Conservation Commission Minutes 2/7/13
Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
February 7, 2013, 7:30 pm
Meeting called to order at 7:42 pm.
Members:
Tom Sherer
George James
Lauralyn Lewis
Sue Baehr
Linda Clough
Maureen Plumleigh, Alternate
Frank Finley, Alternate
Suzanne Thompson, ex officio
Peter Cable, ex officio
Attending: Tom Sherer, Lauralyn Lewis, Sue Baehr, Linda Clough, Maureen Plumleigh
Guest: Selectwoman Nosal
- Approve Minutes of January 3, 2012
The commission approved the minutes of January 3, 2012.
New Business
Members reviewed the budget for the present fiscal year. Lauralyn reported on the total funds available. Members prioritized the current needs. Based on the current amount available, the budget for the upcoming year will be revised and will be voted on in March.
- Priorities/Items for 2013
The list of priority items for 2013 was finalized.
This item was postponed due to absent members. Members invited Maureen to change her status from an alternate to a member. She agreed. Tom will notify the selectmen of the commission’s need for this change.
Ongoing Business
Lauralyn met with Heather Fried and members of the LOLHS Environmental Club. Due to when the April school vacation falls on the calendar, setting a date for Earth Day proves a bit challenging. Heather has several items to discuss with the principal before we are able to finalize the date and location. The next meeting will take place at LOLHS on February 26. Sue will join Lauralyn to represent the commission at this meeting. Linda will look into the possibility of using the FCCOL as the backup location for the 2nd Community Earth Day.
Selectwoman Nosal shared news that Don Bugbee reported, to the Board of Finance, that the town fields are looking good under the new organic treatment. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder asked for monies to continue with the organic treatment on the town fields, including a top treatment of compost which has not been previously done. The town is going ahead with a leaf composting site at the town transfer station and will be under the management of Public Works. News of the school fields coming back on-line this spring, much earlier than previously anticipated, will help to rest the town fields.
Sue updated members on the following: she looked into Maureen’s concerns of lack of posting of meeting minutes and agendas by the RLA and assured everyone that Dennis Overfield has been working at getting information posted well within town guidelines; the big mats will be used to control the remaining invasives in the lake beginning in the spring; and the RLA, with guidance from the DEEP, will redo the signage at the boat launch.
Linda reapplied for the Master Gardener’s grant and will be ready to purchase plants and will be assisted with the planting by fellow master gardeners in the spring.
Tom mentioned that he will be suggesting, at the next crew meeting, the need for a student intern to work with the masters to keep the crew area at Haines Park cleaned up.
Members agreed that the Conservation Commission work with the RLA to add a box containing dog bags to the Haines Park sign post. Sue will look into the cost of adding the box and purchasing a supply of environmentally friendly bags.
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Maureen has had challenges in scheduling a time for her and George to meet with Chuck Lee of the DEEP to discuss ways to amend the regulations, but is confident that she will get a meeting scheduled. She noted that Paul Armond from the Lyme Conservation & Inland Wetlands Commission would like to attend the meeting so he can learn more about Old Lyme’s regulations. Members suggested that Dave McCulloch be invited to share his knowledge in this area. Tom will reach out to Dave.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.
Lauralyn Lewis, Secretary
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