Flood & Erosion Control Board - Minutes - 02/26/2024

FLOOD & EROSION CONTROL BOARD
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
February 26, 2024
Present: Chris Callahan, Co-Chair
Stirling Danskin
Kate McKenzie
Absent: George Harran, Co-Chair
Craig Hart
Also Present: Jonathan Mullen, Town Planner
CALL TO ORDER. Co-Chair Callahan called the Flood & Erosion
Control Board Regular Meeting of February 26, 2024 to order at
7:00 p.m.
MOTION (1): Ms. McKenzie moved to go to Item 3. New Business of
this evening’s Agenda. Seconded by Mr. Danskin. (3-0) Unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS
Welcome New Members. Stirling Danskin and Kate McKenzie were
welcomed as new members of the Board.
Jonathan Mullen, Town Planner. Mr. Mullen introduced himself and
informed the Board he grew up in Ridgewood Park in Waterford,
and is now a resident of Waterford. Jonathan and Maureen
Fitzgerald, Environmental Planner, will work with the Board to
advise on flooding and erosion issues throughout the town and plan

to attend this Board 2024 meetings to improve communications
between Flood & Erosion Control Board members and town staff.
Citizens have expressed concerns that the tides and coves have been
higher than ever.
Mr. Mullen replied there was never water on some of the roads in
Ridgewood Park prior to the Sandy and Irene hurricanes. Now the
water goes onto Shore Drive and does not immediately drain away.
The tides have been higher than Mr. Mullen has ever seen before.
The town has been experiencing heavy rain storms combined with
higher tides to cause flooding in areas that never flooded in the
past.
He added the City of New London received a grant for Alewife Cove
to study the effects of the work that has been done on the entrance
to the cove.
The Town will pay for members of this Board’s education on land
use or training done on-line. He suggested that the Board review
state regulations Sec. 24-84 to review recent changes to the Flood &
Erosion Control Board’s title.
The Board requested that the three Flood & Erosion Control Board
filing cabinets in the auditorium closet be moved to the basement.
Jonathan said he will make the move happen.
APPROVAL December 18, 2023 MEETING MINUTES OF THE
FLOOD AND EROSION CONTROL BOARD.
MOTION (2): Mr. Callahan moved to approve the December 18,
2023 Meeting Minutes

of the Flood & Erosion Control Board, as presented. Seconded by
Ms. McKenzie. Ms. McKenzie and Mr. Danskin abstained from
voting.
(1-0-2) Motion carried.
4.OLD BUSINESS. There was no discussion of old business.
5. PLANS REVIEW. There were no plans for review.
6.CORRESPONDENCE. The Board received an email from Ben Kane
of Lower Bartlett Road in Quaker Hill expressing flooding concerns.
He was advised to contact Public Works and he has had done so.
Email from Mr. and Mrs. Mark Johnson of 23 Shore Drive in
Ridgewood Park was visited by the Board. There was discussion
with Mr. Mullen and Ms. Fitzgerald.
Flood & Erosion Control Board Financial Report dated January
2024 was received.
7.PAYMENT OF BILLS. There were no new bills received.
8.ADJOURNMENT.
MOTION (3): Mr. Stirling moved to adjourn the Flood & Erosion
Control Board
February 26, 202r Regular Meeting at 7:50 p.m. Seconded by
Ms. McKenzie. (3-0) Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,

Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary