy the safety hazard of people making u-turns across lanes of traffic and pedestrians as they attempt to snag parking spaces. We have a request in to the engineer re possibly reconfiguring the parking for this year to fit with the new park plan.
Stephanie Livesey spoke about the idea of having a Family Day one weekday this summer, with discounted parking for families. This could be promoted in Town, and coordinated with businesses. She suggested a brochure or coupons for area businesses. There was some discussion regarding how to define “family” for this day. There was general agreement that an adult accompanied by a child under age 12 might be a good place to start, and that we would discuss this in future. No vote was taken.
David Kelsey asked if the discounted parking would undercut the private lots.
Sandy Ziemba (parking lot owner) said that most lots had discounted rates during the week anyway, so one day of discounts at the Town Lot should be ok.
Harry Plaut thanked the subcommittee for their recommendations, and said he hoped that what they had recommended represents a consensus of a good cross-section of the business community, parking lot owners, etc. This subcommittee was formed in response to pressures from the businesses and private lot owners last summer, and he wanted to be sure that this would be the end of complaints regarding the parking fees. He further expressed the hope that should there be any issues in future, that they would come before this Commission, rather than being aired in the local media, as had been the case last summer.
Sandy Ziemba and Stephanie Livesey said the meetings were attended by a good cross section of businesses and lot owners: Teddy (of OL Pizza Palace), Lenny Corto (of Lenny’s), several lot owners, etc. Anyone who wanted to voice their opinion was there. There was plenty of opportunity for everyone to have their say.
David Kelsey motioned to adopt the parking subcommittee’s recommendations with proposed revisions for forwarding to the town of Old Lyme. Joann Lishing seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Parking Lot Revenues: Parks and Recreation reported 2012 revenues from Sound View Parking Lot: $89,750 gross, $2000K higher than previous year. This was the second-highest gross ever, the highest having been 90,840 in 2009. These figures did not include revenues from the street parking, which brought in an additional sum close to $30K. The number of cars was approximately the same as previous year: 2011 had 5,492 cars. 2012 had 5,426 cars.
8.29p SV Improvements Grant Update :
There is strong support for the park proposal from the Town. The Selectmen wrote a letter of town support for the grant on 2/11, the Planning Commission followed suit on 2/14. Unanimous support from both.
The next step is choosing a design engineer firm. Must go out as an RFP, once that’s done, we can move forward. We need a town public meeting to appropriate the funds for the engineering. (Around $75K) Once it’s done, we submit to federal government for 80% reimbursement. This engineering package would be the RFP for the construction phase. Another town meeting to allocate funds for construction portion. Expecting to break ground sometime in early 2014.
State DOT asked to extend the bike path to the Baldwin Bridge. State would provide funding for this. The next critical event is a town meeting to approve the first phase. We want to schedule it so that more summer residents can be present. Overall there has been overwhelming positive response.
Stephanie Livesey asked if it would be possible to get kiosk parking in time for this summer.
Frank Pappalardo said the Selectmen are working on it, and he is working on having the new lines drawn. It’s possible, but not definite.
SV Improvements Project Management Committee has been appointed, and shall consist of the following 3 people: Mary Jo Nosal, Angelo Faenza, and Frank Pappalardo. This committee will report back to Selectmen and SV Commission.
Frank Pappalardo described the contours of the proposed bike path: The road from Baldwin Bridge all the way to the Black Hall is wide enough for a side bike path. At the Black Hall Bridge, there will be a share-the-road bike path. Much of it will be side access, with share-the-road portions where applicable. There will also be crosswalks at Hartford Avenue. Bike path was the key to obtaining funding for the entire project through alternative transportation grants.
8.50: New business
Bocce courts: We have $2100 appropriation for bocce courts. Must be used by July.
Bill Randazzo, the new owner of the former El Morocco introduced himself and said he would like to create a family restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. He hopes to start renovating as soon as he can get approvals.
9.05
Motion to Adjourn
Joann Lishing motioned to adjourn.
Dave Kelsey seconded. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned.
Next meeting: March 25, 2013
7.30 pm, Town Hall
Respectfully Submitted,
Michaelle Pearson
Secretary
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