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

9/25/03; 7:00 p.m.

Town Hall

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

 

            Chairman Karl Walton called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.  Members present were:  Karl Walton; Michael Collins; Len Viera; Brad Pellissier; Cliff Bordeaux and Alternate Michelle Hayward.  Town Planner Patrice Carson was also present.

 

II.        AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:       There was none.

 

III.       OLD BUSINESS:       There was none.

 

IV.       NEW BUSINESS:

 

            Brad Pellissier made a motion to add the following two items under New Business - Other.  This motion was seconded by Len Viera and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            a.         Interview - Greg Genlot to fill Vacancy as a Planning Commission Alternate

 

                        Patrice Carson said an Alternate spot is open because Tom McCaleb passed away this summer.  Normally, the Planning Commission can appoint a successor within thirty days but it is beyond the thirty day window.  Therefore, the Commission wanted to interview Mr. Genlot and make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen.

 

Greg Genlot submitted a letter in July of this year, stating that he would like to be appointed to the Planning Commission.  Greg had previously been a member of the Zoning Commission.  He was also President of the Little League for many years but has always had a desire to be a part of the Planning Commission.

 

Brad Pellissier asked Greg where he thought the Town of Somers would be in the next five years.

 

Greg said he would like to see some industry coming into town to widen the tax base - not big industry - just small companies and small businesses.

 

Brad Pellissier remarked that the Planning Commission will be raising many issues that will have conflicting public opinion and asked Greg if he minded heated discussions.  Greg replied that he was used to them.

 

Karl Walton said the Planning Commissioners are all working on updating the present Plan of Conservation and Development and trying to keep the general public involved.  Greg indicated that he would be interested in being part of this group.

 

Mike Collins said the members of the Planning Commission are not here for any personal goals or vendettas.  Greg indicated that he is an independent and not affiliated with either political party.

 

Brad Pellissier made a motion to recommend to the Board of Selectman that Greg Genlot be appointed to fill the vacancy as an alternate on the Planning Commission.  This motion was seconded by Len Viera and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

             b.         WPCA Request - Discussion of the Somersville Mill and the Sewer Plant Capacity Needs

 

            Patrice Carson explained that the WPCA has a decision to make.  A developer is interested in tying into the public sewer system in Somersville.  If the Somersville Mill reactivates its building activity, the current public sewer system probably could not handle two large scale additions to the system.

 

There is no legal document binding the WPCA to allow the Mill to hook up to the public sewer system.  However, the Town Planner feels the Town has an obligation to the development of this building because the mill complex is in the center of Somersville and its development could be a boon for the Somersville area.

 

Jeff Lipton would like to develop an ARH complex in Somersville and hook into the public sewer system.  He already has access to public water - which is a requirement for an ARH development.  Mr. Lipton is willing to pay for another sand bed at the Sewer Plant to accommodate his addition to the system.  The WPCA would have to acquire DEP approval for the expansion in Somersville.

 

Brad Pellissier said that anything done to bring more housing into this area is going to put a burden on the sewer system.  Possibly both developments could be accommodated if the Mill could use a package system on the river.  He feels the Commission does not have enough information to make a recommendation to the WPCA.  He suggested inviting both the Sanitarian, Steve Jacobs, and the Chairman of the WPCA, Jim Botellio, to a Planning meeting to discuss the situation further.

 

Karl Walton said the Town has an opportunity to have its first ARH development and he doesn't want to lose it.  The Mill has been in litigation for eleven years.  Karl is in favor of the ARH development because it might happen.

 

After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that more information is needed before any recommendation can be made.  The Town Planner will invite the Sanitarian and the Chairman of the WPCA to a Planning meeting in the near future to discuss this further.

 

V.         STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

 

            Patrice Carson said she has been working on the Plan of Conservation and Development; the GIS system and the many office matters that come up on a daily basis.

 

VI.       AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:       There was none.

 

VII.      CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

 

            Patrice Carson would like to attend the 2003 New England Planning Conference in Hartford on 10/23 and 10/24/03.  The cost would be $125.00 for both days.  She suggested that two Commissioners also attend at a cost of $110.00 for both days.

 

Karl Walton suggested that Lou Bachetti, Chairman of the newly formed Economic Development Commission, be asked to attend Friday's session with Patrice.

 

Len Viera made a motion to have Patrice Carson attend the 2003 New England Planning Conference in Hartford on 10/23 & 10/24 at a cost of $125.00.  Also, Lou Bachetti to Friday's session  and up to two other Commissioners for one-day sessions at a cost of $55.00 each.  This motion was seconded by Brad Pellissier and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Patrice would also like to attend a half-day CAZEO seminar on 10/1/03 at a cost of $40.00.  This seminar will be held in Wallingford and will cover recent legislation taking effect October lst, recent cases affecting Planning and Zoning and invasive plants -such as the fragmite plant which takes over a large area and has been located in Somers.

 

Len Viera made a motion to have Patrice Carson attend this 1/2 day CAZEO seminar on 10/1/03.  This motion was seconded by Cliff Bordeaux and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

There is one bill from the Journal Inquirer for the 8/7/03 meeting in the amount of $70.83.  Also, an allowance of up to $35.00 is requested by the Town Planner for her Town Planner record book.

 

Brad Pellissier made a motion to approve payment of this bill and to allocate up to $35.00 for the purchase of a record book for the Town Planner.  This motion was seconded by Len Viera and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

VIII.    MINUTES APPROVAL:       August 21, 2003 and August 7, 2003

 

            Mike Collins made a motion to approve the 8/21/03 minutes, as written.  This motion was seconded by Len Viera and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Brad Pellissier made a motion to approve the 8/7/03 minutes, as written.  This motion was seconded by Len Viera and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

IX.       ADJOURNMENT:

 

            Motion to adjourn made by Cliff Bordeaux; seconded by Brad Pellissier and unanimously approved by the Commission.  The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Leonard Viera, Secretary

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.