CONNECTICUT RIVER GATEWAY COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
January 25, 2007
Present/Absent: CHESTER Margaret Wilson, Vacancy
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, Dorothy Papp, Margot Burns
TIDEWATER Judy Preston
Call to Order
In the initial absence of any officers, Nancy Fischbach called the regular meeting of the Gateway Commission to order at 7:35 pm in the CRERPA meeting room.
Approval of Minutes
Logan Clarke moved to approve the minutes of December 7, 2006. Ed Marlowe seconded. All were in favor.
Staff Report
· Linda sent a card of condolence on the Gateway’s behalf to Stasia de Michele on the rather sudden loss of her husband last month. It is unlikely that she will continue to serve on the Commission for the immediate future.
· Results of the Barnick Appeal in Chester have not yet been released. The judge must make her decision within a 90 day time period.
· The Haddam ZBA granted a variance at 65 Landing Road for the 100 foot set back in the Gateway Zone last month. Linda sent a letter from the Commission reflecting its mixed review of the proposed project.
· Mike Sanders from Chester may be replacing Christine Nelson on the Commission. No official notification has yet been received.
· As requested, Torrance Downes sent a letter of support and encouragement to the ZEO of Deep River specifically regarding her efforts to limit unauthorized tree cutting and fill operations along the river.
· Members of CRERPA staff attended a retirement lunch for long term DEP employee Joan Hoezel, attended by about 70 people.
Treasurer’s Report
Dorothy Papp reported in Peggy Wilson’s absence that the Finance Committee will be meeting with Merrill Lynch in February and a presentation for the full Commission will be scheduled in April after the new system has been in place for a full quarter. Currently the Commission’s investments are distributed in 39% Equities, 44% Fixed Income, and 16% Cash. The Commission received an 11.8% return on its investments in 2006.
Melvin Woody moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report and pay the following bills: $1120.00 to Tidewater; $1207.30 to CRERPA; and $1380 to Attorney Paul Geraghty. Logan Clarke seconded. All were in favor.
Referrals
There were no referrals to report since Gateway’s last meeting.
Tidewater
Judy Preston and Margot Burns gave a riveting Power Point presentation on the completed Gateway Region Riparian Buffer Mapping Project. 5000 brochures have been printed for general distribution. The project may also be viewed on the web at www.ctrivergateway.org
Logan Clarke suggested picking a few action items at the next meeting that the Commission might fund.
Nancy Fischbach asked Judy if she could put some numbers to possible projects.
Raul de Brigard used the railroad corridor along the river in Haddam as a highly visible place to 1) do on site reparation of the riparian buffer and 2) develop a plan which will define, list, and conserve those pieces of property between the railroad and the river.
Nancy Fischbach suggested putting a priority on communicating and educating agencies and commissions.
Steve Williams brought up the importance of enforceable standards.
Linda Krause said the picture inventory from the Riparian Buffers study has already been helpful when dealing with architects in the Gateway Zone. She further commented that it was heartwarming to see the Commission so invigorated about a mission of education in the Gateway area.
Steve Williams moved to spend $1000 for a brochure mailing to the 900 or so waterfront parcels in the Gateway area. Melvin Woody seconded. Judy Preston agreed to develop a plan and timeline for accomplishing the project and present it next month.
The Riparian Buffer presentation provided a renewed sense of urgency for the development of tree cutting standards along the river.
Status of New Standards
No further progress has been made with the three towns which have not yet passed the standards. Tim Crosby said that Old Lyme did pass the Storm Water Ordinance which is a step in the right direction. Linda said the Gateway Commission may want to call the question in Essex by presenting the new standards as an applicant. The idea will be further discussed at the next meeting.
Other Business
Raul de Brigard relayed an invitation from Barbara David, owner of property overlooking Seldon Island, to host a meeting or workshop at her home.
Nancy Fishbach wondered if the Gateway Commission could schedule an annual boat ride.
Linda Krause noted that copies of the proposed easement on the Mellon property had been distributed; that Attorney Campbell Hudson is currently working with the DEP on the proposal; and that she saw no need for action on the part of the Gateway before some DEP action.
After an explanation from Linda, Melvin Woody moved to nominate, with CRERPA, the lower Connecticut River as an official Greenway of the Greenways Program. Steve Williams seconded. All were in favor
Adjournment
There being no further business, Logan Clarke moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy Papp
The next meeting of the Gateway Commission is February 22, 2007.