East Lyme Selectmen Back $46K In Cannabis Revenue For Streetscape Improvements

EAST LYME, CT — The East Lyme Board of Selectmen voted 5-1 on Sept. 2 to support using $46,000 in local cannabis tax revenue for streetscape improvements, including replacing trees in deteriorated tree wells downtown.

The proposal will next go to the Board of Finance and ultimately requires approval at a town meeting. The selectmen also unanimously advanced two state grants and scheduled a Sept. 16 public hearing on the town's proposed automated traffic enforcement program.

Cannabis Revenue Proposed For Streetscape Work

Public Works Director Joe Bragaw told the board that many downtown tree wells have deteriorated, creating potential hazards, while some no longer contain trees. He said streetscape projects are an approved use of cannabis revenue.

The proposed work would replace trees in the existing wells and add several trees to the street-facing yard outside the Night Jar dispensary. Bragaw said the Zoning Department would not allow the existing tree wells to be removed and would approve only projects that replace the trees.

Selectwoman Candice Carlson questioned the amount requested and asked whether the project could be scaled back because she considered $46,000 a substantial amount to draw from cannabis revenue.

Finance Director Kevin Gervais said the town receives between $4,000 and $7,000 per month in cannabis revenue and will continue receiving the money as long as the dispensary remains open. He said $8,000 was currently available in the fund and another $75,000 had been encumbered but not spent.

Selectwoman Rose Ann Hardy thanked Niantic Main Street for contributing an additional $10,000 needed for the full project.

The board voted 5-1 to approve the $46,000 appropriation and send it to the Board of Finance with a request for consideration at its Sept. 9 meeting to accommodate a fall planting schedule. First Selectman Dan Cunningham and selectmen Ann Cicchiello, Hardy, Jason Deeble and Tony Attanasio voted in favor. Carlson opposed the motion.

Earlier in the meeting, resident Jaime Barr Shelburn opposed using cannabis revenue for the project, saying she believed the money should be used for Youth, Family and Human Services-related purposes.

Automated Traffic Enforcement Hearing Set

The board voted 6-0 to schedule a public hearing for 7 p.m. Sept. 16 on an application to the state for East Lyme's proposed Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Device Program.

The hearing will be held at East Lyme Town Hall, 108 Pennsylvania Ave..

The issue is separate from the town's existing Flock camera system, which also drew substantial public comment at the Sept. 2 meeting.

Several residents said they recognized the cameras' usefulness to police but raised concerns about access to personal information, oversight and privacy protections. Deeble later apologized for not formally inviting the entire Board of Selectmen to an Aug. 31 public forum on the cameras, saying he had not anticipated the size of the event. He said he had received numerous comments from constituents concerned about the technology.

State Grants Advance Unanimously

Selectmen unanimously approved sending a $13,476 state early-voting grant to the Board of Finance for consideration.

The board also voted 6-0 to advance a $4,000 historic documents preservation grant from the Connecticut State Library.

Museum Curator Hours To Be Revisited During Budget Process

The board discussed a previous request concerning hours for Brookside Farm Museum Curator Annah Perch.

Selectmen agreed that they did not have authority to circumvent the Board of Finance's decision to reduce the curator's hours. Instead, members said the matter could be reconsidered during development of the next fiscal year's budget. No vote was recorded.

Brownfield Testing Underway At Former Police Station

Cunningham reported that the first phase of a brownfield assessment at the former police station property on Main Street had been completed.

Phase two was underway and included digging test holes, Cunningham said. The town was also reviewing results of a public survey concerning potential uses for the property.

Cunningham also reported that the state had awarded $650,000 toward plans for a new Miracle League facility at Flanders School. Carlson separately reported that the softball field at Veterans Memorial Park will be named for longtime gym teacher Judy Deeb and that the wildflower meadow at Darrow Pond will be named for Bruce Dasinger in recognition of his preservation work.

The board entered executive session at 9 p.m. to discuss personnel matters and pending litigation. Members returned at 9:24 p.m. and reported taking no formal votes during the session. The meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.