North Stonington Town Hall
Thursday Sept. 27 2007, 6:00 pm
Special Meeting of the Conservation Commission
Minutes
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Bill Ricker, at approximately 6:04pm. Members Present: Paige Brooks, Dick Blodgett, Pat Lewis, Bob Fluery, Brian Rathbun and Kellene Limpert. All Reg. Members were present and voting.
Motion to change the order of agenda to accommodate the Planning and Zoning people that had come to make comment on the Mission Statement and Goals and Tasks. Motion carried 5-0-0
Citizens comments: Lou Steinbrecker,Vilma Gregoropolis, both reg. members of the Planning and Zoning Com. Spoke about the need for the CC to give them comments and suggestions concerning cases that come forward , such as the developments that are being proposed at this time. They spoke of having a good working relationship with the former CCand would like that to continue. Other Citizens commented on those points as well, they were:
Tim Crandal,Mac Turner,Pat Turner, Nita Kincaid, all spoke and referenced the need for the C.C. to make recommendations to any and all commissions that referred to land uses and development.
They also made it know that would like to see the CC involved as soon as possible so as to give instruction on the developers are now being heard.
Also, the citizens made known that they were in favor of keeping the Mission Statement and Goal and Tasks the way they are presently so as to save time and be able comment on these cases.
CC Members responded that we were working on our Plans and would like that to get finished up as soon as possible, before seeing developers on a reg. basis. Due to the facts that as soon as you start hearing developers the other work of Planning doesn’t get done. The members also expressed concern that in hearing directly from the Developer would in some way compromise the CC and cause legal problems. They would like to confer with Lawyers between now and the next meeting to get some answers on these questions. Ricker advised that he wouldn’t want to alienate this or any Board. Ricker Offered an alternative idea of a temporary hyatis until our primary mapping task is completed.
More discussion followed:
d. Officers and committee reports:
Treasurer’s Report: 800.00 in budget but \can only use ¼ of that amount until referendum passes.
Blodgett reports the need for more mapping tape. He will ask First Selectman Nick Mullane to lend some until we are able to get two more boxes. Motion to buy two boxes of Tape tomorrow if Nick won’t let us borrow some, until the budget passes. Motion carries 5-0-0.
Some discussion of a tape recorder and that the CC can use the Selectman’s old one. New one would cost about 260.00.
e. Old Business: Discussion on Mission Statement.
Rathbun does not see the need to change it. Discussion follows as to including historic resources. Blodgett sees that we need to have the State Statutes in the M.S. and that we shouldn’t go outside what we are directed to do by the State.
Motion to accept the revised Mission Statement revised July 26th 2007.
Discussion: Chairman Ricker believes we should be more in line with the State Statutes, but would like to see Historic Resources included as well.
More discussion then the vote 2 in favor 3 opposed, motion does not carry.
Ricker would like a legal opinion or whether we are bound to State Statute language.
Blodgett : the state is specific about what we to be doing, no more or less.
Motion to keep the Mission Statement the way it is, No second.
Would Group like Ricker to as legal advice before we make decision? Getting two opinions? Members supported Ricker getting legal opinions reguarding how far a CC can deviate from the CGS wording.
Tabled until next meeting and getting the legal opinions.
Goals and Tasks:
The Goals and Tasks need to be amended to include the question, are we going to hear from developers that want to meet with us and go over property make recommendations, or recommendations to Planning and zoning only, TO not hear them at all, hear them and ask questions.
Recreation Lands:
Presentation of Problem Parcels by Bob Fluery.
Motion that we recommend to Nick Mullane to use the 9.35 acres as passive open space, that it be acquired by town for passive open space.5-0-0
Motion to write a letter to Nick that CC. supports the town in reference to #5 the bridal paths from Mr.Ketelhut. Bob Fluery will write the letter.4-0-1
Acknowledgement of Nita Kincaid’s work on the Problem parcels by Ricker. Looked at maps and discussed our recommendations for Recreation Lands.
Memo from Craig Grimmord: WintechaugHill Property
Brochures were given out for the CACIWC Convention.
g. Correspondence:
Motion to Submit Nita Kincaid’s name to CACIWC award. 5-0-0
Invitation to Fiddleheads unveiling of new sign and proposed layout in New London.
Adjournment at 11:00pm.
Respectfully submitted: Kellene Limpert
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