Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
May 6, 2009, 7:30 pm
Members: Ted Crosby (ex-officio representing Gateway Commission)
Eleanor Czarnowski
Francine Gumkowski
Taffy Holland
George James
David McCulloch
Richard Sattler
Tom Sherer
Michael Sullivan
Attending: Ted Crosby, Eleanor Czarnowski, Francine Gumkowski, Taffy Holland, George James, David McCulloch, Michael Sullivan
- April Minutes and Action Items
- Ellie mailed the Commission’s recommendations to Dr. and Mrs. Gaudio.
- Ellie submitted the Commission’s news item for the next Old Lyme Events publication.
- Ellie showed us the letter she will send to the Zoning Commission stating that we do not agree to the zoning amendments requested for the Osprey Landing (Sheehan & Sheehan LLC) development.
- Ellie showed us the letter she will send to the Zoning Commission recommending inclusion of lighting and pesticide regulations in the Regional School District 18 zoning changes.
- Report on Progress with the Greenway - Ted and George
Ted showed the group his GIS-based map of Old Lyme’s current open space, municipal lands, easements, and the greenway zone. (A previous greenway map was prepared in 1998 (with CRERPA) as part of the Open Space Plan. The State has a very different greenway for Old Lyme on its greenway map. Ted showed us a 1965 Old Lyme Planning Commission map from David.) Ted will email commission members the file for the map, plus additional information.
The town has a land-use fund, of which about $1800 remains. We may be able to use this to develop a final plan. The State requires this planning, so if we can finish it and get it into the 2010 POCD it will become the official Town and State plan.
Ted said in the long range we want to carry this into a specific plan for developing a greenway that includes prospective properties, with CRERPA’s support.
David proposed that we tell the Board of Finance how many houses are in the works (potential development), and what they will cost the Town in school and other services. We had a Town Planner who quit without developing a plan, so the town plans are, by default, made by the developers. Purchasing and preserving open space will save the town money.
George said $5,000 is in the next budget – starting July 1 - for developing the 2010 POCD.
There was general discussion about the proposed development on the Tooker and other properties in the “town forest” area. Michael said his neighbor has 8 capped wells that he plans to use for a water company. Water shortage is now a major issue for East Lyme, and we should be prepared in Old Lyme.
- Ratio of Open Space to Wetlands
George said the proposal for a development at Sandpiper Point (on Ferry Road) includes giving a tidal pond as their set-aside proportion for wetlands. Open Space does not want water as wetlands. The town must enforce conservation easements not the homeowners’ associations. Old Lyme needs an enforcer.
George said we should not look away because Rogers Lake is a vital resource to preserve. We don’t know their plans for this year – and they need a plan. The Town should take out a bond to pay for dredging. And David said it’s the primary reservoir for our primary aquifer.
Ted said if they’re going to repair the dam that’s the perfect time to dredge, while the water is down.
George said they can dewater and use huge bags to remove the weedy soil and dispose of it. The result is clean water. The town officials have shown little interest in the lake, especially in a long term plan for it.
Ellie suggest we invite Fred Holth and Maureen Plumleigh to a meeting to discuss our concerns and find out what they plan to do. George agreed to contact Fred Holth.
Ted said they should have a buffer, and George suggested we hand out the buffer planting information we included in the 2009 calendar.
Ted is meeting with Judy Preston and Torrence Downs (CRERPA) tomorrow to discuss tree cutting on river-side properties in the lower estuary. This will probably become part of the Gateway regulations.
- Pesticides on Playing Fields
George and David said they will start up again. Taffy said we should make a presentation to the parent groups.
We will tour the maintenance building with Phil Eaton at 7:00 next month.
Assignments
- Ellie will send Zoning the Region 18 and Osprey Landing letters
- Ted will email commission members the file for his greenway map
- Taffy will make a two-sided printout of the buffer zone and organic lawn information.
- David and George will start more pesticide activities.
George will contact Fred Holth
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