Conservation Commission Minutes 4/5/12
Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
April 5, 2012, 7:30 pm
Meeting called to order at 7:37 pm.
Members:
Tom Sherer
George James
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, Linda Clough, Frank Finley
- Approve Minutes of March 1, 2012
The commission approved the minutes of March 1, 2012.
Old Business
Lauralyn shared that she had been contacted by Jenna Cho who is working on
another, more in depth, article on Town Woods. Lauralyn will speak with Cho, but
has some reservations due to the inaccuracies in the recent reporting.
Lauralyn told members that she had learned from First Selectwoman Reemsnyder that
the Board of Finance had approved an additional 30K to treat the fields.
George mentioned that he met with Ralph Eno and was assured that Lyme is
supportive of organic treatment for the fields.
Sue reported that the next Roger’s Lake Authority meeting is scheduled for April 11 at 7:30. Scheduled to attend are: State Senator Andrea Stillman, State Senator Eileen Daily, State Representative Marilyn Giuliano, Lyme First Selectman Ralph Eno, and possibly Old Lyme First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder. The invasive weeds, the study by Dick Knocklein, weed mats, boat launch training and the possible closing of the boat launch are scheduled to be discussed.
Linda reported that she and Sue had a meeting scheduled earlier with Ed Amante, but he never showed up. Excavation at Haine’s Park needs to get under way to take advantage of the grant money from the Master Gardeners and the labor from students in that program. This requires the area to be shovel ready. Linda and Sue will make the necessary calls.
Michael and Maureen were not present at tonight’s meeting. Lauralyn mentioned that
Earth Day will be a good opportunity to discuss this contest with the LOLHS
Environment Club and to gauge their enthusiasm for this.
Members discussed the advertising for the event. Lauralyn will email the final flyer to participants (to advertise through their websites and email lists), Cathy Frank (for posting on the community calendar), Lymeline, and Region 18. George mentioned the need to limit the trail walk to 26, due to limited parking and for safety out on the trails. Members decided to have the sign-up for the walk at the Conservation table. Additional members will be available to assist on the trail. Sue is working on the biographies and will meet with George to finish putting these together. Frank signed up to man the Conservation Commission table with Sue. Lauralyn mentioned that tables are provided and set-up will begin at noon. Tom suggested that the new banner be hung at the event. Handouts for the table were discussed
and finalized.
George reported that he is scheduled to interview Jim Tripp for an upcoming episode of the “Conservation Corner”.
- Aquarion Environmental Champion Award
Sue reminded members that the submission date is May 1. Sue will work with George to finalize the application.
New Business
- Solar Power Agreement for LOLHS
Tom reported that Board of Education member Jim Witkins voted against the agreement, though his fellow members thought solar was worth doing. This agreement would require that nothing is paid up front, would allow for a fixed payment for the next 20 years, and upgrading would be done by the provider. This agreement would save taxpayers thousands of dollars.
This cannot be regenerated and put on the docket again until possibly October. A petition was created by members of the FCCOL Environmental Committee. Conservation members felt that having this available for residents to sign at Earth Day would be appropriate.
The meeting adjourned at 9:23 pm.
Lauralyn Lewis, Secretary
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