REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Hall, 1st Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street, Old Saybrook
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Janis Esty
Robert Missel
Daniel Walden
Kenneth Soudan, seated for Cathryn Flanagan
Michael Urban, seated for David Shearer
Members Absent
Kathleen Sugland
Cathryn Flanagan
David Shearer
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the Minutes of April 16, 2014 as presented; MADE by K. Soudan; SECONDED by D. Walden; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, K. Soudan, D. Walden; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: M. Urban; APPROVED: 4-0-1.
B. Correspondence
Town Planner Christine Nelson informed the Commission of a referral from the Planning Commission secretary regarding two new sections of the Town Plan. It was agreed to schedule a workshop to review action items.
MOTION to pay invoice #35844 for $647.50 to Branse & Willis dated May 1, 2014; MADE by R. Missel; SECONDED by K. Soudan; VOTED IN FAVOR J. Esty, R. Missel, K. Soudan, D. Walden, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay invoice #35847 for $185 to Branse & Willis dated May 1, 2014; MADE by M. Urban; SECONDED by K. Soudan; VOTED IN FAVOR J. Esty, R. Missel, K. Soudan, D. Walden, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
C. Nelson informed the Commission of an illegal subdivision at 47 Spencer Plains Road, Map 25 / Lot 25, Dirt LLC, considered a quick claim deed. No title search had been done. The next step will be for the Town to take legal action.
Reporting for Natural Hazard Mitigation, C. Nelson said the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan is on the agenda of the Board of Selectmen’s meeting, scheduled for May 13, 2014, where it will be considered for adoption.
For RiverCOG, K. Soudan updated the group on activity in Middletown, concerning a portion of land that is in the town of Portland and is part of a parcel of land that the town is putting in a “floating zone”.~
He also brought to the attention of RiverCOG a letter concerning Senate Bill 405, going on record that they thought it a bad idea.~
Daniel Walden will be participating in a RiverCOG regional bike ped committee.
MOTION to move “Old Saybrook High School” Spec’l Except. To Modify Recreational Facilites next on the agenda. MADE by M. Urban; SECONDED by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR J. Esty, R. Missel, K. Soudan, D. Walden, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
None.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. “Old Saybrook High School” Spec’l Except. to Modify Recreational Facilities
1111 Boston Post Rd. (Map 28 / Lot 14) Res. A District, Coastal Mgmt. Zone, Ped. Node
Applicant: Town of Old Saybrook Agent: Luke McCoy, BSC Group
Luke McCoy, landscape architect with the BSC Group, presented for the Applicant. He reviewed renovation plans for the High School’s recreational facilities, namely the tennis courts and track and field. The existing rubber track will be removed and replaced, and additional walkways will be added around the facility.
The natural grass of the football field will be replaced with synthetic turf. And the excavated soil will be reused on site. He explained that the soil will be safely stored in two areas, protected by silt fencing. He also stated that plans are in place for future renovation of the home bleacher area, as a phase II, if such a renovation is requested.
The bidding process will start now, with construction starting in June, and completion anticipated in mid-September.
L. McCoy also noted that in anticipation of future lighting needs, they will run conduits on both sides of field, buried, so that the infrastructure will be in place.
MOTION to make a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Commission of “Old Saybrook High School” Spec’l Except. To Modify Recreational Facilites as it is consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development. MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by D. Walden; VOTED IN FAVOR J. Esty, R. Missel, K. Soudan, D. Walden, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. Petition to Amend “Regulations for Public Improvements”
Section 50 Construction Inspection Process, Section 60 Town Acceptance of a Completed Road, Section 140 Excavation within a Town Road Right-of-way and Town-Owned Land, and Section 150 Water Supply for Fire Protection
Petitioner: Planning Commission Agent: Larry Bonin, Dir., Public Works Dept.
C. Nelson explained the proposed amendments to the regulations for public improvements. She referenced three letters that were submitted into the public record by a) J. H. Torrance Downes for the CT River Gateway Commission, b) a memo from Donald Lucas, and c) a memo from Marcy Balint of CT DEEP, none of whom are opposed to the amendments.
MOTION to open a public hearing and to close a public hearing as no members of the public are present, for Petition to Amend “Regulations for Public Improvements” Section 50 Construction Inspection Process, Section 60 Town Acceptance of a Completed Road, Section 140 Excavation within a Town Road Right-of-way and Town-Owned Land, and Section 150 Water Supply for Fire Protection. MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by M. Urban; VOTED IN FAVOR J. Esty, R. Missel, K. Soudan, D. Walden, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to set an effective date of July 1, 2014, for Petition to Amend “Regulations for Public Improvements” Section 50 Construction Inspection Process, Section 60 Town Acceptance of a Completed Road, Section 140 Excavation within a Town Road Right-of-way and Town-Owned Land, and Section 150 Water Supply for Fire Protection. MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by M. Urban; VOTED IN FAVOR J. Esty, R. Missel, K. Soudan, D. Walden, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission on May 21, 2014, at 7:00 p.m., 302 Main Street, Town Hall, 1st Floor Conference Room; MADE: by M. Urban; SECONDED: by D. Walden; VOTED IN FAVOR J. Esty, R. Missel, K. Soudan, D. Walden, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Meryl Tsagronis
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