GOSHEN CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES REGULA MEETING
DECEMBER 5, 2012
CALL TO ORDER; Chairman Anders Nygren called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M.
ATTENDANCE: Anders Nygren, Joan Lang, Audra and Chris Allen. Excused absence Barry Donaldson, absent, Chris Marino.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the October 3, 2012 meeting were presented for approval. A MOTION WAS MADE BY Chris Allen seconded by Audra Allen to approve said minutes. There was no discussion, SO VOTED. Due to snow storm, the November meeting was cancelled.
OLD BUSINESS: Perennial Bed Maintenance – The Fall Maintenance of the Perennial Beds was done by Anders Nygren, Barry Donaldson, Audra & Chris Allen on November 17th & 18th.
North Goshen New Trail Work: Any work on the new trail will be put on hold until spring.
Title 67 Update: No update for this meeting. First Selectman Wilrose Duquette will be seeking a legal opinion from Town Council on the questions raised relative to the appropriation of funds for land acquisition and would report back to the Commission on the matter.
Title 45: A brief discussion was held on the funding of Title 45. Said Title 45 is a Town Fund set up for acquiring development rights and agricultural property. It was noted that the State at this time, is providing the funds for acquisition of development rights and agricultural lands.
Town Topics Article: Sought was the date for the next Town Topics. The article on the Goshen Trails has been submitted for the next issue and The Town Administration Office would be reminded that the article be included in the next Town Topics.
Commission Member Vacancy: Anders Nygren reported that the First Selectman is working on filling the vacant position. Commission members were asked to help in the search and it was suggested that a notice be put in the Town Topics that a position is open.
490 Open Space Prioritization: On hold until next meeting.
490 Open Space Update: Work was done by Audra Allen and Anders Nygren to update the wording on the bottom of Page 4 as it relates to the Definitions of Open Space. The Commission members present approved of the following: Definitions of Open Space
The Connecticut General Statutes) Section 12-1-7b( c ) provides a definition of Open Space as follows:
MINUTES GOSHEN CONSERVATION COMMISSION
DECEMBER 5, 2012
PAGE 2 OF 2
It means any area of land, including forest land, land designated as wet land under CGS Section 22a-30 and not excluding farm land.
The preservation or restriction of use of which would
(A) Maintain and enhance the conservation of natural or scenic resources
(B) Protect natural streams or water supply
(C) Promote conservation of soils, wetlands, beaches or tidal marshes
(D) Enhance the value to the public of abutting or neighboring parks, forests, wildlife
Preserves, nature reservations or sanctuaries or other open spaces
(E) Enhance public recreation opportunities
(F) Preserve historic sited
(G) Promote orderly urban or suburban development
The town of Goshen subdivision regulations further defines Open Space as follows:
Open Space included, but shall not be limited to; land left in its natural, undisturbed state; protected agricultural land; land areas and facilities for non-commercial, non-profit recreation; and similar land areas for wildlife habitat protection, passive and active recreation, groundwater recharge, scenic or historic preservation and the like.
It was agreed that any changes in the numbers as they appear on pages 5 & 6 be put on hold until we get closer to the completion date for the update. The Commission members would continue to give further review to the wording and any clerical changes that might be found in the document. To be sought is the current number of acres being held under the State farm land development rights and Anders Nygren would contact Andrew Roraback on the matter.
New Business: Meeting Schedule for 2013-Said 2013 meeting schedule was presented to the Commission for review and said schedule was approved and would be placed on file with the Goshen Town Clerk.
There was no other business to come before the meeting. A MOTION TO ADJOURN was made by Audra Allen seconded by Chris Allen. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 P.M.
Respectively submitted,
GOSHEN CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Joan M. Lang, Commission Clerk
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