REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Hall, 1st Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street, Old Saybrook
Chairman Janis Esty called the regular meeting to order at 7:02pm.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Janis Esty, Chairman
Robert Missel, Vice Chairman
Cathryn Flanagan, Secretary
Daniel Walden, seated at 7:34pm
Kenneth Soudan, seated for David Shearer
Michael Urban, seated for Daniel Walden until 7:34pm
Members Absent
Kathleen Sugland
David Shearer
Staff Present
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Meryl Tsagronis, Recording Clerk
Audience Members
Scott Giegerich, Second Selectman
10 people were present in the audience
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
MOTION to approve the Minutes of March 5, 2014 as presented; MADE: by K. Soudan; SECONDED: by J. Esty; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, K. Soudan, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: C. Flanagan, R. Missel; APPROVED: 3-0-2.
B. Correspondence
None.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
Robert Missel reported for Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan that the Plan has FEMA approval and they have a final meeting scheduled for next Wednesday, March 26, with a representative from the regional organization.
Christine Nelson reported that she is working with a town engineer on a grant to DOT on a concept for sidewalks, in the location of North Main Street.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
None.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Municipal Improvement for Acquisition of Land for Open Space Conservation
Located between Route 153, Ingham Hill Road and Bokum Road
(Assessor’s Map-Lot: 55-3, 56-6, 61-15, 61-17 & 61-18)
Presenter: Scott Giegerich, Second Selectman
Second Selectman Scott Giegerich, representing the Town of Old Saybrook and the First Selectman, asked the Planning Commission to give a favorable recommendation to the Board of Selectmen for acquisition of Land for Open Space Conservation, for the area known as The Preserve. He explained that the town has been in discussion with the Trust for Public Land for some years.
Kate Brown, speaking on behalf of the Trust for Public Land (TPL), explained that TPL has a contract to purchase the land from Lehman Brothers Holdings. Appraisals have been ordered. DEEP chose the appraisers, and they expect the State to put in several million dollars for the purchase of the land. She added that TPL is trying to raise several million dollars from private sources, or approximately 1/3 of the sales price. They are working closely with Town staff, and the Selectman’s office. Of the 1,000 acres, 930 will be owned by the town of Old Saybrook, including 3.7 acres in Westbrook. Seventy acres in Essex is to be owned by the town of Essex. The State will hold a conservation easement, preventing future development. K. Brown answered questions from Commission members pertaining to maintenance and
liability. Maintenance of the land will be the responsibility of the town. C. Nelson used the example of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that is in place with Parks & Recreation, the Conservation Commission, and the Old Saybrook Land Trust for maintaining conservation areas, like Great Cedars, which works well.
K. Brown stated that the Conservation Easement will protect against development, that there would be no construction, such as ball fields.
Barbara Gunther, resident of Old Saybrook, and a member of the aforementioned MOU for 15 years, explained that in her experience with Parks & Recreation and town parks, they have been successful with volunteers helping to maintain trails and conservation areas. The maintenance is not overwhelming, and a lot is accomplished by people who care.
Walter Smith, chairman of the Conservation Commission, stated that the Preserve is a high priority for acquisition.
Michael Urban recused himself from discussion and vote.
The Commisssion members determined the request is consistent with the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development:
- protection of land that includes or contributes a prime natural feature of the Town’s landscape, including a shoreline, a river, its tributaries and watershed, an aquifer…
- to protect land vulnerable to development incompatible with its natural resource values including the protection of a public water supply source
- to preserve forestlands and bodies of water, which naturally absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide
MOTION to issue a favorable recommendation to the Board of Selectman for Municipal Improvement for Acquisition of Land for Open Space Conservation.
Located between Route 153, Ingham Hill Road and Bokum Road
(Assessor’s Map-Lot: 55-3, 56-6, 61-15, 61-17 & 61-18); as it is consistent with Town Plans, MADE: by J. Esty; SECONDED: by C. Flanagan; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
Daniel Walden was seated at 7:34pm.
VI. WORKSHOP
- Conceptual Updates to Regulations for Public Improvements
- Driveway Curbcuts, Inspection Fees, Utility Pavement Cuts, and Fire Tanks
MOTION to set up a public hearing on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 to consider Conceptual Updates to Regulations for Public Improvements, Driveway Curbcuts, Inspection Fees, Utility Pavement Cuts, and Fire Tanks. MADE: by R. Missel; SECONDED: by K. Soudan; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, D. Walden, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
- “Scenic Roads” section of the Plan of Conservation & Development
Agreement was reached that the preferred size of the “Scenic Roads” section of the Plan of Conservation & Development is 8 ½” by 11”.
C. Nelson will send the draft of the plan to various groups, ask that they review it at their next board meetings, with goal to meet with group representatives in June and get their input and comments. The matter is continued to the April 16, 2014 meeting of the Planning Commission.
- The Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
- ACTION: Review final draft Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan; send report to Board of Selectmen for adoption.
R. Missel stated that the NHMP is scheduled to meet next Wednesday, March 26 with the Regional Planning Agency to review the draft. If the draft is approved, it will come before the Planning Commission for adoption. The matter is continued to the April 16 meeting.
- Discussion of Regional Issues
C. Nelson explained that RiverCog is asking the Planning Commission for its input on specific questions pertaining to local, regional planning. The Commission will continue the discussion to the regular meeting of April 16. Meanwhile, a memo will be sent to various groups, asking for their input. The Planning Commission will then host a meeting of the various groups and their representatives, which will be facilitated by RiverCog.
VII. 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 April 2, 2014, at 7:00 P.M., Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 1st Floor Conference Room; MADE: by K. Soudan; SECONDED: by D. Walden; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, D. Walden, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Meryl Tsagronis
Recording Clerk
| 
