Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
26th May, 2015
7.30 pm
Shoreline Community Center
Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), Michaelle Pearson (Secretary), Sandra Ziemba (alternate), Paul Orzel (alternate)
First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder (ex officio), Selectman Skip Sibley (ex officio)
Absent: Harry Plaut, David Kelsey, Joann Reis Lishing (excused), Frank Maratta (Alternate)
7.38 pm Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Chairman Frank Pappalardo.
Alternate Sandra Ziemba seated for the absent Harry Plaut. Alternate Paul Orzel seated for the absent David Kelsey. Mr. Pappalardo welcomed Paul Orzel as a new alternate member.
Approval of April Minutes: Sandra Ziemba motioned to approve the April Minutes. Michaelle Pearson seconded. Motion Carried: Ayes: Pappalardo, Pearson, Ziemba. Abstaining: Orzel
7.40pm Correspondence:
From the SVC to Nicole Stadjuhar requesting payment of invoices for beach signs $796, labels for the kiosks $37.01, and a new rope for the flagpole, $150.
From the SVC to Ruth Roach asking that all information regarding Sound View Beach be updated on the town website, to ensure that the information is current and includes information regarding parking rates, beach rules, etc.
7.44pm Old Business:
Sound View Improvements Grant Progress Report:
Meeting anticipated for June 9 has been postponed to June 30th. Office of Long Island Sound Programs has claimed jurisdiction and wishes to ensure the project will not restrict beach access. They had been unaware of the uniqueness of the Sound View area, which includes dead end streets, private and public parking lots, and other unusual condistions.
Attending the meeting were: Bonnie Reemsnyder, Mary, Jo Nosal, Frank Pappalardo; Angelo Faenza, Rob Haramut from RiverCOG, David Head VHB, Keith Rosenfeld
The Office of Long Island Sound Programs requested a letter from the First Selectwoman summarizing these unique factors. They are aware that the public information meeting must occur soon to keep to the project schedule, and have promised to respond in a timely fashion.
There are several plans for the restroom facility. The Design Committee has reduced the size of the facility and are looking at other cost-saving measures to ensure that the facility will meet the needs of the community, be aesthetically pleasing and cost-efficient. Still on track to break ground March of 2016, with estimated completion by Memorial Day 2016.
7.50 Trash Receptacles:
David Kelsey met with Ed Adanti regarding the trash can designs that had been discussed at our March meeting. They recommended 11 of the 55-gallon size and 4 of the 35 gallon size. Will be equivalent to the current trash capacity.
Gateway Project Discussion:
Reviewed drawings for the Gateway Project.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND RECAP:
Frank Pappalardo said there had been numerous complaints over the Memorial Day weekend, mostly due to an apparent lack of police presence and/or lack of enforcement. Residents expressed frustration at being told that “nothing would be done” about dangerous and illegal behaviors unless a problem or incident occurred.
On Sunday afternoon, there were numerous complaints from residents on Swan avenue, which Mr. Pappalardo also corroborated regarding motorcyclists and two black cars (a Nissan and a Camaro) racing up Swan Avenue at extremely high speeds, and also ignoring stop signs.
It was noted that there was very little police presence observed on Swan avenue all weekend, and also none at the Bocce Road intersection, which had been typical in previous years.
Also on Sunday, Angelo Faenza called police regarding a crowd of intoxicated people in the Martino parking lot. A cruiser responded, but the officers were apparently unfamiliar with the area, as they drove past the lot several times until Mr. Faenza called dispatch with further directions. No resolution of this situation was observed or reported.
Mr. Faenza also called police regarding a noise complaint of loud music emanating from one of the bars at 11.30 pm on Sunday night.
At approximately 2.30pm on Sunday, residents reported to the Town Rangers that a group of underage kids were openly drinking alcohol out of glass bottles on the beach, and had a large, oversized cooler. The Rangers responded by saying that they “could do nothing about it.” despite the fact that several laws and town ordinances were being openly flouted.
Paul Orzel said he witnessed an extremely rough game of football on the beach in close proximity to several toddlers and young children. Mr. Orzel’s wife informed the Rangers of this, pointing out that ball playing is expressly prohibited on the beach. The Rangers replied by asking if anyone had been injured, and by stating that they had been told not to enforce the ball playing rules. Nothing was done, and the game spread over larger portions of the beach, creating and further worsening a dangerous situation.
Paul Orzel also said the Rangers didn’t show up until 9.15am on Sunday and 9.30 am on Monday, despite the fact that the beach crowd begins arriving as early as 8am, and the parking lot is supposed to be supervised. Mr. Orzel said nothing was being done about coolers, despite the rule. The Rangers were not observed performing cooler checks on the beach or at Swan Avenue and residents witnessed people carrying extremely large coolers off the beach at the end of the day. Mr. Orzel shot video over the weekend which will be made available to SVC members.
Sandra Ziemba said she informed her parking lot patrons about the cooler restrictions, but several of them decided to chance it, and were not subject to any cooler checks. Ms. Ziemba asked patrons returning from the beach if there had been any cooler checks, and was told that there was no one checking anything.
On Monday morning at 11am: Joe Malanguaggio of Portland Avenue reported intoxicated people sitting and standing atop their cars in the Town Parking Lot openly drinking alcohol and behaving in a loud, obnoxious manner. No police or rangers were observed in the parking lot.
Frank Pappalardo said he spoke to Resident State Trooper Gary Inglis regarding the lack of enforcement this weekend, and Inglis said there was a change in policy and the Rangers were not to confront anyone regarding alcohol on the beach unless something happens, at which time they are to call for a police officer. The Parking lot was also unattended Monday morning during the town Memorial Day parade.
Mr. Pappalardo said he has a meeting scheduled for Thursday with the First Selectwoman to discuss these issues and to communicate residents’ extreme frustration at “going back ten years” in enforcement and quality of life. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that there was more to the story, and she urged Mr. Pappalardo to withhold judgment until they had a chance to meet and discuss. Agreed a meeting was necessary and appropriate.
Michaelle Pearson reported that there were serious traffic issues at the corner of Portland Avenue and Shore Road involving pedestrians and cars. Several of these resulted in drivers exiting their cars and getting physical with each other in the street. These problems could have been easily averted by closing the gates at Portland and Swan, as has been done in previous years, making one side of the street safer for pedestrians, and also easing traffic flow.
Carol Zitani reported that the music from the Pavilion Bar was extremely loud this afternoon. Ms. Pearson concurred, saying it was audible from the playground at Mile Creek School.
ZBA UMARS/ Bestway Update:
Umars (Bestway Gas Station) was granted a number of variances, at the last ZBA meeting, despite significant opposition from residents and neighbors. ZBA is allowing a 1800 square foot building, and an increase in parking spaces from 8 to 9. The size of the fuel island will also be doubled. The proposed doubling in size of the fuel island, the mere 3-foot setback, proximity to the proposed streetscape, and the placement of lighting and signage outside the property line are of concern to the SVC.
The next chance to affect this construction is when plans are submitted to Zoning.
Ms. Pearson expressed concern that this project be held to strict standards, designed to have a positive visual impact upon the entrance to the beach area, rather than a glaring, brightly lit interstate-style gas station that will negatively impact residents and encourage the type of development out of character with the planned Gateway project and the rest of the town. She expressed particular concern regarding lighting and outdoor speakers, such as exist at large interstate-style stations.
Events Committee: Posters are printed. Concerts will be every other Thursday 7-8.30pm 6/25, 7/9, 7/23, 8/6, 8/20. Including Old Lyme Town Band, Grass Routes Bluegrass Band, Funky Dawgz Brass Band, Red Satin Band, and Four Barrel Billy.
Frank Pappalardo said that Lenny Corto, Sr., of “Lenny’s on the Beach” told him on Monday he is planning to issue a formal complaint regarding the concerts at the flagpole. Mr. Pappalardo said he will take a look at other public concerts in town, such as Midsummer Festival, and see what they do. Ms. Pearson suggested also looking at the town green concerts at the McCurdy corner as an example of a public music event on town owned property. .
Signage: New cooler signage added: “Cooler size restriction: 5 qts maximum.” Beach and every permitted parking lot has the correct signage. Bill was $796 which we don’t have available in the SVC budget, but it will be covered under the ‘Sound View Facilities” line of the Parks and Rec budget, so
it’s taken care of. Bocce scoreboards have been reinstalled, but they are in very rough shape. We have funding for new ones.
Sandra Ziemba asked if we could put up signs that say “children playing”. Ms. Pearson agreed that signs might be a good idea, but we already have a number of different signs which are often ignored. When the gates at Portland and Swan are closed, the streets are much safer for pedestrians, as they keep cars to one side of the road.
Other New Business:
WPCA/ Sewers: Waiting for minutes of WPCA meeting. Letter in April from DEEP requesting responses to comments. Overage on WPCA budget was not passed at town meeting, though the overall budget was.
Public Comment:
Carol Zitani asked about the condemned property at 47 Hartford Avenue, stating that she had observed people living there over the weekend and that electrical service and cable had both been activated. Mrs. Zitani expressed concern that the structure is unsanitary and unsafe, and wondered how it was possible for people to occupy a building which had been condemned by the town. Bonnie Reemsnyder said that the building official had visited, and informed the residents that they will be arrested if they use the building. Frank Pappalardo met with the fire marshal regarding this, and his response was the same.
Other Old Business:
Parking Kiosks:
The kiosks are running smoothly. New stickers have been placed on them, which provide information as to rates and usage.
PortaPotties: Sandra Ziemba reported that all portapotties were installed just prior to the Memorial Day weekend.
Swim lines: Swim lines should have been installed by May 15th. Were in place by Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. However, adjustments must be made to conform to the plan. The east line is askew and may be incorrectly laid. The buffer is confusingly laid and Jetskis/ PWCs were observed floating into the swim area, or tied to the swim lines. Nothing is to be tied to the swim lines.
There were also many observed instances of people illegally refueling Jetskis/PWCs with hand-held gas cans, on the beach or in the water. This is a clear violation, as spilled fuel is dangerous to swimmers and marine life. Bonnie Reemsnyder said that the Office of LI Sound Programs is aware of this issue and and will help us with enforcement. The First Selectwoman will also be in touch with DEEP enforcement.
Motion to adjourn: Sandra Ziemba. Paul Orzel seconded. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8.46pm
Next meeting will be on Monday June 22nd
at the Shoreline Community Center. 7.30pm.
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