Minutes of the Old Lyme Conservation Commission
April 4th, 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
Visitors: Joe Montanaro and Jeff Wren (Osprey Landing), Judith Preston (Tidewater Institute)
1. Osprey Landing
Joe Montanaro and Jeff Wren presented the Osprey Landing plans. They plan to present the plans to each town committee separately – starting with the Conservation Commission.
The property abuts Mile Creek, behind Cherrystones. The restaurant property has been subdivided out. The property is surrounded by tidal and inland wetlands. They propose to put up additional osprey platforms. They plan to leave as many trees as possible. Also they plan to plant trees in the back area.
There will be 31 units – single family 2-3 bedroom houses clustered on about 13 acres, leaving about 16 acres (including the wetlands). The density is about 7 bedrooms per acre. These are condominiums. At least one occupant must be 55 or older, and no permanent resident may be under 21.
Buyers will own their homes and about 5 feet of the surrounding land. The homeowners association will maintain the roads and lawns. There are three house models. Prices will vary depending on house size, proximity to Route 156 and the railroad tracks, and views of the marshes and wetlands.
There will be a community building, and possible a small swimming pool.
The community septic system is being studied by the DEP. They plan to use the public water supply from CT Water Company. There is a centrally located area for collection of runoff.
Dave suggested they might consider going completely organic. Jeff Wren didn’t object.
George asked if they planned any walking trails. JW said not yet.
Ted asked about night time lighting. JW said they haven’t designed those yet. Ellie said Inland Wetlands will probably require a third party assessment of the septic system. Marianne asked if the open space will be deeded to the town. JW said that hadn’t been decided as yet.
2. Riparian Buffer Presentation
Judy Preston presented the study of shoreline vegetative buffers in the Connecticut River estuary, and handed out literature with maps, photos, and descriptions of the buffer zones (with and without buffers) on both sides of the river.
She urged commission members to come to the meeting of the Ground Truthing Project on April 30th, from 7 to 8:30 in the Saybrook Point Pavilion - sponsored by CRERPA and Tidewater (for more information, call 388-3497). Their goal is to get people to collaborate in protecting open space across town boundaries, forming greenways for recreation, open space and species preservation, etc.
Taffy will relay relevant emails from Judy to commission members.
3. March Minutes
The group accepted the minutes from March 7, 2007.
4. March Assignments
David wrote the commission’s letter to the Selectmen urging organic lawn care on the Town Woods playing fields. Ellie will send it to the Old Lyme and Lyme selectmen.
5. Electing Officers
Ellie will remain as Chairman of the commission. The group unanimously elected Paul Dean as Vice Chairman.
6. Organic Pledge Letter
Plainville has developed a pledge to not use inorganic pesticides in lawn care. George has adapted the pledge to Old Lyme. David will work with George to edit the letter. Members suggested putting it in the Lyme Times and other publications.
Agnes said perhaps the school could distribute it in the folders that go home with the children. It could also be handed out during the April 22nd Earth Day presentation at the Congregational Church.
7. PRCD
George handed out copies of the MFR changes. They used, verbatim, the same open space percentages as those used for the PRCD regulations. They ignored recommendations from the Conservation Commission’s letter and from Diana’s open space recommendations.
It is better, George said, but we need to go back to them.
8. POCD
Ellie said we need to start working on our questionnaire. George said we should look at the 2000 POCD for help in designing it – pointing out areas not covered. Ellie said we need input from all of the boards and commission. Ted said we need to list all the changes in regulations since 2000, pointing out progress that’s been made and shortfalls.
Ellie said we should send out a simple letter asking commission and board members what their areas of concern are for the next plan.
George said we should announce the POCD questionnaire in the next Lyme Times – deadline April 25th.
Ted will draft a preamble, Ellie will write a paragraph.
9. AWWA
George said they cleared areas owned by the town. They are under a cease and desist order.
They will have to restore it. They counted and measured all the tree stumps, and then worked with Diana to figure out the required replanting.
10. Legislation
• The pesticides bill was killed because they were going to use IPM. This is a good sign, George said.
• Bill 6768 – Alternative Sewage Systems – would take the responsibility out of the hands of DEP and put it under the State Health Department.
• Clean Water fund testimony before DEP – George summarized the funding and actions over the years. This year’s appropriation is $70 million.
11. AOB
• Ellie mentions the Gardener’s Supply Catalog which says you can designate your property as a wildlife preserve.
• Pat Davidson is a member of St. Ann’s conservation commission. She has the pesticide video and the pesticide awareness package. She would like help writing a letter in support of organic land care. Agnes will give George a copy of the garden club letter, and he will call Pat (526-3423).
• To get to the Old Lyme GIS mapping site,
and click on GIS web site in the list below,
and click on Go Directly to Mapping.
Assignments
• Ellie will send out the letter to the Selectmen about using organic lawn care on the Town Woods fields.
• Taffy will relay relevant emails from Judy to commission members.
• George and David will finish editing the Organic Lawncare Pledge letter.
• Ted will draft a preamble and Ellie will write a paragraph announcing the POCD questionnaire.
• George will help Pat Davidson write a letter in support of organic lawn care.
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