NORTH STONINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
North Stonington New Town Hall
July 28, 2011 @ 6:00 pm
Minutes
Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm
Present: Bill Ricker, Chair, Dick Blodgett, vice. Chair, Bob Fleury, tres., Warren Speh, Joe Spano, Pat Lewis, alt.
Joe Spano introduced as new permanent member.
Previous minutes included the letter to BOS regarding concern of our commission.
Letter read from First Selectman regarding confirmation of Speh through August 2013 and Spano through November 2011. There was confusion regarding dates as this creates the termination of 4 CC members (Fleury, Blodgett, Lewis and not Spano) all within the same year 2011. Commissioners asked Ricker to write First Selectman asking him to correct the terms in compliance with the town ordinance governing the Conservation Commission.~ Fleury is correct as is,~ Blodgett’s reappointment last year needs to be corrected from a one year term to a five year term in compliance with the ordinance, Lewis is correct as is, and Spano needs to be corrected.~
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Commissioners agreed to renew membership in CACIWC
Old Business:
Lakeview North signage approved by BOS and commissioners. Ricker to move forward with printing following Tate revising map to include boundaries. Cooper’s picture of alternate signage consistent with Camaro Signs in Norwich. Commissioners would rather support local business.
The First Selectman’s response to our letter regarding infringement on the Hewitt Farm property and our support of the text amendment change for Meadowcourt was read.
The map designs forwarded to us were indeed different from the completed replaced septic installation. In our view the system was not a repair, but a replacement as the old system failed, was removed, all new material brought in, and a new improved system in a similar location installed.
Asking us to be as concerned about the products placed on the hay fields was not addressed by us as we were in support of the BOS requiring “best practice management” as defined in the documents given to the farmer for compliance.
Regarding the text amendment response, it appears the First Selectman feels we are writing in support of the whole application when we only addressed the text amendment change as requested. Commissioners asked Ricker to write to the BOS clarifying both points.
Speh reviewed updates on the Schweitzer property and the complete hopeful land trade possibility in securing land for the town adjacent to the Rocky Hollow Recreation Area.
New Business:
One stated task of the CC is to keep our public informed of issues important to conservation. A recent article in Connecticut’s Agricultural Report, a letter of request from The CT Farmland Trust, and a news article in Time magazine pertaining to the future of America’s farms were discussed. It was decided that Ricker to call the Ex. Dir. of The CT Farmland Trust and determine if they acted on his request to contact our farmers directly. If they have not, we will write to each and include the first two items, but not the Time article as it was likely not pertinent to our small farm operations.
Coincidently, the law regarding forestry land in a 10 mil assessment expires October 1, 2011. The CC has been asked by the First Selectman and Tax Assessor, as a courtesy, to inform the land owners of 10 such parcels, that they need to act on changing their land status or be subject to a significant tax increase. They should be asked to contact our assessor for details.
Review of Goals & Tasks:
Most tasks are either updated within the last year or completed. Complete trail mapping still in progress.
Letter from Vanasse Hangen Brustin, Inc regarding the SBC towers either near Billings Lake or North West Corner Rd was discussed. Commissioners felt it would be futile to respond as it has been determined by the courts that they have a right to placement as long as it meets their specified requirements.
Motion & seconded to adjourn @ 8:50 pm. 5-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
Pat Lewis, secretary pro tem
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