Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
October 7, 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: Ellie Czarnowski, Francine Gumkowski, Taffy Holland, George James, David McCulloch, Tom Sherer
- September Minutes and Action Items
George suggested several changes to the September minutes. Taffy will make the changes and resubmit it for the website.
- George and David have completed the presentation for the Department of Finance and will present it this month.
- Taffy has not heard from Linda about the planting guide changes.
- David didn’t respond to the suggested change to the building height and grade regulations.
- Tom emailed the group his letter to the selectmen asking about the town hall photovoltaic system. He got no comments from the commission members.
- Ellie didn’t send a letter about the outdoor lighting proposed for the bus barn area. She will email a note instead.
Ellie forwarded us the publication sent by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. (Public Act No. 09-230 An Act Concerning Smart Growth and the State Plan of Conservation and Development Policies Plan). We decided no action is needed from the Conservation Commission.
Fred Holth, chairman of the Rogers Lake Authority, asked members to read and comment on George’s Report on Rogers Lake (see appendix). George said he has been exchanging emails with Roger Breunig about the report. George said dredging faces a myriad of problems not the least of which is the paperwork involved.
The Authority could authorize the Department of Agriculture to test the lake bottom soil to determine if dredged material could be safely used.
The floating blankets are working, and larger ones (120’ x 240’) are available. He said there’s a technique for blowing CO2 into the weeds that does kill them (but also everything else).
We should try to get George’s report into the hands of the Planning Commission.
David will look for results of human testing of Diquat, Glyphosate, 2,4-D and other proposed water weed killers.
- Zoning Memo - Seasonal Dwellings
Ellie sent us copies of the Zoning memo. Zoning wants to make a registry of attributes of all of the seasonal dwellings. George said some renters may be sending their kids to the Old Lyme schools. Ellie asked if the commission should comment.
- Taffy mentioned the Save Our Shores Rally for 350. (Climate scientists consider 350 ppm the highest safe level of CO2.) This is a campaign for global action to urge Copenhagen delegates to develop a plan that is “strong, equitable to developing nations, and grounded in current science.” Tom said he may speak at the rally, which will be held on the lawn behind the Morning Glory Café at 3:30 on Saturday, October 24th (International Day of Climate Action). See www.350.org for more
information.
- David showed us his and George’s statistical review of the effect of 242 houses on the town budget. They have scheduled a presentation to the Board of Finance for Friday, October 23rd.
- Ellie reminded us that our POCD should go to CRERPA.
- George and David will present the Department of Finance their argument for open space vs development.
- Taffy will contact Linda about the buffer planting document.
- Tom will send his letter to the selectmen asking about the Town Hall photovoltaic cells. Ellie will supply him with our letterhead.
- Ellie will email a note about outdoor lighting to Zoning regarding the Bus Barn.
- Taffy will update the September minutes.
Appendix
Report to Conservation Commission on Rogers Lake – Sept. 25, 2009
A review of several reports about weed problems in lakes lists the following approaches:
Benthic mats up to 120 x 240 feet in area
Hand removal by divers
Dredging
Recommendations for reducing weeds long term included:
Establishing lake side buffer strips
Regular pump-outs and inspection of septic systems
Reducing the use of lawn chemicals, especially phosphorous
Reduce the use of pesticides
Cut lawns with a mulching blade
Use low phosphorous cleaners
Reduce lawn fertilizer amounts
Keep leaves out of the lake – reduce shoreline deciduous trees
Reduce soil erosion and storm sewer runoff into the lake
The State has a permanent invasive species detection and control fund - $1 million.
The Department of Agriculture tests lake sediments free of charge.
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