Conservation Commission Minutes 1/5/2011
Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
January 5, 2011, 7:30 pm
Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm.
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, David McCulloch, Tom Sherer, Lauralyn Lewis
Guests: Sue Baer, Steve Moore, Arnette McCulloch
- Approve Minutes of December 1, 2010
The commission approved the minutes of December 1, 2010.
Sue Baer, Maureen Plumleigh and Steve Moore have been invited to join the commission as alternates and all have accepted. The Selectmen will inform the applicants if they have been accepted.
Members unanimously voted Lauralyn Lewis secretary and Tom Sherer vice chairman of the commission.
George has contacted Parks and Recreation and did not find them interested in participating. Mat Griswold and some of his friends are interested in being active on this. Old Saybrook and New London have routes and Old Lyme could connect easily to these routes by declaring Boston Post Road an official route. David mentioned the need for restriping and signage and asked if there was any state funding for this. George believes there is. George will attend the Old Saybrook Bicycle Route Committee’s meeting on January 8th at 9 am at CRERPA to get more information on what is needed to move further on this.
George, Lauralyn and David reported on the visit to Branford’s sports fields that took place on December 10. First Selectman Griswold, Phil Neaton, Region 18 Facilities Manager John Rhodes, and Commission members George, David, Monica and Lauralyn were present. The purpose of this trip was to see Branford’s fields that have been treated organically for the past eight years and to hear what is needed to be successful in transitioning and maintaining fields organically. Due to time constraints we were shown a lesser quality field, though they have beautiful fields during the playing season as photographs proved. The fields are primarily managed with compost (Branford has a composting site), and amended as needed with commercial grade organic material. Branford has gotten recognition from
Govenor Rell and the press and it was clear they were proud of what they have been able to do in their town and for less money than what it cost them when using commercial pesticides.
- Board of Education Status Regarding Pesticide Letter
A letter written by Superintendent Osga, dated January 3, 2011, was received by George James. This letter confirms that the BOE did review and discuss the Conservation Commission’s letter that we had submitted to the BOE in November regarding pesticides on town playing fields. The BOE scheduled a discussion of this matter at the December Community Leadership meeting.
*see attached letter
- Letter to Old Lyme Woods Regarding Runoff
David urged George to write a letter prior to a public hearing on this topic. George presented this letter to the commission and asked for a motion to accept it – it was accepted. This letter will be given to the Inland Wetlands Commission at its next meeting.
*see attached letter
There was discussion and unanimous agreement to change the monthly meetings of the Conservation Commission to the first Thursday of each month beginning in February. The starting time will remain at 7:30 pm.
First Selectman Griswold has invited George and Lauralyn to be members on a Pesticide Committee. Other members include Phil Neaton and Bob Linde. This committee has been formed for members to come to a decision as to how the town should proceed on the issue of treatment of town fields. The committee will present its proposal to the Selectmen. The first meeting is scheduled for January 19, 2011.
The meeting adjourned at 9:42 pm.
Lauralyn Lewis, Secretary
From: Chairman, Old Lyme Conservation Commission
To: Chairman, Old Lyme Inland Wetlands Commission
Subject: Impact on Rogers Lake water quality from Old Lyme Woods development
Date: December 1, 2010
The Old Lyme Conservation Commission is concerned about the potential negative impact on Rogers Lake from the run off of lawn chemicals from the 38 lot subdivision called Old Lyme Woods planned for the 128 acre upland area to the east of Rogers Lake.
Run off from this property presently enters Rogers Lake from two streams: one is located off Grassy Hill Road and the other flows across the land of Daniel Jones into Davy Pond and from there it flows under U.S. Route One into a pond on property owned by Arthur Avery then into a second pond owned by Jewett then under Grassy Hill Road into the lake.
Rogers Lake’s last water quality study conducted in 2002-2003 indicated that phosphorous levels were within a satisfactory range but added that additional phosphorous would have a profoundly negative impact on the more than 30 types of vegetation in the lake. Since that time the Rogers Lake Authority has reported infestation of several types of weeds, weeds that present serious problems for boaters, fishermen, and swimmers. This serious condition can only be made worse by the introduction of lawn chemicals from the runoff from the proposed 38 lot subdivision.
Therefore, it is our recommendation that the use of certain lawn chemicals be prohibited on these 38 lots. We request that organic lawn care practices be utilized during the construction phase and that phosphorous free lawn chemical applications be required as a provision in all 38 deeds in order to protect Rogers Lake’s water quality.
George James, Chairman
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