MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.

TOWN OF SOMERS

PLANNING COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

3/13/03; 7:00 p.m.

Town Hall

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Karl Walton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present were: Karl Walton; Len Viera; Michael Collins and Alternates Tom McCaleb and Michelle Hayward. Alternate Tom McCaleb was seated for Cliff Bordeaux; Alternate Michelle Hayward was seated for Jackie Haas. Cliff Bordeaux arrived at 7:15 p.m. and took his Commission seat. Alternate Brad Pellissier arrived at 7:05 p.m. Also present was Town Planner, Patrice Carson.

II. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: There was none.

III. OLD BUSINESS: There was none.

IV. NEW BUSINESS:

a. Appoint Working Committee for Plan of Conservation & Development

Patrice Carson reviewed the consultant's contract which outlined the make-up of the Committee. A member of the Board of Selectmen should be on this Committee. After a discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that Kathy Devlin should be the Board of Selectmen person for this Committee. Kathy has already shown an interest in the updating of the Plan of Conservation & Development and attended meetings regarding it, and has indicated that she would be willing to serve on this Committee.

There should be a Board of Finance member on this Committee. The Board of Finance will be asked for a volunteer to serve on this Committee. If a volunteer is not forthcoming, possibly Town Treasurer Ed Sullivan could be asked to serve as a representative of the Board of Finance. If Ed Sullivan is unable to serve on this Committee, possibly a member of the general public with a financial background could be found that would be willing to serve on this Committee.

Patrice Carson recommended that the Chairman of the Zoning Commission - Peter Klein - be asked to serve on this Committee. This choice was agreeable to the Planning Commissioners.

Len Viera suggested that the Chairman of each Commission be asked to recommend a member of his Commission to serve on this Committee.

Karl Walton was willing to serve on this Committee - representing both the Planning and Conservation Commissions.

Patrice Carson said there should definitely be at least (4) members of the Planning Commission on this Committee. However, all members of the Planning Commission can attend the Committee meetings and take part in the various discussions.

It was mentioned that Brad Pellissier could serve on this Committee and represent the Board of Finance. Brad is a member of the CIP Committee and deals with the Board of Finance on a regular basis. Brad Pellissier indicated that he would be willing to serve on this Committee but was not sure if the Board of Finance would approve of him as their representative. However, if a volunteer were not forthcoming from the Board of Finance, Brad Pellissier would be willing to serve in this capacity.

Michael Collins offered to serve on this Committee as one of the representatives of the Planning Commission.

Selectperson Kathy Devlin joined the meeting and the discussion of the Committee members at 7:15 p.m. She verified that she would be willing to serve as the Board of Selectmen representative.

Terri Henderson, a member of the Board of Education, has volunteered to serve on this Committee as a Somers resident.

Len Viera suggested having a member of the Historical Society - such as Carole Pyne - serve as a member of this Committee. This would be agreeable with the Planning Commissioners as well as Kathy Devlin.

The Committee will meet the third Thursday of every month. It was recommended to have an odd number of people on this Committee - rather than an even number - to eliminate the possibility of a tie vote.

Cliff Bordeaux suggested asking Michael Parker from the Board of Finance to be their representative. Cliff offered to call him and ask if he would be willing to serve on the Committee.

It was also suggested that a member of this Committee should represent the Senior Center.

Patrice Carson reminded the Commission that these meetings would involve input from the general public that attend these Committee meetings and would not just be members of the Committee discussing the future of Somers. The consultant - Planimetrics - will be the moderator for these meetings. It is planned that all of these meetings will be telecast on public access television.

The following proposed members of this Committee have the approval of the Planning Commission - provided they are available to serve.

Kathy Devlin Board of Selectmen

Michael Parker Board of Finance

Carole Pyne Historical Society

Terri Henderson Board of Education

Peter Klein Zoning Commission

Karl Walton Conservation Commission

Planning Commissioners

Brad Pellissier

Mike Collins

Cliff Bordeaux

Len Viera

Tom McCaleb

Michelle Hayward

All members of the Planning Commission are invited to attend these Committee meetings. Brad Pellissier is willing to represent the Board of Finance if there is no volunteer from the Board.

The first meeting of the group will be held on March 20, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium.

b. Other:

Patrice Carson announced that there will be a meeting held by the Regional Economic Alliance of Hartford (formerly Growth Council) that will be held in the Town Hall on April 30, 2003 probably at 7:00 p.m. The Alliance will talk about what they have accomplished in other towns in the area of economic development. Members of the Alliance have indicated that they approve of Somers' choice of Planimetrics as consultant for the updating of the Plan of Conservation and Development. The Alliance would probably be of help to Somers in implementing the Plan update.

V. STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

The Commission indicated their approval of receiving the Planning Commission agendas and minutes by E-mail - for those who have it.

Patrice Carson indicated that she attended the CCAPA meeting on 3/7/03.

Patrice Carson informed the Commission of an Appellate Court decision in a ZBA lawsuit that states that a subdivision lot has to conform to the Zoning Regulations in effect at the time of the subdivision approval. This legal decision only applies to subdivision lots and is in the process of being appealed.

The Town of Somers currently requires that the development of a subdivision lot must conform to current Land Use Regulations.

This legal decision - if upheld - could create a good deal of havoc. A table of the different changes made to regulations - and when they were made - would have to be compared to a chart of when each subdivision was approved.

VI. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

First Selectman Dick Jackson asked how the Planning Commission felt about sidewalks in the Town of Somers. He was told that the Commission requires sidewalks within a mile of any school. The Commission also approves of the repair and/or replacement of existing sidewalks. The Commission has also required sidewalks in front of business properties - such as Dzen and Chet Ladd's business development.

VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS: There were none.

VIII. MINUTES APPROVAL: February 27, 2003

Deletion of the words "and Soil Scientist"was made on Page 2, #4 of the minutes. Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to approve the 2/27/03 minutes, as amended. This motion was seconded by Michelle Hayward and unanimously approved by the Commission.

IX. ADJOURNMENT:

A motion to adjourn was made by Cliff Bordeaux; seconded by Michelle Hayward and unanimously approved by the Commission. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Leonard Viera, Secretary

Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.