Minutes of the Old Lyme Conservation Commission January 5, 2016 The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members present- Tom Sherer, Maureen Plumleigh, Sue Baehr, George James
Also present were Linda Krilikowski and Town sanitarian John Sieviec, The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as written.
Election of officers was postponed to provide ample time for the Sanitarian to present his views on the Rogers Lake situation with regard to a number of concerns, including wells and septic systems. Sue Baehr submitted the names of three shallow well holders at the south end of Rogers Lake. She requested that these wells be tested for contaminants before and after the eventual introduction of the herbicide Clipper into the lake. The Sanitarian said that the request could be carried out. An extended discussion of conditions
at Rogers Lake followed with the Sanitarian drawing on his experience in other towns. Members noted their concerns about the conditions at Hains Park with weeds, geese, runoff, shallows, and rocks.
The Sanitarian endorsed the idea of barrier plantings to discourage geese. Meeting dates for 2016 were accepted as proposed.
Maureen requested that the format for year 2016 priority items be arranged by goals and courses of action. Tom said that he would make that change. He also noted that the yearly report had been submitted.
George suggested that the commission purchase a 1O foot by 40 foot lake bottom blanket as part of a demonstration program to promote their widespread use to combat weeds. The suggestion was voted on and passed unanimously. Maureen urged the promotion of barrier plantings to reduce the presence of geese. She suggested that the environmental committee at the Congregational church would be one site for that promotion. She asked Sue to contact the library to reserve time there for Conservation Commission displays. Tom agreed to set up a
PowerPoint
presentation for the church group. George is preparing an article on the
Barbizon oak for the quarterly newsletter. Linda noted the untimely death
of Jim Tripp who managed the fish hatchery at the Lower Mill Pond. He was instrumental in the National Geographic's program to determine the daily habits of local snapping turtles in the Upper and Lower Mill ponds and in Rogers Lake. This program involved strapping cameras on the backs of the turtles and monitoring their activities. She noted the presence of a hybrid turtle in Rogers Lake and wondered about the impact on these turtles of the introduction of the herbicide Clipper.
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
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