The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members in Attendance: R. Fish, K. Gallagher, P. Ingellis, B. Sherwin, R. Siegelman.
Members Absent: J. Brophy.
Staff and Visitors in Attendance: C. Nelson, S. Prisloe, M. Farbotka, Walter Smith.
Approval of Minutes from August 9 Regular Meeting: MOTION to approve the minutes from the August 9, 2011 meeting as presented; MOVED by: B. Sherwin; SECONDED by: P. Ingellis; VOTING IN FAVOR: B. Fish, P. Ingellis, B. Sherwin, R. Siegelman,; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: K. Gallagher; APPROVED: 4-0-1.
Approval of Minutes from August 16 Special Meeting:
MOTION to approve the minutes from the August 16, 2011 special meeting as presented; MOVED by: B. Sherwin; SECONDED by: P. Ingellis; VOTING IN FAVOR: B. Fish, P. Ingellis, B. Sherwin, R. Siegelman; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: K. Gallagher; APPROVED: 4-0-1.
Approval of Minutes from September 6 Special Meeting:
MOTION to approve the minutes from the September 6, 2011 special meeting as presented; MOVED by: B. Sherwin; SECONDED by: R. Siegelman; VOTING IN FAVOR: B. Fish, P. Ingellis, B. Sherwin, R. Siegelman; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: K. Gallagher; APPROVED: 4-0-1
Begin Development of a Local Sustainability Plan:
-Set measurable goals
-Establish baselines
-Support the Sustainable Saybrook website
Chairman Fish reviewed with the Commission a report titled “ICLEI’s Top 10 Keys to Sustainability”, which he feels is a good outline for us to follow. It was agreed to follow these steps toward a sustainability plan for the Town of Old Saybrook, including making a presentation to the Selectmen when we have something to show them.
B. Fish presented a draft of “measurable goals” as examples for the plan and the Sustainable Saybrook website.
B. Fish also presented an example of one of these goals, CFL disposal, for the commission to review and comment. For example, a one year goal would be to implement proper disposal of CFLs at the transfer station, and develop a way to encourage residents to use it. Measurements could be made of the number collected. S. Prisloe suggested offering a survey to town residents to see what household products they routinely use, and their method of disposing of them.
B. Sherwin showed an example of a Canadian town that is promoting sustainability. The Commission reviewed it and used it as a guide to determine the elements of a plan and how best to post these on the website.
K. Gallagher suggested simplifying the mission statement to clearly state the intention of sustainability:
“We live in Old Saybrook because of the quality of life it provides; we would like this quality of life to continue for generations to come”.
“What we do now affects the future of the town”.
Discussion was held at length regarding how to categorize and post information. R. Siegelman suggested posting past Conservation Commission accomplishments (e.g., the Heritage tour) to the site. The commission agreed.
Various commission members signed on to write brief definitions of each category, along with a corresponding report / article. These will be reviewed at the next regularly scheduled meeting:
B. Fish: Energy Conservation
C. Nelson: Open space / land acquisition; Shelter (affordable housing)
S. Prisloe: Environment
Walter Smith: Water
R. Siegelman: Sea Level Rise
P. Ingellis: Stewardship
B. Sherwin: Education
K. Gallagher: Health
Other Updates:
Christine Nelson discussed the upcoming Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan which needs to be updated every 5 years. She requested volunteers to contribute their ideas. Meetings will be held on Wednesdays from 2-4 from September thru January, 2012.
Adjournment:
The Commission adjourned at 9:19 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall, 2nd floor conference room, 302 Main Street.
Respectively submitted:
Maura S. Farbotka
Recording Clerk
