CONNECTICUT RIVER ESTUARY REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY

MINTUES

February 2, 2009

 

Attendees:

 

Bruce Edgerton, Deep River

Rob Wyllie, Deep River

Robert Laundy, Essex

Jere Adametz, Killingworth

Pat Smulders, Killingworth

Frank Skwarek, Lyme

Ning Rich, Lyme

Jane Marsh, Old Lyme

Karen Marcolini, Old Saybrook

Richard D.Tietjen, Old Saybrook

Lee Bridgewater, Westbrook

 

Carla Iezzi, DOT Rep

Linda Krause, Torrance Downes, Janice Ehle-Meyer, Pat Anthony, CRERPA

 

1.      The meeting was called to order by Chairman Edgerton at 7:35 p.m. at CRERPA Headquarters, Saybrook Junction, Old Saybrook CT.

 

2.      Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve December minutes was made by Jane Marsh and seconded by Bruce Edgerton.  All were in favor.

 

3.      Treasurer’s Report:  There was no report.

 

4.      Correspondence:  A book on Planning for Agriculture: A Guide for Connecticut Municipalities was distributed to the members of the board by Jane Marsh.

 

5.      Staff Report:  Linda reported that Bill Neale’s son was in the hospital.

 

6.      Transportation Matters: 

ETD:  Connecticut Transit is the new management company hired to run the ETD.      The new Director is Joe Cumerford who ran a transit district similar in size to the ETD in Louisiana. Jean Davies and Joe have met to discuss adjustments in present scheduling to adapt to the overall needs of the population in the Estuary. The acting name of the ETD is Nine Town Transit. The word “Estuary” has been deleted from the logo.

 HHW:  Janice announced that the transportation surveys have been sent to 4th and 5th graders in Lyme and Old Lyme. She will monitor and analyze the results as the surveys are returned.

Janice said the State wants each town to take electronics waste, but the LCVSA members desire to do this regionally.  She discussed the parameters of the proposal. Hopefully, the electronics collections will take place twice a month in 2009.

 

7.      Referrals:

Clinton:  Accessory Apartments with accompanying definitions.  The purpose would be to provide elderly and moderate income housing opportunities and saving older houses that contribute to Town character.

Jane Marsh asked that Torrance point out to the Commission that the proposal might result in undercutting existing zoning regulations and that water tables might be affected as well as an adverse impact on septic systems.

Westbrook:  10-lot subdivision (7 in Westbrook, 3 in Essex) off Toby Hill Road.

Referral was previously reviewed by CRERPA in ’07.  Westbrook Planning Commission denied application for incompleteness at that time.

Jane Marsh made the motion that there would be no inter-municipal impact on the towns. The motion was seconded by Ning Rich. All were in favor.

Gateway:  There were no specific reports.  Torrance noted that wind turbines were previously discussed.

 

8.      Regionalism:

      Smart Growth Task Force Legislative package was discussed. The premise is that service sharing arrangements can achieve cost savings and that land use planning needs to occur in a more methodical and integrated manner to preserve the character of the state and reduce sprawl.           

Linda gave a brief background of the situation.  She reviewed the early history of regional planning from 1947 thru 1972.  From 1950 thru 1972 fifteen regional planning organizations were created.

Smart Growth proposals are the following:

·         Study and redraw regional boundaries.

·         All RPOs must become COGS.

·         Mandatory Pre-app reviews of projects of regional significance by COGs.

·         Create inventive programs for towns to move toward regionalization.

Linda disagrees with the rationale currently being used to promote regionalism. She noted that in some instances it may save money.  However, when it comes to small towns, it could cost more. Right now, in the State of CT there are 7 COGs, 3 CEOs, and 5 RPAs. She stated that neither the 17-town CRVCEO nor the 9- town LCVSA is a COG. Autonomy and control are the arguments for regionalism.

In 2011 the OPM will conduct a study about the number and boundaries of planning organizations in the State. It is Linda’s hope to preserve the valley shore area as a separate region.

 On the 11th of February the 17-town selectmen will discuss this issue in depth.

Linda asked the Board “what direction did they want her to follow?”  “Is there a sense of something to fight for?” Jane made the proposal that Linda’s position is to ensure that no one makes statements that “it’s going to save money” and to monitor the Smart Growth proposal as it goes forward. The members of the Board suggested she also concentrate on the regional plan of development, showing the unique character of this region.

 

9.      Old Business: 

Regional Plan:  Linda said she and Jean had a meeting with Old Saybrook which went very well.  They will also be meeting with Essex and will discuss several issues, one of which is what functions CRERPA performs for the town and relating costs. CRERPA’s fees have been shifted into the Planning budget for Essex for the first time.

Meeting dates with Clinton and Killingworth will be set up shortly.

 

10.  New Business: There was no new business.

 

11.   Adjournment:  Motion to adjourn was made by Bob Laundy, seconded by Jere Adametz. All were in favor.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Patricia M. Anthony,

Clerk