Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
February 3, 2010, 7:30 pm
Members: Ted Crosby (ex-officio representing Gateway Commission)
Taffy Holland
George James
Linda Krulikowski
David McCulloch
Tom Sherer
Michael Sullivan
Attending: Taffy Holland, George James, Linda Krulikowski, David McCulloch,
Guests: Laurie Lewis, Monica Buccheri, Arnette McCulloch
- Approve Minutes of January 6 2010
The group approved the minutes of January 6.
- George said the group must vote again on the Old Lyme Hills document – a technicality. The group voted to approve it. The public hearing is still in the offing.
- George said Ellie told him the year end report was submitted.
- All commission members attending this meeting have been sworn in.
- David sent George additional diquat information.
- George said the websites describing the vacuuming technology being used in Rogers Lake are www.wermsme.com and www.wermllc.com .
George said the application has been withdrawn. The town could take advantage of the fact that Clinton has the only emergency access to the property. It would limit the development to 28 houses instead of 38. It they do find another access they could increase it to 72 houses. FMTM developer wants to sell. The town or OL Trust could purchase the little road to block increasing the number of houses. The town will have increasing problems with the Old Stagecoach road. It doesn’t meet State or town standards and will require expensive upgrading. The land is now owned by Old Lyme Woods LLC.
- Unfinished Business – Cell Towers
The Open Space Committee approved the proposed Cross Road cell tower swap. The Old Lyme Conservation Trust opposed it. It was voted down at the town meeting on January 5th.
There will be a presentation by the Siting Council on Thursday for two towers on Shore Road and one on Buttonball Road. They will fly balloons at the height of the proposed towers.
- Priorities for 2010 Action Items
George read the list of 2010 proposed action items, and the group commented on them:
- Pesticides and IPM. House Bill 5234 exempts towns from banning all pesticides.
- Lawn Chemicals.
- Clear Cutting – saves the developer money. Is often done in spite of regulations.
- Rogers Lake – weeds, geese, the dam, and fish ladder.
- Air Quality – the State Environmental Committee is concerned about idling cars.
- Lighting
- Docks. The town accepted the Harbor Commission’s new regulations at the town meeting on Jan 25th.
Gateway Commission regulations – most towns haven’t accepted all of them. Old Lyme has accepted some.
Encouraging bicycling.
Farms – making them permanent. There is some money available to encourage it. Establish farm zones – animal farms, fish farming, truck gardening, etc.
Soil Base development. Soils must be suitable for development. This is mosly ignored – should be enforced.
Stream Improvement. Lawn chemicals from lawns going down to the water’s edge. Need for buffer zones, berms.
Recycling. Town could collect electronics and save money charged per car at Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
Bus Barn – should be monitored
Disaster Plans
Affordable and Senior Housing. 2000 POCD called for establishing a board. Town could pick up houses currently being foreclosed.
Planned Residential Conservation Development (PRCD). Promote cluster zoning.
Open Space regulations changing. Subdivision must give 15% to Open Space. Town will no longer accept wetlands as open space. 50% or less may be wetlands. Homeowners Associations don’t act responsibly. Open space should be owned/managed by the town.
Town needs a leaf and chip composting site.
Fire ponds/wells should be checked for conditions. Fire tanks work well.
Tidal Wetland regulations are not being enforced. 50’ limit could/should be extended to 100’.
Energy saving – solar for current and new houses, geothermal for new buildings.
Junk car removal. Zoning enforcement offices will act if a complaint is filed.
- Cell Towers
- Sewer Avoidance – Town Woods now has one. New London sewage system dumps 450 pounds of nitrates into the Sound daily. Old Lyme never has to close beaches after a big storm.
- Radon. Old Lyme has big increase in breast cancer cases. No compulsory testing. Also, water wells should be tested when a house is sold – are they?
- Green School Products
- Wood Burning Furnaces
- Animal Habitat. David Gephart to speak at Congregational Church on Feb 7th and Judy Preston on Feb 21st 10-11 am. George has DVD on Anadromous fish and on clamming.
Protection of vernal pools
- Trails Day is June 5th – submit application by Feb 15th and pick a trail. George will lead a walk. Laurie: How about on Old Lyme Hills?
Salt Marsh Preservation.
- New Business - Prospective members.
We hope Laurie and Monica will join us.
George will let us know which days are possible for the March meeting.
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