Minutes of the Old Lyme Conservation Commission
November 1, 2006, 7:00 pm
Members: Ted Crosby (ex-officio representing Gateway Commission)
Eleanor Czarnowski
Paul Dean
Taffy Holland
George James
David McCulloch
Agnes O’Connor
Marianne Pfeiffer
Tom Sherer
Mike Silberberg
Attending: Ted Crosby, Eleanor Czarnowski, Paul Dean, Taffy Holland, George James, David McCulloch, Agnes O’Connor, Marianne Pfeiffer, Tom Sherer, Mike Silberberg
Visitors: David Roberge, Claire Kearney (LymeLine)
The group accepted the minutes from October 4th with updates.
The order of agenda items was changed to allow the visitors to go first.
Dave Roberge, (Dir. Emergency Management, Old Lyme)
Dave handed out the draft summary of the “Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan” for Old Lyme, and an appendix listing goals and plans for implementing the plan.
The draft was published in 2005 and adopted by CRERPA on 9/16/06. It needs to be developed and finalized.
Roberge said the plan opens up funding for flood control, storm water, dam maintenance etc. He asked for help from the commission – a key person to help develop the plan, and a roadmap for developing the final plan.
Ellie said the conservation commission is only advisory. IW can enforce, and Planning administers Zoning’s rules. She said the Plan of Conservation Development (POCD) is being redeveloped, and is due by 2010. We can incorporate a lot of this material.
Ted said SLOSH maps are available on line at the GIS website. The town hall computer has more recent/inclusive maps.
October Assignments
Ellie sent John Forbis an electronic copy of the Town Hall letter to distribute it to his team.
Ted said there’s no funding yet for biodiesel.
Ellie said the Griswold contract hasn’t been signed yet, so she hasn’t sent a letter to the Griswolds.
Ellie will write to Planning and the builder with our comments on the Four Ponds plans after discussion today.
The group will suggest questions to tie in the questionnaire with the next phase of the POCD.
Town Hall Renovation Meeting
The meeting with John Forbis’ group will be at the Town hall on Monday November 6th at 4 PM. Dave will go, and Ellie urged everyone who can to attend.
Four Ponds Subdivision Letter
Ellie distributed a draft of the letter. Dave said they’ve prepared an easement for private ownership. Ellie said the homeowners shouldn’t own the easement. Ellie will add that we’ve already requested access to the open space and two parking spaces, and that we support IW’s request for organic lawn and garden care. These four ponds are a major source of water for Rogers Lake - which, in turn, is a major source for the town aquifer.
Several people asked who pays the taxes on such an easement.
Ellie asked how they’re handling runoff from the road. Ted said they should make sure that road runoff does not go directly into the ponds. Ellie will add this to her letter. Also refer them to the buffer planting brochure.
Pedersen Property
These plans are the April version. Dave said the plans were modified so that discharge won’t go into the stream, they moved the road, and made a number of other changes. IW has walked it. There are 18 house lots.
Ted said they’re going to blast to put in underground wiring. Ellie said the modified plans should include lighting details. She’ll write a generic letter about lighting, drainage, etc.
Dave suggested waiting for the latest plans. (He looked for them, but could only find another set of the April plans.)
Town Questionnaire/Rogers Lake Questionnaire
The Conservation Commission could be the coordinator for the next POCD. CC will ask each commission to submit questions for the questionnaire. George said Rogers Lake questionnaire has gone out as part of their newsletter. Its one sheet with 18 to 20 questions, and email addresses for contacts.
Natural Resources Inventory
Ellie said LULA says each town should do such an inventory. We could use GIS maps from DEP, showing roads, greenways, open space, water, houses, etc. and put it all into a large format book. Guilford's Inventory is on line. IW, Planning and Zoning will be the users. We could print a copy on transparencies.
This should be supportive documentation for the POCD to help when applying for grant money.
POCD update – 2010
Covered in other agenda items.
Lea Griswold Property Status
George said this is in limbo now.
OLCT Acquisitions
George said Nancy Griswold’s 16-acre property looks good, and Matt Griswold’s 11-acre property is progressing. Also the Felosi property is not dead yet.
Green Infrastructure
George passed out a paper “Green Infrastructure” – What is it? from Evan Griswold, listing the “hot items” at the State level – places where we don’t want development.
This is already in our regulations – we can identify these properties. We need a greater investment from the town, and this is a good structure to start from. It will be helpful for grant applications, and we can update our POCD with these items now.
Ellie said we could invite all the commissions to meet under the guise of updating the POCD in line with “Green Infrastructure”.
– 7 pm Children, Playing fields
Everyone is invited. Dave outlined the program and will send to other commissions and park and recreation people. If you go, park in the back.
Mosquito Spray – type used by town
Heidi Wallace told Ellie the mosquito spray was picked by the selectmen. Dave will ask Ron what they are using now.
PRCD Progress - MFR
Mike looked at it – he will send an email with specific recommendations from George, and for MFR (multi family residential) open space to Zoning for the December 11th hearing.
AOB
Dave said four ponds has lots of open space – 36 acres out of 60. We should promote this and help them. Ellie said she will recognize this in her letter.
Assignments
Ellie will write to Planning and the builder with our comments on the Four Ponds plans.
Conservation members will suggest questions to tie in the questionnaire with the next phase of the POCD.
Mike will send an email with specific recommendations from George, and for MFR (multi family residential) open space to Zoning for the December 11th hearing.
Dave will email commissions and park and rec. the pesticide program for Nov. 15 at DEP headquarters.
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