CONNECTICUT RIVER ESTUARY REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY

MINUTES

July 6 2009

Attendees:

Sally Murray, Chester

Robert Laundy, Essex

Robert Wylie, Deep River

Pat Smulders, Killingworth

Jere Adametz, Killingworth

Ning Rich, Lyme

Jane Marsh, Old Lyme

Karen Jo Marcolini, Old Saybrook

Richard Tietjen, Old Saybrook

Lee Bridgewater, Westbrook

Linda Krause, Pat Anthony, CRERPA

1. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Jane Marsh 7:37 p.m. at CRERPA Headquarters, Saybrook Junction, Old Saybrook CT.

2. Approval of Minutes:

Motion to approve June minutes was made by Ning Rich and seconded by Jere Adametz. All were in favor.

3. Treasurer’s Report:

Linda reviewed items in the report. She noted that for fiscal June ‘09 and June ’08 there was little change. As we go forward into ’09-‘10, $176,000 remains in the budget. Linda noted that that each member of the staff received approximately $1.00 per hour increase.

She further stated that receipt of SGIA funding for the next fiscal year is not anticipated any time soon and that invoices to towns have been sent out this week. The Essex savings account has been closed out to consolidate bank accounts.

Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented was made by Ning Rich, seconded by Sally Murray. All were in favor.

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4. Correspondence:

Linda noted that there have been many retirees from the State. Of special significance was the retirement of Dick VanAusdall. Twenty-three people from OPM’s Intergovernmental Relation Division have also retired.

5. Staff Report

Jean Davies is on vacation. Many of the staff enjoyed a weekend at her island near Marblehead recently.

Torrance was on vacation for a week.

The question of health insurance was briefly discussed regarding anticipated upgrades in pricing. Linda said the issue will be addressed with CRERPA’s health care provider in October.

Steve Williams has resigned due to health reasons. Linda asked that a volunteer from the Board serve as Treasurer. She asked that the individual be available to sign checks every other Thursday.

6. Regionalism/RPOs

Linda mentioned that there was increased enthusiasm for the 17 town COG. Tom Marsh and Rich Cabral are working toward that goal. However, the decision will not be made until the fall of the year.

Soon a Selectman, or selectman designee, will serve on the CRERPA Board. Conceivably, this person could have a dual role, the selectman’s representative as well as the selectman or designee.

7. Committees/Liaisons:

Gateway:

Linda said that originally the Gateway Commission’s purpose was to look for land acquisition for the DEP and create regulations for the Commission. However, over the years there have been changes and land acquisition is no longer a key issue.

Linda noted that the Commission must look at “function and focus.” There are several areas that they may pursue; for example, land trust, standards, riparian buffers, and easements.

Referrals: There were four referrals:

1. Old Saybrook: Incentive Housing, Regulations, Map Change.

2. Westbrook: Recreation Vehicles, Parking of RVs in Commercial Marina between 4/1 and 10/31.

3. Killingworth: Signage, Adjustment for signs in Cluster Developments

4. Clinton: Rear Lots and access strips: Establishment of a 10SF limit for municipal & non profit signs in rural residential.

Ning Rich made the motion to approve referrals 2, 3, 4 as there would be no intermunicipal impact. She noted that on Referral No. 1 the motion be amended to state that Linda and Torrance advise that there is an impact on intermunicipal zoning, and they should question the advisability of the referral, especially for the Gateway zone. The motion was seconded by Jane Marsh. All were in favor.

8. Old Business:

Regional Plan: Linda said she is working diligently on finalizing the format for the Plan. She discussed the various sections of the Plan, and Jane Marsh thought a current picture of the selectmen as a united team would be appropriate as an inclusion – perhaps as a centerfold.

There was an enthusiastic discussion regarding the topics in the Plan. Linda anticipated that the final draft will be completed shortly.

9. Adjournment:

The Board unanimously voted to cancel the August meeting and to have the next scheduled CRERPA meeting in September.

The motion to adjourn was made by Laundy and seconded by Murray.All were in favor.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Pat Anthony, Clerk