MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, September 8, 2015 at 7:00 P.m.
Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street
Chairman Walter Smith called the meeting to order at 6:58pm.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Walter Smith, Robert Fish, Emily Grochowski, Richard Esty, Pat Ingellis, Nina Garrett
Members Absent: Jerry Brophy
Staff: Sandy Prisloe, Environmental Planner; Meryl Moskowitz, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
MOTION to approve the meeting minutes of August 11, 2015 with revision of the word “ell” changed to “eel” on page 2, second paragraph; MADE by R. Finch; SECONDED by R. Esty; VOTED IN FAVOR: W. Smith, N. Garrett, R. Esty, R. Fish, E. Grochowski; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
- Correspondence and Announcements
Environmental Planner Sandy Prisloe announced there will be a meeting of CACIWC on Sat. Nov 14, in Wallingford.
W. Smith announced the following:
- Steven Tagliatela of Saybrook Point Inn & Spa and Maryam Elahi, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Eastern CT will host a reception for “Save Plum Island” on Thursday, Sept 10 at Saybrook Point Inn
- The Grow Smart Regional Summit will be held September 22 in Haddam
- A public information meeting on the reconstruction of North Main Street will take place on Monday Sept 21 at Town Hall
- The Rockfall Foundation announces its grant cycle, generally awarded to projects that contribute to environmental education of the public, or that are beneficial to improving the environment
- The Rockfall Foundation will celebrate “Public Lands and Open Spaces” September 24 at Goodspeed in Haddam, with Commissioner Robert Klee of DEEP
Pat Ingellis arrived at 7:02pm.
W. Smith circulated a Hartford Courant article on “Killer Phrag.”
- Sea Level Rise Climate Adaptation Committee
The Sea Level Rise Committee will present to the Board of Finance and the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, Sept 15 about its findings and recommendations. S. Prisloe reported that a tide gauge was installed by the USGS at Harbor One Marina to collect data on tides, weather and more.
- Sustainable Saybrook – No report.
- Wetlands and Aquifer Commissions – No report.
- Newsletter
N. Garrett reported she is aiming for end of October for completion of the next issue. The inaugural summer issue has been distributed at different locations in town including the library, Estuary Council of Seniors, Chamber of Commerce, to name a few. S. Prisloe stated that 50 requests for email subscriptions had been received online.
- The Preserve: Management Committee
W. Smith reported on signage he has observed in and around The Preserve. The Committee is looking at trails and determining which to keep and maintain, and then will produce a map. E. Grochowski inquired about who to contact to lead a hike inside the Preserve. W. Smith will inquire.
IV. PROJECT UPDATES
- Vernal Pools and Butterfly Garden
R. Esty is compiling data for this year. He will be asking for another leader to help next year so more pools can be evaluated and more High School students can participate.
The gardens are planted. R. Esty will work with the Public Works Department to help with more plantings and mulch.
B. Natural Heritage Tour Brochure
W. Smith informed the group about a silver maple tree on Nehantic Street, with a 19 foot circumference. He has asked Glenn Dreyer from Connecticut College to examine and measure the tree, and if a 19 ft circumference is verified, to include it in the revision of the Notable Trees brochure. He asked that Judy Preston, the initial author of the brochure, be asked to revise the text.
There was a discussion about updating the Natural Heritage Tour brochure. W. Smith asked that members take the Heritage Tour walk and discuss their recommendations at next month’s meeting. E. Grochowski suggested a mobile-friendly version be produced. Updates may include information on The Preserve, Crystal Lake, and removal of Oyster River Overlook.
MOTION to ask Judy Preston to submit a bid to revise the text of the Notable Trees Brochure; MADE by R. Esty; SECONDED by N. Garrett; VOTED IN FAVOR: W. Smith, R. Esty, N. Garrett, P. Ingellis, E. Grochowski, R. Fish; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 6-0-0.
- The Nature of Old Saybrook Symposium
E. Grochowski confirmed 18 participants in the Symposium, a lecture from the Sea Level Rise Committee, a talk with Judy Preston about the Long Island Sound study, and a light bulb swap with Eversource. Final details of the Symposium were reviewed, including a discussion of a video presentation loop that would be played in the entry.
V. NEW BUSINESS
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Conservation Commission which will be Tuesday, October 13, 2015, 7:00 P.M., Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 302 Main Street; MADE by N. Garrett; SECONDED by R. Esty; VOTED IN FAVOR: W. Smith, R. Esty, N. Garrett. P. Ingellis, E. Grochowski, R. Fish; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 6-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Meryl Moskowitz, Recording Clerk
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