Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
23rd November, 2015
7.30 pm
Town Hall Upper Meeting Room
Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), David Kelsey, Joann Reis Lishing, Michaelle Pearson
(Secretary) Also present: Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal, Selectman Skip Sibley.
Absent: Frank Maratta (Alternate), Harry Plaut, Sandra Ziemba (alternate)
7.31 pm Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Chairman Frank Pappalardo.
Approval of Oct 5th Minutes: Joann Lishing motioned to approve the October minutes. David Kelsey seconded. Motion Carried.
Correspondence: No correspondence
7.32pm Old Business
Sound View Improvements Grant Progress Report:
Next meeting will be 12/8 at 4.30 pm. Trees were discussed at last meeting. Improvements Committee will work with the Tree Commission to determine salt-tolerant native species wherever possible. Also discussing the replacement of streetlights with vintage-look fixtures that will be dark-sky compliant and more aesthetically pleasing.
Angelo Faenza said there are three different shades of LEDs. Need to choose the best one for the area. Selectwoman Nosal said we need to do photometric analysis for the DOT to ensure even light coverage, and to prevent light pollution.
Sound View Summer 2015 Assessment letter to Board of Selectmen. Board meeting was last week. Frank Pappalardo met with the Board, and there was obviously some disconnect between our assessment and The First Selectwoman’s assessment as to how last summer went. We need to resolve these differences. The Selectmen stated there was 19K in police budget for DUI, but they only used 4K because they had staffing issues. Discussion: So obviously we didn't have the same police presence that we used to. This manifested as both reality and perception to our residents. There was not a noticeable police presence in Sound View this year. Mr. Pappalardo stated that he hoped to meet with the First Selectwoman before the end of December to discuss these issues.
Joann Lishing said that we need to make sure that it is understood that this is not the Commission’s stand on that assessment, but rather the comments from residents of Sound View Beach. Frank Pappalardo agreed that our job as a commission is to listen to feedback, distill into key points and pass the info on to selectmen to act upon. There are widespread concerns which were raised over the summer. Lack of police presence/ availability, excessive drinking and rowdiness on the beach, etc.
Angelo Faenza said he hopes there will be a concrete plan in place by next summer. The Resident State Trooper (Gary Inglis) has stated that he is the head of Public Safety. Frank Pappalardo said, unless there is buy-in from all the stakeholders, nothing will be accomplished. The Commission must bring the residents’ concerns to the Board of Selectmen, and go through the assessment with the BOS. The First Selectwoman acts as the Police Chief and is CEO of the Town, so the process needs to start there. Because we are a Resident State Trooper town,there are contractual issues, but the objectives must match the expectations of the residents. Right now we don’t have agreement.
Joann Lishing stated that there was no Community policing this year. In Previous years the neighborhood benefited from a positive, active police presence, but this past summer it was totally gone.
Frank Pappalardo agreed, stating that troopers had to be brought in from the State to cover Sound View many times this year, and community policing suffered in the breach.
7.44: LOLChamber of Commerce Osprey Festival update: First official meeting of the committee was two weeks ago. Mark Griswold (President of the Chamber of Commerce) is the festival chair, Frank Pappalardo is planning committee chair, Dan Stevens is head of the music committee. John Forbis (Audubon and Osprey Societies will head the Nature Committee ), Marguerite Quigley from Lyme Academy College will head the Art Committee. Jackie Miano and Tim Griswold are also involved. The Audubon Society and Osprey Society are willing to be partners, perhaps even co-sponsors. Logistical challenges: blocking off the road between Bocce and Martino. Tentative date June 18th. Looking at 10x10 spaces. Tents will be provided. Toilet rentals for the day. Music tent. Mark Griswold will provide a 20x40 tent. Get some
risers from school district. Dan Stevens and ASP will bid on sound systems. Looking to have a showcase of local music talent and maybe a name act for the end of the day headliner. Someone from Lyme Academy to chair art/ artisan committee. Looking at getting one of the the coast guard bands to play. Sand sculpture contest, bocce tourney. Vendor alley between Bocce and Martino.
They are also looking for business support from all areas of the town. Location would be Hartford Avenue between Bocce and Martino. 10x10 tents…maybe 60 of them. 75-100 dollar vendor fee for a tent. Need a task force to coordinate this. Other activities could include a Sandcastle contest, etc. Bocce tournament. Ms. Pearson suggested asking the Library and Florence Griswold Museum if they are interested in being involved. Harry Plaut suggested we be mindful of the tides for sandcastle contest.
The SVBA has already endorsed the event. Planning a pancake breakfast in the morning, possibly espresso and pastries in the evening. Looking for someone to sponsor sound and lighting for music tent. Possibly Sennheiser.
Joann Lishing asked if radio station ICRV will be involved? Should ask them. Jerry and Dee Vowles have offered to provide free Carousel rides for kids.
Angelo Faenza asked if Connecticut Tourism bureau has been notified. Frank Pappalardo said he would see about getting it on their list.
SVBA DEEP Letter :
Last month, Robert Breen, a director of the Sound View Beach Association, sent a letter requesting a hearing to have Sound View Beach included in the EIE under consideration for Miami and Old Colony. If a group of 25 residents requests a hearing, DEEP will have one. Mr. Breen would like the DEEP to order the town to sewer Sound View. However, the date of a hearing has not been set and many residents are not in agreement with this proposal or its implications.
SVBA has since retracted that request, because the request for hearing has nothing to do with the three chartered beach associations. It’s not within the scope of that EIE. Will wait for town WPCA to submit an EIE then will likely request a hearing on that EIE if it does not include Sound View in the process. Mr. Breen would like to request that White Sands and Hawks Nest (which are not in favor of sewers) be severed from this process. Part of the process that Mr. Breen is hoping to address is the attempt to move forward with year-round water in Sound View, which is not within the scope of the WPCA’s mission, but he is trying to connect these two issues.
Frank Pappalardo said that we decided as a Commission that we would not take a position on sewers, but would support the issue of getting CT water to fulfill its long overdue obligations to upgrade the drinking water system in Sound View. These are two separate issues.
BUDGET: Last year’s budget:
Held some money back for items that will be filled before this year’s funding is available.
We have not yet received the parking numbers for this year. Frank Pappalardo will ask the First Selectwoman.
Buoys in budget. Need to clarify with Harry what they will look like.
Coastal Jurisdiction line: Budgeted up to $6100. All fencing that goes down to water, determinehigh water mark and coastal jurisdiction . Will give a clearer understanding of where the actual boundaries are. Trash can lids $1400. Signage for bocce courts,1K for survey gateway plan. Swim lines will be under parks and rec. Buoy signage TBD by Harry Plaut (Harbormaster).
RESTROOM TRAILERS:
David Kelsey asked who determined that the facilities should be SVC budget not Parks & Rec? Frank Pappalardo said it was an effort to streamline the process. Both quotes for renting restroom trailers that would replace the current capacity were over $25K. Doesn’t cover damage at end of season…could be some additional costs incurred. Not sure there would be support of such an expense for temp restroom facilities. Might the Commission look at possibly upgrading the portolets and having them cleaned more often? The current portolet fee is $5250. Perhaps we could propose $7000 and ask the vendor to specify additional fees for more frequent service and upgraded facilities? Need to check how many times a week they are cleaned and serviced.
David Kelsey said the difference between this and restroom trailers is quite large.
Frank Pappalardo said if we can provide a better level of service within the current model, we can present a better argument for permanent restrooms in future. A more prudent use of funds.
NEW BUSINESS:
Calendar/ Meetings; 4th Monday of each month. No December meeting. January meeting subject to possible rescheduling based on Annual Town meeting. Memorial Day meeting on following Tuesday.
Dimitri Tolchinski spoke of his upcoming proposal to the Zoning Appeals Board to convert his existing storefront space on Shore Road to a deli. Currently he runs a plumbing and sporting goods business out of the space, selling guns by appointment and providing pistol training. He would like to move this business to another space and utilize the current space as a deli. He stated that he has a food preparation license. Mr. Pappalardo asked if Mr. Tolchinski had asked his neighbors how they feel about having a deli at that location. Mr. Tolchinski replied that the neighbors have mixed feelings: Teddy (of Teddy’s Pizza) seems supportive, Pizza Plus not so much. The deli will have 12 seats, and people would also be able to come in for cold cuts. Ms. Pearson asked what the open hours would be, and Mr. Tolchinski
replied that he had not yet determined what hours it would be open but that he did not plan to have it open late. Mr. Pappalardo asked what kind of variances would be needed. Mr. Tolchinski said he was taking advice to reconfigure the site so that it would conform, and he would not need variances. Not sure yet what this will be. Mr. Tolchinski has retained a lawyer who will confer with the Zoning Officer, to possibly go before Zoning rather than ZBA.
Mr. Pappalardo said he hoped Mr. Tolchinski would be cleaning up the site, as there are currently numerous vehicles and pieces of equipment sitting dormant on the site, which presents an eyesore. Items under the overhang, cards, trucks, etc. Mr. Tolchinski said he planned to clean up the site and that the derelict items in the rear of the property had already been removed. There are also plans for improved signage, paving, etc. at the site. The Commission thanked Mr. Tolchinski for presenting his plan, and agreed that in principle, a deli would be a positive improvement to the site in question and to the Sound View area as a whole.
Motion to Adjourn:
8.46 Joann Lishing motioned to adjourn. Dk seconded. Meeting adjourned.
Meeting adjourned 8.46 pm.
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