TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK
Conservation Commission
302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741
Telephone (860) 395-3073 FAX (860) 395-1216
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Land Use Conference Room
Old Saybrook Town Hall
Members in Attendance: Bob Fish, Jerry Brophy, Charlie Cobb, Mike Kelley
Members Absent: Kim Gallagher, Pat Ingellis
Visitors: Christine Nelson, Attorney David Royston, Robert Siegelman
Approval of Minutes
MOTION to approve the Regular Meeting minutes of July 11, 2006.
MOVED by Jerry Brophy. SECONDED by Mike Kelley. IN FAVOR: Bob Fish, Jerry Brophy, Charlie Cobb, Mike Kelley. OPPOSED: None. ABSTAINING: None. APPROVED: 4-0-0.
Commission Membership and Organization/Appointment of Representative to Inland Wetlands
Chairman Fish informed the Commission that Kim Gallagher was appointed by the Board of Selectmen and is now a member of the Conservation Commission. There is still one opening available on the Commission. Mr. Fish introduced and welcomed Robert Siegelman to the Commission. Mr. Siegelman was observing the meeting and may be interested in filling this vacancy. Kim Gallagher has previously expressed her interest to Chairman Fish in becoming the Inland Wetlands Representative for the Commission.
MOTION to appoint Kim Gallagher as the Inland Wetlands Representative for the Conservation Commission. MOVED by Charlie Cobb. SECONDED by Mike Kelley. IN FAVOR: Bob Fish, Jerry Brophy, Charlie Cobb, Mike Kelley. OPPOSED: None. ABSTAINING: None. APPROVED: 4-0-0.
Merritt Lane IW Application, Effect on Great Cedars East
Attorney David Royston briefed the Commission on the Merritt Lane Holdings application to create 6 total building lots on an existing 27.55 acre parcel and to construct and improve access roadways on Town property for access to this parcel & town open space and possible contiguous access to the adjacent Finch property.
Discussions amongst Commission members followed regarding vehicular access ways and connections between this proposed development, the Finch proposed development, and access to the new Great Cedars East trail system. Atty. Royston stated he is not aware of any conflict that the DEP may have due to relocation of this road from its present right-away. Chairman Fish suggested that he look at Schedule C of the Great Cedars East document in the Town Clerk’s office. The Commission stressed the need to minimize the impact of roads on the Great Cedars East Conservation land.
Attorney Royston concluded his presentation by asking the Conservation Commission to recommend the following to the Planning Commission.
Encourage the connection to the Finch development in order to preclude steep access roads from this development to Mill Rock Road.
Propose a gravel road for the connecting area.
Eliminate the need for a full cul-de-sac at connections.
Any cost savings be set aside for future development of Great Cedars East parking areas.
There was general consensus that this particular issue was not relevant to the Inland Wetlands Application, although that is their decision to make.
The Stewardship Plan, New Issues
Damon Hearne wanted to discuss further ideas regarding the Stewardship Plan with the Commission but was unable to attend the meeting. Therefore, this topic will be discussed further at next month’s regularly scheduled meeting. In the meantime, it was suggested that Chairman Fish speak with Mr. Hearne to see if he had any revisions to the document itself in an effort to keep this topic moving forward. Mr. Fish also stated that he had forwarded a copy of the plan to the First Selectman for review, and that he would contact Mr. Pace for comments.
Request for Comment on Proposed Amendments to Zoning Regulations (Lot Area Requirements in Flood Hazard Areas)
The Commission has been asked to comment on an amendment to the zoning regulations that would exclude flood hazard areas for calculations of buildable areas. After discussion, the Commission had no objections to this amendment.
MOTION to add to the agenda the review of the Golinowski application. MOVED by Jerry Brophy. SECONDED by Charlie Cobb. IN FAVOR: Bob Fish, Jerry Brophy, Charlie Cobb, Mike Kelley. OPPOSED: None. ABSTAINING: None. APPROVED: 4-0-0.
Review of Golinowski Application
Christine Nelson briefed the Commission on this application. A total of eight (8) buildable lots are desired on 21 acres of land located off Bokum Road and Town line near Essex. The Planning Commission has asked the Conservation Commission to review the proposed open space concerning this property. After review of the application it was determined that there are two areas of open space. The Commission suggested that in order to best utilize these areas that they be contiguous rather than separate as currently proposed.
Commission Projects, TPL Program, Saybrook Events, etc.
Chairman Fish passed out the articles that will appear in the next Saybrook Events. He also mentioned that the Conservation Commission is co-sponsor with the TPL Program: “Listen to the River” and the open space map will be on display the evening of September 25, 2006 at the Connecticut River Museum. Also distributed was a piece that Chairman Fish wrote about the Conservation Commission for the annual town report. The 2005 Environmental Quality in Connecticut report and the Conservation & Open Spaces section of the Plan of Development were also given to each commission member as the basis for future discussion of commission project priorities.
Adjournment
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:20pm. until the next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 10, 2006, 7:30pm., Land Use Conference Room, Old Saybrook Town Hall, 302 Main Street.
MOVED by Charlie Cobb. SECONDED by Mike Kelley. IN FAVOR: Bob Fish, Jerry Brophy, Charlie Cobb, Mike Kelley. OPPOSED: None. ABSTAINING: None. APPROVED: 4-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melanie Dautrich
Conservation Commission Clerk
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