Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
27th June, 2016
7.30 pm at Shoreline Community Center
Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), Michaelle Pearson, Joann Reis Lishing, Sandra Ziemba (alternate), Harry Plaut
Also Present: Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal
Absent: David Kelsey (prior notice), Frank Maratta (Alternate)
7.33pm Meeting called to order
Introduced new alternate member Jackie Miano.
Alternate Sandra Ziemba seated for David Kelsey.
7.38pm Approval of May minutes. Tabled until next meeting. The unapproved May minutes have been posted on the town website.
7.38pm Correspondence: moved down.
7.35 pm: Sound View Bikeway Approvals Grant Process:
Town meeting to approve funding of bikeway and improvements. This will be a townwide meeting, which means all property owners and registered voters in the Town of Old Lyme are eligible to vote. There were multiple meetings to keep the public apprised of the progress of this project. The Improvements project has been approved and supported by DOT, DEEP, The Office of Long Island Sound Programs, RiverCOG, etc. It will be 80% funded by a federal alternative transportation grant.. The entire cost of project will be around 800-850K, based on engineer’s estimated costs. The meeting must ask for town approval of the entire sum, with the understanding that 80 percent will be reimbursed. More information is available on the town website under “current projects” . Voting may be by paper ballot, with ID
required.
7.40 pm Proposed SVVD Zoning Subcommittee: Another meeting will be scheduled in the near future.
7.41 Sound View Historic District Nomination: Still in the process of nomination. Frank Pappalardo spoke with Doug Royalty, of the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office, who would like to host a public information meeting in July or August to help people understand what the National Register listing register means. Michaelle Pearson spoke briefly about Sound View’s history, and detailed the difference between a National Register listing and a local Historic District (such as that on Lyme Street). The National Register does not place any limits as to use/ improvement/ maintenance of properties on the list.
7.44 pm Osprey Festival:
Joann Lishing said she enjoyed the festival and received much positive feedback. Sandy Ziemba said a few things were brought to her attention: Some of the older vendors were concerned by the walk to and from the vendor parking lot. Perhaps in future there could be a golf cart available for vendors at setup and takedown? Ms. Lishing also heard that signage was inadequate and better directions were needed. Ms. Pearson said she had received many positive comments from townspeople, especially about the music tent and having local performers. Mr. Pappalardo said he had also received comments that were generally positive. There was good cooperation among Police and Chamber as to logistics. Frank Maratta offered the use of his shuttle bus for overflow parking, but the location of the overflow parking/shuttle wasn’t
publicized enough so underutilized this year. Communication issues will be addressed. If anyone has further comments, they should be sent to Mark Griswold, president of the Chamber of Commerce. Jackie Miano asked if there would be another festival next year. Was it a success? Frank Pappalardo said he thought so, and we would know more after the Chamber had a chance to assess. Joann Lishing said that the Chamber meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Mark Griswold estimated there were approximately 1500- 1700 attendees. Want to thank Gail Fuller for donating use of her lot for music tent.
7.50pm Sound View Summer 2015 Assessment Review Letter to Board of Selectmen.
The parking kiosks are being reprogrammed this week, to extend pay hours to 9:00 am to 7:00 pm and Rangers are being hired. Frank Pappalardo will meet again on Wednesday with Trooper Inglis and First Selectwoman Reemsnyder. Need to talk about closing gates on weekends, staffing and scheduling. Swim lines are reported to be put in before the weekend, but the new swim line materials will not be available until 7/1.
755pm Events & Facilities.
The new Bocce court signs and scoreboards have been installed by the SVC and the surface renewed by Public Works. Everyone is invited to come and play!
Sandy Ziemba announced the Sound View Concert dates 7-8.30pm:
6/30 Old Lyme Town Band
7/14 Disco Night with Fever band
7/28 102nd US Army Rock Band
8/11 Red Satin
8/25 Four Barrel Billy
Frank Pappalardo: The concerts had great reviews last year. Attendance up to 450 people. Looking forward to this year’s events to keep the community festival atmosphere alive at end of Hartford Avenue.
8.40pm Summer 2016 Swim Lines- New Materials Purchase and Installation:
Mark Mongillo, President of Miami Beach Association. asked why the swim lines were so late going in, and why are they still incomplete?
Frank Pappalardo said the swim lines are not under the jurisdiction of the Sound View Commission. They are installed and maintained by Harry Plaut, who is the Harbormaster, and are the responsibility of Parks and Rec. Last year, new swim lines, buoys and anchors were requested and placed in the budget, but because the fiscal year doesn’t begin until July 1st, the current swim lines were cobbled together from old materials. It has been approximately 8 years since the equipment has been updated, so there wasn’t enough material to finish the lines properly. Harry Plaut said he has the new materials and is ready to install them. There are brand new buoys, and twice the weight on both anchors and lines. Extended areas around Hawks’ Nest and extended areas around boat lane. Mr. Plaut has speced new anchors (200
lb vs. former 100lb), and thicker (1/2 inch diameter) swim lines. (Had been 1/4 inch.) It is hoped that the new heavier material will alleviate the situation of the swim lines being cut, unmoored and/ or drifting.
Several residents of Sound View and Miami Beach expressed their frustration with the late and incomplete swim lines, emphasizing the significant safety hazards presented by gaps in the lines. There have been jet skis, boats, kayaks and paddle boards in the swim area, all of which are prohibited. Let’s not wait until someone is injured. It is essential that the swim lines go in by Memorial Day each year and that they are correctly laid out with no gaps.
Mr. Plaut reiterated that due to fiscal reasons he had been unable to install the new materials yet, but that this should not be an issue next year, as all the materials are now present. The swim buoys are in place. Under the guidelines there are to be no watercraft: no kayaks, jet skis, no paddle boards in the swim area. Mr. Plaut also stated that he had even called DEEP’s shore patrol, but was told that they are short-staffed and wouldn’t send anyone unless there was a major problem, like a boat sinking or someone drowning.
Ms. Pearson asked about the new police boat, saying she had been present at the vote to requisition the funds, and residents were promised that the boat would be present at Sound View on busy summer days for patrol and enforcement on the water, but as far as she was aware it had not been present at all this year.
Resident State Trooper, Gary Inglis said the police boat is not ready yet. It is in the water, but the electronics were set up for a 4-engine setup and we have 2, so the electronics still need to be programmed and radios installed. Frank Pappalardo asked if there was an ETA for the police boat to come online. Trooper Inglis said there wasn’t yet, but that he would get back to Mr. Pappalardo with that information. He also stated that he had been giving out tickets, and enforcing parking and traffic issues.
Mr. Plaut said that the new “no tying up to swim lines/ no jetskis” buoys will be in place July 1st. SVC had asked for buoy and swim line funding 2 years ago.
There was a brief discussion of jet skis, tying up to swim lines, and an explanation of the Pavilion’s “boat lane.” The “boat lane” is the result of a stipulated agreement, and is only to be used by a single water taxi to and from the Pavilion Bar, operating under specific conditions. There are to be no other craft, jetskis, etc. in that lane. The second lane to the right of the boat lane is a “buffer zone” to protect the swim area from the boat lane. This buffer zone must remain empty of all watercraft and nothing is to be tied up to it. Harry Plaut said if jet ski owners wish to moor their craft, they must purchase a mooring. No jet skis are to be tied up to swim lines.
Frank Pappalardo noted that there is still money in the SVC budget for two buoys demarcating the boat lane as “restricted” , and we need to discuss what the labeling should be. Mr. Plaut will determine this as Harbormaster.
Frank Pappalardo also said he’d review the configuration of the swim lines with Trooper Inglis, so everyone could be on the same page.
Highlighted correspondence: (Correspondence text attached)
There was a significant amount of correspondence received regarding issues and problems on the beach. Lack of enforcement was a common theme.
Scott Boulanger, Pond Rd. 6/22: Quad speeding on beach at 9am. Rangers do little but check coolers.
Karen Calvanese, Pond Rd.: Offensive activities on the beach, in parking lot, and on the streets. Saw open drinking of alcohol and pot smoking, with no response from troopers. Recently a hard baseball was being thrown on the beach, but the patrol didn’t stop them. Rude and offensive language.
Joseph Raboccio?(sp?) Out of control people bringing large coolers, offensive language, sitting on people’s decks, filming sex on the beach, leaving garbage on the beach.
Sandra Manafort: Smoking pot, alcohol, public urination, sex on the beach, people lounging on patio. Offensive profanity. Loud music. Oversize coolers containing alcohol.
Oversize tents on the beach.
Carla Bergenty: 4 people with coolers and towels on her deck. Also brought music.
Frank Pappalardo said we need to address these issues. This kind of behavior is new, and it’s getting worse. Opened the floor to comments as to how we can move forward.
Angelo Faenza, Portland Avenue, said we have five officers. There are thousands of people on the beach. You can’t have just 1 cop on the beach. Frank Pappalardo stated that yesterday, we didn’t even have one.
Peter Sereno, Pond Road, said he asked security to stop a ballgame on the beach. They said it’s not their job. Mark Mongillo said he had met with all the Miami Beach members on Pond Rd., and spoke about these issues. Our own Miami Beach security just started this Friday 6/24. We would have started earlier but didn’t realize school was out earlier this year. At this point, I believe that Miami security is doing their job. Clarified that the Rangers’ task is to check coolers at lot B11. Rangers aren’t going to stop ball playing on beach at Miami. Miami is paying
for 2 additional security guards this weekend for the 3 days. The permitted parking lot owners need to do their job. Signs must be posted and lot owners need to be responsible to tell people no coolers, etc.
Mr. Pappalardo said every permitted parking lot must display that. If they don’t, they will be fined. Sandra Ziemba stated that she is a private parking lot owner and does stop her patrons from bringing their large coolers to the beach. She even has a small “loaner” cooler they can borrow instead.
Joann Lishing said she had seen people parking on Rte. 156 and walking to the beach with large coolers. Angelo Faenza said the church lot had illegally parked cars. Trooper Inglis said many tickets were given out this weekend for illegal parking, including the church and South Shore Landing.
Tom (Last name?) (Pond road) said the Rangers need to stay later in the day. They are leaving at 2pm, but there’s a “second wave” that comes in between 4 and 5 pm, and there are no Rangers there to check coolers. It has been frustrating to try to get Rangers to work with our security. There’s a lot of tension. Trooper Inglis responded that he didn’t think there was any tension. It had been agreed upon with MBA, who now have their own security, so Rangers are only checking coolers on Miami Beach. Terri DeVito said the Rangers had been uncooperative and told the
Miami security to stay out of their area.
Mark Mongillo said we need to have more consistency with staffing. Do the hours have to be 8-2? Can they be later?
Frank Pappalardo said that several years ago there were quad patrols until 11pm with Rangers, but there were complaints about noise. Would that be more helpful?
Mark Mongillo said the majority of our members liked the quad on the beach, as long as it was operated with respect to people on the beach, and not speeding.
FP: Can we talk about that?
Scott Boulanger thanked everyone for coming out, and said that the Selectmen and Troopers need to answer emails and respond to residents’ concerns. We need to have meetings between Miami, town, police, and work together. Need to help Miami Beach with security. Why can’t Rangers walk the beach? A few years ago it was good…the quad on the beach, more patrols on the sand. It was a positive thing. Something happened last year. Not exactly sure what happened but something went south. This year is out of control. We have gone backwards 6-10 years. We need constables on
the beach. We need support from the Selectmen. We are charging these people to park, but the money goes into the general fund. Let’s get rid of the general fund and put the money into security. We need better communication. The swim lines are just one example. We shouldn't have to wait for someone to get hurt. It’s very sad that we are having this debate. We have 80 year old residents trying to fight 6 foot guys with coolers. That’s just not right.
Ms. Pearson asked who’s in charge of enforcing the no ball playing on Miami Beach?
Trooper Inglis said it’s the responsibility of Miami Beach security. Miami decided they didn’t want the Rangers.
Mark Mongillo explained that Miami had decided to hire private security because last year we did not have support from the Rangers. They are great kids but we needed the rules enforced more. We also check for cooler passes, and allow 5 qt coolers.
Frank Pappalardo said that a few years ago things were clearly working. Enforcement on the sand was effective and kept the behavior generally civil and safe. It’s important to look at the history to see what worked.
Angelo Faenza said it’s due to a lack of manpower. If the Rangers get in trouble they need a Police Officer. If there’s only one officer here, and he gets called away, we have no backup and no enforcement. We need manpower. Trooper Inglis said it’s not an issue of manpower, but that residents aren’t calling the police. Recently Trooper DeAngelo issued 5 trespassing tickets and one of the guys had a warrant, so he arrested them. Sgt. Meacham and I walked Pond Road talking to property owners. We understand the concerns, but troopers aren’t going to try to decide who belongs on someone’s deck or not. If there’s a problem you think needs a police response, 860-399-2100 is the barracks phone.
Keith Hensen, Pond rd.: Said he called police multiple times about 15 large guys playing football on the beach. About an hour and a half later, the police came and acted like its low priority.
Ms. Ziemba stated that at 3 or 4 pm, she has noticed people speeding up the streets, going through the stop signs, and there’s no police presence. That didn't happen a few years ago.
Ms. Lishing asked, What are the action items that we are going to follow up on, so they’ll be in our minutes.
Mr. Pappalardo said he would like to see a meeting with Miami, Sound View, Police and Selectmen to determine responsibilities of various entities on Sound View Beach and Miami Beach.
Mark Mongillo reiterated that we need the Selectmen to be included in this. We’re all in this together we all want a safe and secure place. We need to build on the common goal. I agree we should have a meeting to determine how to protect safety. Frank Pappalardo asked Mr. Mongillo to be the contact person. He will send an email to all interested parties and we should meet ASAP.
Mr. Pappalardo also asked Trooper Inglis to look into having the quad patrol the beach until 10-11 pm.
Public Comment:
Mark Mongillo asked about the blighted buildings across the street. Mr. Pappalardo said there was a subcommittee that is working with the property owners to explore development options. The owners are waiting for sewers.
Joann Lishing said she can see all kinds of activity from her window, and there needs to be better enforcement of quality of life issues. She also complimented the Rangers, saying she sees them very nicely enforcing the cooler ordinance, without confrontation, and thinks they are doing a good job.
Erin Mamone, Portland Ave. asked why the parking lots aren’t closed at dusk. She also has observed horrific behavior in the “Joe’s Parking lot” after hours which should be manned later in the day. Can’t just leave it unsupervised. People are drinking and smoking pot, having sex, etc.
Frank Pappalardo agreed that it’s tragic that Sound View residents feel trapped in their houses on weekends and that they can’t go to the beach because of the out of control behavior. Townspeople pay taxes to use that beach, and everyone should feel comfortable there. We had this under control a few years ago, and we have to get back to that standard of behavior and enforcement.
Mary Faenza? said traffic has been particularly horrible this year. Maybe when traffic is that bad, need to think about where we have Rangers to enforce parking and traffic issues.
Selectman Sibley complimented the audience for their positive attitude and willingness to work together to improve things. Obviously we have a long holiday weekend coming up, and I heard that Miami is beefing up security. Asked Trooper Inglis what the plan is for the Town.
Selectwoman Nosal: Agreed with Mr. Sibley’s comments, and said the first email she got was Thursday and that she has been to Sound View several times and has been speaking with the police to see what’s going on, and how we can improve matters. Re swim lines, that money has been expended, so I don’t see why they haven’t been put in yet. No one is looking to save money at the expense of safety. Selectwoman Nosal also reminded people to get the word out about the July 18th town meeting to approve final funding for the Sound View Improvements project.
Motion to Adjourn: Motion by Sandy. Seconded by Joann. Meeting adjourned at 9.10
Attached Correspondence:
To Everyone Concerned,
I have lived on Pond Road from Late May to Early September for the last 18 years. I can not remember a time when the activities of beach visitors has been this bad. The activities which take place on a daily basis ~on the roads, parking lots and the beach are atrocious.~
These are the activities for which I have personally witnessed:
-Smoking marijuana on the streets and the beach.
-Drinking alcohol on the streets and the beach.
-Drunkenness.
-Public urination in my parking lot.
-Littering. The end of the day is awful.
-Sexual relations on the beach and I caught a couple on my deck.
-Trespassing. I have come home to find groups of people on my patio lounging on my patio furniture.
-Profanity that is so offensive that you need to take your family inside.
-Extremely loud music containing profanity.
-Persons leaving paid parking lots with oversized coolers and carrying bottles of alcohol.
-Rangers telling motorists to use the end of Pond Road as a turn around.
-Rangers speeding up and down the beach on their beach vehicle.
-Campground size tents erected on the beach.
-Cribs on the beach.
Old Lyme is getting a very bad reputation for the types of crowds we are getting. I remember a time when beach visitors were mostly families. When we wanted to walk with our children to get ice cream or even go for a walk on the beach. Now its mostly large groups of disrespectful kids. Intimidating large groups of kids. If we don't do something now and I mean immediately this is going to get bad, really bad. We need the cooperation of everyone. The Town needs to make the paid parking lots more accountable or take away their permits. Parking lot owners should not let visitors leave with large coolers or alcohol and furthermore should report drunkenness to the Police before the cars leave. Its only a matter of time before something bad happens.
Rangers need to walk/drive up and down the beach so that there is a police presence. The beach and the streets need to be monitored day and night. Rangers need to give out tickets for all infractions. I know what I'm asking but we shouldn't be paying for outsiders to enjoy our town, our beach or our properties. ~ ~
We should basically make going to Miami Beach so strict that people know not to come here unless they follow the rules. This however takes time. We need to take back our beaches now and do it fast. Fourth of July is around the corner and if was anything like last year.....
I can make myself available to have a conversation about this anytime.
Respectfully,
Sandra Manafort
Hello to all interested and concerned parties,
We are beachfront homeowners residing at 6 Pond Road. We are very concerned, upset and bothered by the offensive activities that have been taking place on the beach, in the streets and parking lots. This has been an ongoing problem that seemed to have become intense last season and has totally escalated this season. This season has just begun and activities and behaviors from very undesirable people~are out of control. Something has got to change!!!!~
Just the other evening, my neighbor called a complaint to the Troopers to report alcohol drinking and pot smoking taking place on the beach. No response. I have talked to the boys monitoring the beach about ball playing. Nothing gets done. Recently, a hard baseball was being thrown. The patrol did tell them~to stop but only after we complained. Didn't work. The ball throwers took their game a little further down the beach.~I have videoed a football game while the patrol was sitting in their beach vehicle ignoring the game. Last week my neighbors entire patio set with the exception of the table and umbrella were missing off his patio and had to be retrieved from~down the beach the next day.~
The garbage left behind on the beach and parking lot~is disgusting!~It's a true insult to us as residents.~There should also be a rule implemented for the flow of traffic congesting Pond Rd. Traffic shouldn't be allowed to do turn-a-rounds or use our driveways to turn around. I realize there are a few options as to how to handle this and I, for one, would be happy with either way.
The rude, offensive and insulting behaviors of people frequenting the beach is at an ultimate high. This is~happening during the week, not just on the weekends.~I don't know where these people are coming from, but they should not be allowed to come to our beach to drink, swear, do drugs, play ball, have sex,~litter~and harass us.~Something needs to be done.~
~There is no excuse for bad behavior. There is no excuse for~poor monitoring. There is no excuse for drinking alcohol. There is no excuse for drug use. There is no excuse for ball playing. There is no excuse for loud offensive behavior coming from the parking lot and street. There is no excuse for littering.~~Shame on us all if this continues. We need to be proactive and unite to keep these activities from continuing. State Police need to monitor to keep people off of our patios/property. The cost for this would be offset by charging a fee.~Last year, my husband consulted a lawyer and was told a fee could be charged to enter the beach that would cover our cost for maintenance and state police monitoring. This should be implemented at once!!~
I realize this a lot to consider, but I truly feel that if we start charging people to enter the beach, a lot of~these activities will soon cease. There are~many ways to go about this. I explored other beaches in CT and most charge non-residents who have to purchase a day pass or even a seasonal pass. Passes weren't sold at the beach. They had to be purchased at a~beach and recreation office or their town police department in advance. Some beaches charge by the car but I feel that would not work for us and our situation. Some~charged $5.00 or~$10.00~a person for a day pass~that could be purchased at the beach. Of the 18 CT beaches I looked up, all charged a fee for parking and/or beach access~except for Cosey Beach.~
It's really very sad that things have gotten so out of control. We need~leadership and unity to overcome these terrible obstacles.
Thank you for your time and concern.
Sincerely,
Karen Calvanese
I would like to share some concerns that I have regarding our homes that are located on Pond Road/Miami Beach. ~ ~ It is the beginning of the summer with our beach season not yet into full swing and I have personally experienced some things that I would like to share. ~ ~ ~I came home from grocery shopping last week to four uninvited individuals complete with
coolers and towels on our deck. They actually put up our umbrella and were laying in our lounge chairs taking "selfies". ~ They also brought their own music. ~ I realized I should have called the police but felt that I could handle the situation in asking them to leave. ~I realized after the fact that I should have called the police. ~ ~ Just yesterday, the exact same thing happened on my next door neighbors deck. ~ Two men were putting up the umbrella and I asked if they were friends and they mumbled something which led me to believe they did not belong and I gently suggested they get moving.... I was babysitting my grandson (4 years old) and a large group of individuals were playing very loud music, of which
almost every word was a swear; ~ I was afraid to approach them so we just went inside. ~beautiful day, we pay taxes to both the town and our association, and I have to go in the house... ~ ~ The security guards are doing NOTHING!! ~ ~They are completely afraid to confront anyone unless they are smaller, younger or appear to them that they will not give them any trouble in return. ~ While I can't blame security for intruders on our property, because they have no idea who belongs where, it is the fault of the association for allowing this trash on the beach. ~ I blame the security guards to a certain degree but this has been an ongoing situation and its pretty clear that these security guards are not the answer. Something is very wrong with this picture. ~
At the end of last summer there was a lot of talk about people who are not members of our association paying a fee to get on the beach. ~ That discussion began back in August of 2015 and I never heard another thing about it. ~There was also discussion about putting a gate at or near the beach entrance on Pond Road with either remotes or a code or another
gatehouse with security. ~ ~We are all paying the same taxes and those of us on Pond Road get no benefit whatsoever from the gatehouse or security. ~ There is a security guard at the entrance to Miami Beach off of Route 156 but nothing at all to protect us from the vehicles going in and out of Pond Road. ~ When the cars figure out~there is no parking they come all the way down the end of our street to turn around looking for parking. ~ ~~
Something needs to be done! ~ ~Our beach that we all love is becoming a haven for~individuals who have~absolutely no
respect for our property or us. ~ WE are paying for them to use our beach. ~ All they have to pay for is a parking pass and then its free reign. ~ ~ ~I am asking you to please have some consideration for these issues and put a plan into place that will help put a stop
to this. ~ ~
Thank you for your consideration....
~
Carla Z Bergenty
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