AMENDED MINUTES
Special Meeting
Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Hall, 1st Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street, Old Saybrook
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Esty called the regular meeting to order at 7:13 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Janis Esty, Chairman
Robert Missel, Vice Chairman
Cathryn Flanagan, Secretary
Kathleen Sugland, Alternate Member, seated for David Shearer
Michael Urban, Alternate Member
Kenneth Soudan, Alternate Member, seated for Donald Ranaudo
Members Absent
Donald Ranaudo, Regular Member
David Shearer, Regular Member
Staff Present
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Meryl Tsagronis, Recording Clerk
Audience
First Selectman Carl Fortuna
Selectman Scott Giegerich
John O’Brien, Finance Board
Jan Perrucio, Superintendent of Schools
Julie Pendleton, Director of Operations, Education Department
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of the Special Joint Meeting of October 16, 2013 as amended to correct the spelling of Kathleen Sugland; MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by K. Sugland; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Sugland, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. Correspondence
None
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
Mike Urban reported that the Scenic Roads group has been meeting and is making progress. He acknowledged the work of Sandy Prisloe, Environmental Planner for the town. Christine Nelson reported for RiverCog that David Shearer has presented the report “Mariner’s Way” to many of the 17 towns and it has been well received.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
None
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. “Police Facility” Municipal Improvement (Substantial Improvement of Public Bldg)
36 Lynde Street (Map 29/Lot 79)
Petitioner: Board of Selectmen; Agent: Carl P. Fortuna, Jr., First Selectman
First Selectman Carl Fortuna requested the Commission issue a favorable report, pursuant to the state statute 8-24 for municipal improvements, to renovate the existing building at 36 Lynde Street into a police facility. On the advise of Bond Council, he thought it wise to come before the Commission to request approval prior to the issuance of the bonds. Michael MacDonald, representing the Downes Construction Company, gave a report on the design and layout of the proposed building and surrounding land. He explained the parcel of land is 3.8 acres, of which 2.5 acres will be used for the police building. He reviewed the building design, and various functions within the building, noting it will have state of the art surveillance. The perimeter will be enclosed
with a vinyl, maintenance-free fence, color of fence to be determined. The renovation will add 8,200 sq. feet to the current building. M. MacDonald answered questions from the Commission members, noting that there will be a new heating and cooling system; that traffic and travel within the area will not be significantly increased and that traffic studies were completed; that siren noise will not be increased in the area as patrol cars generally do not originate from the building but rather are out on patrol. He also discussed the proposed driveway from Lynde Street to Main Street, which will be private and between 14 – 16 feet wide.
Members emphasized the importance of being cognizant of the police facility being located within a residential area and to be respectful of the needs of the residents.
MOTION to approve the “Police Facility” Municipal Improvement (Substantial Improvement of Public Bldg) 36 Lynde Street (Map 29/Lot 79) and to find it consistent with the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development.
Petitioner: Board of Selectmen ; Agent: Carl P. Fortuna, Jr., First Selectman; MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by C. Flanagan; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Sugland, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. “Turf Playing Field” Munic’l Imp. (Substantial Improvement of School Property)
Old Saybrook High School, 1111 Boston Post Road (Map 28 / Lot 14)
Petitioner: Board of Selectmen; Agent: Carl P. Fortuna, Jr., First Selectman C. Fortuna explained that the turf field passed referendum, and stemmed from the need in the community for more playing fields. The turf field will be placed at the high school, with the location and other details to be determined by a sub committee.
M. Urban expressed desire for a lighted field in order to increase playing time and allow for night games.
Julie Pendleton spoke about maintenance and life expectancy of the turf, noting some maintenance is involved but it is small in comparison to a natural field. Life expectancy is 10 – 12 years, and turf can be replaced in sections.
MOTION to approve “Turf Playing Field” Munic’l Imp. (Substantial Improvement of School Property) Old Saybrook High School, 1111 Boston Post Road (Map 28 / Lot 14)
and to find it consistent with the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development.
Petitioner: Board of Selectmen , Agent: Carl P. Fortuna, Jr., First Selectman; MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by K. Soudan; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Sugland, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
C. “Schools” Maintenance & Repair
Windows and doors at Goodwin School, 80 Old Boston Post Road (Map 29/Lot 96)
Roof at Old Saybrook Middle School, 36 Lynde Street (Map 29/Lot 79)
Tennis courts & track at Old Saybrook High School, 1111 Boston Post Road (Map 28/Lot 14)
Petitioner: Board of Selectmen; Agent: Carl P. Fortuna, Jr., First Selectman
C. Fortuna explained that these repairs are necessary, that the windows and doors are inefficient and leak heat and cooled air. The Middle School has a 15 year roof that is now into its 22nd year, and that mold and rot are present in the building. The town will receive a 28% reimbursement of the cost of the roof from the State, and a $50,000 reimbursement on the windows.
Regarding the tennis courts and track, the town can no longer resurface them, they are costly to maintain, and present safety concerns.
Members were in favor of the municipal improvements.
MOTION to aprove “Schools” Maintenance & Repair
Windows and doors at Goodwin School, 80 Old Boston Post Road (Map 29/Lot 96)
Roof at Old Saybrook Middle School, 36 Lynde Street (Map 29/Lot 79) and to find it consistent with the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development.
Tennis courts & track at Old Saybrook High School, 1111 Boston Post Road (Map 28/Lot 14); Petitioner: Board of Selectmen, Agent: Carl P. Fortuna, Jr., First Selectman; MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Sugland, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission which will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, at 7:00 P.M., Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 2nd Floor Conference Room; MADE by C. Flanagan; SECONDED by K. Sugland; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Sugland, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Meryl Tsagronis
Recording Secretary
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