MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 7:00 P.m.
Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street
Members Present
Robert Fish
Richard Esty
Kimberley Gallagher
Emily Grochowski
Walter Smith
Members Absent
Jerry Brophy
Pat Ingellis
Land Use Department Staff Present
Sandy Prisloe, Environmental Planner
Meryl Tsagronis, Recording Clerk
Also present was Bob Lorenz of Ingham Hill Road, Old Saybrook
Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes from the Conservation Commission’s Regular Meeting of April 9, 2013 as presented; MADE by R. Esty; SECONDED by W. Smith; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. Fish, R. Esty, W. Smith, E. Grochowski; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
Vernal Pool Project – Richard Esty
Richard Esty presented a revised promotional sheet about vernal pools, entitled “Old Saybrook Vernal Pool Project”. He plans to add photos and to post at Town Hall. Robert Fish offered to submit the information to “Old Saybrook Events” for their next quarterly publication. Sandy Prisloe offered to distribute copies at the Land Use counter. It was suggested that a sentence be added requesting residents to contact the Commission if they have a vernal pool on their property.
Sustainable Saybrook Support
Emily Grochowski reported that she is satisfied with the progress of the Sustainable Saybrook survey. E. Grochowski reported on the clean up last month, and how the area of the causeway seemed to be an area of particular concern; as well as cigarettes on the ground at traffic stops. It was suggested that high school students may be recruited for community service to help with clean up efforts in these areas.
Walter Smith asked to discuss a possible lecture series at The Kate. R. Fish suggested he give Jerry Brophy a summary of the types of programming they would want to have. W. Smith and E. Grochowski will come back to the Commission with recommendations for speakers. Some suggestions from members were the topics of preparedness, the rise of sea level, and recycling for the business community.
Kim Gallagher arrived at 7:30pm.
Water Quality Projects
W. Smith reported he is ready to go but must wait until September.
Regional Trailway Projects
There was no report, however there was a discussion about developing the section of trail from Founders Park to Coulter Street. S. Prisloe is to follow up with Parks and Rec, as they had previously agreed to take responsibility for this work.
Updates
R. Fish asked R. Esty about checking out more vernal pools. He asked that he take a look at the vernal pool near Town Park, using the health of that pool to gauge the health of area pools. S. Prisloe noted that the last couple of years have been stressful on vernal pools. R. Esty would like to visit and examine the vernal pools that people already know about, then look at the land map to locate more pools. S. Prisloe offered to lead a group visit to one of the pools.
It was agreed that R. Esty will purchase some items that will be useful for the Commission, such as waders, for which he will be reimbursed with Commission funds.
R. Fish requested that funds be used to reprint the “Notable Trees”’ brochure.
A motion was passed to approve this expense.
MOTION to approve use of Conservation Commission funds toward the reprinting of the “Notable Trees” brochure; MADE by R. Esty; SECONDED by K. Gallagher; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. Fish, R. Esty, W. Smith, E. Grochowski; K. Gallagher; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
R. Fish gave an update about the beaver problem at Crystal Lake. The beaver dams are causing problems everywhere, and in some areas are causing higher water levels. He contacted Steve Gephardt to address the problem at Crystal Lake.
K. Gallagher noted the rebuilding of residences post hurricane Sandy, and queried the other members as to whether they felt it a concern of this Commission regarding the replacement of septic systems in low lying areas and there subsequent impact. All agreed it’s a serious problem, but that the septic system issue is being addressed by the WPCA.
S. Prisloe asked the Conservation Commission to approve increased payment for Constant Contact from $14 per month to $17.50 per month in order to allow the sustainability tips to be archived on a web page.~ R. Fish stated that Sustainable Saybrook has its own budget and referred this to E. Grochowski.
R. Fish stated that the budget had passed and that funding remained the same for the Conservation Commission at approximately $3,000, and Sustainable Saybrook has a budget of $2,500.
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Conservation Commission which will be Tuesday, June 11, 2013, 7:00 P.M., Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 302 Main Street; MADE by K. Gallagher; SECONDED by R. Esty; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. Fish, R. Esty, W. Smith, E. Grochowski; K. Gallagher; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Meryl Tsagronis, Recording Clerk
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