COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMAN- The First Selectman commented that this was going to be a one item agenda to discuss management of the Preserve, which will likely be acquired some time in March. It will have a conservation easement placed on it and there will be a management committee of two, the State and the Town. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) will be a non-voting member. Our ordinances require that open space acquired by the Town be under the control of Parks and Recreation. Bob Fish and Ray Allen commented about the Town’s
existing open space and identified it on a map brought by Mr. Fish. Regulations and stewardship were discussed. There is currently a Memorandum of Agreement committee that was established some time ago for Great Cedars. The idea would be to have another working group similar to that established for both short term goals and long term goals. The purpose of this meeting was to gather many of the stakeholders with an interest to hear their thoughts.
V. Discussion on the Preserve
At this time, all members in the room identified themselves. Noteworthy were representatives from TNC, Trust for Public Land (TPL), Old Saybrook Land Trust, Essex Land Trust (Bob Nussbaum), Westbrook Land Trust (Greg Elliott), a mountain biking and hiking club, Sandy Prisloe, Old Saybrook Environmental Planner, Tom Degnan, forester, former First Selectwoman Barbara Maynard, Kathy Connolly, Chris Cryder and many other friends of the Preserve.
Kathy Connolly spoke next regarding management issues that then became topics for the evening: encroachment issues, boundary issues, signage issues as one goes from one piece of open space to the next. Unified signage amongst the three Preserve properties is desired. She and many others in the room were concerned that connections be made to all other adjoining pieces. Mr. Nussbaum was thankful that language in the Management Agreement was inserted stating it was a goal to connect to the Essex piece. Mr Gregory stated that Westbrook will be looking to acquire nearby open space with a grant and will want to be an important part of the ecotourism as the main entry is likely to be in Westbrook off Route 153.
One of the pressing concerns was motorized vehicles, whether it is dirt bikes, ATV’s or snowmobiles. Signage should immediately be placed stating this type of activity is prohibited. This activity does occur frequently and the issue is enforcement. The Old Saybrook Police Department has ATV’s that sometimes do patrol in the Preserve. However, a citizen joined in that when the Town and State partner with hiking groups, those groups can be the eyes and ears of enforcement. There was concern that signs also get torn down. Kate Brown indicated that grant money is available and that TPL is not looking to hold this money for too long (2-3 years). In the end, it was agreed that there should immediately be unified messaging about what is NOT allowed so some violators will stop immediately.
A discussion was also had to discuss trail closings and design and what trails will be multi-use. A citizen commented that this land should be “conserved and preserved”. In other words, yes there should be activity like hiking and biking but there should also be awareness about areas where people should not go due to flora/fauna sensitivity and protection. It was suggested that we contact and possibly hire a particular person at the Connecticut Forest and Trail Association to assist with trail design. Tom Degnan and Sandy Prisloe discussed GIS and that there is currently available, in pdf format, lots of GIS information.
Kathy Connolly commented on the availability and updating, if necessary, of a species map.
First Selectman Fortuna reviewed the Management Agreement and the Easement with the public.
It was agreed that an ad hoc committee should be set up at the next Board of Selectmen meeting. The Committee shall set the short and long term priorities, hear from consultants and recommend to the First Selectman on actions that should be taken now and in the future.
First Selectman Fortuna agreed to do so. |
