MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, March 12, 2015 at 3:30 P.m.
1st Floor Conference Room, Town Hall
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, Bill Webster
Absent Members
Steve Tagliatela, Jerry Brophy, Tom Gezo, John Donnelly
Land Use Department Staff Present
Sandy Prisloe, Environmental Planner, Meryl Tsagronis, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
Minutes MOTION to approve the regular meeting minutes of 2/26/2015, amended to state in section “C. Timeline”, 4th paragraph, the 2nd sentences is corrected to read: “Review of sea level rise and climate change should be included in the review of the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, such that in three years time they will come back and review the data.” MADE: by L. Ritzhaupt; SECONDED by R. Yust; VOTED IN FAVOR: L. Ritzhaupt, D. McCracken, R. Yust, J. Holland, M. Momparler; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
- Correspondence & Announcements
None.
Douglas McCracken said he and Tom Gezo had met with Steve Tagliatela and received good input. For example, Dock ‘n Dine must raise to 11 ft elevation yet they are not allowed to put any fill around the foundation. And at the marina by Ferry Point, they're not allowed to raise the storage area. D. McCracken said that there needs to be some flexibility, to allow for individual needs. He will summarize his points and send “Marine” draft to R. Yust.
Bill Webster arrived at 3:50pm.
D. McCracken said he and Tom Gezo will meet with Jerry Brophy to develop points on “Commerce & Industry”.
L. Ritzhaupt discussed the “Geology” section and said they are looking at the big issues, summarizing key points and recommendations. Janice Holland said she didn't feel they need extensive detail in this section and that perhaps it could be a statement in the introduction.
Members asked Sandy Prisloe to obtain the report that former state geologist Ralph Wilson did.
There was a discussion about a Coastal engineering study. R. Yust suggested that such a plan is needed in order to understand the impact of various activities and that a recommendation be made to halt installation of subsurface waste water treatment plants until sea level rise is taken into account. S. Prisloe suggested talking to WPCA about this.
Members reiterated that the point of this report is to educate town leaders, prioritize what the vulnerabilities are, and inform people that sea level rise has to be planned for.
L. Ritzhaupt will follow up with John Donnelly to see where he’s at with his report. D. McCracken will follow up with J. Brophy. R. Yust suggested leaving out the science portion and putting it in the appendix.
IV. DISCUSSION
Where Are We? Where Are We Going? How Do We Get There?
ENVIRONMENT– Shoreline Geology & Climatic Processes (Bill Webster)
ECONOMY – Commerce & Industry (Jerry Brophy) Not present.
Marine Commerce & Industry (Steven Tagliatela) Not present.
COMMUNITY – Demographics & Culture (Michael Momparler)
Michael Momparler gave a presentation on Demographics & Culture. Some key points:
Culture
- maintain the ambiance and small town flavor of Old Saybrook
- design and implement nature and bike trails, maintain public access to water
- preserve natural attractions
- identify and protect vulnerable sites, monuments, and historic dwellings
Demographics
- trend is toward aging and more affluence, with most affluent tending to reside in most vulnerable areas
- need for public education per SLR impact and shared risks
How do we get there? 1. Public forums; 2. Prioritize housing development that appeals to a wider demographic; 3. Attract businesses conducive to meeting the emerging needs of a shifting demographic. Also, it would be helpful to include high school students and science classes in monitoring and measuring sea level rise.
Members agreed it would be useful to maintain a continued focus on grants and funding sources.
B. Webster informed the group of a presentation he attended about Plum Island given by Chris Cryder, and that he learned of a movement to have the island designated as a nature preserve.
V. MEETING SUMMARY
VI. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Conservation Commission’s Sea Level Rise Climate Adaptation Committee on Thursday, March 26, 2015 at 3:30 p.m., Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 1st Floor Conference Room.
Respectfully Submitted,
Meryl Tsagronis
Recording Clerk
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