Conservation Commission Minutes 3/1/12
Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
March 1, 2012, 7:30 pm
Meeting called to order at 7:34 pm.
Members:
George James
Tom Sherer
Michael Sullivan
Lauralyn Lewis
Sue Baehr
Maureen Plumleigh, Alternate
Linda Clough, Alternate
Frank Finley, Alternate
Suzanne Thompson, ex officio
Peter Cable, ex officio
Attending: Tom Sherer, Lauralyn Lewis, George James, Sue Baehr, and Linda Clough
Guests: Anne Gunther, Scott Winters, Jamie Childs, Bill Humphries, Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal
- Approve Minutes of February 2, 2012
The commission approved the minutes of February 2, 2012.
Old Business
Lauralyn updated members and guests on the Selectmen’s meeting where Bob Dunn
and Phil Neaton gave a power point presentation in hopes of changing the December
2011 decision to not use pesticides on the town fields for 2012. Lauralyn shared the
comment she made during “public comment”: her suggestion that the selectmen
attend the forum on pesticides that Yale is hosting on March 30 and 31; and the fact
that Harvard has been using organics successfully for several years. In addition, she
mentioned there were many inaccuracies in the Lymeline coverage regarding this
topic. Lastly, she shared Ralph Eno’s comment that House Bill 5155 was being heard
in Hartford. His tone suggested that it was a forgone conclusion that the
current legislation banning pesticides on school playing fields
was going to be rolled back.
George reported that the Haine’s Park sign is coming along nicely. Sue reported that more mats are being considered, and Lauralyn and Linda shared the verbal exchange they had with the Dept. of Public Health speaker at Lyme’s “What’s Toxic, What’s Not” event. When they shared the news that the Roger’s Lake study suggests the possibility of using 2, 4D to control the twelve acres of the invasive millefoil weeds, the speaker said this should not be used due to its toxicity and that he was surprised and concerned that such a suggestion would be made.
Michael and Maureen were not present at tonight’s meeting. Updates on the video
contest will be heard at our April meeting.
Lauralyn shared the details for the upcoming Earth Day event. A number of citizens and groups have signed on and are quite enthusiastic to be part of the town’s first Earth Day event. Follow up calls need to be made. Discussion focused on the need to find out if we are allowed to accept donations as well as item choices to hand out to the townspeople. Lauralyn presented the members with the updated brochure. The decision was made not to show a documentary on Earth Day. The Earth Day event will be held from 1-3pm on Sunday, April 22.
George reported that he is scheduled to interview Jim Tripp for an upcoming episode of the “Conservation Corner”.
New Business
Lauralyn reported that she testified in Hartford against this bill. She was the only person from Old Lyme and Lyme at the hearing. Those in favor of the bill consisted of town managers and Parks and Recreation managers from several towns. They voiced the need to roll back the legislation which bans pesticides on school playing fields because it limits the “tools in their toolboxes” to manage the fields and rid fields of bees and poison ivy for children who might be allergic. Those present in opposition to the bill consisted of Representative Richard Roy (Co-Chair of the Environment Committee), Representative Phil Miller (Essex, Environment Committee), the Sierra Club, Ct Audubon Society, Dr. Jerry Silbert (Pathologist and member of the Watershed Partnership), CT NOFA and others. The science
which links the harmful effects to children from pesticides was stated, the need for Parks and Recreation managers to seek out new and healthier tools was suggested and the Environmental Protection Agency was quoted from their Healthy Lawn, Healthy Environment, which states “a major environmental problem and public health issue is due to the commonplace, widespread use of pesticides.”
- Lawn Care Preemption Statute
George and Lauralyn will meet with Bonnie to discuss how Old Lyme can be a voice to encourage giving the power back to the towns. Only twice in state history has the state held more power than its towns, once because of lobbying by the tobacco industry and once due to lobbying by the lawn care industry.
- Aquarion Environmental Champion Award
Sue presented the members with the particulars of this award. Members felt the town fields being treated organically satisfied the list of criteria to be considered for this. Sue will write up a proposal and share it at the April meeting.
Members voted unanimously to keep Tom Sherer as chairman, George James as co-chair and Lauralyn Lewis as secretary.
The meeting adjourned at 9:18 pm.
Lauralyn Lewis, Secretary
| 
