MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 3:30 P.m.
Town Hall, First Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street, Old Saybrook
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Larry Ritzhaupt called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Larry Ritzhaupt
Doug McCracken
Robert Yust
Janice Holland
Michael Momparler
Tom Gezo
Absent Members
Steve Tagliatela
John Donnelly
Jerry Brophy
Bill Webster
Land Use Department Staff Present
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Sandy Prisloe, Environmental Planner
Chris Costa, Zoning Enforcement Officer
Kathleen Noyes, Recording Clerk
Town Hall Staff Present
Jim Monopoli, CT River Area Health District
MOTION to amend the agenda to add a discussion regarding the effects of sea level rise and climate change on the demographics of Old Saybrook and to talk about outreach and education. MADE: by M. Momparler; SECONDED by L. Ritzhaupt; VOTED IN FAVOR: L. Ritzhaupt, D. McCracken, T. Gezo, R. Yust, J. Holland, M. Momparler; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 6-0-0.
MOTION to amend the agenda to add discussion of the joint meeting held on 1/21/2015 between the Planning Commission and the CC SLRCAC. MADE: by R. Yust; SECONDED by M. Momparler; VOTED IN FAVOR: L. Ritzhaupt, D. McCracken, T. Gezo, R. Yust, J. Holland, M. Momparler; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 6-0-0.
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
Committee members agreed to table approval of the minutes until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the CC SLRCAC meeting on Thursday, 2/12/2015.
- Correspondence & Announcements
There was an article in The New York Times about sea level rise. The article discusses the level and rate of sea level rise. The rate of sea level rise increased substantially from 1990 on. There has been new treatment of the data.
S. Prisloe was able to obtain a copy of the original paper, and he offered to e-mail it to Committee members if they were interested.
Professor Ralph Lewis, retired UConn geology professor, will present at the 2/12/15 CC SLRCAC meeting.
J. Donnelly and L. Ritzhaupt will present their topics at the 2/26/2015 CC SLRCAC meeting.
IV. DISCUSSION
Where Are We? Where Are We Going? How Do We Get There?
COMMUNITY – Recreation (Robert Yust)
R. Yust discussed the importance of water to the recreation of Old Saybrook. By recreation, he included coastal views, beaches, boating, fishing and nature appreciation. He noted that public access to the water is restricted, and sea level rise will definitely impact water levels and recreation. He talked about passive recreation versus active recreation.
He suggested the town take advantage of sea level rise to increase and improve access to the shore by incorporating sea level rise into the Town Plans. This could be done by increasing fishing areas, increasing bicycle paths, adding kayak and canoe storage areas and parking to those boat ramp areas and increasing wildlife viewing areas and nature trails.
R. Yust recommended that the town hire a geologist to study the beaches and predict where the beaches will migrate as a consequence of sea level rise. The results of the study could be discussed and coordinated with the town’s beach associations.
S. Prisloe used aerial imagery to look at the hardness of the shoreline. He said there are many seawalls, and the sea walls will have an impact on the beaches.
The State of CT recognizes that they may have to make some changes in their transportation plan as a result of sea level rise particularly on Plum Bank Road.
Committee members talked about Old Saybrook as a tourist destination and what attracts people to the town as seasonal residents, permanent residents or tourists.
– Public Health (John Donnelly)
John Donnelly was not able to attend today’s meeting, but he will present on Community and Public Health at the next CC SLRCAC meeting on 2/26/2015.
V. OUTREACH & EDUCATION
A. Building a Level of Familiarity in Old Saybrook
B. Measuring Community Values in Old Saybrook
VI. DISCUSSION ON DEMOGRAPHICS
M. Momparler began a discussion on the effect of sea level rise on demographics. The population will probably be stable, older and more affluent. He talked about the impact on demographics on the culture of the town such as the historic sites, road endings, residences and monuments that are at risk and what could be done to preserve these sites. The cost to the town to mitigate and alleviate sea level rise will definitely impact the demographics of the town. Committee members talked about maintaining economic viability and a stable population with a potentially changing demographic.
Committee members talked about the difference between adapting to the changes sea level rise brings, mitigating the changes or retreating from the changes and how the town’s choices and actions will impact the demographics.
VII. JOINT MEETING SUMMARY
Committee members shared some of the noteworthy discussion points from their sub-groups at the joint meeting between the Planning Commission and the CC SLRCAC meeting on 1/21/15 at 7:00 p.m. in the First Floor Conference Room at the Town Hall. Planning Commission members and CC SLRCAC members were divided into three groups. Each group talked about community, economy and environment, and the groups changed every one half hour, so each group member was able to work with all of the other members.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Conservation Commission’s Sea Level Rise Climate Adaptation Committee on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 3:30 p.m., Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 1st Floor Conference Room.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Noyes, Recording Clerk
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