MINUTES
OLD LYME PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017
PRESENT WERE: Harold Thompson, Robert McCarthy, Steven Ross, Edgar Butcher and Barbara Gaudio seated for Chris Kerr (former Regular Member), Alternates Don Willis and Todd Machnik.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The commission began their meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
READING AND APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER MEETING MINUTES
Steven Ross made a motion to waive the reading and approve the Regular October Meeting Minutes as submitted . Barbara Gaudio seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION OF OLD SAYBROOK SYMPOSIUM HELD ON NOVEMBER 15, 2017
Harold Thompson stated that Todd Machnik and he attended the Symposium which was present by GZA which is a Geothermal Environmental Company that is into hazard mitigation. He stated the firm is currently working on a plan for Old Saybrook which should be completed by December. He said when they work on a plan there are several items they look at such as the well mobility assessment, resilience of the shoreline, mitigation and coastal structures. He said there was a lot of discussion on how they do the analysis. He said there are a number of different federal agencies that all take a little bit different view on the data. He said they looked at what probable sea level rise is going to be, the wave action, and the impact to the coastline and shoreline
areas. He said for Old Saybrook they are saying by 2024 the rise range could be .5 to 1.23 feet and from 2100 the range is .5 to 6.46 feet which are very wide ranges with this information still evolving. He also said they discussed estimated losses related to a 100 year storm within the next 10 or 15 years there would be portions of Old Saybrook south of Boston Poston Road flooded out. Therefore they are discussing which roads need to be elevated and how would emergency vehicles would gain access in and out of those flooded areas. They also discussed the impact to the water and electrical infrastructure.
Thompson said he would obtain a copy of Old Saybrook’s plan when it is completed at the end of December.
Todd Machnik stated he spoke with David Roberge our Civil Preparedness Director as well as others on the Flood and Erosion Control Board. He said if the town does a study with this company they often are able to obtain grants to help with the study. He also noted they have been able to save people up to ten percent on their flood insurance with some proper planning.
The commission agreed to hold a workshop in the New Year. Harold Thompson stated he would contact Samuel Bell, Senior Hazard Mitigation Specialist of GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. to set up a workshop.
SUBDIVISION – 16 NECK ROAD – GRAYBILL PROPERTIES – 90 DAY EXTENSION
Steven Ross made a motion to grant a 90 day extension for filing the mylars. Barbara Gaudio seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Attorney Royston joined the meeting and expressed concern that the owner Graybill Properties, LLC may wish to have the mylars filed at the time of purchase by HOPE of the two front lots which may not occur until after the regulatory period. Therefore he requested that the commission grant two 90 day extensions which are allowed under the statute and Section 3.13 of the Old Lyme Zoning Regulations.
Steven Ross amended his motion to grant the 180 day extension for filing the mylars. Barbara Gaudio seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
LORDS MEADOWN – ACCEPTANCE OF THE ROAD AT LORDS MEADOW
The commission received a letter dated December 12, 2017 from Tom Metcalf, Consulting Town Engineer stating that the developer has not completed or addressed some items regarding the acceptance of public improvements at the Lords Woods Subdivision.
Steven Ross made a motion to table this agenda item. Don Willis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
ANY OTHER CORRESPONDENCE OR BUSINESS
Harold Thompson stated that Chris Kerr has decided to resign from the Planning Commission because of his newly elected position on the Board of Selectmen. He noted his resignation is effective today. Thompson stated that Chris has brought a lot to the table, good questions and good ideas, and is very familiar with the town and always wants to do what is best for the town. Thompson stated he would miss him but noted that he will be in a good position to continue his efforts of helping with the direction of the town.
Steven Ross made a motion to accept the resignation of Chris Kerr with regret. Robert McCarthy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Thompson stated the Planning Commission has the opportunity to elevate on of the alternates to fill that position. Harold Thompson made a motion to elevate Todd Machnik to a Regular Member of the Planning Commission. Thompson stated that he felt Todd would be a great benefit as a Regular Member.
Discussion:
Steven Ross stated he will miss Chris Kerr because their views ninety five percent of the time aligned with each other. He further stated that Todd’s approach seems to be exactly what Chris and he promoted over the years. He stated he is pleased to have Todd as a regular member and noted he is very involved and proactive.
Steven Ross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Steven Ross made a motion to go into Executive Session. Todd Machnik seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
There was a general discussion. No motions were presented and no voting occurred.
Todd Machnik made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session. Steven Ross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Harold Thompson made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Steven Ross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
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