East Haddam Special Town Meeting on Land Dedication and Easements

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East Haddam leaders face two property decisions during a special town meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, 2026.

The meeting, which begins at 8:00 p.m. at the Municipal Office Complex in Moodus, centers on the permanent preservation of local open space and the formalization of construction access for residents on AP Gates Road. According to a legal notice issued by the town, the session will determine whether the municipality accepts a large land gift and enters into several easement agreements.

The stakes for the community involve both environmental conservation and the logistical ability to maintain local infrastructure. If approved, the town will expand its protected acreage, while simultaneously securing the legal rights necessary to manage construction and access near residential properties.

A 40-acre addition to open space

The first item on the agenda involves a land transfer that would increase the town's natural resources. The Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Selectmen have recommended that the town accept a Warranty Deed from Joseph Sina and Janice Sina.

This conveyance involves a portion of the property located at 26 Daniels Road. The land, which comprises approximately 40.518 acres, is intended to be dedicated exclusively to open space. A map prepared by Dutch & Associates Land Surveyors on May 12, 2026, serves as the technical basis for this boundary, and the document has been filed in the East Haddam Land Records as Map #5053.

For the town, accepting this deed means a long-term commitment to managing these 40 acres as non-development land. While such gifts provide ecological value and preserve the rural character of East Haddam, they also place the responsibility of land stewardship on the municipal budget and planning departments.

Securing access on AP Gates Road

The second major portion of the meeting addresses utility and movement rights through a series of easement agreements. The Board of Selectmen has recommended that the town enter into permanent access and construction easements for three specific properties on AP Gates Road.

These legal arrangements are designed to ensure that the town has the necessary permissions to conduct work or provide access through these private parcels. The proposed agreements involve the following residents:

  • 58 AP Gates Road: A corrective permanent access and construction easement agreement with Arthur J. Wasley, Jr. and Toni S. Wasley.
  • 61 AP Gates Road: A permanent access and construction easement agreement with Andrew N. Priest and Joann M. Priest.
  • 63 AP Gates Road: A permanent access and construction easement agreement with Jennifer L. Pinard.

The inclusion of a “corrective” easement for the Wasley property suggests a need to amend or fix a previous legal description to ensure the town’s rights are accurately recorded. Such measures are common in municipal management to prevent future litigation or confusion during infrastructure repairs or roadwork.

Todd H. Gelston, serving as the First Selectman, is authorized by the resolution to execute and deliver these easements on behalf of the municipality once the town meeting concludes its vote. The documents for these easements are available for public review at the office of the Town Clerk.

The meeting will take place in Meeting Rooms 1 and 2 of the Municipal Office Complex, located at 1 Plains Road in Moodus, Connecticut.

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