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RiverCOG board seeks firewall after Gateway Commission sues a member town
Summary
RiverCOG members raised concerns that the Lower Connecticut River Gateway Commission has taken enforcement action against Old Saybrook while RiverCOG staff provide administrative support; the board directed staff to convene a meeting and asked that the commission sign its own letters to avoid appearance the COG is making regulatory decisions.
RiverCOG members told the board they were uncomfortable that the Lower Connecticut River Gateway Commission has pursued litigation against a member town while RiverCOG provides administrative staffing for the commission.
Susie Beckman, who serves as RiverCOG’s administrative staff for the Gateway Commission, said she currently signs commission letters on Gateway letterhead and that practice creates confusion among town officials who think RiverCOG staff are making regulatory decisions. "There's an assumption that I'm making these decisions because I'm signing these letters and that I have more authority than I really do," Beckman said.
Board members discussed options including requiring the Gateway Commission to sign its own letters, limiting RiverCOG staff hours on commission work, or helping the commission find a new host agency. Several members urged a meeting with Gateway Commission leadership so all parties can air grievances and clarify roles.
Chair and staff directed Susie to inform the Gateway Commission that future letters should be signed by the commission chair or that staff initials should clearly indicate an administrative role. The board also voted to schedule a meeting with Gateway leadership and encouraged affected CEOs to attend.
The board framed the move as preserving the 50-year relationship while ensuring that RiverCOG remains clearly a staff/administrative provider rather than a decision-maker for the commission.
