Town of East Hampton
Lake Pocotopaug Commission
Regular Meeting
September 18, 2008 – 7:00 p.m.
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
MINUTES – Unapproved
Present: Chair John Ciriello, Vice Chair John Jordan, Irene Curtis, Paul Peszynski, Jack Solomon, Thomas Wells
Also Present: Town Manager Jeffery O’Keefe, Temporary Recording Clerk Jennifer Carducci and several members of the public.
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Chair Ciriello called this regular meeting to order at 7:03. All Commissioners present.
Mr. Wells made a motion to amend the agenda to include the POCD paragraph for discussion as an item under New Business. No discussion. Seconded by Ms. Curtis, Vote: Yes-6; No-0, Abstain-0.
2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings
a. Regular Meeting of July 17, 2008; August 21, 2008
Several changes were made to the minutes of July 17, 2008 and will be incorporated into the official copy. There were no minutes of the July 17, 2008 meeting as the meeting was opened and went directly into education presentation. A motion was made by Ms. Curtis and seconded by Mr. Solomon to accept the 7-17-08 minutes as amended; vote Yes-6; No-0; Abstain-0.
3. Public Remarks – None
4. Remarks from the Chair
Chair Ciriello and Mr. Solomon expressed being stunned and saddened by the passing of Dennis Griswold, a great friend of Lake Pocotopaug.
A sympathy card was sent on behalf of the Commission.
Chair Ciriello welcomed Town Manager O’Keefe to East Hampton and our meeting.
5. Administrative Business and Communications
a. Town Manager’s Report – Town Manager O’Keefe mentioned that the Town has entered into an partnership with the Nature Conservancy and part of the purpose is to study how land use planning and zoning regulations affect watershed areas). There is approximately $900,000 of grants to be given out state-wide. This covers the Salmon River watershed.
1. Hale Brook and Christopher Pond Dredging
Town Manager O’Keefe stated that the dredging in Hale Brook is to being in the middle of October. Press releases are scheduled to go out next week.
2. Fall Lake Lowering Schedule
Town Manager O’Keefe stated Lake lowering will begin 10-1-08.
6. Update on Fish Study
Chair Ciriello shared that he spoke with several staff at State DEP regarding the netting/counting of fish. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding stocking, fish population, etc. in relation to the stocking of the Lake.
Chair Ciriello made a motion that this commission recommend to Town Manager that the 6,000 walleye fingerlings be suspended and the $5,400 be put back into the Lake Pocotopaug Commission’s budget or possibly be put toward an engineering study for Christopher Brook; seconded by Mr. Jordan. After discussion the vote was Yes-5; No-0; Abstain-1 (Wells).
Mr. Wells would like an indication from ENSR as to whether or not they feel this process is effective.
7. Lake Commission Budget Update
The current fiscal year’s budget was discussed. Questions were raised regarding actual cost for dredging Christopher Pond. Town Manager O’Keefe will investigate the projected cost for dredging Hale Brook; and estimated cost to dredge Christopher Pond.
Mr. Wells emphasized the value of a management plan; for budgeting and planning.
Mr. Solomon made a motion that it is the intent of this commission to allocate a portion of the 08-09 budget, as required, to add to the $5,400 (saved by not purchasing the walleye fingerlings this year) to obtain an engineering study for the Christopher Pond dredging, providing that the cost estimate for the overall job and the Town Manager agree. Motion was seconded by Mr. Peszynski. A lengthy discussion ensued.
Ms. Curtis made a motion to table the previous motion and add it to the agenda under New Business; seconded by Chair Ciriello; Vote Yes-6; No-0; Abstain-0.
Chair Ciriello stated that Christopher Pond is very important, and the money is necessary to obtain the permits needed to do the work.
8. Commission Liaison Reports
Ms. Curtis has nothing regarding Lake Commission to report.
Mr. Peszynski reported that there were no ZBA items concerning the Lake.
Mr. Solomon stated there was nothing to report from the Sewer Commission.
Mr. Jordan reported that the Conservation Commission did not meet due to lack of quorum.
Mr. Ciriello attended two Town Council meetings and shared that positive comments were made regarding the Education Forum. He also attended ZBA with Mr. Peszynski and will be presenting Lake issues at their next meeting in October.
Mr. Wells was unable to make the Planning and Zoning meeting in September but stated that two preapplications were presented for review. Town Manager O’Keefe stated that the meeting had been cancelled.
9. Committee Reports
a. Education Committee
1. Lake Forum – August 21, 2008
Two groups were taken out onto the Lake; response was very positive. Persons attended were very involved and asked questions.
Another program will be started in the schools in the winter; public forums will start up again in the spring.
Mr. Peszynski commented regarding his extensive lake education. He read a letter from a high school-mate who graduated from East Hampton. He now lives in the “Lakes” region of Maine. In the letter, the school-mate shared information regarding lake water, surface water runoff, share/land zoning, buffer zones, protecting watersheds, etc. The Town Manager will make a copy of the letter for Commission members. A lengthy discussion regarding education ensued.
It was mentioned that on 10-1-08, Ms. Curtis, Chair Ciriello, and Mr. Peszynski will be attending a conference at UConn regarding weeds.
b. Monitoring Committee
1. Water Tests
Mr. Wells explained handouts regarding in-lake monitoring.
A short discussion of watershed sampling ensued. John Jordan volunteered to help out with sampling. The results of this sampling is necessary for the nutrient study.
2. Other - None
c. Lake Management Planning Committee - None
10. Unfinished Business - None
11. New Business
Item moved here from earlier in the agenda: The temporary recording clerk read the motion:
Mr. Solomon made a motion that it is the intent of this commission to allocate a portion of the 08-09 budget, as required, to add to the $5,400 (saved by not purchasing the walleye fingerlings this year) to obtain an engineering study for the Christopher Pond dredging, providing that the cost estimate for the overall job and the Town Manager agree. Motion was seconded by Mr. Peszynski. Further discussion ensued. Vote: Yes-4 (Curtis, Solomon, Peszynski, Jordan; No-1 (Wells); Abstain-1 (Ciriello).
POCD paragraph: Mr. Wells supplied a handout including a statement of the concern for the Lake to include for the Commission’s review and for discussion and possibly forward to Town Council for possible action.
12. Public Remarks
Patience Anderson, 17 Anderson Way, does not live in the watershed area. Ms. Anderson stated that she has recently been appointed to the Conservation Committee and invited all to join their meetings.
13. Adjournment
Mr. Solomon motioned to adjourn this regular meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Carducci
Temporary Recording Secretary
9-21-08
Handouts made part of these minutes are available at Town Hall.
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