Conservation Commission Minutes 2/6/14
Conservation Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
February 6, 2014, 7:30 pm
Meeting called to order at 7:31 pm.
Members:
Tom Sherer
George James
Lauralyn Lewis
Sue Baehr
Linda Clough
Maureen Plumleigh
John Stearns, Alternate
Suzanne Thompson, ex officio
Peter Cable, ex officio
Attending: Tom Sherer, George James, Lauralyn Lewis, Sue Baehr, Linda Clough,
Maureen Plumleigh, John Stearns
Guest: Selectwoman Nosal, Bruce Baratz
- Approve Minutes of January 2, 2014
The commission approved the minutes of January 2, 2014.
New Business
Members voted Tom Sherer as Chair, George James as Co-Chair and
Lauralyn Lewis as Secretary.
Members finalized the 2014 Priority List.
Many of the commission members were enthusiastic to be considered for the committee that will oversee the grant and had numerous suggestions for the committee. Selectwoman Nosal will email members with the meeting night when she receives it as that will determine which member may be available for the seat.
- Natural Hazards Mitigation Group
Selectwoman Nosal reported that the group will be responsible for making a plan from existing data as it pertains to hurricanes, wind and blizzards. Old Saybrook currently has a plan. Old Lyme will be required to revisit this plan every five years.
George will submit his piece on the CT Solar Challenge to meet tomorrow’s deadline. He will submit a copy to Lymeline for the Conservation Corner.
Lauralyn reported that she attended the legislative breakfast in Guilford on February 1 where Senator Ed Meyer announced that the Environmental Committee, which he chairs, will be submitting a bill to ban fracking waste from being stored in Connecticut. Additionally, they are looking to extend the state’s existing pesticide ban to include high school fields.
Linda shared an article on lithium battery storage for solar energy. Tom mentioned that this is the biggest challenge for solar.
Sue sent members an email containing a video of the January 28 Aquatic Weed Forum. A panel of experts discussed this statewide issue.
Ongoing Business
Lauralyn proposed a new campaign to address the commission’s ongoing priority of educating the public about the concerns of pesticides in town. Bruce Baratz (Open Space member and Duck River Garden Club Chair) offered ways he would like to see the garden club partner with the commission on this new campaign. Linda will make a proposal to the garden club at their upcoming meeting.
Maureen and Sue led the discussion on educating the Rogers Lake community
on the weed issue. Dick Smith had reached out to Maureen on the need for this
and would like to partner with the commission. The Rogers Lake Authority has an
annual budget that could cover the cost of a bulk mailing. Lauralyn suggested the
commission explore the possibility of including this information in the tax bill
mailing as the LYSB has done. As Rogers Lake is the major aquifer in town, this
information is relevant to every resident.
Sue suggested the commission utilize the plethora of information
from the CT Department of Health in going forward with educating residents on
well water and lake stewardship.
George proposed the need for the commission to offer a recommendation to Planning
and Zoning on the need for better regulations on development and how it will impact
the Rogers Lake watershed. Members were in full agreement.
The meeting adjourned at 9:36 pm.
Lauralyn Lewis, Secretary
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