Conservation Commission Minutes 9/5/13
Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
September 5, 2013, 7:30 pm
Meeting called to order at 7:35 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: John Stearns
- Approve Minutes of August 2, 2013
The commission approved the minutes of August 2, 2013.
New Business
Members discussed the newspaper articles that appeared in The Day (8/27) and Lyme Times (9/5) on the Old Lyme Land Trust’s (OLLT) use of herbicides on invasive plants at the Watch Rock property they are entrusted to oversee. It was shared that Dick Blair (member of the FCCOL Environment Committee and former OLLT member) wrote a letter to the OLLT expressing his deep concern and disappointment over the Trust’s decision to use toxic chemicals.
Ongoing Business
Lauralyn reported the banner is scheduled to be hung over Halls Road for the middle of September. As this year marked an overall increase in the number of properties in Old Lyme that displayed the yellow pesticide flags, discussion took place on the need to further educate the townspeople – specifically on the definition of a pesticide. Lauralyn shared the compliment she received on behalf of the commission – a woman in town first saw the banner in March and was glad someone in town was doing something about the pesticide usage.
Members discussed the display at the library. Linda and Maureen accepted
the task of creating the display that will focus on the Rogers Lake buffer
garden.
Members discussed the need for a committee to be created by the selectmen with representation from both the towns of Lyme and Old Lyme, to thoroughly investigate the weeds issue at the lake. As the lake serves as the major aquifer for the town of Old Lyme, all residents are well water users, the CT Department of Public Health does not condone the use of chemicals in lakes and there is no permanent solution to this issue, thoughtful consideration should be given to the long term health of the lake.
The meeting adjourned at 9:18 pm.
Lauralyn Lewis, Secretary
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