Minutes of the Old Lyme Conservation Commission
February 7th, 2007, 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: Eleanor Czarnowski, Paul Dean, Taffy Holland, George James; Agnes O’Connor; David McCulloch, Marianne Pfeiffer, Tom Sherer
1. December Minutes
The group accepted the December Minutes.
2. December Action Items
Ellie hasn’t spoken to Tim yet.
3. 2007 Meeting Dates, and Swearing In
Ellie said everyone should get sworn in.
We will meet on the second Wednesday in July, the 9th, instead of the first.
4. Town Hall Renovation Update
Agnes said there was some confusion in the town between the town hall and school budgets. The renovation vote passed by a little over 500 votes. David said the plans are almost final now, and the costs may be reduced.
5. Zoning Regulation Changes
The proposed changes to the PRCD and MFR regulations concerning open space are still to be decided.
6. Natural Resources Inventory
Ellie said we need to complete the Natural Resources inventory. It is required for State grants. It must be a 2007 agenda item. For an example, look at the Guilford web page:
The inventory consists mostly of GIS maps that are available on the web. They need to be selected and compiled for Old Lyme. David says he will ask CRERPA to help us. Jane Marsh is probably our liaison.
Ellie asked what else is in the works for 2007. Paul said he is working with Dave Roberge on his committee.
Agnes asked which commission can stop clear cutting. Ellie said Zoning and Planning. Paul said Planning permits it. Ellie said we can propose a regulation change. It would have to be accepted by Zoning as a regulation change, and then Planning should enforce it. David says Gateway has asked all towns along the river to stop clear cutting. Ellie said Agnes could get the CRERPA Gateway zoning regulations.
George asked if Connecticut should have a catastrophic fund – for example for replacing homes and for disposing of trash after a hurricane or tornado. The FEMA maximum home replacement in Florida is $28,000. That wouldn’t pay for a Sound View cottage. Paul said Dave Roberge’s group should add this. Someone questioned whether the town is liable if they’ve allowed building in an unsuitable area, or a building that proved to be unsafe.
7. POCD Strategy 2007
While the POCD update is normally the job of the Planning Commission, all land use commissions and boards have the right to provide inputs. Ellie was to inform the Planning Commission of our willingness to get directly involved.
8. Open Space Priorities and Stewardship
Ellie asked if anyone has anything to add to Diana’s list of open space priorities that she emailed the group. If so, please send your comments to Diana. Ellie said the spreadsheet looks ok to her. David asked if the commission should make a statement backing wetlands. Ellie said we have already made a statement of support. David asked to see the letter Ellie referred to.
9. Pesticide Awareness Video
The group viewed the video Our Children at Risk (www.grassrootsinfo.org ), and David handed out his pesticide list with specific information – and a list of the pesticides used on the Town Woods fields. He has given WPCA copies of the same material. George said WPCA’s interest is limited to septic systems. George wants to extend their interest to contamination of ground water. WPCA is the next step, since they’re a regulatory agency.
He persuaded them to put in a test well. Two new fields are coming soon. DEP will give advice and aid to towns interested in going organic. Both the selectmen of Lyme and Old Lyme have submitted a request to the DEP to be provided technical information about organic application of materials to the town playing fields.
We decided to go to the PTOs and churches and show the film. This might put pressure on the selectmen. Taffy will order five more copies of the film. Ellie will supply contact names for the churches. The congregational Church has a forum every Sunday. We will try to get an open date. Paul said his wife is the chairperson of the Center School PTO. He took the video for her to look at. He suggested we go to David Klein first, since he goes to every PTO meeting.
Tom said anecdotal information is useful – he wondered what the incidence of Asthma, Childhood Leukemia, etc is in other countries.
Dave said the first three years of going organic are the most expensive. Since the current fields have been treated with pesticides for four years already, we’re at an optimum time to go organic. He said EPA was told to establish safe levels of pesticides ten years ago, but they have yet to do so.
David said the garden club has written to the selectmen asking the town to go organic. The Lyme selectman plans to go organic.
10. Other Items
Ellie went through the mail. Most of it is two months old. Items included the 17th Annual Long Island sound Stewardship, 2006 Habitat, Habitat Restoration (from LI Sound), announcement of CT Association of Wetland Scientists.
Someone said that docks are being permitted without notifying the committee. David said the town has written the dock criteria without asking the committee.
Assignments
Ellie will ask Tim Griswold to appoint the Conservation Commission as editors of the POCD plan.
Taffy will order five copies of Our Children at Risk.
Ellie, etc. will supply contact names for the churches and PTOs.
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