Minutes of the Old Lyme Conservation Commission
February 1, 2006, 7:00 pm
Members: Ted Crosby (ex-officio representing Gateway Commission)
Eleanor Czarnowski
Taffy Holland
George James
David McCulloch
Tom Sherer
Mike Silberberg
Attending: Ted Crosby, Eleanor Czarnowski, Taffy Holland, George James, Agnes O’Connor, Marianne Pfeiffer, Tom Sherer, Mike Silberberg
The group voted unanimously to accept the Dec. 7 2005 minutes with changes.
New Members
Ellie introduced two new members (still waiting for letters that appoint them.) Each gave a very brief autobiography.
Marianne Pfeiffer mentioned her work with the Hart House in Saybrook, her wildflower gardens, and trail development and maintenance for Hartman Park
Agnes O’Connor listed her membership in a number of town commissions.
Site walks
Two Inland Wetlands site walks are planned for February 4th: 9:30 the Pedersen property, 11:30 the Lord Cove (Cummings) property. Agnes will email the group with details.
Budget
Ellie emailed copies to the group. She has made two changes: printing the Pesticide Awareness pamphlet has changed to $500, and two CACIWC memberships for $110 were added. The new total is $5,430.
Last year’s budget was never accepted, and Ellie said she was never notified. George suggests going to the Selectman as a need comes up. Mike suggested sending an advanced letter saying that we anticipate a particular expense might help.
Review of Plans
Broadbrook Estates subdivision on the Post Rd, near Stone’s Ranch. Agnes said Inland Wetlands has denied this application. Open Space asked that the north west corner be set aside as open space, to act as a buffer. Ellie said we need to reply to Zoning, not ignore them.
Ted said there have been long discussions about the plans. Ted reviewed the plans and objections. The wetlands should not be designated as open space. George said there should be a vegetative border between this and the Schmidt property.. The area is surrounded by CT National Guard Property that the home owners can’t walk on.
Ellie will write to Zoning saying that we disagree with the plans as submitted, and that the plans may no longer be accurate – they’re dated July 19th, 2005.
Hatchett’s Hill –(Dieboldt) He is putting in fifteen units for elderly housing on the southern piece, and he wants to change the zoning on the northern piece from industrial to residential.
Ellie questions the impact of turning industrial space to residential. Is the town trying to encourage light industry?
The property is adjacent to the Three Mile River watershed, which should be protected. Dieboldt has options on other properties too. The commission is concerned that age-restrictions should be part of the deed. Ellie will write to Zoning with the commissions concerns.
All Pro Shell Station, 85 Halls Road, opposite the A&P wants to have a 24/7 convenience store with coffee, but no cooking. This would compete with several nearby businesses – Subway and KoffeeWorks, for example, and the little stores have objected. Ellie said she objects to their current lighting, and the proposed lighting would be on all night and is not shown as shielded.
Ted said they redesigned the drainage. Agnes asked where they will put the contaminated soil. Ted said they probably won’t need to do much digging. They’re putting in a filtration system t, and the drainage system is designed to take care of a higher water table. Agnes said Wetlands OK’d it.
Tom said there will be less parked cars and more plantings. They plan to use the new Irving station on the Post Road for auto repairs. Ted said it will be open 24.7, which will increase traffic. Will there be a sign in 95?
Should an upgrade to one of the town gas stations include a requirement for providing biodiesel?
Ellie will write to Zoning with the commissions concerns.
2005 Accomplishments
Ted said we complied with the storm water requirements, mapping all storm drains.
A presentation called What is a Watershed was made to the middle school.
The commission responded to many plans.
The state recognized our greenways designations.
We launched the PRCD initiative.
We studied the Allegheny ant mounds and made recommendations not to use pesticides. (Ellie will write to Carnell telling him we won’t use pesticides, and that mowing discourages them from spreading).
Strategic Plan
The plan will be updated and put on the web page.
High
Water
Support implementation of ground water testing for new homes
Open space and resource management
Inventory of open space – George passed out a list of 2006 parcels, farm land,
Develop a forest and trail maintenance plan (Open Space to come up with a plan)
Quality of life (noise, light, air)
Review and reduce commercial outdoor light pollution
Publicize examples of acceptable fixtures for building inspector and property owners – this was done, we will do it again
Define development that will have least detrimental impact on town from conservation standpoint
Recreation
Advertise town open space for hiking/biking and water access in brochure and on www. The Open Space website refers to the Old Lyme Conservation Trust descriptions
Define goals for water access and use of public land
Add GIS information
Education
Publicize homeowner impact
Organize and host another development forum
Decide on a topic for town quarterly newsletter - need volunteers to write this – about 6 sentences
Policy and Planning
Both PRCD and MFR – George says these should be part of workshops
Revisit PRCD and MFR with open space in mind
Park and Recreation area is required for every development.
Linked greenway
Medium
Water
Develop a list of significant groundwater impacts
Open space and resource management
Rebuild the Bucky Brook crossing on Ames property
Identify critical habitats and develop a management plan
Quality of Life (noise, light, air)
Promote biodiesel fuel
Reduce housing density
Recreation
Create a bike and pedestrian route along 156 in concert with EDC – echo-tourism
Education
Create program to promote public awareness of conservation issues (Rogers Lake)
Policy and Planning
Promote the sale and planting of non-invasive plants, and plants for wetlands and berms
Develop a “conservation zone” and present to zoning commission – move this to PRCD
Low
Water
Lobby commissions to support Gateway Commission standards and storm water ordinance
Monitor riverside construction efforts to protect habitat and reduce runoff
Education
Advertise our committee, solicit input
GIS application
School community service - move this up
Goals for 2006
Ted: Get commission members to help marking storm water drains – catch basins – where water goes to LI Sound. Attach storm water notices to concrete markers
Ellie: Town forum – either conservation commission or Open Space. Ted: hold a workshop on Open Space at the Senior Center. Zoning, Planning, developers and attorneys were invited to the last one. Ellie said we should send out invitations two months in advance, and provide food.
George: Focus on the Planning Commission. GIS status should be an agenda item.
Ellie: Formulate presentation on PRCD. George should do it. Planning, Open Space, Conservation Commission.
Topic: Conservation easements. The state is weak. We need to strengthen easement verbiage. Zoning and Planning are not following the waiver laws. Ted said the IRS has not ruled on taxing easements. They may disallow tax write-offs for some easements.
Tom said many people in town are horrified by the amount of forest clearing for developments. We need stronger language. Zoning regulations almost mandate clear-cutting. There should be a forest buffer between houses. Re-grading means cutting trees. The replanting requirement is ignored. Agnes said no one enforces it, even in wetlands
Ask Wetlands, Planning, Open Space to submit items
Ted: Pass George’s agenda to other commissions for their input. Ellie: Restrict speakers to ten minutes. Requires food!
Ellie asked the group to review the Open Space Land Acquisition Protocol.
Assignments
Ellie will write Broadbrook, Hatchett’s Hill, Shell Gas Station letters to Zoning
Agnes will email the group with details of site walks
Ellie will write to Carnell about ant mounds
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