Conservation Commission Minutes 4/4/13
Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
April 4, 2013, 7:30 pm
Meeting called to order at 7:36 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, George James, Lauralyn Lewis, Sue Baehr, Linda Clough, Maureen Plumleigh
- Approve Minutes of March 7, 2013
The commission approved the minutes of March 7, 2013.
New Business
*Members voted to continue with Tom Sherer as Chair, George James as Vice Chair and Lauralyn Lewis as secretary.
Tom shared information on CT Solar Challenge. This residential photovoltaic program has a 65% rebate. The program consists of an energy audit, satellite view for feasibility, and a sell back to the energy company during the day and use off the system at night. Additionally, it has a 25 year warrantee with a 6-8 year payback.
Lauralyn updated members on HB 6519 (a bill requiring the labeling of GMOs). This was voted on in the Public Health Committee today.
Ongoing Business
Lauralyn updated members on the planning that has taken place for Old Lyme’s 2nd Community Earth Day. The event will be held at the FCCOL on April 28 from 2-4 pm with a set-up time of 1 pm. Many of the groups and organizations that participated in 2012 have enthusiastically signed on for this year. There are a number of new participants as well. George will lead the walk to the caves at 3 pm. Sue and Lauralyn will rework the flyer from last year and get that information out for the town calendar, to Region 18 and to Lymeline. Maureen will get this information to the churches.
Members agreed that Buzz Away towelettes would be a good hand out at the event.
Linda and Tom mentioned there would be additional tables with displays by the FCCOL children. Lawn signs will be ordered to provide signage for the event.
Members agreed to use George’s article on lawn pesticides for the next issue of Events. It will be submitted to Lymeline after is appears in Events. Maureen will submit the most recent article by David Nelson to Lymeline.
Members had no current news to report.
Linda reported that the town broke ground on the barrier planting bed this morning.
It was suggested that a weed mat be placed over the phragmite area to curb growth.
Maureen read a letter from Theresa Sinacrope regarding the invasives and suction
harvesting at the lake. Sue suggested Maureen forward this letter to Dick Smith so
that it can be discussed at the upcoming RLA meeting. This information should be
going through the RLA prior to reaching the commission. The commission continues
to support nontoxic methods of dealing with the invasives. Conservation Commission
members will attend the RLA meeting to support this ongoing issue.
The meeting adjourned at 9:27 pm.
Lauralyn Lewis, Secretary
*Vote was taken.
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