Conservation Commission Minutes 8/2/12
Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
August 2, 2012, 7:30 pm
Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm.
Members:
Tom Sherer
George James
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, Sue Baehr, George James, Linda Clough
Guest: Selectwoman Nosal
- Approve Minutes of July 12, 2012
The commission approved the minutes of July 12, 2012.
New Business
Members voted to change Linda Clough’s status as an alternate to member. Tom will express the commission’s desire to the selectmen.
Members decided to submit the banner and the slogan “The Conservation Commission – working for a pesticide free community” for the upcoming issue. In addition, the brochure or Grassroots’ Green Pesticide card will also be submitted.
The DEEP recently held a hearing on pesticides which Lauralyn attended and testified. She suggested the DEEP consider changing their current yellow pesticide flagging system to include an additional color for the sprayings which are innocuous e.g. dormant oil which is sprayed on Hemlocks.
Environment and Human Health held a meeting at Yale on pesticides. Senator Ed Meyer (Guilford, Madison, Branford) attended and reported that he has met with DEEP Deputy Commissioner Daniel Esty and there is positive feeling that the current legislation that bans the use of pesticides on school playing fields should be expanded to include high schools and municipal green spaces.
Environment and Human Health held a meeting at Yale on fracking. A USGS map was provided which showed the national assessment for gas for the east coast. This map shows the Hartford basin which runs the entire state of CT along the I91 corridor. Fracking which has caused devastation to water wells in PA, OH, CO, and WY, and is causing health issues could very likely be considered for CT. Vermont has banned fracking and New Yorkers are currently waiting for Governor Cuomo to decide their fate. There were four legislators present at the meeting at Yale and the decision was made to hold an informational meeting in September for fellow legislators, at the Capitol, on this topic. The documentary “Gasland” is worth viewing.
Old Business
Members discussed the need for the purchase of a table banner that could be used at town events. Sue will have some examples for members to view at the September meeting.
Tom will include the photo of Sue and Linda at Center School.
The commission’s display on pesticides is currently available for viewing at the library. The banner will make its debut over Halls Road on August 27.
Tom suggested that the commission should photograph the banner when it is hanging over Halls Road and replace the photograph that currently is on the Conservation Commission’s page on the town website.
Lauralyn will call Heather Fried to schedule a meeting to discuss collaboration between the commission and the LOLHS Environment Club.
Sue will bring ideas for expanding outreach to the elementary schools.
George suggested the FCCOL show the interview video he conducted with JimTripp. Tom and Linda will speak with their fellow members of the FCCOL Environment Committee.
George commented that there is movement by Open Space on the trail mapping.
Selectwoman Nosal reported that the presentation by John Rhodes on behalf of Facilities was lacking information and left committee members with no choice but to not go further with this.
Selectwoman Nosal reported that the fields are closed for July and August to let the grass grow. A new committee is forming to discuss the planning for additional fields in town. Region 18 will need to use the fields at Town Woods for another year.
George reported that the WPCA will not commit to well testing due to lack of funds. Lauralyn suggested the commission look to add funding next year for a base line testing in town. She suggested the town hall, fire houses and Town Woods be tested. This would give an indication of the health of wells in town without compromising property values.
Sue reported that dead fish have been washing up on her beach and the RLA will be discussing the clean-up of invasives at their meeting scheduled for August 8.
Linda will be borrowing two weed mats from the RLA for use against the phragmites at Hains Park.
The barrier garden has gotten the approval from Inland Wetlands and will be
excavated in the spring. Linda will submit a list of plants to the tree warden for approval.
George will interview Ray Zelek on the topic of solar this month.
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm.
Lauralyn Lewis, Secretary
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