East Haddam Open Space Committee approves minutes, flags attorney delays that could jeopardize state reimbursement

The East Haddam Open Space Committee met Monday, June 22, 2026, approved minutes as amended and spent the bulk of its discussion on paperwork needed to complete a proposed two‑acre property donation connected to a new middle‑school entrance.

A committee member asked the group to clarify what the town attorney must prepare for the donation, specifically whether the attorney must handle the deed and a title search. Another member responded that the deed and title search are required and that the committee should note that clarification in the minutes.

Committee members raised urgency around related paperwork for a matter identified in the meeting as 'Cronenberg' (the transcript alternately spells the name 'Cromberg' and 'Cronenberg'). One member said paperwork outstanding from the town attorney represented "the only obstacle to get a reimbursement from the state. And time is of the essence," and described the town attorney as "overwhelmed and... too busy." The committee discussed potentially using a different attorney going forward.

Members also clarified that, beyond the deed and title search, the state requires a final resolution filed on the land records to complete the conservation easement or open‑space designation for the parcel. One member summarized the required step as "the final resolution" that has not yet been filed, and said the delay has held up state reimbursement.

The committee noted that the Board of Selectmen had scheduled a town meeting for June 30 to consider related matters; a member said the date was confirmed by a staff member named Linda but that the town's official calendar had not yet been updated.

Administrative actions at the meeting included approval of the prior meeting's minutes. The verbal record shows the motion to approve the minutes passed after two members voted in the affirmative and one abstained; the transcript records only the vocal responses and does not attach names to those votes. Members then moved and seconded a motion to enter executive session; the captured segment records the motion and seconds and a discussion about whether the recording secretary should remain, but does not include a recorded vote or outcome in the available transcript segments.

Next steps identified at the meeting included finalizing and filing the required resolution on the land records once the town attorney's paperwork is complete, and proceeding with the items scheduled for the June 30 town meeting. The committee also agreed to follow up on whether to retain a different attorney for similar future matters.