CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (CMC)
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
8:30 A.m.
Town Hall – First Floor Conference Room
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER-All members present. Also present were: Chris Cryder, Susan Esty, Cathy Connolly, Judy Preston, Bob Lorenz, Town Planner Christine Nelson, David Gumbart from The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Ray Allen (P & R Director) and Honor Lawler from Trust for Public Land (TPL).
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC-Cathy Connolly commented that she would like to see meadow grass planted in the Route 153 parking lot. Judy Preston commented that the ad hoc committee would like to see the meeting minutes of CMC meetings.
COMMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE-None at this time
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-None
BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
Update on the Preserve Parking Lot- Comments were positive. The lot is being used.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between State, Old Saybrook and Westbrook (we also need to vote on this as well). One more draft has to go the Attorney General’s Office (AGO). Looks like the revisions requested by Westbrook are ok with the CMC. Carl Fortuna said he would try to get a final draft out within one week.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Preserve Forest Stewardship Plan – TPL will be the point of contact after their revisions. This is done to keep the AGO out of the mix. It was moved to put the revised RFP out to bid, seconded. Discussion was that the rfp should be out for about 21 days. It will be posted on the Town website and DAS. Companies will also be solicited. Moved and approved.
Update on Invasive Species Control Efforts- Cathy Connolly stated there has been pretty good success eliminating or controlling the various invasives. She will continue the efforts in late February. She would also like to keep planting natives where possible. Phragmites control in the bog will be considered for July, 2018. David Gumbart said he took a walk and will try to map where he sees some small populations of invasives.
OTHER BUSINESS A letter to the CMC from the ad hoc committee was received (see attachment) and discussed. Will Hochholzer will see if the State can help with a few of these issues. With regard to waste removal, it was agreed hiring a private contractor might be the best way. Chris Cryder mentioned he was also very concerned about the wooden bridge on the red trail at Ingham Hill Road. He then asked David Gumbart whether he notices any “widow makers”, i.e., trees that should be removed. Mr. Gumbart said he did not notice any in particular but he was looking for other things on his walk so that does not mean there were not any. Mr. Hochholzer noted the State policy is not to proactively take down dead trees that might fall on trails but rather only if those trees have a target (camp site, for
instance).
A conversation then ensued about bikers and how they often maintain trails but have also built up to 3 miles of new trails. Discussion was had about involving an organization of biking enthusiasts to assist with this.
There was also discussion emanating from the ad hoc about moving a small portion of one trail away from the bog because it is under water from beaver activity. Mr. Hochholzer suggested that would be ok but would need a NDDB review prior to doing this.
Chris Cryder asked of the status of new trail mapping. Will Hochholzer will look into this at his office.
ADJOURNMENT- First Selectman Fortuna adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Carl P. Fortuna Jr.
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