Jeffrey D. Champion

The meeting covered the environmental impact of Canadian geese, including potential damage to the golf course, leading to a decision to invite a USDA representative for a site visit and consultation with other local Course Superintendents regarding dispersion and removal options. General Manager reports detailed minimal golf revenue due to snow, updates on Pier repairs requiring future expert input, ongoing alarm system camera repairs, and delayed water line work. Other discussions included the Play Class website change, the impact of an active winter on operations and environmental factors, mandatory advanced cyber training for email users, and the likely need to lease a new Park Monitor Cart. The Borough Retirement Plan administrator is being sought for replacement to ensure employee access to external human representatives. The Treasurer reported sound financial footing and a clean audit opinion. The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lynde Point Land Trust and the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center for environmental education programs, and also approved a waiver of insurance for the Lynde Point Land Trust for the Fenwick Day Celebration. An appropriation of $6,000.00 was approved for a resiliency consultant for grant-related work, and access to the MyCoast App for residents was announced. The Board authorized $34,000.00 for Tennis Court Pavilion work, excluding immediate electrical conduit work. Preliminary review of the FY26-27 Budget was initiated.

The meeting covered significant discussions regarding infrastructure and administrative matters. Key topics included the Pier reconstruction, where Atlantic Marine Construction recommended using a plastic-like composite material over steel, noting the high maintenance costs of the current structure. The Board authorized $5K to replace the existing water line at 4 Nibang Ave, opting against immediate tie-in to city water lines due to cost and timeline uncertainty. A rough estimate of $50K was noted for the Tennis Pavilion project, which involves regrading, pouring a new pad, and updating fixtures, with the Borough proceeding to obtain hard numbers. The General Manager will investigate using a single vendor for all Borough alarm systems due to ongoing recording issues. The Board adopted a Resolution to approve the updated Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan with the Town of Old Saybrook. Furthermore, a resiliency update noted the approval to move forward in the grant process for the Sequassen Ave. road area resilience planning. The Board also appointed the Chip Gengras Family to lead the Member-Guest 2027 event. The meeting concluded with an anticipated Executive Session to discuss Human Resources.

The primary discussion centered on the Design Criteria document. Key elements to be included are descriptions of definitive homes, architectural history and techniques of seasonal cottages, accessory structures, demolition procedures, porch types, renovations to non-definitive houses, and the integration of 3D models/renderings. The criteria will progress from a macro to a micro level. The commission expects the first draft by mid-March and plans an interim review meeting via Zoom in mid-February.

This Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan provides the Town of Old Saybrook and the Borough of Fenwick with a risk-based approach to making planning decisions, incorporating climate change resiliency. The plan outlines five key goals: reducing injury and loss of life/property, implementing flood mitigation projects, prioritizing vulnerable areas, enhancing hazard preparedness and response, and developing resilience strategies for community resources. It assesses various natural hazards, with a focus on coastal storm surge, sea level rise, and hurricanes/tropical storms/nor'easters, and includes 83 specific hazard mitigation actions.

The meeting agenda included multiple public hearings with possible subsequent action items. These hearings covered an application for a garage addition at 102b Sequassen Avenue (HDC25-018), an application to install eight tree swallow houses on poles at various locations (HDC25-019), an application for a new entry stair railing at 23 Pettipaug Avenue (HDC25-020), and an application to replace deck railing to code at 43 Pettipaug Avenue (HDC25-021). Additionally, the commission planned to receive reports on current projects, discuss old business items such as paint color versus integral material color and 2026 regular meeting dates, and review design criteria updates.