CONNECTICUT RIVER ESTUARY REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY

Minutes

June 7, 2010

Attendees:

Bruce Edgerton, Deep River

Karen Jo Marcolini, Old Saybrook

Jane Marsh, Old Lyme

Robert Laundy, Essex

Ning Rich, Lyme

Richard Tietjen, Old Saybrook

Stephanie Warren, Killingworth

CRERPA: Linda Krause

1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Bruce Edgerton at CRERPA Headquarters, Old Saybrook CT.

2. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve the April minutes with editorial correction as noted was made by Bob Landy and seconded by Ning Rich. All were in favor

3. Budget: Linda distributed copies of the monthly cash flow report and the proposed budget. Landy moved and Marsh seconded a motion to accept the cash flow report, which was approved unanimously. Anticipated revenues were discussed. Linda noted that the Agency has been successful in obtaining additional funds for the coming year from a number of sources, including DEMHS (ESF1 Transportation and Region Two Administration), DOT (counting boats under railroad bridges for the Shoreline East) and DEP (Natural Hazard Mitigation Planning). CRERPA now employs seven “boat counters” and the project is going well. The Agency will end the fiscal year in a positive position. Additional work will require additional staffing. The budget includes the cost of a new planner. The Agency’s real estate lease is up in November, and there may need to be a change in the Agency location. The building had been sold, but there has been no communication from the new owner. Tenants were not even notified of the exterior repainting project now underway.

4. Correspondence: Correspondence was discussed under other agenda items.

5. Staff Report: Linda reported that Pat Anthony is missed at the Agency and is eager to return to work as soon as she can. Linda described the boat counting project and praised the recently-hired counters. AMTRAK and DOT have indicated they would like to continue the count next summer. The need for additional planning staff was discussed. A person is needed to work on the new DEMHS work and the anticipated natural hazard mitigation planning grant. There is an opportunity to hire an experienced planner who has expressed interest in the position. Linda described the planner’s qualifications. Following discussion, Marsh moved and Laundy seconded a motion to authorize Linda to hire a planner for the additional work. Linda noted that even had hopes of resuming work on the Regional Plan update.

The motion was approved unanimously.

6. Committees/Liaisons:

Referrals: Two referrals were received, from Clinton and Old Lyme. The Clinton refererral, from the Planning and Zoning Commission, was to create an Incentive Housing Zone (IHZ) bordering on the Westbrook town line. Torrance had provided an aerial photograph showing the existing development in the area. Marsh moved and Rich seconded a motion that the proposal should have no adverse intermunicipal impact. The motion was approved unanimously. The Old Lyme referral was a Zoning Commission proposal to regulate the setback from coastal waters along the shoreline. In proposing this regulation along Long Island Sound, the Commission inadvertently created a conflict with the Gateway standards. The Gateway Commission has advised Old Lyme of the conflict. Torrance has been assured by both the Commission’s attorney and the ZEO that the conflict will be eliminated and the Gateway standard will not be altered. Landy moved and Rich seconded a motion to support the new regulation, provided the conflict with Gateway requirements was eliminated. The motion was passed with all in favor except Marsh, who abstained.

7. Continued Business:

HHW and Electronics Collections: Linda distributed a summary sheet of collection results from Janice Ehle/Meyer. Participation has been high this Spring.

Regional Consolidation letter: Linda distributed a copy of the letter from the CRVCEO to the Secretary of OPM which asked the Secretary to advise on the process of combining the Estuary and Midstate Planning regions into a single region. She noted that the letter and an attached memo had been distributed at a previous meeting. The letter has been approved and signed by the CRVCEO. Linda asked that CRERPA authorize its Chairman to co-sign the letter. Jane Marsh said that she felt that the letter was too strong in asking that the regions be combined, and that it did not reflect previous discussions. She suggested slightly modified language that asked for a single region IF the State Legislature preceded with its intent to reduce the number of regions. Marsh moved and Laundy seconded a motion to authorize the Chairman to sign the letter with the proposed revision. The motion passed unanimously.

8. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn was made by Laundy and seconded by Rich.. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Krause

CRERPA Director