Mohegan Park Improvement & Development Advisory Committee - Disbanded Feb 01, 2025

MOHEGAN PARK IMPROVEMENT & DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, November 12, 2015 – 5:30 P.M. City Hall Room 210 Regular Meeting MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Tim Smith at 5:31. Committee Members Present: Tim Smith, Bill Barbuto, Judy Magnano, Kerry Bilda. Brandon Hyde Committee Member Absent: Mark Bettencourt 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Upon a motion by Bill Barbuto, seconded by Kerry Bilda, the committee unanimously approved the minutes of the regular meeting held on September 10, 2015 3. FINANCIAL REPORT There was discussion about the formatting of the financial report showing balances for dates past October 31st, 2015. Bill Barbuto made a motion to accept the report as of October 31st, 2015. Motion was seconded by Brandon Hyde., and unanimously approved. 4. OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE a. Letter to Norwich Police Department: Tim Smith stated that this letter would be discussed in old business. 5. OLD BUSINESS a. Traffic statistics: Tim Smith reported that the Norwich Police Department provided some traffic statistics (from 2013-2015, 68 stops and 34 accidents). The committee discussed the possibility of using this data to make improvements regarding pedestrian safety. Tim Smith will follow up with NPD for more detail. Bill Barbuto stated that there needs to be more police presence in the park. b. Former dog pound building: The committee did not have an update on this item. c. Trails map app: Kerry Bilda reported that he met with former member, Kevin Crowley, and someone from the Trails App. We need to provide coordinates. Kerry Bilda will contact Norwich Public Utilities for assistance. d. Kiosks and park signage: Kerry Bilda reported that we have everything we need to get signs installed. He and Tim Smith will meet to finalize the plan. Goal is to have them installed by May 2016. e. Expansion of park boundary: There was no update on the approval of the Comprehensive Plan to change zoning on city owned parcels adjacent to Mohegan Park to recreational open space (ROS). Tim Smith stated that the committee already decided to make a recommendation to incorporate these parcels into Mohegan Park once the zoning change was approved. f. Walktober event: The committee discussed their participation in a special event held by Lions Club specifically for committee members to experience the challenges seeing impaired individuals have in the park. The members who attended stated that it was very  enlightening. Tim Smith stated that there is no current action, but the committee needs to consider those with disabilities when making improvements in the park g. Bioblitz project information – Former member Kevin Crowley had been working with Norwich Free Academy to develop an educational experience based on BioBlitz data. Brandon Hyde volunteered to take the lead and will contact NFA to discuss. h. Chelsea Gardens: Brandon Hyde reported that the Chelsea Gardens board will be conducted more tours in the future; that there will no more clearing on property that they lease; and that they will be starting a capital campaign in the near future. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Vacancy: Tim Smith reported that the City Council accepted Kevin Crowley’s resignation at the recent City Council meeting. No progress made on filling this vacancy. Tim Smith will follow up with City Council. b. Election of officers: Tim Smith reported that the committee needs to be responsible for preparing the meeting minutes, and proposed that the committee develops the position of Secretary, along with Vice Chair. The following motion was made by Brandon Hyde, seconded by Kerry Bilda, “ The committee generates a position of vice chair and secretary within the committee”. There was some discussion about bylaws and how we implement. Tim Smith will follow up with city counsel. c. Mayor’s Monarch Pledge: Tim Smith reported that Mayor Deb Hinchey contacted him about a National Wildlife Federation initiative. After discussion, the committee agreed that this was not something that they would take the lead on, but would support the city as necessary. d. Audubon Alliance for Community Preservation: Tim Smith reported that he was contacted by this group which is working on getting communities to implement conveyance fees that would be used for land preservation. Brandon Hyde stated that the city already collects a conveyance fee which goes into the general budget. Tim Smith will relay this information back to AACP. e. 2016 Meeting Schedule: The schedule for 2016 was presented. 7. CITIZEN COMMENT a. Chuck Evans, 49 Butternut Drive spoke in opposition to Chelsea Gardens. He stated that it should not be in Mohegan Park; that Chelsea Gardens should not have cut down trees without the necessary funds to develop CG; that the city should govern the lease better; and that CG should be more forthcoming with the city. b. Hazel Brown, 55 Butternut Drive spoke in opposition to Chelsea Gardens. She stated that that there are no financial benefits, c. Roberta Clapper, 49 Butternut Drive, spoke in opposition to Chelsea Gardens. She stated that the project has had a terrible environmental impact. As a neighbor, she has noticed a marked decrease in the number of birds on her property. 8. OTHER BUSINESS a. Tim Smith stated that the Mohegan Park Improvement & Development Committee does not have any authority to govern and provide oversight of the Chelsea Gardens project. b. Bill Barbuto stated that we should investigate having highway signs for Mohegan Park. He will contact the DOT. 9. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Kerry Bilda, seconded by Brandon Hyde, and voted unanimously, the meeting adjourned at 6:50 P.M