Minutes of the Old Lyme Conservation Commission
March 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. February Minutes
The group accepted the February 7th Minutes.
2. February Action Items
· Ellie has spoken briefly to Tim about appointing the conservation commission as editors of the POCD plan
· Taffy bought 5 copies of the “Our Children at Risk” film, and has passed on copies to Maureen Plumleigh and Susan Joffray.
· Ellie supplied some contact names for the churches and PTOs..
3. 2007 Meeting Dates, and Swearing In
Ellie said again that everyone should get sworn in.
We will meet on the second Wednesday in July - the 9th - instead of the first.
4. Hazardous Mitigation Plan
Paul said they have developed mostly long term goals. He outlined the following:
· Advance acquisition plan to protect open space areas subject to flooding - Acquire shore front open space. Ted said there is still some available shore space, but it’s very expensive. The commission should provide a description of open space subject to flooding. (e.g. Mile Creek Beach Club) to prevent building there. Ted said land may be affordable if it can be called unbuildable.
· Encourage ground water retention. Ted said this falls under the new storm water regulations. Ames open space and under the town hall are the best recharge areas. This should be referred to in the POCD.
· Dune restoration and marshland protection. Ted said these are under TNC. Also Mile Creek Beach Club. George and Ted mentioned others. Ellie said the Conservation Commission has no current plans to restore them.
· Protect aquifers – recharge – water conservation with vegetation – rain gardens –
· Involve the public – also mentions storm water on individual lots, rain gardens – plantings. Ted said the recent storm water ordinance doesn’t cover riparian buffers – what is allowed in those areas. Will be added next month.
The Conservation Commission could put together another program/booklet on storm water and rain gardens.
David said there is no overall plan for ground water preservation.
Paul said George sent him a draft about Connecticut water supply – CT’s responsibility to supply water after a drought, and sewage management.
George said there will probably be partially destroyed buildings. The 1966 ordinance discusses derelict buildings. We should look at it.
5. Status of PRCD/MFR change recommendations
George said Zoning met – there are decisions to be made. MFR did not require open space but the recommendation was to use the same formula for open space for MFR as for PRCD.
6. Status of our offer to lead POCD
George said Glastonbury has a preliminary POCD now – so it’s not too early to start. Ann Brown thinks it’s Planning’s responsibility. We should contact the chairman of Planning in writing to get his endorsement of our involvement.
7. Gerr Property
George said acquiring this for open space is underway – has had an appraisal. It is 58 acres with a pond and woodlands. Dave Gumbart from TNC looked at it for natural resources. It could be a good bird habitat. Good potential for a park. Price is $785,000 or so. The next meeting is Friday, March 9th. Steve Ames has offered additional open space (lot 7, Sheeps Ledge).
8. Rogers Lake
George said the next step is that they are trying to get people to pledge not to use pesticides. Ellie said some people in Guilford do this. We need to get Lyme involved too – they have no formal program.
David said Four Ponds possibly will go pesticide free. WPCA can’t overrule their septic system plans. Possibly a million dollar bond to protect houses in case of failure might persuade them to consider an alternative system.
Ellie said Janet Bechtel wrote to WPCA about her (IW) concerns but got no response. The letter was received. (George will check with WPCA)
9. Pesticide Committee
The duck River Garden Club wrote to the selectmen not to use pesticides on the playing fields. George wrote letters to the Lyme and Old Lyme selectmen. David will write to the selectmen on behalf of the Conservation Commission.
10. Town Hall
Tom said they will use photovoltaic cells on the south side – a collection of panels (10 kw system). The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund will rebate 1 kw for every 100 people signed up. If the regional school added, this will increase.
· He handed out a 2 page description of the CT Clean Energy Fund. The commission should publicize this. Tom will pass out forms and give a green building talk at the Congregational Church forum next Sunday. A Day article could include a blurb from the Conservation Commission. By 2010 we need 20% of clean energy in Town. This would be an incentive for designs of town buildings. The result is that more will be invested in renewables, which will cost more, and is already very expensive
· On-site renewable distributed generation plan – the Town Hall is applying for a grant from the state. Tom will be the contact. He’ll be away for a month though. Ellie will help. The Town Hall committee did address all of the Conservation Commission’s recommendations and are doing most of them. This is good PR for the CC. Geothermal costs too much – the initial cost is too high and the payback too long.
11. Other Items
· The Rogoz property is across from Jadon Drive. Open Space is dealing with it. Ted said they came initially to OLCT. There is a dispute over the right of way. They hope to be able to use the road. OLCT will discuss this at the board meeting on Thursday.
· Budget - Ellie talked with Tim about funding the POCD questionnaire. She will submit the same budget this year as last year.
· AWWA cut down trees in the open space area. The plans were unclear. The trees would have screened people walking through the open space from the homeowners. Also, the elevations were wrong. Developer has not followed up on the cease and desist order as of this date.
· Organic letter to Selectmen – David will do it – see item 9.
The group watched “Organic Lawn Care” – a ten minute video produced by the DEP.
Ted showed his GIS maps and went through many of the layers. The link is on the town website home page.
Assignments
· David will write a letter to the Selectmen about organic gardening and lawn care.
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