Conservation Commission Meeting
Christ the King Church
June 4, 2008, 7:30 pm
Members: Ted Crosby (ex-officio representing Gateway Commission)
Eleanor Czarnowski
Taffy Holland
George James
Janice Kraus
David McCulloch
Agnes O’Connor
Tom Sherer
Attending: Ted Crosby, Eleanor Czarnowski, Taffy Holland, George James, Janice Kraus, Dave McCulloch
Visitor: Judy Preston, Connecticut River Gateway Commission
1. Minutes of May 7, 2008.
Accepted.
2. Judith Preston
She showed us several maps and described using an approach that relied on participation of many people to map the town, make an ecological inventory, identify important town areas – marshes, uplands, CT River estuary, trails, etc - single out major ecological threats, and list proposed action and possible funding sources.
She emphasized the importance of persuasion and participation, developing the idea of stewardship even in just your own back yard. She said their trolley ride, Natural Heritage Tour of Old Saybrook was a good tool for spreading knowledge about the town’s ecology.
After lengthy discussion Judy agreed to put together a proposal to help us make a similar conservation survey of Old Lyme.
3. National Trails Day
Ellie will lead people on the Champlain South trails on Saturday June 7th, starting at 9:10 AM. Rain date is Sunday, June 8th.
4. Point O’ Woods letter
Ellie sent commission members a list of the points she will make in her letter. The hearing has been postponed until June 16th.
George will also write a letter. He will focus on the water issues, including the potential impact of brackish water if the well field is drained off, the increase of sewage (and thus nitrates) going into the Long Island Sound, and the fact that there has been no environmental impact study.
5. Annual Report
Ellie has a draft report. The report needs to be finished. It will cover the past two years of the commission’s accomplishments.
6. School fields and mosquito treatments
The town has notified interested parents that they will be applying Dylox on the school fields on Sunday June 8th and will allow kids on the fields the following day. Dave has gathered information on Dylox, as well as on Merit, which will be used on the Town Woods playing fields.
Ellie asked what pesticide was used for the annual mosquito spraying.
7. Code of Ethics
Remaining members signed forms stating that they have read the code and approved it. Taffy will deliver them to the town hall.
8. Paul Dean’s Resignation
Once again Ellie urged us to try to recruit new members. Paul is too busy to keep attending. Ellie said we need to elect a vice chairman to replace him.
9. AOB
Dave said we should promote green building with every developer. Ellie said she has a copy of Tom’s letter.
Ted asked when we can expect new plans for the Tooker development. Their original visit to the CC was just a courtesy visit.
Assignments
· Ellie and George will finish the Point O’Woods letters
· We will try to recruit new members
· Taffy will try to find email with mosquito spraying information
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