Conservation Commission Minutes 7/11/13
Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
July 11, 2013, 7:30 pm
Meeting called to order at 7:37 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
Guest: John Stearns
- Approve Minutes of June 6, 2013
The commission approved the minutes of June 6, 2013 after deleting the word hired from the position for Haines Park. This is a volunteer only position. The Conservation Commission has no authority to hire, per the selectmen’s office. This error was noted and the change accepted.
New Business
Tom and Linda mentioned there will be a meeting to discuss hurricane preparedness on July 30 at 6pm at the FCCOL.
Lauralyn mentioned that the library will be hosting an event on July 23 titled Native American Myths on Nature and Stewardship of the Land. This will begin at 6:30 pm and registration at the library is required.
Lauralyn reported that Governor Malloy signed key energy legislation into law on Monday. It expands Connecticut’s natural gas distribution system with a goal to gain 280,000 new customers within ten years. Additionally, it rewrites the state’s renewable energy policy to boost Canadian hydropower. Environmentalists naturally believe we should be promoting locally generated solar and wind power. Dr. David Brown, a board member of Environment and Human Health, has been in Pennsylvania studying the health effects of fracking and is seeing the very real human cost of this energy. He responded to this new law by stating, “When the DEP became the DEEP, the emphasis moved to energy and away from focusing on protecting the environment. We no longer have an agency capable of evaluating hazards of
the magnitude of fracking.”
Ongoing Business
Sue will look at the various education packets that are available and share at the commission’s August meeting.
Lauralyn reported that the sign shop, upon seeing the damage the banner had suffered, advised the commission to seek the help of a sail shop. Sewing will be necessary to repair the damage.
Linda looked into the yellow pesticide flag that was seen on the lawn at the library. This was due to a termite spraying that had taken place there. Lauralyn commented that this was a good example of why she had testified at the DEEP headquarters last summer on the need for a color coding system for the flags. There is no need to keep children and pets off of grass that has not been treated with chemicals.
Members gave feedback on the mosquito information sheet. This sheet will accompany the Buzz Away towelettes that the commission is making available to folks visiting the health department with concerns about mosquitoes.
Lauralyn suggested the commission look into the possibility of having a display at the library for the month of August or September similar to what we did last summer. Linda will look into this.
Linda will be bringing a guest to the August meeting who will help with the designing of the buffer garden sign.
Linda reported that the mat is working to stop the growth of the phragmites at the lake.
Tom reported that he and his son, Will, would be volunteering to keep Haines Park picked up and set an example for the rowers.
Sue reported that the Selectmen’s minutes stated that the work on the dam would be starting and the lake would be drawn down 18” in August. Letters will go out to residents with wells that may be affected.
Members discussed the need to include information on weeds and the mats being used at the lake in the new fertilizer brochure Linda and Maureen are creating.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Lauralyn Lewis, Secretary
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