
Regional Planning Committee
Our region’s identity is defined by the Connecticut River, surrounding valley, adjacent shoreline and the cultural, historic, scenic, and environmental assets contained in our seventeen communities. Planning for the future of the Lower Connecticut River Valley includes supporting the vibrancy of our Main Streets and developments appropriately scaled to the carrying capacity of the land and supporting infrastructures.
RiverCOG created the Regional Planning Committee to oversee and advise the agency’s planning activities including the preparation of a Regional Plan of Conservation and Development, the review of intermunicipal referrals, and as a steering committee for other planning projects such as the Metropolitan Transportation Plan .
Membership is comprised of a locally appointed member from each municipality’s Planning & Zoning Commission, or the Planning Commission where two separate commissions exist, with an alternate appointed by the chief executive of the municipality.
Members of the River COG Regional Planning Committee
2026
Chester
Rebecca Mead
Deep River
Daniel Smith (member
Sarah Makowicki
East Hampton
Michael Kowalczyk
Killingworth
Alec Martin
Stephanie Warren
Middletown
Beth Emery
Nathaniel Spencer
Portland
Chantal Foster
Bob Ellsworth
Clinton
Lawrence Edwards
Eddie Alberino
Durham
Frank DeFelice (Chair)
Essex
Thomas Pinkowish
Carey Duques (temp)
Lyme
Mary Stone (Secretary)
Old Lyme
Howard Margules
Michael Riggio
Westbrook
Bill Neale
Marie Farrell
Cromwell
Nick Demetriades
Anthony Lacava
East Haddam
Crary Brownell
Debbie Langdon
Haddam
Raul deBrigard (Vice Chair)
Middlefield
Paul Pizzo
Old Saybrook
Doug McCracken
Michael Bender
DRAFT Schedule for 2026 Meeting Dates
4th Monday of the Month* | 7:00 PM | Meetings are held virtually via Zoom unless otherwise noted.
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January 26
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February 23
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March 23
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April 27
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May 18*
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June 22
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July 27
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August No meeting
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September 28
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October 26
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November 23
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December 14*
* This meeting has been moved to an alternate date within the calendar month due to a holiday.
Meetings and Agendas
