Town of Willington
Planning and Zoning Commission
40 Old Farms Road
Willington, CT 06279
Meeting Minutes of June 20, 2006
Regular Meeting called to order at 7:30 PM by Chairman Latincsics.
Roll Call:
Members Present: P. Latincsics, Chairman
M. Ellis, Vice Chair
A. Marco, Secretary
N. Gray
R. Tulis
P. Nevers
T. Murphy
Members Absent: D. Ridzon, Alt
Also Present: G. Jones, Assistant Planning and Zoning Agent
No alternates seated.
New Business
1. File 2006-26- Application for modification of site plan and special permit for property at 7 Ruby Road (Map 23, Lot 7, Zone R80) Owner/Applicant: Town of Willington (Received 6/20/06, Decision by 8/15/06)
The Town of Willington was not prepared to present to the commission regarding the library plans. They will be prepared at the next meeting on 7/18/06.
Election of Officers
P. Latincsics opened the floor to the commission members for discussion regarding election of new officers.
P. Latincsics asked to share his thoughts. He stated that he feels that he views the position of chairman differently than it has been viewed in the past. He said he feels that the commission should be working together as a collaborative effort to make decisions and get things done. He stated that he feels that the board has been productive and has made positive decisions regarding applications.
P. Latincsics went on to state that he feels that the chair does not need to hold a degree in civil engineering to be qualified to do the job correctly. He stated that the commission members do need to have confidence in who ever the chair is. P. Latincsics stated that he would like to see some sort of term set for the chair position, whether it coincide with town elections or be set for a year at a time.
R. Tulis stated that traditionally there have not been any pre-requisites for the chair position. The commission usually looks to the longest standing member to be chair due to having the most experience with public hearings and applications. He stated that he feels that every member should attend the workshops that are available to them so they can obtain as much knowledge as possible. R. Tulis stated that he feels that it takes some pushing to get things accomplished on the commission and feels that it is the chairman’s responsibility to make sure that happens.
A. Marco stated when they first voted for the positions on the board he felt that there should have been more discussion as to why someone wanted a particular position. He also stated that he feels that the chair person needs to be a strong leader and they can not lead by consensus. A. Marco said as a new member to the commission he would like more direction from the chair person as to what he should be doing.
A. Marco said that he feels that if Peter is too busy in his personal/work life then he should step back from the chair position and allow someone who has more time to make the commitment to the position be chair. A. Marco asked R. Tulis if he was interested in taking the chair position back. R. Tulis said that he would do it, that he feels that he is able to listen to everyone on the board and considers everything that they say. He stated that he is not sure if he really wants the job. A. Marco asked M. Ellis if he would want the job. M. Ellis stated that if he was elected he would do the job, but feels that R. Tulis has more knowledge due to being on the commission longer.
N. Gray said that he was glad the commission is taking the time to talk about who should be chair person. He said that he was disappointed that there was not more discussion the first time elections were held. N. Gray also said that he would like to see the commission move forward with Plan of Conservation and Development (PoCD).
T. Murphy stated that it feels that the commission just held elections and is also glad that they are taking the time to talk about who should hold the chair position this time, but would like to see a term set for the positions so this does not happen again. T. Murphy also stated that he feels that if P. Latincsics is too busy to attend workshops and fully attend to the position then maybe he should step down.
P. Latincsics stated that he feels that who ever the chair person is it should be a person who was elected to the commission by the town, not someone who was appointed. N. Gray agreed with this statement. P. Latincsics went on to state that he feels that the knowledge that R. Tulis has is very beneficial to the commission.
M. Ellis stated that since P. Latincsics has been chair every application that has come before the board has gone to the last day before a decision is made due to motions not being written by staff and P. Latincsics not writing the motions himself.
M. Ellis made a motion to nominate R. Tulis as chair person.
T. Murphy made a motion to nominate M. Ellis as chair person.
Both Tulis and Ellis accepted the nominations.
A vote was held
In favor of R. Tulis: M. Ellis, A. Marco, R. Tulis
In favor of M. Ellis: T. Murphy, N. Gray, P. Nevers
Abstained: P. Latincsics
Tie vote, thus a re-vote must be held
Second round of voting
In favor of R. Tulis: M. Ellis, A. Marco, R. Tulis
In favor of M. Ellis: T. Murphy, N. Gray, P. Nevers
Abstained: P. Latincsics
Tie vote, thus a re-vote must be held
Third round of voting
In favor of R. Tulis: A. Marco, R. Tulis
In favor of M. Ellis: M. Ellis, T. Murphy, N. Gray, P. Nevers
Abstained: P. Latincsics
M. Ellis wins vote for chairman of Planning and Zoning
There was a call for nominations for the position of vice-chairman
T. Murphy made a motion to nominate R. Tulis for vice-chairman
A vote was held
All in favor, thus R. Tulis becomes vice-chair of Planning and Zoning.
There was a call for nomination for the position of secretary
R. Tulis nominates A. Marco for secretary
A vote was held
All in favor, thus A. Marco remains the secretary of Planning and Zoning.
Application Received after agenda filing:
M. Ellis takes over the meeting as chairman.
1. File 2006-29- Application for a Home Occupation by Special Permit to open a (1) Chair Beauty Salon at 34 Cisar Road. (Map 8, Lot 3, Zone R80) Owner: Nancy Smith; Applicant Dave Smith (Received 6/20/06; Hearing/Decision by 8/15/06)
N. Gray made a motion to set a public hearing on 7/18/06 with a site walk on 7/18/06 at 6:45 PM. A. Marco seconded the motion. All in favor, thus the motion carries.
R. Tulis stated that during the site walk the commission should look at parking and site lines.
Pre Application
None
Old Business
None
Public Comment
J. Patton spoke to the commission about discussing applications after a public hearing is closed. He told the commission that they need to tell the public that they are unable to speak about any applications once a public hearing is closed.
J. Poole stated that he was following up on the minutes of last meeting which stated there would be several letters going out. G. Jones stated that a letter had been sent to the town regarding the cease and desist order on the recreation fields. He said that is now being handled by staff. A letter has been drafted to the Eagle, but has not been sent yet and a letter regarding the sand and gravel pits is still being drafted.
B. Shabot stated that he had been on the PoCD committee in the past and feels that he came onto the committee with not a lot of knowledge regarding the subject but feels he was able to learn a great deal through the process and was looking forward to being able to help the commission when they being the process again.
Minutes
R. Tulis made a motion to accept the minutes of 6/6/06. A. Marco seconded.
In favor: R. Tulis, A. Marco, P. Latincsics, N. Gray, P. Nevers
Abstained: T. Murphy, M. Ellis
Correspondence
1. Letter from Branse, Willis, and Knap LLC- RE: New state statue concerning conservation and preservation restrictions- PA 05-124
2. Spill Report on 15 Saint Mortz Circle
3. Spill Report on 46 Skullfield Road
4. Spill Report on I-84 East bound Exit 71
5. Letter from Birmingham Utilities Inc.
6. Letter from Redding Planning Commission
7. Stafford Planning and Zoning Regulations
8. Lincoln Institute of Land Policy- RE: Citizen Planners Resource Kit
9. CT Historical Collections- History and Antiquities of every town in CT
Sub-Committee Reports
R. Tulis stated that he is concerned with people being on too many committees. He said that one member should be the point person for each topic.
M. Ellis stated that he feels that R. Tulis will do a better job organizing the sub-committees and asked him to be the point person for PoCD. R. Tulis said he would.
The commission members choose which sub committees they were going to head.
1.~~ Population & Housing, contact person:~ Matt Ellis
2.~ Transportation, Traffic & Infrastructure, contact person:~ Ralph Tulis
3.~~Natural Resources, contact person:~ Peter Latincsics
4.~ Open Space,~ contact person(s):~ Phil Nevers, Norm Gray
5.~ Historic & Cultural Resources, contact person:~ Tom Murphy
6.~ Economic Base,~ contact person:~ Andy Marco
~
R. Tulis asked all the members to email him by 8:00 AM on 6/24/06 with several dates that they are available to hold there special meeting regarding there sub-committee so it could be scheduled and posted.
It was decided that the Open Space committee will meet next Tuesday at 7:00 PM.
G. Jones reminded the commission members that they are only able to discuss what they put on the agenda.
M. Ellis asked for the committee to record the meeting as he would be unable to attend.
A. Marco asked what he can do on his own to get ready for his special meeting. R. Tulis said that he can do any research he wishes to do.
Staff Report and Discussion
T. Murphy asked if the board should look into finding alternates so they do not find themselves in tie votes as they did for the last application that was voted on. R. Tulis asked for staff to write a letter to the board of selectman asking them to appoint people to the board as alternates.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made by A. Marco, seconded by P. Nevers and unanimously approved.
.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa McDonough
Recording Clerk
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