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Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
June 3, 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: Eleanor Czarnowski, Francine Gumkowski, Taffy Holland, George James,
David McCulloch, Richard Sattler, Michael Sullivan
- May Minutes and Action Items
The May minutes were accepted.
- Ellie sent Zoning the Region 18 and Osprey Landing letters.
- Ted’s greenway map will be incorporated in the State maps. He will send commission members the file for the map
- Taffy made a two-sided printout of the buffer planting and organic lawn information. We need to decide how many we need, and where they should be made available.
- David and George will start more pesticide activities, focusing on parents.
- George tried to contact Fred Holth, to find out what they plan to do, and to set up a meeting with the Roger Lake Authority and our commission, but hasn’t had an answer yet.
George will try to find out how a “Conservation Zone” is defined by the Town. The Gateway land should fit the definition.
George said this document is just finishing up. It will be presented by the Old Lyme Historical Society.
George said the DEP has dredged two or three lakes. He said Chuck Lee from the DEP in Hartford, could come and explain the procedure, and discuss costs and other issues. We could invite him to talk to us and other groups. The technology is available.
The dredged material is tested for pesticides and heavy metals, and is valuable for enriching soil.
George suggested we put copies of the handout at Coffees, Laysville Hardware, Christiansen’s Hardware, Bridge Gardens, and Old Lyme Landscape. David said the new wetlands regulations will require vegetative buffers. Michael said the CT House has passed a bill (SB 569) that gives more protection to all wetlands – inland and watercourses. (See http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/ba/2009SB-00569-R000465-BA.htm ).
Diana replied to an email from Ellie. Nothing is happening. Dave said Ted told him Foster, Tooker, et al are not interested in selling. Michael said the developer who has the option on the Tooker property is having some problems. FMTM has done nothing. The Town is calling in his bond.
George said we should ask Rogers Lake Authority to come and talk to us. Steve Gephardt told David the plans are complete. Tim told George that more drawings are required.
- Wording of Open Space Requirement
George said Diana is working with a lawyer to get the exact wording on the wetlands/open space ratio. He said that the other initiative involves getting the Town to enforce the terms of the conservation easement rather that the homeowners’ association.
- Michael spoke about the problem they are having with speeders on their road. It’s not a town road. The group made various suggestions.
- Ellie said she has worked on George’s POCD list, and will send it to the group.
- Ellie asked for suggestions for the summer Events magazine. David will write a paragraph on pesticides on playing fields.
- George suggested we respond to Nancy Alderman’s articles on IPM extension in Colchester.
- David and George will talk to the Board of Finance about the savings of open space over development, the purchase of open space by other Connecticut towns, and related matters
- Someone should ask Chuck Lee from the DEP in Hartford, to come and discuss the dredging procedure.
- George will try to find out how the town defines a Conservation Zone.
- Ted will send commission members the file for the greenway map.
- We should decide how many buffer planting sheets we need, and where they should go.
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