Conservation Commission Minutes 7/7/11
Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
July 7, 2011, 7:30 pm
Meeting called to order at 7:34 pm.
Members:
Monica Buccheri
George James
David McCulloch
Tom Sherer
Michael Sullivan
Lauralyn Lewis
Sue Baehr, Alternate
Maureen Plumleigh, Alternate
Suzanne Thompson, ex officio
Peter Cable, ex officio
Attending: George James, Sue Baehr, Monica Buccheri, Lauralyn Lewis, Maureen Plumleigh, Tom Sherer, Michael Sullivan
- Approve Minutes of June 2, 2011
The commission approved the minutes of June 2, 2011.
Guests
Juliana Barrett from UConn – Coastal Restoration and Riparian Buffers
Juliana’s PowerPoint presentation educated members on the functions and values
of buffers (protection from erosion and pollutants and provides flood control), set-backs
needed for habitat (25’), runoff (100’), and on-shore habitat (600’), and its ability to
provide a quality visual. She discussed the CT study analysis from 1985-2006 and
provided the web link (clear.uconn.edu/projects/riparian) for further study. Juliana has
consulted on the buffer planning for Haines Park.
Peter Cable, Open Space Commission – New Trail Book
Peter presented the particulars for the new trail book project that Open Space is currently
planning. Peter mentioned the Land Trust is interested in collaborating on this project
and invited the Conservation Commission to support this effort by providing funding.
Members felt that the cost was excessive in this economy and that most hikers would
rather download a map of the trails they would be interested in hiking on any given day.
It was suggested that the OSC write articles for Events magazine informing residents
of the trails open for their enjoyment and providing readers with the links where they
could download the maps. Further, while members were interested in collaborating, the
overall feeling was that the commission’s limited funds should be spent in educating the
residents on topics that we are currently devoted to, namely the danger of pesticides.
Old Business
George reported that recommendations were made to the state. First Selectman
Griswold had concerns about the cost and who would maintain the proposed
subdivision sidewalks. A proposal will be made to zoning.
Maureen reported that the annual meeting of the Roger’s Lake Authority met on June
25 and there were one hundred residents in attendance. A date was requested for an
ad-hoc committee consisting of Park & Rec., Maintenance, Old Lyme Rowers, the
Authority and Inland Wetlands to plan for the upcoming projects: work at Haines
Park and the mats to control weeds in the lake.
New Business
George reported that the permit with Zoning costs sixty dollars out of which fifty-
eight dollars goes to the state. Selectman Griswold is interested in having Ray
Zelek give a presentation to townspeople including the detailed requirements.
Homeowners are required to draw and submit a picture to the town showing
their home meets those requirements.
. Lauralyn reported that at the most recent meeting of the OPC, committee
members learned that Phil Neaton had made the unilateral decision to stop
all treatments to field number three and currently that field is experiencing the
increase of weeds as a result. Selectmen Griswold and Sibley, who were in
attendance, were unaware of this and stated that certain protocol is required as it
pertains to Ron Tyler’s contract from the town. Lauralyn and George made it
clear that doing nothing to the field is not an organic program and jeopardizes the
investment the town has in the fields. Selectmen Sibley expressed his opinion that
the town policy should be seemless with the District 18 policy which is mandated
by the state. There was agreement that parents should be notified of treatments to
the fields at Town Woods.
The water testing results for Town Woods is expected back in a week.
On July 20 the DEEP will let the town know if it can write an ordinance i.e. what
control, if any, Old Lyme has to make decisions for the town.
- Conservation Commission Document for Publication
Monica praised Tom for his recent article on Lymeline. Tom wrote his piece,
as a member of the First Congregational Church’s Environmental Committee, on
the organic church lawn that the committee is responsible for and proud of. It was
suggested that he expand on his article, as a commission member, and submit it to
Events for the upcoming issue.
The meeting adjourned at 10:02 pm.
Lauralyn Lewis, Secretary
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