CONNECTICUT
RIVER GATEWAY COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
September 27,
2007
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
Linda Krause, Torrance Downes,
Dorothy Papp,
TIDEWATER Judy Preston
Call
to Order
Chairman
Fred Vollono called the regular meeting of the Gateway Commission to order at
7:32 pm in the CRERPA meeting room.
Approval of Minutes
Nancy Fischbach moved to approve the minutes of August 23,
2007. Steve
Williams seconded. All were in favor, with two abstentions from Nancy Fischbach
and Stasia DeMichele, as they were not present at the August meeting.
Staff Report
· Linda Krause reported that she will be handing over the lead staff position for the Gateway Commission to Torrance Downes. Torrance has been the referral point person for some time now and Linda needs the time to put into the Regional Plan of Conservation and Development. Torrance will be the third lead staff person the Gateway has had since its inception in 1973. Fred Vollono spoke for the whole of the Commission noting that Linda will be sorely missed.
· A newspaper article from September 10, described the priority for East Haddam’s new economic development director “to focus on riverfront development.” Nancy Fischbach suggested that staff call the new person to explain the Gateway Mission. Torrance will follow up on the suggestion.
· The Old Lyme Harbor Management Commission completed a dock standards draft and sent an unofficial copy to the Gateway Commission. The document includes aesthetic/view standards for 5 different zones. It is available on request.
· Judy Preston, Margot Burns, and Torrance met with Engineer Keith Nielson to look at a potential shoreline hardening scenario in Chester for a house that is not close to the river itself, but ostensibly to prevent tree erosion into the river. Torrance said the Gateway Commission is always willing to listen but it was agreed that it is the Gateway’s mission to protect the natural river scene, not to interfere with the natural flow of the river’s waters, even if that flow causes some erosion.
Treasurer’s
Report
Dorothy Papp reported in Peggy Wilson’s absence that there were 3 bills to be paid this month: one for August staffing in the amount of $1702.73; one for August Tidewater staffing for $1120; and one for a missed Tidewater bill last fiscal year for $1120. Nancy Fischbach moved to pay the bills. Steve Williams seconded. All were in favor.
Dorothy also reported that the auditor suggested changing the investment fee budget line to reflect the new Merrill Lynch fees more accurately. Nancy asked staff to call Merrill Lynch to get an estimate. Nancy also suggested that the monthly investment report be simplified to reflect the Managed Account and Non-managed Account totals only. Nancy Fischbach moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Melvin Woody seconded. All were in favor.
Referrals
Torrance reported that there were no referrals of substance received since the last meeting.
Tidewater
Judy Preston reported that Tidewater Institute has been officially granted non-profit status by the IRS. She thanked the Gateway Commission for their support throughout the arduous process.
Attached to these minutes is a copy of the proposal for additional work Tidewater Institute can do for Gateway during the current fiscal year. Nancy Fischbach moved to approve and fund the proposal in the full amount of $6435. Susan Bement seconded. All were in favor.
Adoption Status of 2004 Standards
Old Lyme is in the process of adopting new regulations. Their town attorney, Mark Branse, is trying to put some positive pressure to adopt the Gateway Standards as required by law.
No new word from Essex.
Status of Gateway Owned Properties
Torrance has begun preliminary research into Gateway properties and will present systematic reports until all properties have been reviewed.
Other Business
Regarding the offer of sale from Tim McCain of 9.1 acres of property in Haddam for $550,000, Torrance reported that the Nature Conservancy is researching a possible interest. Generally, it was believed that the asking price is too high.
Cathy Jefferson, ZEO for Deep River, sent an unofficial (re)Planting Plan which she insisted upon for a property on Merriwold Lane. The Commission noted that she might request more indigenous species than the proposed white birch which does not generally thrive in this area. Torrance commended her commitment to supporting the Gateway’s mission, especially recognizing that the standards merely require an initial planting plan, without setting any specific standards.
Steve and Barbara Gaudio from Old Lyme called to discuss the cutting of a few trees on their property. Torrance made a home visit to explain the Gateway mission and view their situation. They responded very positively to the whole Gateway concept, having invested in abutting property to alleviate potential development concerns. Torrance also elicited their support for the current Gateway Standards which have not yet been passed in Old Lyme.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Nancy Fischbach moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy Papp
The
next meeting of the Gateway Commission is Thursday, October 25,2007.