Report by Paula Antolini, July 25, 2022, 11:49PM EDT
The Planning & Zoning Commission announced that their “continued Public Hearings” for the Whitney Road and Cindy Lane 8-30g Multiple-Unit projects, previously scheduled for tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. in Room D of the CJH Municipal Center, but will now NOT allow anyone to attend in person, as originally planned, including the P&Z Commissioners and other staff members. All will be via Zoom. Public comment will be allowed.
No reason was given in the agenda for holding the meeting only virtually so we contacted Town Planner Beth Cavagna to clarify, and she said, “It is in the public’s best interest for the meeting to be held by zoom.” She continued, “All I’m trying to tell you is that, because I don’t want people exposed due to illness.” She mentioned that her entire staff was out. She said was concerned about “breaking HIPAA rules” and was trying to follow state statues regarding Zoom meetings. She then referred us to the Bethel Health Department Director Laura Vasile, who explained more, in detail.
Vasile stated in our phone call today, “Last week there were some Covid cases in the municipality that warranted us to be very prudent with our Covid action plan that we have continued to implement and that would include, when appropriate, zoom meeting. So Beth responded based off of our “Covid Action Plan.”
Vasile said that up to that point she had only sent out messages regarding the illness if anyone inquired. “We have never stopped our action plan to limit spread,” she said. “Covid has never gone away and we have an action plan that we institute to make sure that there’s no spread.” … “We asked people to continue our action plan so that the vulnerable were protected.”
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Vasile stated:
“I am aware of a Board meeting change to Zoom as a proactive measure to prevent potential COVID exposure and spread.
“Bethel Health Department and the Bethel Response Team continue to monitor COVID cases in the Municipality and request appropriate COVID prevention actions be taken to limit COVID illnesses in town and in the Municipal Center.
“I would not consider the existing COVID cases an outbreak. However, the COVID status is such that it was recommended for workers and others to use masks (if warranted) and make adjustments to work schedules and group meetings to ensure COVID exposure is minimized.
“We continue to promote the use of the COVID prevention strategies including mask use, isolation and quarantine, Zoom use, separation distances etc to prevent more COVID spread and/or an outbreak from occurring in town.
“Bethel COVID Response Team continues to use:
“CDC COVID Tracker and
“CT DPH COVID Tracker COVID information
“You’re probably very familiar with the tracking sites and the COVID data noted below.
“Efforts to minimize COVID cases and spread is still important although challenging as the pandemic continues.
“At this time of summer vacations and additional social gatherings, COVID illness cases from COVID exposure continue.
“We are still working to keep the case rate as low as possible to protect the most vulnerable.“
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The upcoming July 26th P&Z Public Hearings Agenda:
TOWN of BETHEL
LAND USE DEPARTMENT
Clifford J. Hurgin Municipal Center
1 School Street
Bethel, Connecticut 06801
Planning & Zoning Commission Agenda:
July 26th 2022 7:00pm
ATTENDANCE AT THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THE ZOOM PLATFORM ONLY
To join this ZOOM Meeting by Computer or Mobile Device CLICK:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83391638130
Meeting ID: 833 9163 8130
One tap mobile +16465588656,83391638130# US (New York)
Meeting Agenda Items, including Application Documents, are available by accessing this
Google Drive link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Vtxrpy29WFv78vXof6y5zH-49nPJ6zyo?usp=sharing
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Frank & Judith Saunders / 17 Whitney Road
Site Plan/ TOD Overlay Zone
30 – one bedroom units
BUSINESS MEETING :
Minutes 7/12/22 meeting
Invoices / News Times
WORK SESSION
Gauthier / 6 Cindy Lane
Revised application under section 8-30g (h)
Draft
NEW BUSINESS
PLANNER’S REPORT
COMMISSION COMMENTS
PUBLIC INPUT
PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULE
Whitney Road:
Cindy Lane:
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