President's Message:

Happy Spring to All;

The CAZEO Executive Board met on March 3, 2010 to finalize the agenda for our April 7, 2010 All Day Seminar at the Villa Capri on Rte. 5 in Wallingford.   The Executive Board also discussed concerns about the tough economic times we are all currently faced with, and the reality that many municipalities are cutting back on funding for staff development.  Some towns will no longer reimburse ZEO's for attendance at CAZEO meetings.  Some ZEO's are paying for CAZEO meetings out of their own pockets.  With this in mind, the Board voted to lower the admission price for April 7th to $30 for current members and $35 for non-members and/or those members who are delinquent in their annual dues.  The Executive Board has put together an informative, timely and worth wile program that should prove to be of benefit to all attendees.

During our morning sessions we will be hearing from the Joan Nichols, Government Relations Specialist from the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association and  F. Philip Preli,  Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Connecticut. They will address pertinent aspects of land use as relates to agriculture including but not limited to: planning and zoning regulations; inland wetlands regulations; Plans of Conservation and Development, Right to Farm law and local Right to Farm ordinances.

We all know that zoning violations are civil matters that are typically heard in civil court. But did you know that some zoning violators could be prosecuted in criminal court and actually face jail time? These circumstances will be addressed in our afternoon session by a dynamic and informative guest speaker. Judith R. Dicine, Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney for Statewide Housing Matters of the New Haven Superior Court will provide detailed information to assist ZEO's with the enforcement and prosecution of zoning violations in Housing Court.  In addition, Ms. Dicine will outline circumstances making it prudent for ZEO's to obtain a search warrant as part of the enforcement process.    You really can't afford to miss this one!

With the current economic downturn in mind, the Executive Board voted to cancel the August 4,2010 (Field Trip) Meeting.  It was also proposed that in 2011 CAZEO  go from a format of bi-monthly meetings to one of quarterly meetings thereby reducing our annual meetings from six to four.  While most Board members concurred that this proposed reduction may have some financial merit, there was a consensus that such a move needs input from the general membership.  Therefore,  we will bring this up as part of our Business Meeting agenda for discussion by all CAZEO members present on April 7th. 

Please plan to join us on April 7th for a dynamic all-day seminar, and to let your feelings  be known about the proposed change in venue for our future CAZEO meetings.

Joe Larkin, CZEO
CAZEO President