TOWN OF SOMERS

PLANNING COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

1/22/04; 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; Brad Pellissier and Alternates Greg Genlot; Georgeanne Kuzman and Joe Iadarola. Joe Iadarola was seated for Cliff Bordeaux; Georgeanne Kuzman for Michelle Hayward and Greg Genlot was seated for Michael Collins. Also present was Town Planner, Patrice Carson.

II. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

Developer Blaine Buck inquired why his bond on the Hillcrest Subdivision has not been released yet. It is a minimum bond of $10,000. He said everything the Commission asked for has been done and he would like his money back.

Patrice Carson explained that the performance bond will be held until the road is accepted by the Town Consulting Engineer, Merv Strauss, and Everett Morrill of Public Works. It is customary that all subdivision roadwork sits through a winter before acceptance by the Town in order to be sure that there are no problems with the quality of the roadwork. In the spring, after a satisfactory review of the road is done by the Town Engineer and Public Works, the bond will be released.

Blaine Buck asked if County Road still carried a bond and was told that a performance bond is still in place.

First Selectman David Pinney said he would like to set up a joint meeting with Planning, Zoning and the Economic Development Commission to review the changes proposed in activities and objectives for the update in the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD).

He said that maybe after the results of the telephone survey are made public in February, it will encourage citizens to come forward and participate at the POCD meetings.

David talked about putting together a more focused program for the possible development of the Mill complex and other improvements to Somersville. He would like an opportunity to see the direction the different boards and commissions are taking in regard to the POCD program.

Brad Pellissier said the Planning Commission has tried many ways to get people interested in the POCD program. The Planning Commission wants to expand public participation.

Karl Walton said it is characteristic of citizens in this town to not participate in meetings about a specific program but to come out en masse when the completed project is released - mostly with complaints. The Zoning Commission is the only commission that has participated in every meeting. The Treasurer has been at meetings many times. The Board of Finance has not been represented.

David said the objective here is to create situations to bring more people into the discussions. Possibly the Board of Selectmen could send a letter to the Chairmen of all commissions and boards encouraging them to attend at least some of these POCD sessions.

Hopefully, the joint meeting of the Zoning, Planning, and Economic Development Commissions will bring forth some suggestions as to how to get more people involved in the POCD discussions.

III. OLD BUSINESS:

a. Discussion: Plan of Conservation & Development

The POCD has already been discussed with the First Selectman under Audience Participation. The only comment made was the POCD group makes it easy for the public to see what's going on by having the meetings on the web site as well as being televised.

b. 2004/2005 Budget

Patrice Carson reviewed the proposed 2004-2005 budget with the Commission, item by item and distributed her conference schedule for the year. After a brief discussion, Brad Pellissier made a motion to approve the draft of the 2004 - 2005 budget as written. This motion was seconded by Joe Iadarola and unanimously approved by the Commission.

c. Other

It was the consensus of the Commission that a letter should be sent to Len Viera, thanking him for his many years of service on the Planning Commission and including a gift certificate. Patrice Carson will handle this for the Commission.

IV. NEW BUSINESS: There was none.

V. STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

At the last meeting, Patrice Carson presented the class listing for review by the Planning Commission and asked for their support to attend these seminars during the American Planning Association National Conference which will be held in Washington, D.C. during April.

Brad Pellissier made a motion to approve the Town Planner's attendance at the American Planning Association National Conference to be held in Washington, D.C. on April 24 - 28, 2005. This motion was seconded by Joe Iadarola and unanimously approved by the Commission.

It was suggested that the courses that Patrice would like to attend be put on a schedule to make it easier for the Selectmen to read when her attendance at this conference goes before the Board of Selectmen for final approval. The cost of the conference and travel will be paid by the Town and Patrice will pay for room and board. The cost to the Town is already available in the Planning Commission's budget.

Patrice reported that several subdivision applications are in the planning stages - including at least one ARH development - but have not been presented to the Staff for review as yet.

Patrice has been putting together information for the grant available for the intersection of Ninth District Road, Sokol Road and Rte. 190. She thinks turning lanes should be put in to keep the traffic moving.

All lawsuits have been dropped by Somersville Mill to the Town of Somers. The Mill could qualify as a redevelopment district. Several people have shown an interest in developing the Mill.

VI. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: There was none.

VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

One bill from the Journal Inquirer in the amount of $47.22 for the 11/20 meeting. Brad Pellissier made a motion to pay the bill; seconded by Joe Iadarola and unanimously approved by the Commission.

The next meeting of the Executive Board of CCAPA will be held Friday, February 6, 2004, at the Town Hall in Meriden. Patrice asked for approval to attend.

Brad Pellissier made a motion to approve the Town Planner to attend the CCAPA meeting on Friday, February 6, 2004, in Meriden. Greg Genlot seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by the Commission.

VIII. MINUTES APPROVAL: January 8, 2004

Brad Pellissier made a motion to approve the 1/8/04 minutes, as written. This motion was seconded by Greg Genlot and unanimously approved by the Commission.

IX. ADJOURNMENT:

Motion to adjourn made by Brad Pellissier; seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously approved by the Commission. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Brad Pellissier, Secretary

Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary