1. Convene Meeting : Chairman J. Van Hise convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. and established a quorum of members: Chairman Van Hise; Secretary A. Kerley; Regular Members P. Conlon and R. Baiad, and Alternate A. Dew.* Also present: Town Director of Public Works R. Tedesco and Land Use Office Manager K. Daniel.

Absent: Vice Chairman W. Conner; Alternates D. Frankel and J. Emond.

*A. Dew was appointed a voting member.

2. Review Minutes of Previous Meetings: 08/05/10: A motion was made by A. Dew to accept the Minutes of August 5, 2010 as presented. R. Baiad seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

3. Old Business: There was none at this meeting.

A motion to amend the agenda to go to Item #9 was made by A. Kerley, seconded by P. Conlon, carried unanimously.

9. Tabled Items:

a. Still River Greenway #201000597: 8-24 Referral for Multi-Use Trail : D. DiPinto, Director of Parks and Recreation, present. The Commission had asked for clarification of this proposal. D. DiPinto noted that while he does not have a formal presentation, he walked the Commission through some of the visuals he had placed in the conference room. Mr. DiPinto used the map to outline the entire greenway. This proposal is only for Phase One, what he called the “parking leg” of the project, a section which can qualify for money now, since it does not require any permitting whatsoever. This work will mark the beginning of this entire Greenway project, and by the time this section is done, Mr. DiPinto will come before the Commission with a more formal presentation for the remainder of the project. This phase represents only about a 1600 foot section of the larger project, which is about two miles in length, including a 165 foot bridge which will span the Still River. The entire greenway is estimated to cost $1.8 million, with about $480,000 for the bridge. This phase is expected to cost $200,000. The Commissioners asked if the proposed 16 parking spaces (including two handicapped spaces) on “Phase One” will be adequate, Mr. DiPinto noted that the Northern Terminus is at 777 Federal Road, and they are in preliminary discussions with them for additional parking. In addition, he noted that the greenway trail can also be accessed from Town Hall, at which there is also ample parking. The Southern Terminus of this proposed greenway will be near the present-day cornfield.

Mr. DiPinto then presented a more detailed map for “Still River Greenway Phase One” Chairman Van Hise suggested a possible site walk, though the other Commissioners did not feel that was necessary. . P. Conlon, noting that there are parking calculations for such establishments as retailers, asked if a formula was used to come up with 16 parking spaces. Mr. DiPinto stated that there was a formula used by the trail designers and that the 16 was not just a “magic number.” The additional parking at Town Hall, and possibly at 777 Federal Road, was taken into consideration. A. Kerley asked for a trash receptacle to be placed there, or the option of a fine for those leaving anything “but footprints” behind. This discussion was interrupted to allow for the scheduled Public Hearing.

After the Public Hearing, the Commission resumed its discussion of this item.

A motion was made by P. Conlon, seconded by R. Baiad, to return to item #9: Still River Greenway #201000597: 8-24 Referral for Multi-Use Trail. Motion carried unanimously.

D. DiPinto, Director of Parks and Recreation, present. D. DiPinto said he would take Mr. Kerley’s comments (about appropriate trash disposal) into consideration.

A motion was made by A. Kerley stating that the Planning Commission requests that a letter be sent to the First Selectman noting that the Planning Commission is favorably disposed to the Still River Greenway Project, Phase One. The motion was seconded by P. Conlon and carried unanimously.

4. Continued Public Hearing 7:45 P.M.:

a. 41 Pocono Ridge Road #201000460: 2 lot Re-subdivision (PH Close date: 09/28/10)

1. Subdivision Bonding Estimate Form

2. Letter from R. Tedesco to P. Szymanski dated 08/09/10 Re: 41 Pocono Ridge Road

Chairman Van Hise reopened the public hearing. Present for the applicant: Engineer Paul

Szymanski. Mr. Szymanski noted that the correspondence (#2, above) was submitted two

days ago and contains revised plans which address Town Engineer R. Tedesco’s comments.

Chairman J. Van Hise noted that the Commissioners did not have adequate time to review

this document. Checklist person P. Conlon added that he had no comments/questions at this

time. There is no change in the bonding, but that may be adjusted based on the revised plans

and the 8/9/10 letter.

There were no further questions from the Commission, or public comments pro or con. A

motion to continue the public hearing for Application #201000460, 41 Pocono Ridge

Road, to the meeting of September 2, 2010 at 7:45 p.m. was made by P. Conlon,

seconded by R. Baiad and carried unanimously.

5. New Business:

A motion was made by J. Van Hise to add Whispering Glen Subdivision: Discussion with Attorney Sienkiewicz on the status of this subdivision as item “a” under New Business. Motion seconded by P. Conlon and carried unanimously.

a. Whispering Glen: Discussion with counsel: Attorney J. Sienkiewicz present.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: The Commission, along with Town Director of Public Works R. Tedesco, and Land Use Office Manager K. Daniel, went into Executive Session re: discussion with counsel, including discussion of the road issue, at 7:55 p.m.

The Commission came out of Executive Session at 8:47 p.m.

During the discussion, Attorney Sienkiewicz brought the Commission up to date on the lawsuit, which was ruled in the Town’s favor. He also clarified information on the road. R. Tedesco requested that the roads of Whispering Glen be accepted into the Town road system. The Public Works Department used the bond money forfeited by the developer for the road work.

A motion was made by R. Baiad to send a letter to the First Selectman stating that the Planning Commission recommends that the roads in Whispering Glen be accepted into the Town road system for the reason that the Public Works Department has arranged for completion of the road with the Director of Public Works using the bond money forfeited by the developer. P. Conlon seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

6. Minutes of Other Boards & Commissions:

08/12/10 Zoning Commission: This included discussion of the issue of drive-in restaurants.
08/09/10 Inland Wetlands Commission: The Commission is dealing with some long-standing problems.

7. Correspondence:

a. Letter from R. Papenfuss to the Planning Commission dated 08/04/10 Re: Dunkin Donuts, 782 Federal Road #200500443: Water Source Committee’s comments on a drive through establishment at this location.

8. Informal Discussion: Chairman Van Hise noted the following items:

Honoring Martha Burr: Chairman Van Hise said that since the last meeting, one former member of the Planning Commission had passed away. Martha Burr was a Commissioner for approximately 12 years. Some suggestions from the members of the Commission on how to acknowledge her passing was a contribution to one of her charities (4H), or donation of a bench on the Burr Farm property. A. Dew, also Chairman of the Conservation Commission, stated that this bench could be placed near the entrance, and benches have been purchased before to honor others in Town. A. Dew will find out the costs, which J. Van Hise said would be shared with the Conservation Commission. J. Van Hise will also contact some former members of the Planning Commission who worked with Mrs. Burr to see if they are interested in contributing.

Plan of Conservation and Development: Chairman Van Hise noted that he heard from Zoning Chairman S. Parker that that Commission would like to get together soon to continue discussion on the Plan of Conservation and Development. In addition, Economic Development Commission Chairman H. Kurfehs also asked to be in on the discussion. The Commission would like to select a September date when all Commissioners are available.

Dew to become Zoning Enforcement Officer: With regrets, J. Van Hise announced that Planning Commission Alternate A. Dew will be leaving to become the Zoning Enforcement Officer. She submitted a letter of resignation of her Planning Commissioner post to Chairman Van Hise.

10. Adjourn: A motion to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. was made by A. Kerley, seconded by A. Dew and carried unanimously.

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J. Van Hise, Chairman