Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
Jul 22, 2013
Shoreline Community Center, 7.30 pm
Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), Harry Plaut, Michaelle Pearson (Secretary), Joann Reis Lishing Frank Maratta (Alternate), David Kelsey, Sandra Ziemba (Alternate), Russ Carlo (Alternate)
Also Present: Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal (ex-officio), Selectman Skip Sibley, Ofc Tom Heinssen
7.30 Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Chairman Frank Pappalardo
7.32 Approval of Minutes of June, 2013. Motion to accept: Harry Plaut, Seconded by David Kelsey. Minutes approved.
7.35: Announced the selection of engineering consultant, BSC. The next step in the process will be to detail the tasks required. Once list of tasks developed, man-hours will be assigned. Next informational meeting will be in August. Town meeting will hopefully be in September.
Maintenance items:
Town Sanitarian: Water quality has been very good so far this season.
Streetlight on Martino Road #1887, and also pole next to it that has been broken and propped up with planking. Mr. Pappalardo submitted request to selectmen
Formal request made for Public Works to remove a utility pole from the alley next to the Pavilion Bar. Frank Maratta also said that a rut in the asphalt on the street near the Pavilion driveway cut needs to be repaired.
There have been numerous complaints regarding an obstacle in the swim area. It needs to be marked, and Harry Plaut will remove it.
CT Main Street Grant Program: Gateway to the beach area: Police station to Cross Lane then down Hartford Avenue. Look to Niantic as an example where Landscape development, LLC, did some of the work and put together a case study locating lights ands street trees, removing trees in decline, appropriate varietals for narrow sidewalks and coastal environment, sidewalks, appropriate for seaside.
Joe Camean/ Town Economic Development Commission are very interested in working together with SVC on this.
Harry Plaut suggested that we continue looking at other Main Street projects, such as Old Orchard Beach, Westerly, Niantic, Mystic, etc.
Updates from Board of Selectmen and Public Safety:
Officer Heinssen said there had been 264 summonses issued since 5/24. 136 for alcohol on the beach, and 128 parking violations. Regarding the new parking, people like the new kiosk meters.
4-6 hours seems to be the average stay. Officer Heinssen will prepare a report for the Board of Selectmen.
Russ Carlo asked, When an accident involves drunk driving, is the driver asked where they had been drinking? Officer Heinssen said, yes, that is a part of the record.
Frank Pappalardo commented that he had noticed that the stop sign enforcement was working out well. Officer Heinssen said we currently have 4 Rangers per day, up to 6. Miami Beach cut hours requested due to budget issues.
Harry Plaut asked if there was any news regarding the proposed security cameras for Hartford Avenue. Mr. Pappalardo said the vendor’s proposal had been submitted to the Selectmen. The total package, as proposed, would be 87K, but we are looking at negotiating a smaller and less costly package. .
Other Business:
WPCA requested use of the Community Center on 8/3 for an informal meeting 8-10am with the public. Kurt Zemba is the new Chairman of the WPCA.
Public Comment:
Frank Lishing asked if the WPCA has come up with a final proposal for community septic?
Frank Pappalardo said there was no final info yet. Selectwoman Nosal said, they are still gathering data, and crunching numbers. Should be ready with more info by meeting on 8/3. There will also be a public informational meeting at Town Hall on July 30th.
Joyce Grasso of Swan Avenue said people have been parking in the alley behind her home. The vehicles were ticketed but the ticket was quashed because there are no signs saying “no parking” in alleyway. Carol Moore, Swan Ave concurred. Frank Pappalardo said we will look at it this weekend and request a sign be installed.
Evan Rowe of the Waffle Bar, Hartford Avenue, said his business could benefit from a couple of spaces in front so people could pull in and read the menu. Frank Pappalardo reminded him that paid parking is only between 10 and 6, and that when parking situation was considered, to be fair to all businesses, the Parking Subcommittee recommended grouping the business spaces central to the north and south block to accommodate all businesses as these are very short blocks. But, we are still evaluating the design of spaces, and expect that much of this will be reconfigured based on feedback.
Dino Di Nino questioned the two business spots that had been installed in front of the carousel, in the Carousel’s former driveway. Frank Pappalardo explained that the Carousel Shop had a driveway cut that consumed a lot of street space. The owners asked if it would be possible for them to give up their private driveway cut, and add two business spots, usable by any business on the street. The request was forwarded to the Selectmen and Public Safety.. Heidi DiNino Fields asked how often the Carousel shop had used their driveway. Dee Vowles of the Carousel Shop responded that they used the driveway all the time, but were willing to give up their private driveway spot to install two business spaces, not just for use by Carousel Shop customers, but for all businesses. Ms. DiNino-Fields said she wanted two spaces
in front of 61 Hartford Ave, and would be willing to give up their driveway cut.
Melissa Corto of Lenny’s on the Beach asked about the proposed Hartford Avenue security cameras.. She wanted to know where they would be located and why they were needed.
Officer Heinssen said that there had been some issues with vandalism, sabotage to kiosks, etc. Also for overall safety factor on the street. Ms. Di Nino-Fields asked for details regarding the vandalism. There have been several incidents, including one in which someone covered the photoelectric cell with a piece of wood to prevent the kiosk battery from recharging. Ms. Di Nino Fields said that she had done that because she felt that the kiosk was encroaching on her property.
Officer Heinssen spoke about the need for additional security on the street, saying that we have two very expensive machines with cash in them, and most towns have security cameras. It’s for the future. The cameras would be used to protect the town’s investment. When the new restrooms are constructed, they will require security.
Melissa Corto asked if the ultimate goal is to attract more people, where are they going to park?
Michaelle Pearson said that while she understands the importance of resolving the current issues with parking and traffic, more people doesn’t necessarily have to only include cars. There are incentives to support alternative transportation to the beach area via bike, bus and train. She referenced the fact that Old Lyme once had several train stations, including one at Sound View, and there is growing interest in the state and nationally to invest in rail infrastructure, and alternative means of transport for the future.
Mr. Pappalardo said that the Commission requested 9K to do a study for Main Street/Gateway to Sound View. This includes topics as what to do with utility poles, overhead wires, trees, curb appeal, and economic development. We will work on this in conjunction with the Economic Development Commission. We have to ask ourselves, what’s happening out there now? Nothing. If it’s not a beach day, there is nothing going on. How do we get people to stroll the street from 7-9pm? Also, how can we expand the season a month or two on either end? That’s part of Economic Development, and that’s where input from businesses would be the most valuable.
Ms. Corto expressed concern re traffic and safety issues on the street, including garbage cans, and sidewalk access. Mr. Pappalardo said he thought her points were good, and asked her to bring them up in the one-on-one design meetings with the engineers when the meetings are scheduled.
Ms. DiNino-Fields submitted a letter to be read into the record. Chairman Pappalardo accepted the letter and will include on the next meeting agenda.
Lori May of Hartford Avenue asked that everyone please try to get along so that we can solve our issues together as neighbors. She urged people to refrain from deliberately antagonizing others, and to try to be positive members of the community.
Ms. Corto said she felt there should be more of a business voice on the Commission. Mr. Pappalardo reminded her that Frank Maratta, and Harry Plaut are both business owners in the beach area, and that the interests of businesses are well represented by the Economic Development Commission. Furthermore, he and David Kelsey are also business owners and understand the challenges facing small business. David Kelsey said that the Commission is appointed by the Selectmen, and reports to them, and that there needs to be a balance between the interests of residents and businesses.
9.05 Motion to adjourn: Joann Lishing. Second: Dave Kelsey. Motion adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Michaelle Pearson, Secretary
| 
