Conservation Commission Minutes 8/4/11
Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
August 4, 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: Monica Buccheri, Lauralyn Lewis, Sue Baehr, Maureen Plumleigh
- Approve Minutes of July 7, 2011
The commission approved the minutes of July 7, 2011.
Old Business
Lauralyn informed members of the meeting she and George had with First Selectman
Griswold on July 15. There was discussion of the inability of some OPC members to
set meeting dates, the decision made unilaterally by Phil Neaton to stop all treatments
to field #3, which now puts the town’s investment at risk, and the six month time
limit has been met for this committee. Tim asked Lauralyn to contact Chip Osborne
and ask if he’d be willing to consult and how much his fee would be. Lauralyn and
Chip have been in contact by email and Lauralyn is waiting to speak with Chip by
phone. There was no mention of scheduling any OPC meeting dates.
- Water Test Results for Town Woods/George James’ Email
Monica read an email sent to her from George which stated, “No tests have been
ordered yet. The cost of testing will have to be cleared through WPCA and they meet
on the first Thursday in September. This is slow but eventual.” A lab has been located
and testing is expensive.
New Business
- Conservation Commission Banner
Lauralyn proposed the idea that the commission create a banner that could be
hung over Halls Road annually in April to coincide with spring yard clean-up and
Earth Day, as well as October for fall yard clean-up and fertilizing. She showed
members a prototype. There was unanimous approval and suggestions in editing.
Lauralyn will have a rough draft to present at the September meeting for members to
vote on, as well as the pricing and time frame from the sign company.
- New Brochure for Conservation Commission
Lauralyn shared copies of the new pesticide brochure. There was much discussion
and editing suggestions by members. The slogan from the banner will be used
on the brochure as well. Laurlayn will have another draft to present at the September
meeting for members to vote on.
- Old Lyme Events Submission (August 5th, 2011
Maureen will edit and submit her Roger’s Lake article to Events by the deadline.
- EHHI Pesticide Meeting Results, July 20th
Monica informed members that Representative Roy said the pesticide moratorium
was only for last year and would not be repeated in this session. There will be three
proposed bills for the next year:
1. A Bill that would adjust the CT organic regulations
that are part of the lawn-care pesticide ban on school grounds and playing fields in
schools up to grade 8. The present CT ban restricts some lawn-care products that are
harmless and could be useful in the organic care of school grounds. This proposed bill
would substitute the New York requirements for the one CT presently has.
2. A Bill that would remove the CT lawn –care pesticide preemption law – so that
towns and cities could decide to have stricter lawn-care pesticide regulations
than the state, if they decided to do so. It would bring back town rights.
3. A Bill that would require organic lawn-care to be part of the certified pesticide
applicators’ continuing education requirement.
- OLCC’s Support of RLWSA to paint crosswalks from Haine’s Park across Town
Woods Road and Boston Post Road
- OLCC’s Support of RLWSA to paint pedestrian/bike lane on Town Woods Road
from Roger’s Lake Trail to Boston Post Road
Crosswalks and pedestrian/bike lanes should be painted as an important safety
measure, however this topic does not fall under conservation.
- Haine’s Park Project Update
The pesticide brochure has information on phragmites and this applies
to all areas in town.
II. Rowing Regatta Sat. August 13
Maureen and Sue updated members on the event organized by Sarah
Kukich (East Lyme Girl Scout with goals to improve the health of the
lake, promote collaboration among groups, and promote water safety)
to be held at Roger’s Lake on August 13th. “Rowing with a Reason”
regatta is taking place to draw attention to the importance of
maintaining a clean lake. Maureen and Michael will share
information about the Haine’s Park project and other conservation
information. Wendy Flyn from the CT Dept. of Energy and
Environmental Protection (DEEP) will be present to recruit volunteers
to monitor the state boat launch, at the lake, for August 20.
The meeting adjourned at 8:56pm.
Lauralyn Lewis, Secretary
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