Old Lyme Conservation Commission Meeting May 5, 2010
Minutes
The meeting was called to order by the chairman at 7:30 p.m.
Members present-Tom Sherer, Monica Buccheri, Laura Lewis, Linda Krulikowski, and George James, Chairman, It was noted that Taffy Holland has a broken bone in her shoulder and would not be able to attend the meeting.
There followed a report from the Chairman on old business.
Old Business
The Lymeline article on lawn care has appeared on line under the “Conservation Corner” header. The members recommended that the priority list be published and readers be invited to join the commission in its efforts to accomplish the objectives. There were other suggestions as to how to publish our objectives to a wider readership.
The Conservation Commission chairman met informally with members of the Wetlands Commission and the Rogers Lake Authority to determine what regulations could help to improve conditions at Rogers Lake. Roger Breunig of the RLA asked if the Conservation Commission had established a position on the use of herbicides. The answer is no. The subject was discussed under new business but no decision was made.
The Commission chairman was most impressed by the Congregational Church program dedicated to improving the environment. The Conservation Commission hopes to work closely with the group and wholeheartedly supports their efforts. The church group will show the film Chemical Reaction on May 20th. It is the story of a Canadian woman who persisted in her effort to ban lawn pesticides in her town.
A discussion followed about the possibility of contacting various groups at the schools to encourage an exchange of information as well to develop school activities that the Commission could support and encourage.
New Business
Under new business it was noted that the OLCT is making an application to the state for funds to assist in the acquisition of a culturally significant parcel of open space owned by Mr. Steven Ames. The chairman wrote a letter in support of that acquisition which has long been cited as a desirable parcel both by the state environmental team and the open space committee.
Diana Johnson conducted a meeting in which she proposed that the open space committee become a commission. The Conservation Commission chairman opposed the proposal on two main grounds. The current statute specifically provides for subcommittees under the Conservation Commission to perform a number of vital actions. Those provisions were restated in the ordinance establishing the open space committee and have served well to date. The issue of the town not currently having a conservation easement enforcement officer and concerns over communications with town hall were mentioned as reasons for having the open space become a commission, but they appear to be separate issues not affecting the basic assignment of the open space committee which is to acquire open space for the town and maintain it and to make recommendations
to the Planning Commission as to the location of dedicated open space within a development. The chairman noted that Diana has done an outstanding job of identifying parcels of land suitable for open space acquisition, developing maps, and drawing up a list of conservation easements. All these activities fall under the express duties assigned the conservation commission in the state law. Hence, it is appropriate that the current organization be maintained. The Conservation Commission chairman supports the need for the town to hire someone with special legal enforcement powers to see that the terms of the conservation easements assigned to the town are enforced.
The chairman made special mention of Maureen Plumleigh’s desire to work with the Commission with regard to conservation efforts at Rogers Lake. Maureen works with the various shore associations around the lake and is active on the Congregational Church environmental committee. Her suggestions for cooperation with the Conservation Commission were discussed. The chairman will follow up on those suggestions.
The Town of Old Lyme has proclaimed itself a green town. As a result the CT Clean Energy Association has loaned the town the use of a solar harvester which will be in use at the May 31st town fair. The Town is seeking to establish a committee to promote clean energy and green technologies, and the Conservation Commission members expressed interest in becoming part of that committee.
The members noted that the Commission should contact and work with the boy and girl scouts in town to interest youth in community projects linked to the environment. Many need projects for eagle scout and gold awards as well activities to cite on college applications.
The chairman expressed hope that Mike Kiernan would join the Commission in the near future.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15.
Respectfully submitted,
George James, Chairman
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