Conservation Commission Minutes 2/2/12
Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
February 2, 2012, 7:30 pm
Meeting called to order at 7:49 pm.
Members:
George James
David McCulloch
Tom Sherer
Michael Sullivan
Lauralyn Lewis
Sue Baehr, Alternate
Maureen Plumleigh, Alternate
Linda Clough, Alternate
Suzanne Thompson, ex officio
Peter Cable, ex officio
Attending: Tom Sherer, Lauralyn Lewis, George James, Sue Baehr, and Maureen Plumleigh
Guest: Frank Finley
- Approve Minutes of January 5, 2012
The commission approved the minutes of January 5, 2012.
Old Business
Lauralyn shared news, passed along by Linda Clough, of the Duck River Garden
Club’s letter to the selectmen supporting the pesticide free fields, which the club
posted in their newsletter. The FCCOL’s environmental committee posted a notice in
the church newsletter suggesting church members read the letter to the editor by
George and Lauralyn in Lymeline. The committee is in full agreement of keeping the
fields pesticide free.
George had members read the final draft of the follow-up letter to the selectmen,
regarding the decision to not use pesticides at Town Woods this year. All members
agreed that it be signed and delivered to our first selectwoman. George will hand
deliver this.
Sue reported that she, Lauralyn and Linda represented the Conservation Commission
at the the Roger’s Lake Authority (RLA) meeting in January and spoke
to the negative impact the use of toxins would have on the environment of the
lake and the health of residents as this is an aquifer. RLA members were waiting on
the final report from an independent contractor and will review it at their February
meeting. Commission members agreed to attend upcoming (RLA) meetings and
continue to voice opposition to the possible use of pesticides.
Maureen reported that the order for the new sign is underway. George will be
responsible for putting through the invoice.
Michael was not present at tonight’s meeting. Updates on the video contest, which
he is responsible for, will be heard at our March meeting.
*The members voted unanimously to accept and submit the final budget.
George will submit this to the secretary.
- Priorities/Items for 2012
Tom shared the final draft of priorities for 2012. They are attached to the minutes.
New Business
- Election of New Officers/New Members
No elections took place due to missing members. Present members agreed that Tom
officially request the selectmen change appointed alternates, Sue and Maureen to
member status and appoint Frank Finley to alternate status.
George reported that he has taped the first show for Public Access. He interviewed
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder on the topic of radon. Members agreed that the show
will be named the “Conservation Corner” and will have names of all members in the
credits. Future topics will include: the bicycle route; Roger’s Lake; solar and
geothermal; organic lawn care, biodiesel; and pesticides. These taped shows will
be aired monthly.
George wrote about the radon topic, which he will submit to Events for the next issue.
Lauralyn proposed the idea of reaching out to organizations and select commissions
to partake in a joint Earth Day event. Due to the poor turnout for past commission
events, Lauralyn suggested significant commitment by the various groups will be
necessary to make this worthwhile. If the commitment for participation is there, we
will get to work organizing this event. Due to the timing of Earth Day, this has the
potential to expand residents’ knowledge of many topics. The afternoon of April 22,
could be capped off with the showing of one of several documentaries available to
the commission.
- Lawn-Care Preemption Statute
George and Lauralyn reported that they received an email from Nancy Alderman, of
Environment and Human Health (EHHI), seeking the help of commissions. She
would like us to ask our selectmen to write a letter in support of changing the statute.
If passed, this would give power to the towns to make stronger laws against the use
of pesticides. Currently, this power is held by the state, not the towns. Conservation
Commission members are in support of Nancy Alderman’s efforts.
* Vote taken
The meeting adjourned at 9:16 pm.
Lauralyn Lewis, Secretary
Old Lyme Conservation Commission
Proposed 2012 Priority Items
- Broaden reach on pesticide awareness campaign to incorporate Roger’s Lake effort, private lawn treatment, etc.
- Continue and expand cooperation with local environmental groups (First Congregational Church Environmental Committee, Duck River Garden Club, CRERPA, etc.)
- Work with town and Pesticide Awareness Committee to support the town fields organic treatment efforts
- Support bike path/bike route/bike circle efforts in town
- Research forest cutting regulations enacted by other towns and provide example to Planning/Zoning for implementation
- Work with Open Space to create new trail maps and include kayak/canoe launch sites
- Hain’s Park buffer/barrier planting and signage project
- Produce/display pesticide awareness banner
- Initiate a Biodiesel feasibility study for town school buses
- Expand Conservation Commission membership & ex officio offices
- Continue work with High School developing video contest, etc.
- Expand digital information links on website (radon awareness/testing, well water testing, organic lawn treatments, barrier planting options, etc.)
- Support Roger’s Lake non-herbicide invasive weed control efforts
- Initiate Public Access (Ch. 14) Conservation Commission information series to provide information and heighten public awareness of environmental issues in the town (pesticide abatement, radon awareness/testing, well water testing, biking, fish hatchery, organic lawn treatments, barrier planting options, solar panel lease programs, invasive species, etc.). Shows might feature a Conservation Commission member engaging in discussion with a recognized expert on one of the above mentioned topics.
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