Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
27 July, 2015
7.32 pm
Shoreline Community Center
Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), David Kelsey, Paul Orzel (alternate), Joann Reis Lishing, Michaelle Pearson (Secretary), Frank Maratta (Alternate)
Also present: Selectman Skip Sibley, ex officio
Absent: Harry Plaut, Sandra Ziemba (alternate)
7.40 pm Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Chairman Frank Pappalardo. Paul Orzel (alternate) seated for the absent Harry Plaut.
Approval of June Minutes: Joann Lishing motioned to approve the June Minutes. Paul Orzel seconded. Motion Carried.
7.43pm Correspondence: Moved under “Bus Request”
7.44pm Old Business:
Sound View Improvements Grant Progress Report:
The Board of Selectmen met today and voted unanimously to proceed with the project. Thanks to everyone who submitted comments about the project. Comments will be grouped together by topic, and responded to online. We are trying to do our very best to take this as far as the funding will allow us. Paul Orzel asked if the town is aware that there are vehicles that have either a 3 or 4 bathroom configuration w flushable toilets. Frank Pappalardo said we looked into this a few years ago. The cost was exorbitant for either rent or purchase. There’s also a lifespan issue. The lease/maintenance program vs. maintenance. The rates we were quoted were prohibitive. Currently we are paying under 6K per year, including pumpouts. There was concern expressed re lack of hand sanitizer. We want to fix that issue immediately. Regarding
permanent restrooms, sewers will need to be in place before we can proceed. The Town does have an administrative order that the DEEP said must resolve the sewer issue by 2018. Town can either ignore (and incur fines) fight (and incur fees) or try to resolve the situation. The town will likely pursue the last option. David Kelsey said the order pertains to the plan submitted by the WPCA.
Frank Maratta said that the increase in parking revenues has been substantial, so the 25K to get us through the next few years for restrooms, couldn’t that be used for a more upscale restroom trailer?
Frank Pappalardo: we needed to first make sure the selectmen were moving forward, then the WPCA, and for the next 2 years this is what we’d like to see happen, and put it in the budget.
It’s a good point and if it makes sense financially, we could make an argument for it. The current portapotties from Signori are showing their age. We need to renegotiate anyway, for the interim. Let’s say we know based on WPCA that we will have 2 years of portapotties left then we can ask for a quote for a 2 year package, which would be a better price. We can put it out to bid. There’s a company from RI that does it, and they have nice units with sinks and running water.
Entertainment: Bluegrass band was rained out. Concert given at Community Center rain location.
The Funky Dawgs drew nearly 300 people. Lots of positive response to this extremely popular group. Upcoming shows:
8/6 Red Satin
8/20 4 Barrel Billy
Let us know if you liked or didn’t like the acts, so we can plan for next year.
8.20pm BUS REQUEST: Lenny’s on the Beach.
On June 23rd, this Commission sent a letter to the First Selectwoman containing recommendations for bus request. Summary of Letter: Commission recommended the buses be allowed if the following conditions are met: 1) Must be an officially sanctioned UCONN event, 2) Police escort for buses and buses must immediately exit the area through Pavilion parking lot to Hartford Avenue, and remain parked in a state owned area, rather than on town-owned property. No idling of buses. 3) Event safety and security plan to be submitted and approved by public safety. Plan must designate personnel to ensure attendees comply with all rules and regulations of our town and beach, and do not create a safety concern on the beach for our residents. 4) all police, security and cleanup expenses to be paid in full by either Lenny’s Bar or UCONN
as part of the event. Police and Rangers normally assigned to the Sound View area are not to be used as event escorts or security. (Actual text of Letter is Attachment A)
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder responded to Mr. Corto and CC’d this Commission in a letter dated June 26th. Summary of letter: Due to the event taking place on a summer Saturday, she did not think it in the interest of safety and traffic control to allow the buses to travel through Sound View. Instead she suggested that the buses would be allowed to park at the town-owned area adjacent to the police station. Several conditions were stated, including 1) the need for official confirmation from UCONN staff that this is in fact an officially-sanctioned event, including contact information for the staff member planning the event, 2) Acknowledgement by UCONN planning staff that they have been made aware of the rules and regulations regarding the town beach (no alcohol, ball playing, rough play, etc), 3) If town beach is heavily
used, all trash will be removed by guests or at the expense of Lenny’s on the Beach. 4) A safety plan must be submitted to the First Selectwoman’s office which will include provisions for crowd control as well as designated personnel to enforce compliance with rules and regulations of the town beach. The cost for resources for is plan shall be borne by Lenny’s on the Beach. 5) If Lenny’s agrees to the foregoing terms, they must send their agreement in writing with the condition that all documentation must be submitted at least 10 days prior to the event. (Actual text of Letter is Attachment B)
Frank Pappalardo stated that as of June 26th, the Commission has not heard from Lenny’s on this matter.
Draft Letter Regarding Lifeguards:
Frank Maratta had expressed concern regarding the lack of lifeguards at Sound View beach, while they are present at other town swimming areas. Frank Pappalardo asked Mr. Maratta to draft a letter stating his concerns, and asking public safety why there are no lifeguards at Sound View. This Commission must submit its budget for next year by October meeting. Any request for lifeguards must be included by then. Frank Maratta said he would draft the letter.
Beach/ Traffic Concerns:
On 7/13 Frank Pappalardo wrote a letter to First Selectwoman Reemsnyder regarding issues and concerns that were raised at the last Commission meeting, including excess cars at Sugar Shack (over 6 car max) , Church parking lot, etc. It was noted that traffic control appeared to be better, closing the gates certainly helped. There were many concerns expressed regarding alcohol and glass bottles on the beach. Mr. Pappalardo said he requested a count of how many alcohol-related tickets had been issued this year as opposed to last year. We need to have hard data on this. There has been a change in the Rangers enforcement protocol this year, and residents are feeling the negative effects of this change. Is this backed up by data?
On 7/19 a bus disregarded the signage, went around the closed gate at Swan Avenue, and got stuck at end of Swan. Frank Maratta said that he had noticed a significant increase in traffic toward Sound View when Rocky Neck is closed. Also, people are putting up tents and bringing grills to the beach, and camping overnight on the beach, which is not allowed. This “second wave” of beachgoers generally arrives after 5pm, with bottles, tents, grills and coolers. He asked why public safety allows this to occur.
Frank Pappalardo said he was meeting with TFC Gary Inglis to discuss these issues and enforcement going forward.
Paul Orzel stated that he had witnessed numerous incidents of people bringing backpacks containing glass bottles to the beach. There have also been several incidents of people throwing glass bottles on the beach. One hit a woman and an ambulance was required. Frank Pappalardo asked residents to please document the times, photos, etc. of all these incidents. Mr. Orzel added that the Martino parking lot is unsupervised at night and there have been several incidents of rowdiness and drunken behavior there.
Angelo Faenza said that it was his understanding that our local police have been replaced by State Police after 4pm or so. Joann Lishing said she had called at 2.30pm and was told there was no one on patrol in Old Lyme at the time.
Swim Lines:
Michaelle Pearson said there were holes in swim lines once again, resulting in kayaks and jet skis in the swim area. Frank Pappalardo asked why they keep breaking. Joann Lishing and Frank Maratta said they had both witnessed a powerboat on Sunday that crossed over the lines and into the swim area, cutting the lines with its prop. Joann Lishing asked what happened to the signs we had requested for buoys? Frank Pappalardo said the money is in the budget. It’s up to the police patrol to enforce this, and other violations.
Public comment:
Paula I had renters for 2 weeks, who have been here for the last 3-4 years and they asked why are there people bringing coolers and walking around with bottles? There were 4-5 cars parked on Portland , blocking traffic while waiting for a space to open up in the lot, and a vehicle was spotted following people leaving the beach. There are no-parking signs, but no enforcement.
Frank Pappalardo said there are 3-4 fewer Rangers this year.
Selectman Skip Sibley thanked the group for raising some good points starting with the need for upgraded bathrooms in the town parking lot. He encouraged the Commission to present their research to the Board of Finance. Current conditions cannot be sustained. We must do whatever it takes to improve the situation. Regarding lifeguards, that is currently under the purview of Parks and Rec. and should be pursued with Don Bugbee. Selectman Sibley said he was glad Mr. Pappalardo was meeting with Resident State Trooper Inglis, and encouraged him to take notes and pursue a plan opt action to tackle these issues in the future.
Joann Lishing said that during beach cleaning last weekend, the crew pulled out some of the “in-road” stop signs from the water, where they had been thrown by vandals. A swimmer cut his leg underwater on one of the signs. Ms. Lishing said that after the police go off duty, all kinds of problems occur. People know there are no patrols after 2am, and its become a problem. We need to establish a set of protocols for this area. Can’t change it every two years when we get a new State Trooper.
Paul Orzel noted the delivery and placement of the new “immovable” trash cans, and asked why they were black instead of sand colored (which had been agreed upon). David Kelsey said that he had made a mistake in ordering them, but suggested they could be easily refinished/repainted in a sand color.
Motion to Adjourn:
Joann Lishing motioned to adjourn. Paul Orzel seconded. Meeting adjourned.
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