MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at 7:00 P.m.
Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Walter Smith
Jerry Brophy
Robert Fish
Nina Garrett
Pat Ingellis (arrived at 7:06 p.m.)
Members Absent
Richard Esty
Emily Grochowski
Land Use Department Staff Present
Sandy Prisloe, Environmental Planner
Kathleen Noyes, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes from the Conservation Commission’s Regular Meeting of May 13, 2014 as presented.; MADE by N. Garrett; SECONDED by J. Brophy; VOTED IN FAVOR: W. Smith, N. Garrett, J. Brophy; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: R. Fish; APPROVED: 3-0-1.
- Correspondence and Announcements
Town Planner Christine Nelson asked Commissioners to review the Conservation Commission’s submission for the Annual Town Report. Commissioners discussed items they’d like to add to the write-up in the report: vernal pool education study done by R. Esty with OS High School students, the Saybrook Point butterfly garden creation presentation made by R. Esty to and approved by the Parks and Recreation Department, Sustainable Saybrook’s participation in Family Day, the Sustainable Saybrook scholarship, the beaver recommendation for the Board of Selectmen and continuing to figure out if Old Saybrook could connect to the existing Regional Trailway from The Preserve, into Westbrook and northward.
- Sea Level Rise Climate Adaptation Committee
J. Brophy reported that Dr. Adam Whelchel from the CT Nature Conservancy made a presentation to the Committee in which he shared likely sea level rise projections of 36” by the year 2080. From data collection and study, Dr. Whelchel stated that there would be 1,000 acres of higher ground in Old Saybrook that will be underwater by 2080.
The next meeting of the SLRCAC is Thursday, July 10, 2014 at 3:30 p.m. at Town Hall in the First Floor Conference Room.
D. Sustainable Saybrook
R. Fish reported that there were many initiatives that E. Grochowski tried to implement this spring such as the bike tour, Old Saybrook Clean Up Day and the CT Solar Challenge. For reasons beyond her control, these events didn’t run the way E. Grochowski had hoped they would. She is hoping that next year, she will have more success with initiatives.
- Wetlands and Aquifer Protection Commissions
W. Smith said Commissioners are reviewing existing Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations and Aquifer Protection Regulations. A subcommittee is being formed to closely review and suggest changes to those regulations.
F. The Preserve
The town referendum vote is today from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Old Saybrook Senior High School.
Commissioners agree that if the town votes to approve the acquisition of The Preserve, the Conservation Commission would continue to be involved with the property particularly in the planning, maintenance and education functions germane to the conservation mission of the commission.
G. Budget - Reimbursement
The town currently allows Commissioners reimbursement for educational and representational events/workshops but does not now allow reimbursement for travel expenses. W. Smith said other towns in CT reimburse Commissioners for travel expenses. He drafted a Commission policy statement recommending this reimbursement for commissioners to vote on. It will be submitted to the land use department for language editing.
MOTION to create a policy for gas mileage reimbursement for workshops and trainings; MADE by N. Garrett; SECONDED by P. Ingellis; VOTED IN FAVOR: W. Smith, P. Ingellis, J. Brophy, N. Garrett, R. Fish; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
IV. PROJECT UPDATES
Project updates were discussed under Regular Business.
V. NEW BUSINESS -Fiscal Year Activities
The town’s fiscal year ended June 30, 2014. The commission will begin (1) reviewing and updating the Conservation Commission’s part of the Town Plan of Conservation and Development, including input form the Sea Level Rise Committee, (2) developing a recommendation for town commissions regarding recommending landscaping that is more ‘natural’ and coastal-friendly, and (3) dramatically increasing the education and outreach function of the commission.
W. Smith and N. Garrett are working on a newsletter to send out to the community. They plan to talk to E. Grochowski to enlist Sustainable Saybrook in the effort.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Conservation Commission which will be Tuesday, August 12, 2014, 7:00 P.M., Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 302 Main Street; MADE by P. Ingellis; SECONDED by R. Fish; VOTED IN FAVOR: W. Smith, P. Ingellis, J. Brophy, N. Garrett, R. Fish; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Noyes, Recording Clerk
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