Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency

Minutes

                                                           April 2, 2007

Attendance:

Chester:               Steve Williams

Clinton:              

Deep River:       

Essex:                  Tom Danyliw

Killingworth:       Jere Adametz, Pat Smulders

Lyme:                  Frank Skwarek, Ning Rich

Old Lyme:           Jane Marsh

Old Saybrook:                                                                                            

 Westbrook:          Bill Neale

Staff:                    Linda Krause, Wini Olson

  I.  Secretary Bill Neale called the meeting to order at 7:28 PM in the CRERPA Conference Space at 455 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT. 06475.

II. Minutes

Jane Marsh moved that the minutes of the March 5 meeting be approved as circulated.  The motion was seconded by Ning Rich and unanimously approved.

III. Correspondence

      Linda mentioned that there was no written correspondence. Linda asked to substitute a report on staff activities. The request was granted.

A.     Legislation

Linda observed that the computerized bill system in Hartford allows bills to be updated so rapidly that they cannot be tracked in the customary way.

She believes that there may be more funding for regional planning organizations. A bill reducing the number of regions to five was defeated. The Office of Responsible Growth   is supported by the advocacy group “Face of Connecticut”.  The Face of CT will meet here on Monday, April 9. Linda will sit in on the meeting.

B.     Torrance

Westbrook is using far too much of Torrance’s time as interim Zoning Enforcement Officer. His goal was to attend to day to day applications and avoid on-going feuds.

He had surgery last week to repair an injury to his shoulder.

He is also the back up ZEO in Old Saybrook. Chris Costa lives in a beach area and defers to him on cases that involve her neighborhood. One such case is now going to court.

C.     Chester

                CRERPA is working with the Chester Planning and Zoning Commission to update the Plan of Conservation and Development. The team includes Linda, Torrance, Margot and Jean.

D.     Lyme

                Linda is returning to Lyme to revisit the matter of lot size.

E.      Westbrook

                     The town of Westbrook has not yet paid the 2006-07 assessment for participating in the Household Hazardous Waste Collection. On behalf of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Selectmen’s Association, Selectman      Dick Smith visited Selectman John Raffa to explain the situation. Selectman Raffa agreed to pay. Jean Ehle-Meyer visited Mr. Raffa this morning to pick up the check and was told that he cannot pay. It is not in the budget. If we will just wait, perhaps it will be included in the 2007-2008 budget. Westbrook residents did participate in the fall collection. Selectman Mike Pace has offered the use of Old Saybrook town attorney for the next step. Bill Neale asked that a copy of the contract and a summary of the situation be sent to him by Email. He will enlist the help of the Planning Commission. He will also be sure that it is included in the next budget.

                     Jane Marsh was emphatic in explaining that it is a matter of law. The town entered into a contract and is obliged to pay.

F.      Old Saybrook

                     Linda announced that Stu Fairbank apparently has resigned from CRERPA. Karen Jo Marcolini is expected to be appointed by the Selectmen to fill the vacancy.

G.     HHW

                Members were encouraged to consult CRERPA.Org for information on the dates for the 2007 Household Hazardous Waste collections.

H.      Regional Plan of Development

Linda reported that the staff is developing many good ideas for the Regional Plan of Development.

I.        Budget

           The 2007-2008 budget should be presented next month. No information is available at this time.

J.               Linda had a call this evening from Martha Wallace of Chester. Ms. Wallace is a retired teacher who is interested in being appointed to either CRERPA or the Gateway.

IV.   Reports

       A.  Treasurer

                         The Treasurer’s report was distributed.

                        Linda noted that there is over $135,000 in the account and the receivables are good.

                                     Jane Marsh moved that the Treasurer’s report be accepted as presented.

                         The motion was seconded by Ning Rich and unanimously approved.

                                 Linda mentioned that a new computer has been purchased. Jean now can

                          create and burn DVDs for distribution.

                     Bill Neale asked how many computers we have. He suggested that at least two be replaced each year so that everyone uses equipment that is less than five years old.

                   C.  Transportation

                                    There was no report. 

D.      Referrals

                  There is one referral. Linda presented the written comments that Torrance prepared.

                  CRERPA previously considered amendments to the gas station and vehicle repair section of the Clinton regulations. There is now a petition from a neighbor to add certain safe guards and buffers.  Tor commented that the two petitions fit well together and can be harmonious. There should be no inter-municipal concern.

                  Jane Marsh moved that the staff comment be approved and forwarded to the appropriate parties. The motion was seconded by Steve Williams and unanimously approved.

E.      Liaison

1.      CREMPO

Linda reported on behalf of Bruce Edgerton, CRERPA delegate to CREMPO, that because transportation funds were misused at the state level during the previous administration, all construction plans have become more complicated. Formerly, towns provided the plans for local projects as the local contribution. Now, unless a municipality has a full time staff engineer, engineers for all projects must be solicited by bid.  There is no local control of the design or the cost. The North Main Street project in Old Saybrook has gone from $200,000 to $800,000. The result may be that small towns can not longer afford to participate and the money reverts to the cities.

On a more cheerful note, Linda reported that Gov. Rell is changing the focus and personnel in DOT. The new Deputy Commissioner of Public Transit is from Detroit.

2.      Gateway

Linda reported that Gateway lost the appeal of the Chester decision.

The Judge is from Family Court and is not familiar with land use law. The Gateway attorney presented Land Use reasoning. John Bennett simply suggested that she not impose her judgment over that of the commission. The judge used his phrase in her written decision. She also mistook to the letter submitted to the commission by Linda asking simply that the hearing be held open as the Gateway Commission’s response. The Attorney General is considering appealing the decision.

The Gateway Commission is considering changing its meeting date. The statute requires that referrals be submitted to the Gateway commission ten days before the meeting (of the local commission). This often does not allow the Gateway to meet and render a recommendation.

V.        Old Business 

                  There was no Old Business.

VI. New Business 

                  There was no New Business.

VII. Other Business

                  Linda reviewed the recent situation in Old Saybrook when tainted chocolate milk made a few second grade children sick. Fortunately, no one became seriously ill. It provided an excellent opportunity for the new Connecticut River Area Health District to interact and establish authority with other parts of the Emergency Management team.

                    Pat Smulders moved that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded by Steve Williams. The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 PM.                                                                                                                                

Respectfully submitted,

Bill Neale, Secretary