Eichler’s Cove Study Stirs Selectmen’s Meeting

By Kendra Bobowick

Eichler’s Cove deliberations “irked” Selectman William Rodgers Tuesday, September 7, as the town-owned beach and marina’s future management plans, for one, drew an audience from as far away as Branford and Wallingford for the Board of Selectmen meeting. A recent Parks and Recreation Commission subcommittee study, which is now before selectmen for consideration, details plans for the ten-plus-acre beach, marina, and boat launch that the town purchased in 2005.

Regarding the unanswered questions of whether and when the town would assume the cove’s management from former owner and current manager Carol Marchetti, he said, “We knew this was coming.” Parks and Recreation members and Ms Marchetti understood in 2005 that the town would at some point assume responsibility for the property. News — per the report — that her employment could end as soon as December of this year came abruptly, however.

Although Ms Marchetti had made inquiries in April, she was surprised by the August report stating, “Marchetti shall vacate the property by December 31, 2010,” if agreements to keep her services as manager are not renewed.

One party or the other “needed to poke this blister,” Mr Rodgers said. “This is typical Newtown stuff,” where parties wait “until the eve” of a contract. (See Sidebar)

Recreation officials left the meeting with a clear directive: “Nail it down,” said First Selectman Pat Llodra. Mr Rodgers clarified, “I want [Parks and Recreation members] and Ms Marchetti to meet and determine what you can accommodate.” Mr Rodgers noted that management “clearly wanted to continue.”

Before the selectmen review the Eichler’s Cove Study, which includes details about management, Mr Rodgers said, “I would like to see our work made easier.” He would like to better understand the desires of the Parks and Recreation Department and Ms Marchetti. He suggested a “series of meetings with you and the management,” he said, addressing Parks and Recreation Director Amy Mangold and commission Chairman Ed Marks. “I would like a mutually acceptable resolution,” he said.

As the selectmen’s meeting continued Tuesday, the recreation subcommittee members, along with Ms Mangold and Mr Marks, sat down to talk in a nearby conference room. Thursday morning, Ms Marchetti said that she and Ms Mangold would talk at a 10:30 am meeting. By 1:30 pm the building inspector would make a site visit to the cove to look at the remaining house where she lives. The Eichler’s Cove Study talks about potential concession stands and bathrooms. The site where her house now stands is the ideal location.

Another Unanswered Question

Also presenting a question for the selectmen was the concept of grandfathering in longtime marina slip renters, who are primarily from out of town.

Parks & Rec currently opens registration first to Newtown residents, and at a later date opens registration to all others. A fear among longtime slip-holders is that they will be excluded from rentals in favor of Newtown residents only. Commission members insisted this scenario was not the case.

Ms Mangold had felt that a need existed for a grandfathering process, she told selectmen.

Subcommittee member Jan Brookes said, “It never came up, but I feel it is best to make a place for those who have been there so long and are committed to each other and to [Eichler’s Cove].”

“Maybe those people stay until when and if they leave,” said subcommittee member Vincent Yanni.

Mr Marks added, “We wanted to include more Newtowners activity … but we realize the tradition of those from other towns.” He said, “I don’t think we ever envisioned replacing people who used it in the past. I don’t feel we’ll try to fill slots with someone new in what was previously used by an out-of-towner.”

Reviewing her draft of the Eichler’s Cove Study, Mrs Llodra stated, “I did not see that commitment in this proposal; I ask that you insert that.”

Mr Rodgers warned that with unfinished business such as the manager’s employment and how best to handle terms of grandfathering in existing, longtime marina slip renters, he said, “There is no way I am going to take action on the plan.”

 

Ms Marchetti

Stepping into a quiet corner of the Newtown Municipal Center while the selectmen’s meeting resumed, Ms Marchetti explained her position. “I do want to stay,” she said. She had sought information about her employment in April, she said. “I needed to make plans,” she said, “get resumes out.”

“I want to work at least another year — at least — and help get the customers adjusted.” After hearing the selectmen’s instruction to meet with recreation members in coming days, she said, “I intend to work it out with Parks and Rec.”

She was surprised with the study, and had known nothing about it, she said. The report mentions bathrooms, a concession stand, playground, kayaking. She has drafted her own response to the information outlined in the study.

As roughly 25 people gathered on her behalf at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting Tuesday, Ms Marchetti spoke. “I saw this is the meeting about the rules, regulations, and my job,” she began. She had been hoping for a decision “about where I stand,” she said. “Since April, I have not been part of the discussions.”

She also saw the study and report, but had questions about the longtime slip holders. “It has always been out of towners,” she explained. And as far as security, although the report is exploring ideas for a gate and hired security guards, she said, “I feel I do security. I question everyone; I ask for ID, we have attendants. I make sure the parking is organized.”

She knows cars and boat-owners and generations of marina slip holders. “With security [guards] you won’t have that personal touch. “I know the boat owners by name, their children’s names …”

Making an appeal for them, she said, “Please consider all the years of business and the customers you have that have every year, faithfully come back to Eichler’s.”

Grandfather Clause?

A handful of those attending the meeting spoke in favor of Ms Marchetti’s employment, and of their loyalty to the marina. They made a strong appeal to maintain their ability to rent slips there, that they enjoyed a sense of community and commitment to a place where they brought their children year-after-year.

“A marina is not a park, or something with an automated gate, it’s a community where someone needs to be in charge, “ said Monroe resident Jeff Martinek. Favoring Ms Marchetti over security cameras, locked gates, or guards, he stressed, “A marina needs to be maintained by someone who knows boating. You need a go-to person who knows the lake and the marina.”

Wallingford resident Frank Iaccarino has been at Eichler’s for more than 35 years. “My son has grown up on Lake Zoar,” he said. With a security gate or cameras, “You wouldn’t have someone looking out for you 24/7,” he said.

Monroe resident Paul Palsano made an argument to maintain the out-of-town slip renters. “I hope you consider us and take care of those who have supported the marina in the past.

Fred Perillo of Branford insisted that a marina is a “family and a group.”

Selectmen realized Tuesday that several questions loom, including Ms Marchetti’s employment and parameters of granfathering in longtime slip holders.

A Meeting

Ms Mangold met with Ms Marchetti Thursday morning, September 9, to talk about Ms Marchetti’s position.

“She wants things to stay the same,” Ms Mangold said Friday morning. Ms Marchetti would like to stay in place as marina manager, Ms Mangold said, but these plans are different than the Parks and Recreation’s goal for a town-run facility that could include security cameras and an on-site staff person “for the busy times,” she said. The subcommittee’s report details the Park & Rec’s vision for the property, which could include a bathhouse and concessions stand.

“It makes sense for the property to supply this to its users,” Ms Mangold explained.

Ms Mangold realizes, however, that changes in management — which the Parks and Recreation Commission has discussed for several years since the town purchased the marina — “may seem abrupt to the who are just reading about it, but it is something we have been working toward.”

Also concerned for the longtime slip holders, Ms Mangold noted, “We need a comfortable transition.”

The Parks and Recreation Commission will pick up this discussion Tuesday, September 14, at its regular meeting. See Newtown-ct.gov for meeting details.