STANNARD BEACH
ASSOCIATION
GENERAL MEETING
08/25/13
The General Meeting was called to order at 8:59 AM by
President George Dallas.
NEW BUSINESS:
George introduced the invited guests, who were First
Selectman of the Town of Westbrook, Noel Bishop, Dr. Frank Bohlen from UCONN
(add more about Dr. Bohlen’s credentials and work) and Terrence Beatty of
Prudential Realty who will report on Post Irene and Sandy shoreline Real estate
sales. George briefly described that Dr. Bohlen was hired to review the Kollmeyer
Report. The Kollmeyer Report, which the Association had done in 1988, was
prepared to examine and study the issue of potential Beach erosion and
solutions. Dr. Bohlen was introduced by George.
Dr. Bohlen started his presentation showing photos of our shoreline,
from 1934, 1965, in which he made note that there was not much change. However
in the photos dated between 2003 and 2012 there is obvious erosion. Dr. Bohlen
went on to explain how the Sediment supplies and transport energies cause such
erosion. It happens from wind, waves, tides and tidal currents. We looked at a wave summary and it shows that
Sea Levels are on the rise at a rate of 2MM per year. Dr. Bohlen said most of the changes we are
seeing today have been since 1988.
Dr. Bohlen went on to say to put a price on recommendations
in the Kollmeyer Report would be impossible without consulting contractors. But
he did offer some educated guesses on what he thought it may cost to place Rock
in a parallel
structure to the shoreline. He felt it would be at a cost of somewhere
around $1 million to 1.25 Million. Dr. Bohlen said he does not believe DEEP
would favor stabilizing a shoreline in that manner. So what are our
alternatives? Dr. Bohlen suggests new groins and modification of our existing
groins on the eastern end of the Beach. He suggests extending both Groin #1 and
Groin # 3 as stated in the Kollmeyer Report as well as adding a “T” to Groin #3
and an “L” to Groin # 1. He feels this would be additional wave protection and
feels this recommendation would be permitted through DEEP. Another solution he offered was Re-Sanding.
This can be the least expensive alternative, but to do it properly with
examining grain sizes and such. There should also be serious considerations to
Rip Rap and modifications to the Sea Walls.
Dr. Bohlen also said maintenance is the most important factor in any
solutions.
Dr. Bohlen’s recommendations are as follows:
·
Implement an action shoreline management plan.
·
Obtain a detailed topographic survey of the
Shoreline and off shore for the entire length of the Association Property.
·
Institute a regular program of nourishment in
combination with structure maintenance.
·
Stabilize existing Sea Walls
Dr. Bohlen then answered some questions from Association
members and more discussion continued regarding the groins and their lengths,
shapes and positions. He stated if modifications are done to the groins they
will be then about 4 feet tall. Then with time getting short and Noel Bishop’s
need to leave around 10:00AM we took a break in the questions for Dr. Bohlen
and Noel Bishop the First Selectman of Westbrook was introduced.
Noel Bishop started off by reminding us that we are a
private Association with our own By laws and that the Town can do very
little to assist us. The groins and such
are part of our association and the Town cannot commit to resources to help us
with them. He also went on to say he is working with Congressman Joe Courtney’s
office on a FEMA grant. He said the Town is still a few months out in obtaining
that grant. He is unsure of the amount of the grant. Linda Pinn asked Mr.
Bishop what effect the Grant would have on us. Any help with nourishment? He said no Groin, Sea Wall or nourishment
would be covered by this Grant. Mr. Black asked if the Town can do anything to
relieve the high water storm surges from the Marsh. Mr. Bishop said a lot of
the high Marsh water comes as a run off from Route 1 and there is little that
can be done to lessen that. Mr. Bishop then went on to say that he has received
a few calls regarding the safety and the state of disrepair The Gallery
building across from Cedar Lane. He said
that property is in Probate and he spoke to the Town Attorney about 2 weeks
prior and that the Town is in the process of getting it torn down. With that
Mr. Bishop had to leave and we thanked him for taking time out of his Sunday
morning to come to our meeting. With that we went back to questions for Dr. Bohlen.
Dr. Bohlen was asked if the Groins and their additions would
make any water back up into the Marsh. Dr. Bohlen’s aid, “There are no back
shore drainage problems from groins”. Then Dr. Bohlen was asked if the West end
of the beach would have any detrimental effects after groin modification on the
East end? He said no it will reduce the Eastern energy and have no effect to
the West end. Mike Guinan said Sue Baily said we must prove there will be no
detrimental effect to the West end toward Water’s Edge. George Dallas stated that he had spoken to
Sue Bailey regarding the existing COP. Sue Said that the current COP would
allow for sand replenishment but must apply for another COP for the Groin work.
George Dallas made a proposal to spend an amount, not to
exceed $15,000.00, to come from the major projects fund, to finalize the
engineering analysis to submit to DEEP. This will allow us to apply for a COP
to extend the Groins and to move forward in Extending Groin # 1 & # 3. A
discussion began with Dr. Boland suggesting we get the permits out of the way
and applied for. We do not have to use them immediately but we will have them
for future use. Lincoln Tedeschi asked about the lengths of the T’s and their
cost. Dr. Bohlen said it is
approximately $1,000.00 per linear foot, so roughly $64,000.00. He went on to
say that the chances of nourishment will be successful if all the structures
are done. And the chances of success being even greater with the addition of
the “T” & “L” groins.
Jeff Morris made a motion to spend an amount, not to exceed
$15,000.00, to come from the major projects fund, to finalize the engineering
analysis to submit to DEEP. This will allow us to apply for a COP to extend the
Groins and to move forward in Extending Groin # 1 & # 3. The motion was
seconded by Peter Black. Elin Katz called for a vote on the motions and there
were 10 who voted Nay and the majority voted Yea.
George Dallas made a suggestion that he’d like see a
committee formed, comprised of our neighbors, to sit & figure out how to
share resources and to help reestablish our community.
NOMINATING REPORT:
Sandy Seidman read Proposed the Slate of officers, which is
as follows:
·
President, George Dallas
·
1st Vice President, John Abella
·
2nd Vice President, Steve Powers
·
Treasurer, John Kava
·
Secretary, Sharon Bender
·
Three Year Directors, Michael Grennan, Laura
Petchler, Michael Guinan
·
Two Year Directors, David Caslin, Mark Miller
Paul Shlien
·
One Year Directors, Marty Weber, Michael
Rottblatt, Lincoln Tedeschi
A motion was made to accept the Slate as presented, all were
in favor. The Slate was accepted.
INFORMATIONAL
REPORT:
Terrance Beatty of Prudential Realty provided us with a 10
year sales report and analysis of property values. To see if our property
values had changed post storms Irene & Sandy. His reports are attached.
The Meeting was adjourned at 10:56 AM
Minutes
taken and Respectfully submitted, Marie Gallo-Garabedian
Garabedian@comcast.net
No comments:
Post a Comment