MINUTES
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Land Use Conference Room, Town Hall
302 Main Street
Members in Attendance: Bob Fish, Jerry Brophy, Charlie Cobb, Mike Kelley, Pat Ingellis
Absent: Robert Siegelman, Kim Gallagher
Staff in Attendance: Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Approval of Minutes
MOTION to approve the Regular Meeting minutes of July 10, 2007. MOVED by J. Brophy. SECONDED by C. Cobb. IN FAVOR: B. Fish, J. Brophy, C. Cobb, M. Kelley, P. Ingellis. OPPOSED: None. ABSTAINING: APPROVED: 5-0-0.
The Natural Heritage Tour
Mike Kelley updated the status for the commission stating there has been some delay due to computer/translation difficulties between PC and Mac systems. Due to the large size of files, there have been problems with e-mails to graphic designer, Marta Cone. Mike will try to bring a proof of the brochure to the next meeting for Commission review and comment. Financial estimate is expected from Ms. Cone.
The Fishway System
Bob Fish presented conceptual drawings prepared to be received by the Wetlands Commission in August and publicly heard in September. The Planning Commission will consider it as a municipal improvement in September, as well.
Violations of Conservation Easements
Christine Nelson spoke of a staff level initiative to reach out to owners of property subject to conservation easements to demarcate those areas with the Town’s open space marker discs. The impetus for the program comes from a series of inadvertent violations of these areas over the years resulting in administrative, legal and restoration costs. Mike Kelley suggested requesting voluntary compliance with a mailing of the necessary discs to the homeowners. Pat Ingellis had concerns regarding how precise the boundary marking ought to be and cited the Commission’s practice of using the most proximate trees as usually sufficient but awkward in field conditions. Charlie Cobb cautioned against beginning a program unless the other departments were aware of their collateral responsibilities. Jerry Brophy asked whether there might be a mechanism that exists or could be inserted into the permitting process so that new property owners would be put on notice at the time of real estate
transaction. Christine Nelson shared the standard template for Conservation Easement and restriction currently in use by the commissions that prescribe such easements. Bob Fish handed around a copy of a pending Notice of Violation/Cease & Desist Order upon which the Wetlands Commission will be acting at its August meeting. Pat Ingellis offered to show staff the methods for boundary marking that he and Charlie Cobb have put into action over the past year on the Gt. Cedars East property.
Enforcement of the Stewardship Plan
Bob Fish asked for input on how best to move forward in implementing the recommendations to deal with trespass and dumping that the Commission has made to the Parks & Recreation Department via the monitoring reports. The Commission agreed that it appears to be a low priority for the department competing with its programming demands. Christine Nelson suggested that the Commission make a case to the Parks & Recreation Commission itself.
Leadership in Old Saybrook on Global Warming Issues
Jerry Brophy presented a proposal to parallel the Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality at the local level by creating a council in Old Saybrook consisting of representatives of Town agencies, town organizations and resident activists to define Old Saybrook’s status in terms of the sustainability indicators outlined in the State CEQ’s annual “Environmental Quality in Ct.” report, as a starting point, and measure the town’s progress toward the stated goals. Christine Nelson suggested a speaker on sustainability indicators who can lead the council and townsfolk in creating qualitative indicators.
Land Use Updates , Mail, Announcements
Charlie Cobb distributed an article from The Week, August 17, 2007, regarding the movement to purchase goods that are produced locally.
Adjournment
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:00p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 7:30p.m., Land Use Conference Room, Old Saybrook Town Hall, 302 Main Street. MOVED by J. Brophy. SECONDED byM. Kelley. IN FAVOR: B. Fish, J. Brophy, C. Cobb, M. Kelley. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Christine Nelson
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