The
Wild & Scenic Coordinating Committee
Meeting Minutes –
Present: David Bingham (SLT), Bernie
Gillis (East Haddam), Parker Lord (Lyme), Linda Bireley (LLCT), Gloria Fogarty
(
1. Call to Order – 5:07 PM Attendance taken to verify quorum and presence of sufficient number of representatives and members to vote on Bylaws.
2. Acceptance of August 28th Meeting Minutes – Unanimous.
3.
Next meeting date of the Coordinating
Committee will be November 20, 2006,
4. Bylaws were reviewed; Damon Hearne advised that he had modified the document to reflect the distinction between members and representatives; he also called out new language used to clarify the intent of the Bylaws. Commission representative also suggested the following nonsubstantive changes to facilitate consistency: under Article III. Function, the word “will” was changed to “does”; in Section B of Article IV, Membership, the word “representative” was pluralized in lines 2, 3, 4, & 5 to acknowledge the alternates appointed to the Committee. In the Additional Non-Charter Membership paragraphs, second line from the bottom, the word “request” was changed to “notice”. Under Article VI. Officers, Section B. Duties, number 1, second line from the bottom, the phrase “as reflected in the minutes” was substituted for the word “minuted”. A question was raised regarding an apparent inconsistency between the Commission’s stated function of having no authority for land acquisition (first page) and the criteria identified for use of Executive Session (page 9 of 17) which called out the negotiation or securing of real estate purchase options or contracts. It was explained that such negotiations would actually be discussions of proposals of purchases by individuals or groups outside of the Eightmile River Commission. In Article IX. Conduct of Business, majority approval will be required for non budgeted expenditures of over $2000, not the $4000 listed in the presented document. Linda Bierley made the motion to accept the bylaws as amended, Sue Merrow seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously carried.
5. Officer elections: Motion by David Bingham, second by Sue Merrow to nominate Anthony Irving as Chair/Treasurer, Nathan Frohling as Vice Chair and Gloria Fogarty as Secretary. Motion carried unanimously.
6. Subcommittee reports:
David Bingham, as chair of the Project Review Subcommittee, reported they will be inviting Town ZEO’s to bring development topics to the committee for review when it is anticipated these projects could impact the Eightmile River Watershed; he noted many of the business items could be handled by e-mails with meetings being called on an ad hoc basis.
Eric Belt is chair of the Research and Monitoring Subcommittee; he has requested a complete set of all previous reports and plans to review ORV’s one meeting at a time. Their priorities will include the monitoring of water flow rates and quality.
Sue Merrow is the chair of the Education and Outreach Subcommittee and reported on the priorities chosen at their recent meeting. These include creation of press releases, newsletters and consideration of political strategies to facilitate acceptance of our goals. It was also announced that Wendy Goodfriend has agreed to serve as a volunteer on the subcommittee and will be helpful in the updating of our current Website.
Nathan Frohling, chair of the Tools Implementation subcommittee, indicated his group will initially focus on the Overlay ordinance issues, with implementation of Tier I Tools as a first priority. Later, (perhaps next Spring) they plan to organize a summit meeting of P&Z commissions and other interested individuals to explore the application of impervious surface regulations.
7. Congressional updates – no recent activity in the Congressional Committee headed by Representative Pambo; it is highly unlikely any action will be taken before the November election. There is some reason to hope for activity during the “Lame Duck” portion of the schedule between November and January, but it appears the best chance of passage might occur when the new legislators convene in 2007.
8. Updates –
Lyme and
Linda Schroeder asked for clarification of recommended regulations regarding trails used for hiking and/or horseback riding. Discussion resulted in agreement to seek and
identify best management practices as developed by coordinated efforts of equestrian
societies and land use organizations.
Jamie Fosburgh reported that the NPS will be sending copies of the study reports to appropriate federal agencies for review and comment and indicated there is nothing for our Committee to do for now in the way of facilitating the process.
9. Other Business:
Anthony Irving offered to approach Ct. State Senator Eileen Daly to discuss a Real Estate Conveyance Tax which could be used to raise funds for Open Space programs. It would be a voluntary program available to individual towns. This tax would be applied to the buyer’s cost, not the seller’s profit. David Bingham moved to express our support of the Real Estate Conveyance Tax, Sue Merrow seconded the motion. Discussion revealed some concerns regarding the appropriateness of our Commission taking a political position on the subject. An amendment was offered authorizing Anthony Irving to act as our representative to initiate a discussion with Senator Daly to clarify her concerns regarding the suggested legislation. Amendment accepted by David Bingham and Sue Merrow; motion carried unanimously, no abstentions.
Meeting adjourned,
Respectfully submitted,
Gloria Fogarty,
Secretary