Commission Appointees
Old Lyme River's Edge, Kathleen DeMeo
The membership of the Connecticut River Gateway Commission is comprised of two representatives from each of the eight member towns appointed by their municipal governments for two-year terms, plus two representatives and two alternates selected by the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG). A representative of the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) also serves on the Commission.
The Gateway Commission conducts much of its work through subcommittees which include Communications & Outreach, Finance, Grants Review, Land, and Rules & Procedures.
Officers
Suzanne Thompson
Chairman
Old Lyme
Dr. J. Melvin Woody
Vice Chairman
Lyme
William Webb
Secretary
Old Saybrook
Claire Matthews
Treasurer
Essex
Connecticut River Gateway Commission Appointees
Chester
Tom Brelsford
Jenny Kitsen (alternate)
Deep River
Jerry Roberts
Katherine David (alternate)
Essex
Claire Matthews
Misha Semënov-Leiva (alternate)
East Haddam
Crary Brownell
Deborah Langdon (alternate)
Haddam
Susan Bement
Mike Farina (alternate)
Lyme
Melvin Woody
Vacancy (alternate)
Old Lyme
Suzanne Thompson
Greg Futoma (alternate)
Old Saybrook
Bill Webb
Diane Stober (alternate)
RiverCOG
South
Judy Preston
Vacancy (alternate)
North
Raul Debrigard
Alan Ponanski (alternate)
DEEP
Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection
Kathleen Perzanowski
Environmental Analyst, Commissioner’s Representative
The Commission is represented in legal matters by Attorneys Mark Branse and Matt Willis of Halloran & Sage.
100s of Years Quarrying Granite in the Lower Connecticut River Valley
With help from the Connecticut River Gateway Commission, the Middlesex Land Trust preserved a quarry in Haddam Neck. The Brainerd Quarry Preserve offers ridgeline paths with breathtaking views of the Connecticut River and Haddam Meadows State Park. In the 18th century, granite blocks were split from outcroppings and sent down the steep hillside to be shipped via the river to New York, Philadelphia, and even New Orleans for construction.