Minutes of the Old Lyme Conservation Commission
Christ the King Church
September 5, 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
Attending: Ted Crosby, Eleanor Czarnowski, Paul Dean, Taffy Holland, George James, David McCulloch, Agnes O’Connor, Marianne Pfeiffer, Tom Sherer
Visitors: Rachel Gaudio, Arnette McCulloch
1. Minutes from July 11th
The group voted unanimously to accept the July 11th minutes.
2. July Action Items
David will invite Judy Prill to the next Pesticide Awareness Committee meeting.
3. Sound View Proposal
Group discussed a multi-family development on Hartford Avenue. (Currently there is one house on the lot, with a leaching field.) Proposal is for 2 houses – total of 5 bedrooms, and a 2 car garage. Plans show 2 septic tanks. They plan to pump out the tanks – no leaching fields. The yard will be paved, meaning potentially total runoff. George said the WPCA regulations apply to everyone in town. They shouldn’t allow septic systems without leaching fields. The Conservation Commission recommends referring the plans to the WPCA based on the proposed septic system. Also, plans show neither lighting nor landscaping.
Commission’s recommendations are due to Ted Kritsis September 11th.
4. Questionnaire Responses
No new contributions. Ellie spoke with Harold Thompson, who questions our right to do the POCD. She sent him the State statute saying anyone can do it. No response yet. We will revisit this in the winter.
5. Dog Ordinance Proposal
Ellie asked whether we should have a ‘pick up after your dog’ ordinance. We could put up signs. David said maybe the Health Department should propose it. Ellie said the State and CT River groups are pushing people to pick up after their pets, under the non-point source pollution initiative. Ted suggested adding it to the POCD Questionnaire.
6. Mosquito Spraying
Ellie asked if we should suggest alternatives to Resmethrin, which is highly toxic to fish and bees, among other effects. David will call Heidi Wallace in Westbrook to find out if she knows of an alternative. He will also call Steve Gephart at the DEP to find out about the lobster die off report. Ted said the lobster die off was due to weakened resistance caused by pesticides.
7. Ad hoc Pesticide Committee Report
They haven’t met. George said someone needs to tell Tim that the chairman should get moving. David and George will talk to Tim. The WPCA told the selectmen that there should be no spraying on the extended playing field. WPCA has not had a response.
8. Open Space Committee Report
George said nothing is happening. There is only one proposal on the agenda. Open Space made an offer to Steve Ames for Parcel A bordering on the Sheep’s Ledge. Steve came back with a much higher price.
Ellie will write to Diana and ask what’s going on. George said nothing is happening with the Griswold property, although the town voted that they want the property. Ellie will invite Diana to our meeting to provide an update.
9. AOB
Ellie presented a proposal from Greybill Properties Inc. to convert 11 Halls Road into a 54 seat restaurant. The restaurant would be open from early morning until 3 o’clock. The plans call for 2400 square feet of office space above, with the option to convert to retail. Trash would be removed by dumpster. The Conservation Commission says that plans should include proposed lighting. And they would like to see plans for planting a buffer along the water, and use of permeable paving in the parking lot. Ask that they keep the walkway along the road pedestrian friendly.
Commissions recommendation’s are due to Ted Kritsis September 11th.
Ted said all property owners with access to tidal wetlands have received a booklet from CRERPA, the Tidewater Institute, and others, concerning buffers. There are copies of the booklet in the town hall. He said we could use it for developing regulations for tidal wetlands. The Conservation Commission could get it started with the WPCA, Inland Wetlands, and Zoning (who enforce the final regulations). We propose to use the buffer document information to introduce regulation of buffers – it could become the basis of regulations.
Ted said there is no town support for the storm water regulation requiring buffers to prevent runoff into L. I. Sound. There is no funding.
Paul Dean said there has been no action from the Emergency Management Committee. Roberge needs to produce a report shortly.
Assignments
· Ellie to invite Diana to our meeting for an open space update.
· Ellie and Taffy to write two letters to Zoning outlining the comments above.
· Dave to inquire about alternative mosquito pesticide.
· Dave and George to talk to Tim regarding the pesticide subcommittee he started.
| 
