Town of North Stonington
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes
May 26, 2011 @ 6 pm
Meeting called to order @ 6:06 pm
Commissioners in attendance: Blodgett, Fleury a, Ricker, Speh
Notes from previous meetings approved 2-0-2
Presentation from Karen Leiper was made to the CC regarding her Girl Scout project to develop a butterfly garden at Hewitt Farm. Commissioners and two members of the recently formed Hewitt Farm Committee, Nita Kincaid and Dick Cooper received more detailed information regarding her project and approved her plan. Karen and Cooper will walk the property and decide on a suitable location.
Discussion on signage at Hewitt Farm (3) with both parties present settled on the wording and 2’ x 4’ sign design. White “Hewitt Farm” lettering on a maroon ribbon background with “do’s and don’ts” listed on the left, the map showing roadways on the right and the town seal on the lower right. Specific trails will not be added as they will change and evolve with resultant trail heads maps being made for hikers. Kincaid will revise the presented design and add the map before going to the BOS for approval.
At Lakeview North the sign will be the same design, with some modifications to the wording and the map will have trails identified. This design will also go to the BOS for approval before printing.
Officer & Committee reports:
Speh reported that the DEP has made no progress on the purchase of the Schweitzer property bordering Asseconk Swamp and Mystic Road. Speh will again contact their land acquisition department for an update.
Ricker raised the question as to why we have postponed discussing with the State the possible trading of land until the Schweitzer property is settled. Might we approach them to trade the 14 +/- acres along the north side of Asseconk Swamp bordering Pinecrest Rd for the equivalent acreage between Asseconk Swamp and the Rocky Hollow Recreation Area? Speh will first discuss with the First Selectman to determine his continued interest and report back to the CC for our action.
The mapping of all State, municipal, and private trails in town has run into some snags. The support people who expressed interest in walking and providing GPS coordinates have not come through. Ryan’s resignation from the CC adds to the dilemma. All State, municipal and open space trails have been completed with some GPS work still to be done. The Mashantuckets are soon to complete their trail mapping for our use. Private land holders have been reluctant to allow trespassing on their land even though they are held harmless for such hiking. Litter, glass breakage, motorcycle disturbance and leaving cattle gates open have been the common concerns.
What trails need to be GPS filed, whether we can use topo maps instead, and whether we use the old maps and roads needs further discussion.
New Business:
John Ryan needed to resign due to a change in his working conditions and resultant excessive travel. Joe Spano’s appointment has not been brought before the BOS although they have had his bio for several weeks. We now are two members short. Speh suggested John Olsen be contacted as a possible member. Ricker will follow up.
A check for $50 was received from the Groton Sportsman Club following our request for donations for trail signs. Thank you letter sent.
Concern was expressed regarding the perimeter piping at Buon Appitito. The fear regards contaminates around the restaurant, the parking lot, and oil fill tank discharging on top of the aquifer considerably further than the survey plans identify. Motion made and seconded to send a letter to the BOS regarding the conservation restriction and violation.
Passed: 4-0-0
Adjourned 9:10 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Ricker, scribe
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