CONNECTICUT RIVER GATEWAY COMMISSION

CONNECTICUT RIVER GATEWAY COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

February 28, 2008

Present/Absent: CHESTER Margaret Wilson, Martha Wallace

DEEP RIVER Amy Petrone, Nancy Fischbach

EAST HADDAM Logan Clarke, Robert Boulware

ESSEX Fred Vollono, Ed Marlowe

FENWICK Chuck Chadwick

HADDAM Scott Thompson, Susan Bement

LYME Kevin Mazer, J. Melvin Woody

OLD LYME Rudi Besier, Ted Crosby

OLD SAYBROOK Madge Fish, David LeMay

CRERPA Steve Williams

MIDSTATE RPA Raul De Brigard, Stasia DeMichele

DEP David Blatt

STAFF Torrance Downes, Dorothy Papp,

TIDEWATER Judy Preston

Call to Order

Vice-Chairman Melvin Woody called the regular meeting of the Gateway Commission to order at 7:31 pm in the CRERPA meeting room.

Approval of Minutes

Nancy Fischbach moved to approve the minutes of January 24, 2008. Stasia DeMichele seconded. All were in favor.

Guests

Liz David and Wayne DeVoe of Merrill Lynch presented the results of a full year of Gateway’s investment in a managed account. They reported good diversification including international exposure which is expected to help with expected upcoming equity choppiness in the market.

Old Saybrook ZEO, Chris Costa presented a question of interpretation of the Gateway Standards as regards measurement of the riparian buffer and/or structural set back requirements. The wording “…within 100 feet of the high tide line,…of the Connecticut River or any of its tributaries or associated wetlands” has resulted in some confusion as to whether the required setback is measured from the mean high tide or from the inland edge of the associated wetlands. After considerable discussion, Nancy Fischbach moved that the intent of the Standards is the more restrictive definition. David Blatt seconded. All were in favor with one abstention from Madge Fish who recused herself from the discussion as an Old Saybrook Zoning Commission member.

Staff Report

Torrance Downes reported the following correspondence:

· The CSC has granted intervener status to the Gateway Commission in the cell tower application in Haddam. The postponed hearing has not yet been rescheduled.

· The Old Lyme Harbor Management Commission has submitted a draft of their proposed dock standards for informal review by the Gateway Commission. Staff will begin work on same next week.

· Owners of the Bonanomi and Otfinoski riverfront properties in Chester have approached Tom Marsh and the Board of Selectmen to discuss the possible acquisition of the two properties by the Town.

· The 2008 Household Hazardous Waste Collection schedule has been posted online at www.crerpa.org under “Waste Management”.

· The February, 2008 edition of the Sound Outlook Newsletter is available and contains several articles pertinent to the Gateway.

· An article in the Hartford Courant reported that the Goodspeed Musicals Company is proposing to build 20 gingerbread style cottages throughout historic East Haddam village to accommodate seasonal theater staff.

· David Blatt reported that a new environmental committee bill on the regulation of docks is up for public hearing on Monday, March 3, 2008. Nancy Fishbach moved to send a letter of support and provide testimony on behalf of the Gateway Commission to the hearing. Peggy Wilson seconded. All were in favor.

Treasurer’s Report

Peggy Wilson reported that the month’s bills include $1490.11 for a camera bought with funds donated in memory of Natalie Williams, former Treasurer of CRERPA. Logan Clarke moved to pay the month’s bills for $2971.69 including the camera to CRERPA and $1120.00 to Tidewater. Nancy Fischbach seconded. All were in favor.

Referrals

Applicant Chip Bates was present with his attorney John Bennett, and engineer Tom Metcalf who spoke in favor of a variance to build within the Gateway Standard setback and riparian buffer line as interpreted earlier in the meeting, for new construction on Fourth Avenue Extension in Old Saybrook. Madge Fish recused herself from the discussion as a member of the Old Saybrook Zoning Commission. The applicant wants to maintain all existing trees but one, and feels the proposed placement of the house atop a previously developed foundation will minimize its intrusion on the view from the river as well as better preserve the existing trees on site. David Blatt voiced the opinion that as long as the house was being designed from scratch, it would better serve the regulations to design it without the need for a variance. Peggy Wilson was concerned about setting a poor precedent. Raul Debrigard wanted to assure as little cutting of existing vegetation as possible. Nancy Fischbach moved that the Gateway send a letter of no opposition due to the unusual nature of the site and its mature trees; and agreed to add Logan Clarke’s caveat that such lack of opposition in no way alters the Gateway Commission’s interpretation of the set back line as discussed earlier in the meeting. Susan Bement seconded. Six (Nancy Fischbach, Logan Clarke, Susan Bement, Melvin Woody, Rudi Besier, and Raul DeBrigarde) voted in favor. Two (Peggy Wilson and David Blatt) voted against the motion. One (Madge Fish) abstained.

Old Saybrook’s Zoning Commission sent a request for assistance on a zoning application from David and Betsy Sams to “Retain and Modify an Existing Gabion Retaining Wall.” Madge Fish recused herself from the discussion as a member of the Old Saybrook Zoning Commission. After considerable discussion, Nancy Fischbach moved that the proposal to green the top course of the gabion wall does not render the wall consistent with Gateway Standards; and further, that the Gateway Commission does not favor retention or modification of the existing structure, but rather its removal and site restoration as ordered by DEP. Raul DeBrigard seconded. All were in favor with abstentions by Madge Fish and David Blatt.

Adoption Status of 2004 Standards

Old Lyme passed their proposed changes to their zoning regulations including the revised Gateway Standards with no opposition at the time of the vote.

There was no report on the status of the standards in Essex.

Status of Gateway Owned Properties

There has been no response from DEP re the Balleck property to date.

Tidewater

Judy Preston updated the Commission on her schedule to implement her riparian buffer regulations grant. She hopes to have some language for new standards to present next meeting. Judy offered to organize a second annual River Quest trip for the Gateway members. The idea met with enthusiasm.

Other Business

Martha Wallace attended a green energy event last month and urged the Gateway Commission to address its stand on wind and solar energy related structures.

ZEO Chris Costa offered to bring some standard clarification ideas to the Gateway Commission with regards to items such as the “retaining wall” confusion. Nancy Fischbach suggested that an ongoing dialogue with the Gateway ZEOs could be helpful. One idea is to invite them on the River Quest trip. Chris and Torrance agreed to sit down and work on some the Old Saybrook’s specific concerns.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Logan Clarke moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:47 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Dorothy Papp