Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
25th July, 2016
7.30 pm at Shoreline Community Center
Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), Michaelle Pearson, Joann Reis Lishing, Sandra Ziemba (alternate), Harry Plaut, Jackie Miano (alternate)
Also Present: Skip Sibley
Absent: David Kelsey (prior notice), Frank Maratta (Alternate)
7.34pm Meeting called to order
Alternate Sandra Ziemba seated for David Kelsey.
Frank Maratta questioned how alternates are appointed. Frank Pappalardo stated that he takes attendance into consideration.
7.36pm Approval of May minutes. Sandra Ziemba. second Michaelle Pearson.
Approval of June minutes, with one correction: Skip Sibley was in attendance at the June meeting.
7.37 pm: Sound View Bikeway Approvals Grant Process:
Pre-construction meeting with 4 contractors and BSC. Objective was to familiarize them with the street. Bid plans are avail at town hall for $50.
7.40 pm Proposed SVVD Zoning Subcommittee: Reviewed meetings to date. Next meeting tentatively scheduled for 8/9.
7.41 pm Sound View Historic District Nomination: Ready to book a public informational meeting. Tentative 8/22 at 6pm, but may need to be done at an earlier date. Frank Pappalardo will coordinate. Once confirmed, will send a town announcement and press release.
7.55pm
Disco night event with Fever band drew about 100 people on a rainy night.
Upcoming concerts are:
7/28 102nd US Army Rock Band
8/11 Red Satin
8/25 Four Barrel Billy
8.40pm Summer 2016 Swim Lines- Ms. Pearson said new swim lines look great and seem to be very heavy and durable. Joann Lishing asked about buoys. There are still jetskis tied up to the swimlines. Harry Plaut filed a complaint as Harbormaster. Police have been writing tickets. This is a $250 fine, and they are State tickets, so they have impact on license and registration.
A Complaint was made to Fire Marshal as to the location of concerts on Hartford Avenue.
Fire Marshal came down, reviewed the site plan that had been submitted, and said it was fine. Plan had been submitted and approved 3 years ago with Public Safety, etc.
Joann Lishing mentioned that the Parking markings have changed. Frank Pappalardo explained that some of the free business spaces have been moved to accommodate the changes in business locations. This was recommended to the Selectmen by the Commission earlier this year.
Miami Beach Association (MBA) Clean Beach issues: On 7/17: MBA presented to Sound View Beach Association (SVBA) members a review of concerns and a list of how they would rectify these concerns. Frank Pappalardo posted their presentation on soundviewbeach.com
They have outlined concerns regarding littering, drinking, marijuana, lewd behavior, etc. Spoke about town of Old Lyme, and MBA’s approach to a clean beach. They would like to put hours on the beach, increase parking fees, (some of which they have no control over), and erect a fence between Sound View Beach and Miami Beach, and charge a “clean beach’ fee for use of Miami Beach. Town property owners/ renters would be exempt. MBAs concerns were also brought up at Board of Selectmen meeting.
Frank Maratta asked about issues with fencing the beach. There’s a 1953 ruling that says the general public must be granted access to the beach, also subsequent rulings affirming this. The deed allows unorganized general public access to the beach. MBA lawyers have reviewed the deed and think that MBA could instate a user fee, as long as they are not keeping people off the beach.
Dan Tricarico, Portland Ave said that it seems that these are laws that are not being enforced. Today I walked to the beach and asked the Rangers if I see someone on Miami Beach drinking, taking drugs, etc. Can I tell you, etc. They said absolutely not.
Harry Plaut said that Miami Beach opted out of the Rangers in favor of private security.
Frank Pappalardo said there’s a lot of misinformation, frustration and anger. The season is half over at this point, but we need to think about revamping police and communication procedures for next year.
Dan Tricarico: I think the town should resolve these issues rather than waiting for a lawsuit.
Frank Pappalardo reviewed: There are issues with private and public parking lots: concerns from townspeople re unattended parking lots. Rules and regulations for private parking permits are minimal at best. Private permits are not a given, it is a privilege that may be denied. Concern over ordinances. CH 83: Littering. 161 Vehicles in traffic, 183 Beach regs, 210 parking regs. and may be others too. Regulations aren’t being enforced.
Would like to develop subcommittee to review private parking lot regulations.
We also have a number of ordinances to be reviewed. Single subcommittee? Or two separate ones?
Harry Plaut suggested a different approach for parking lots. Need to bring lot owners in and talk to them individually and find out what their attitude is. Frank Pappalardo agreed, saying that subcommittee should have private parking lot owners on it too. Harry Plaut: If parking lot owner is taking money for parking and turning their back on the rules, that needs to be addressed. Maybe the rules aren’t posted?
Frank Pappalardo: Posting the rules is part of their permit. Right now they only need a site plan, $30 per parking space, and post signs, but that’s not part of the permit process.
Mr. Plaut suggested a contract between the parking lot owners and the town. On Saturday, I saw lots of coolers being stopped at the end of Hartford Avenue I was at the end of Hartford, but they could have been stopped at the parking lot.
Ms. Ziemba said she warns people in her lot, but they say they are going to try bringing their coolers anyway.
Mr. Plaut suggested that when violations are spotted, people should take down the plate numbers and call police. Joann Lishing said, but the Police don’t come. They have other priorities.
Mr. Pappalardo summed up: We need 5 people to sit on a subcommittee to talk to the owners, residents and town, what can and can’t be requested. Someone suggested owners should have liability insurance. Not sure they can do that. Mr. Plaut thought it should be a given, as it’s a business. Ms. Ziemba stated that she has a “Park at your own risk” sign in her lot.
Selectman Skip Sibley said, If you change an ordinance it does have to go to town meeting.
Joann Lishing moved to put together a subcommittee to explore the parking lot ordinances as extant, and determine if they need to be revised. Sandra Ziemba: seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.
Mr. Pappalardo will write up a charge for the subcommittee and send it out. Miami Beach Association is also very committed to doing an ordinance review. When asked whether State Police were required to enforce town ordinances, the answer from First Selectwoman Reemsnyder was yes. People presume that State troopers will enforce, but there has been confusion.
Angelo Faenza, Portland Avenue, stated that there’s no one to enforce. Mr. Pappalardo agreed, saying what already exists isn't enforced, and some of it is vague and should be clarified.
Other Business:
Harry Plaut said that somewhere down the line we should use an “Oldest Public Beach” logo to promote Sound View. Maybe a t shirt promoting that and a sign. And use it to promote redevelopment.
Frank Pappalardo gave an update on the Streetscape project: Breaking ground after Labor Day.
8.37 Bob Carlson of Swan ave said he was glad to see the police boat out there finally last weekend.
Recently jet skis were in boat lane and tying up to swim lines.
Harry Plaut (who is also the Harbormaster) said the boat lane is only for the water taxi. Tickets are being written. We’re going to be placing a buoy that says no tying up to swim lines.
Mr. Pappalardo stated that the larger issue is that the year didn’t start off with proper enforcement. Police and Rangers need to start the year with heavy enforcement to get the message out there early. It s not like we haven’t been doing this for 100 years or so.
Harry Plaut said the past weekend was very hot, bringing such an influx of people that law enforcement gets overwhelmed and they have no reinforcement.
Paula Melillo, Portland Avenue: Town parking lot was negligent. Not checking illegal parking. Open drinking. Residents are calling and hours pass before there’s any response.
Frank Pappalardo said the police told him flat out that everything is under control. Angelo Faenza said he’s had the same problem with zoning. Illegal parking, etc., I’ve seen them look right at them. Frank Pappalardo agreed, saying everyone’s frustrated. We’ve tried to address this.
Dan Tricarico, Hartford Ave., stated, We want tourism, we just want people to follow the rules. How simple would it be to run plates in parking lot. Frank Pappalardo said that a few years ago that was done and it was very effective. Harry Plaut said he tried to get a boat registration run this weekend, and it took 20 minutes.
Frank Pappalardo said, Its frustrating. The police keep telling us its all under control.
Let’s do the ordinance review, figure out who’s responsible and who’s accountable for getting this done.
Joann Lishing motioned to adjourn. Sandra Ziemba seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8.51 pm.
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