TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK
Planning Commission
302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741
Telephone (860) 395-3131 FAX (860) 395-3125
Executive Board Janis L. Esty, Chairman Robert D. Missel, Vice Chairman Cathryn M. Flanagan, Secretary
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Members Donald J. Ranaudo David M. Shearer Alternate Members Kathleen A. Sugland Kenneth W. A. Soudan Michael K. Urban |
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall – 1st Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Janis Esty called the regular meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Janis Esty
Cathryn Flanagan
Kathleen Sugland, seated for Donald Ranaudo
Kenneth Soudan, seated for David Shearer
Michael Urban, seated for Robert Missel
Members Absent
David Shearer
Robert Missel
Donald Ranaudo
Staff Present
Meryl Tsagronis, Recording Clerk
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes from November 7, 2012 as presented.; MADE by C. Flanagan; SECONDED by M. Urban; VOTED IN FAVOR: C. Flanagan, J. Esty, K. Soudan, K. Sugland, M. Urban; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none;
APPROVED: 5-0-0.
In their packets, Commissioners received a copy of their budget dated 12/03/2012, a letter from Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District requesting financial support in the amount of $1,922; and two bills from Branse, Willis & Knapp for legal services.
MOTION to approve a bill for legal services from Branse, Willis & Knapp, LLC, 148 Eastern Boulevard, Suite 301, Glastonbury, CT 06033; invoice #31262 in the amount of $429.00; MADE by C. Flanagan; SECONDED by K.. Soudan; VOTED IN FAVOR: C. Flanagan, J. Esty, K.. Soudan, K. Sugland, M. Urban; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to approve a bill for legal services from Branse, Willis & Knapp, LLC, 148 Eastern Boulevard, Suite 301, Glastonbury, CT 06033; invoice #31413 in the amount of $148.50; MADE by C. Flanagan; SECONDED by K.. Soudan and M. Urban; VOTED IN FAVOR: C. Flanagan, J. Esty, K.. Soudan, K. Sugland, M. Urban; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
Cathy Flanagan reported she attended an exit meeting at River COG in Ivoryton.
J. Esty commented for the record on the outstanding service of Kathy Noyes and thanked her for her dedication and hard work as clerk to the Planning Commision. All members concurred.
IV. WORKSHOPS
The Commission members held a general discussion of recommendations for scenic improvements along state scenic road Route 154. The members considered the following areas:
- Preservation of natural resources
there are rose plum trees by Plum Bank
a rare flower in Fenwick area across from Peeper Pond
right of ways, in particular one off of Trask Road
discussion of rights of way off of Great Hammock
A discussion ensued about the need for sidewalks on one side of the street approaching Knollwood. Members agreed there is a need for a bike path, as well as sidewalks. A possible action item would be to ask for bike lanes and sidewalks from Fenwood to Saybrook Point Inn.
- Overlooks and ParksAreas at either end of the causeway were identified as benefiting from additional parking spaces. Members wondered if it is possible to add a boardwalk by the area referred to as the “vernal peeper pond,” across from the entrance to Fenwick. It would need to be determined who owns this land.
J. Esty offered that if any houses become available as a result of a sale or from loss, from Plum Bank to Harvey’s beach, that the town might try to obtain them.
- Fishing and boating
The Commission members identified several public boat launches: at Soundview, Tom’s Row, Great Hammock Beach association at Oyster River, at North Cove, town dock, and a small launch at Beamon’s Creek. J. Esty suggested that if more beach front property gets acquired by the town the Planning Commission might look at installing a boat ramp for small boats in the area from Town Beach Road to Harvey’s Beach.
- Recreation Fishing and BoatingCommission members discussed areas designated for fishing.
- StoryboardsCommission members discussed ideas for storyboards and identified possible areas where these signs could be posted:
1) a glacial til, 2), Back River and its ecosystem and wildlife, 3) Great Hammock at Town Beach, 4) by the vernal peeper pond, (5) by the marina at the beginning of the causeway, 6) at South Cove, 7) the Fenwick Railroad story, and 8) the Castle.
A discussion ensued about possibly revising the tourist map with historical notations; producing an electronic version possibly as a smartphone app, as well as a downloadable pdf for the web site. It was also suggested that plaques at both ends of the scenic road could provide access to more information. M. Urban suggested looking at how other communities have provided historical/scenic information through electronic delivery.
V. OLD BUSINESS
None
VI. NEW BUSINESS
None
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:14 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission which will be held on Wednesday, January 2, 2013, at 7:30 P.M.,Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 1st Floor Conference Room.; MADE by C. Flanagan; SECONDED by K. Soudan and M. Urban; VOTED IN FAVOR: C. Flanagan, J. Esty, K. Soudan, K. Sugland, M. Urban; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Meryl Tsagronis
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