OLD LYME PLANNING COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
PRESENT WERE: Harold Thompson, Robert McCarthy, Steven Ross, Chris Kerr and Edgar Butcher. Also present were Alternates Todd Machnik and Don Willis.
Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
NATURAL HAZARDS MITIGATION PLAN
Thompson reported that the commission recently received a copy of the Hazardous Mitigan Plan. He stated after a cursory review he noted the document talked about a Technical Advisory Committee under the Planning Commission. He stated he invited Jeremy DeCarli, Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments to give the commission an overview of the document. DeCarli distributed copies outlining what a Hazard Mitigation Plan is. He noted the Town of Old Lyme adopted a Hazard Mitigation Plan in 2006 and this was meant to be an update. He noted the requirements have changed and these plans are considerably larger than they were in 2006. He noted the plan is a FEMA requirement. He noted the plans outlines different things the town can do to protect itself
from some of these hazards. He noted the Hazardous Mitigation Grant program assists the town each time the state receives a disaster declaration because a portion of the money is used for the mitigation action items outlined in the plan such as rebuilding beaches or planting dunes or upgrading bridges. He noted those funds are only accessible if the town has a FEMA approved Hazard Mitigation Plan.
He stated the Planning Commission does not to have own this plan. He said in some towns they delegate it to the ZEO and Board of Selectmen. DeCarli stated ultimately the town owns the plan and it is approved by the Board of Selectmen and it has to be updated every 5 years. Thompson asked since the previous plan was done in 2006 is it currently null and void? DeCarli stated that was correct. Ross stated the present plan is still in effect but just needs to be updated. DeCarli stated the 2006 plan is not in effect because it was adopted in 2006 and expired in 2011.
Todd Machnik stated there is a lot of work that could be happening along the beaches that could help the Board of Finance. He said the easier it is to obtain this money the more helpful it would be to the town and its residents. He stated any financial assistance we can receive from this grant money would help the taxpayers and they would not have to incur the burden of these improvements.
Ross suggested the current plan be updated. He noted the proposed plan has a lot of data that may not be useful or necessary. DeCarli stated the original plan was written by CRERPA and the reason the new draft is so big is the FEMA requirements have grown tremendously.
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November 14, 2013
Ross further explained that the grant monies that are available do not cover the costs to develop a study to repair the damaged areas. Therefore whatever studies are needed prior to doing the work those costs are not covered. DeCarli stated that was correct but he noted there is a 75/25 match. So 25 percent of the money could be used to fund the study.
The commission invited Jeremy DeCarli to attend their December 12th meeting at 5:00 to further discuss the plan. DeCarli also agreed to forward the commission a copy of the 2005 plan.
UPDATE SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
Thompson reported that Attorney Cassella and Tom Metcalf, Consulting Engineer have been working on updating the Subdivision Regulations. He noted this document needs to be consistent with the Design and Construction Standards as well as current state statutes. The commission reviewed the first draft update of the Subdivision Regulations. The commission will continue working on the document at their next meeting. The Design and Construction Standards have been forwarded to the Board of Selectmen for their review. The commission requested in their letter to the Board of Selectmen that any changes made to the Standards is sent back to the commission for their review.
2014 MEETING CALENDAR
Harold Thompson made a motion to approve the meeting calendar and set their Regular Meeting time at 5:00 p.m. Steve Ross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER MEETING MINUTES
Chris Kerr made a motion to approve the meeting minutes. Robert McCarthy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Groves
Land Use Administrator
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