Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
October 6, 2010, 7:30 pm
Meeting called to order at 7:35 p.m.
Members:~~~~~~~~Ted Crosby (ex-officio representing Gateway Commission)
Taffy Holland
George James
Linda Krulikowski
David McCulloch
Tom Sherer
Michael Sullivan
Lauralyn Lewis
Monica Buccheri
Attending: George James
Tom Sherer
Monica Buccheri
Lauralyn Lewis
- Approve Minutes of September 1, 2010
The group approved the minutes of September 1st, 2010.
Old Business
- Presentation to Selectmen, regarding pesticide applications on playing fields.
George James presented a rough draft of the letter to the Selectmen for commission approval. It was agreed to include a copy of the CT Law regarding grades K-8, designated premises, and activities occurring off school grounds (the Lyme-Old Lyme Campus includes the grades K-8, middle school, and high school) since the high school is under renovations and fields are being used for construction equipment. Currently in question are the sports of all grades and events occurring off school grounds on town fields, i.e., Townwoods Park and Cross Lane Field.
Also included in this important submission will be the cost analysis, a review of the dangers of pesticides and children. The commission will request the sports schedule of middle school sports and include in submission identifying the exposure off premises to those grades covered under the CT Law.
Need to verify if Country Lawn & Garden Landscape is certified organic.
Anticipated date of delivery is the week of October 18 – 22, or October 25 – 29.
- Presentation to Board of Education, regarding pesticides on school playing fields.
Monica Buccheri & Laurie Lewis will rework the rough draft letter to the BOE. It needs to be clarified how the Lyme-Old Lyme Campus will handle the sport events for home games since the fields are impacted by the current renovation at the campus. This is important due to the exposure of the grades K-8 CT Law banning pesticides on school grounds, and teams will be off campus on town fields. Town fields are exempt from the law. This is an important point in the BOE presentation, as well as partnering with the Cons Comm and protecting children of grades K-8. When final draft is written, George James will call the School Administration office for the appointment.
- Pesticide Application to Rogers Lake.
It was stated that, after the Rogers Lake Meeting regarding the choice for either organic solutions or chemical solutions, community indecisiveness still remains. The study of the lake and the abundance of milfoil and niad, conducted by Mr. Greg Bugbee of the CT Agricultural Experiment Station, is planned to occur. It was agreed by attending members of the Conservation Commission that organic solutions should be exhausted before choosing the possible chemical application, RODEO (which contains 2,4-D) – which would be applied to the weeds that exist in Rogers Lake. The commission agreed to keep abreast of the happenings through contacting Maureen Plumleigh, Rogers Lake West Shores Board member.
It was questioned, curiously, what are the health statistics within the Rogers Lake Community with regards to serious and terminal illnesses. Maureen Plumleigh, Sue Baehr and Linda Krulikowski were identified as possible contacts for such information.
New Business
- Support of Congregational Church conservation efforts.
The commission agreed to support conservation efforts with the Congregational Church and acknowledged the working relationship and efforts of Maureen Plumleigh. Tom Sherer offered to attend the church’s November meeting in support of working together (the Environmental Committee at the Church and the Conservation Commission) at various community events. The Environmental Committee presents a program “Adult Forum” and often needs speakers and topics. This is viewed as an excellent opportunity for the Commission to reach out and support, and gain visibility within the community.
- Bicycle route through town.
Dave McCullough and George James are developing a plan for an alternative bicycle route for
Old Lyme. .
- Diana Johnson – Open Space Committee
Currently there is a proposal to change the previous method: First, Conservation Commission to complete the application for Open Space, then send information to the Planning Commission who has 35 days to respond and back to the Conservation Commission. After this, pending application goes to the Selectmen, which then is submitted
over to the Board of Finance.
Under the Open Space Committee, chaired by Diana Johnson, there is a proposal to eliminate the
necessary steps for open space application. The proposal is for the Open Space Committee to
acquire the opportunity from a seller, go to Planning Commission and then to the Board of Finance.
This plan is quicker for the sale, but leaves out important steps for proper factual understanding of
acquired land.
Currently there is a pending application for 70 acres with a 35+ acres deed. There will be a town
meeting for vote.
Monetary figures for line items within the Conservation Commission were discussed. A total of $2,710 is currently calculated for submission. Figures appeared to be very conservative.
Other Business
Conservation Commission plans to utilize the Events Magazine to reach out to residents regarding
Many topics related to the commission. Need to call for deadline submissions for each printing.
Commission will submit the Firework Event brochures distributed to attending families, people, as a
tear out reference for community members.
It was asked of each member to bring two names of people/organizations they can invite to become
members of the commission, to the next meeting. The letter/invitation will addressed to the prospect
for review and consideration to become a member of the Old Lyme Conservation Commission.
Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
| 
