Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
27th May, 2014
Shoreline Community Center 7.30 pm
Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), Michaelle Pearson (Secretary), David Kelsey.
Absent: Joann Reis Lishing, Frank Maratta (Alternate) Sandra Ziemba (Alternate) Russ Carlo (Alternate), Harry Plaut
Also Present: First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectman Skip Sibley, Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal, Officer Thomas Heinssen, Federation of Beaches President Scott Boulanger.
8.00 pm Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Chairman Frank Pappalardo.
Approval of April Minutes: Correction: Selectwoman Nosal was in attendance at the April meeting. FP moved to approve April minutes as amended. David Kelsey seconded. All in favor.
Business:
Sound View Park Project Update:
Frank Pappalardo said that the engineers will begin surveying for the park project in the next few weeks. David Kelsey asked when there would be public meetings for comments. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder said that when the project has reached 30% completion, a meeting will be called to elicit public comment. That is the DOT standard procedure. Mr. Pappalardo added that all of the Design Committee meetings are public, so if anyone wishes to comment at any point in the process, that would be the proper venue.
Sound View Gateway Project Update:
Mr. Pappalardo said that he had met with Kurt Prochorena of BSC, and walked the site from the Police Station to Cross Lane, along Route 156. Mr. Prochorena will compile a list of items to be addressed, such as a walkway/sidewalk on Shore Road, crosswalks, and some type of sidewalk on Hartford Avenue. Michaelle Pearson asked that some consideration be given to exploring a crosswalk where Shore Road meets Cross lane, as many people currently cross there to reach the recreational facilities at Cross Lane and Mile Creek School, and it is a busy intersection with no clear markings for pedestrians.
8.15 Correspondence:
Received letters from Miami Beach Association officers Mark Mongillo, Scott Boulanger and Gary Schmidt regarding the overcrowding and traffic on Memorial Day weekend. Mr. Pappalardo acknowledged that there was an unprecedented crowd here Monday (Memorial Day). Public safety was fully staffed and on the job from 7am-8pm on Monday, with four Old Lyme Police Officers, one State Trooper and six Rangers. Priority was public safety and crowd control. Fortunately there were no major incidents.
Officer Heinssen said it was extremely crowded on Monday. Memorial Day is an unusual situation. Officers will continue strict enforcement all summer long. There is also an issue with getting the wrecking companies to tow, as many have lost claims in small claims court from beachgoers claiming damages.
Federation of Old Lyme Beaches (FOLB) president Scott Boulanger asked if the Board of Selectmen can work with State Legislators, State Police, etc. to resolve these issues, as our small town, and small beach have a constant stream of visitors from all over the State, which directly impacts our quality of life and our law enforcement budget. Boulanger asked, why aren’t we closing the streets for a few hours at a time when the beach is overcrowded and lots are full, as was done up until last year. People need to be told when the beach is over capacity and there is no parking available. What about people parking illegally along Route 156? Why doesn’t the State enforce that? This creates extremely dangerous conditions with pedestrians walking on 156 and cars parking along the road.
Discussion: The Town has made a lot of good progress over the years, but even on days when it’s not as bad as it was Memorial Day, there is still far too much traffic on the road, and illegal parking exacerbates the problem. From a safety and sanitary standpoint we should be able to limit the amount of people on the beach. Other beaches can close gates to limit traffic when full.
Officer Heinssen said that there were a lot of tickets issued this past weekend. Illegally parked cars were ticketed. When the beach and roads are so overcrowded, Public Safety has to control the worst of it, as there are too many issues to selectively enforce.
8.35 Operations Manual: Dave Kelsey. Emergency Procedures. Tabled until next meeting.
Swim line issues: There are gaps in the swim lines, and it looks like there is no buffer lane adjacent to the boat lane. Ms. Pearson said she would take a look in the morning and contact Harry Plaut to correct the situation ASAP.
8.41: Sound View Concert Series:
Three bands have been booked for family-oriented concert events on Thursday nights. The Funky Dawgz, a New Orleans style Brass band, The Old Lyme Town Band and Grass Routes Bluegrass band. Businesses will be offered the opportunity to offer promotional discounts on concert days. Joann Lishing and Sandy Ziemba have volunteered to bring the letter to area businesses and coordinate the discounts.
Dave Kelsey added that these events should be added to the Town Community Calendar. He will send an email advising Ruth Roach as to dates and times of concerts. We should also have
a banner and signage at the end of the street to promote the concert.
Frank Pappalardo undated us as to the status of electricity at the flagpole, saying that we would like to install an outlet, and need to work out funding for this. The Commission will provide all the sound amplification. Speakers will be aimed toward the water, so as not to disturb residents.
8.49: Update: Lenny’s on the Beach Proposal for Food and Alcohol Service on the Beach: Zoning hearing of May 12th has been continued to June 9th at the request of Lenny’s attorney. No public input was permitted at last zoning meeting.
8.52: Signage: Change signage to “Welcome to Sound View Beach”. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder suggested that there might be an opportunity for local businesses to purchase “home of “sponsorship on the sign. Also need to rehang SVBA sign outside Cumberland farms.
Bocce: No update. Selectwoman Nosal said she observed people playing on the courts this past t weekend.
9.00pm: Motion to Adjourn.
Ms. Pearson motioned to adjourn, David Kelsey seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9pm.
Next meeting will be Monday, June 23, 2014 at 7.30pm.
Venue: Shoreline Community Center on Hartford Avenue.
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