NORTH STONINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
March 23, 2017 @ 6:00 pm
Minutes
Mission: For the development, conservation, supervision, and regulation of natural and historic resources, including water resources, within its territorial limits. (adopted September 2007)
Call to order: 6:05 pm
Roll Call: Bill Ricker, Arnie Vlieks, Doug Farrand, Steve Colgan, Mike Charnetski
Regrets: Tony Rose
Guests: none
Citizen Comments: none
Review of January and February 2017 Minutes: accepted as written Voted: 5-0-0
Ongoing Business:
Updates:
• Stewart Hill Preserve – All complete except tree markings covered. Mark Davin to walk the trail “soon” to add it to the State trail system.
• Arnie & Bill completed a few more trees. Arnie graphed all trees measured. We are essentially done now – the report needs to be sent into Conn College (action Bill)
• Display in Wheeler library
Explore sharing local notable tree information via Wheeler Library Website. Arnie made a map with all the trees marked on it. We have one of the displays in the library. These will remain on display until April 22. The theme of the exhibit is climate change.
• Chester Maine Bridle Trail – No word yet on the petition. Still on hold. An attorney has been retained by Jonathan Edwards. We believe they will propose a home owners’ association acquired the town owned land and plan to bring it to a town meeting for a public vote (not specified that it will be purchased). There are 16 homes along the trail.
• New trail signs.
Hangman Hill Trail needs some.
One needed at Billings Lake trailhead.
• First Selectman response to water tower/land trade e-mail.
- Discussion – Property behind EMS property (potential site) will require re-evaluation to determine suitability of siting a tower prior to approaching state for any potential land trade. – no response from BOS. Action: Nick Mullane agreed to follow up with SCWA.
• Drone discussion. CC decided not to pursue the use of a drone at this time given stringent restrictions placed on municipalities for their use. Inspections will be made as they always have been made.
Action: Bill to ask Jim Russell (GIS coordinator) to make us identification badges for monitoring private land.
• Conservation easements – several now need to be inspected.
New Business:
• CC prospect? - none
• Annual CC goals: Review and continue to work on PCRL goals & objectives
Planning, Economic Development and Zoning Officer – Julie Lemmings - sent email to all boards & commission chairs asking to meet with us to see what we’ve done in the last 3 years. (Discussion of Conservation and Recreation and development of action plan)
- What have we done – or at least be responsible for thus far.
o Trails have been marked on all town owned parcels except Chester Main Bridle Trail.
o Civic/cultural opportunities
Display related to global warming set up in the library
Community Calendars published for 4 years (CC yearly summary on inside cover).
Summary of CC actions included in the Quarterly News Letter
Recent move to develop a Pocket Park at intersection of 49 & 184
o Goal on amount of open space to be protected – hard to do this – will ask Juliette
o Have identified greenways and monitored those private CE’s under our responsibility.
o 26 letters written to property owners that we would like to have attached to our greenway. Brochure included with instructions on how to give.
o Support fee in lieu of land to be used for open space. CC has done this but it is now a stagnant issue because not much development is going on these days.
o Written letters in support of grant application for Avalonia in their quest to purchase Miller Road and Putker Road properties, letter of support and attendance at P&Z meeting in support of NSCLA purchasing the Hilare Coate property bordering Spaulding Pond for conservation).
o Guidance on the use of fertilizers and pesticides (pyrethrins) around waterways was written and distributed through the 3 town lake associations.
o Future land use map and future conservation land use maps – completed.
o To be continued next month.
• Potential Goals: Consider Trash Pick-up drive? CC decision to not take this on.
• Corner of 184 and 49 is a mess and would benefit from beautification. This is a State owned triangular parcel. ~ $ 2500 estimated to do this – much of this could be covered by donations. CC wants to support this.
o Action: Bill to send out step-by-step plan to CC; and once securing the survey, make appointment with DOT to approve it before actual work can begin. Private donations
are being noted.
• Commissioners unanimous in their support of a letter to The Day regarding the EPA director and cut backs in EPA funding for the environment.
o Action: Bill to send letter to The Day.
Handouts: The Habitat newsletter, corrected CC meeting dates for 2017
Correspondence: e-mail from Betty Perkowski (NSCLA) supporting Pocket park initiative.
Adjournment: 7:38 pm Voted: 5-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
Stephen Colgan, Secretary
| 