CONNECTICUT RIVER GATEWAY COMMISSION
Regular Meeting Minutes
April 26, 2007
Present/Absent: CHESTER Margaret Wilson, Vacancy
Quorum: 5 Towns DEEP RIVER Amy Petrone, Nancy Fischbach
EAST HADDAM Robert Boulware, Logan Clarke
ESSEX Ed Marlowe, Fred Vollono (C)
HADDAM Scott Thompson, Susan Bement
LYME Kevin Mazer, J. Melvin Woody (VC)
OLD LYME Rudi Besier, Ted Crosby
OLD SAYBROOK Judy Preston (S), David LaMay, Madge Fish
CRERPA Steve Williams
MIDSTATE RPA Raul De Brigard, Stasia DeMichele
DEP David Blatt
STAFF Linda Krause, Dorothy Pap, Janice Ehle/Meyer
CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chair Melvin Woody, called the meeting to order at 7:35PM at the CRERPA office.
Logan Clarke moved to accept the minutes for the meeting dated 03/22/07. Nancy Fischbach seconded. All were in favor.
CORRESPONDENCE - STAFF REPORT
Martha Wallace from Chester came, to learn more about Gateway. She is a potential alternate for Chester
TREASURER'S REPORT
Treasurer, Peggy Wilson reported that Meryl Lynch will come to the next meeting, May 24th to discuss the investment portfolio. A staffing bill from CRERPA was signed.
Logan Clarke moved to accept the Treasurer’s report. Steve Williams seconded. All were in favor.
REFERRALS
There were many referrals requiring Gateway’s attention during the last month. The items that came to attention were:
1. 6 Crosstrees Hill Road, Essex.(Assessor’s Map 70 Lot 29). Gateway variance request
15 Riverview Street, Essex. (Assessor’s Map 28 Lot 25). Gateway variance request
Torrance Downes had noted that this work was hidden behind a prominent hill. No impact on River view scape or view from river or Old Lyme.
Steve Williams moved to accept the notes from Torrance. Logan Clarke seconded. All were in favor.
2. 988 Saybrook Rd., Haddam (Assessor’s Map #31, Lot 73). A Gateway variance request.
Torrance Downes noted that he didn’t see this as significant. It is just above Haddam Meadows and below Higganum
Steve Willimas moved to accept the notes from Torrance. Melvin Woody seconded. All were in favor.
3. 25 Horton Rd, Haddam (Assessor’s map 48 Lots 53-1 & 53-2). A Gateway variance request.
Torrance Downes noted that the application appeares to be blocked by dwellings on it’s riverside – No elevations – difficult to tell if it’ll rise above. The owner, Munster, talks of footprint – nothing else. No impact, side opposite river.
4. 1 Haddam Dock Rd, Haddam ( Assessor’s map 48 Lot 46) A Gateway variance request.
Torrance Downes noted that the application appears as no impact.
Steve Williams moved to accept the notes from Torrance. Nancy Fischbach seconded. All were in favor.
5. 7 Collins Lane, Essex (Assessor’s map 46 Lot 10-1-A)
18 Kings Lane, Essex (Assessor’s map 28 Lot 20)
22 Harbor View Drive, Essex ( Assessor’s map 69 Lot 44)
Torrance Downes noted that the applications all have no impact.
Steve Williams moved to accept the notes from Torrance. Nancy Fischbach seconded. All were in favor.
TIDEWATER IINSTITUTE
Nothing
STATUS OF NEW STANDARDS
DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
1. A request was made from last meeting, 3/22/07, that a list of the 8 Gateway Towns ZBA meeting dates be addresses as to a changing the Gateway meetings times. The 10 day period before the ZBA meetings was the allotted period of time for comments from other boards. Three suggestions were made:
A. Extend the statory time period
B. Call a special meeting if a situation arises.
C. Change the meeting date of the Gateway commission
These items will be considered and decided upon at the next meeting.
Rudi Besier moved to accept this decision. Steve Williams seconded. All were in favor.
2. David Blatt spoke about the Old Saybrook Sam’s/Gabion wall – Nancy Fischbach asked that CRERPA write a letter taken in account of the final decision, oppose and outline reasons for denial. Nancy Fischbach spoke about a wall being a structure. Amy Petrone read Gateways definition of a structure.
Melvin Woody moved to accept this letter to be written. Logan Clarke seconded.
David Blatt and Madge Fish abstained from voting.
OTHER / NEW BUSINESS
1. David Blatt mentioned a Dock workshop done by DEP. Torrance Downes will be on the panel.
2. Nancy Fischbach mentioned that Gateway should develop some standards for wind turbines. Situations have come up on Cape Cod and in the Race. CRERPA to research regulations in the States and Towns, and see if there a special required permit for towns for these turbines.
3. Memorandums were passed from Torrance Downes to make the Gateway Commission aware of the recent Connecticut court case, the “Poirier”case. Situations can be created where projects could be developed according to the Zoning Regulations existing at the time of the legal subdivision of properties in Connecticut, as opposed to the Zoning Regulations in effect at the time of submission of an application for development of such lots. Comments are to be brought back for the next meeting.
4. A situation where Tony Bondi, First Selectman of Haddam has risen, where Selectman Bondi is trying to procure land somewhere and build a new transfer station. He has found land that is in the Gateway and he is quoted as saying that, “ He would consider pulling Haddam for the Gateway compact if order to get the right site.” It was suggested that more information be researched and be presented to the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Logan Clarke moved to adjourn the regular meeting of the Gateway Commission at 8:25 PM. Steve Williams seconded. All were in favor.
The next regular meeting of the Gateway Commission is Thursday, May 24th at 7:30 pm at CRERPA.