Minutes of the Old Lyme Conservation Commission Meeting- Feb.2, 2016
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m.
Members present were Tom Sherer, Maureen Plumleigh, Sue Baehr, George James
Guests present were Anu Godfrey-Fogg and Paul Gianquinto.
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as written.
Mr. Gianquinto was invited to speak about the Rogers Lake boathouse project. He explained the current proposal with the help of a detailed handout. Commission members asked several questions which were answered in detail. The Commission members thanked Mr. Gianquinto for his efforts and wished him success.
Membership. Because Anu Godfrey-Fogg holds a green card she may not vote in elections and thus is ineligible for commission membership. However, all members urged her to continue attending meetings and contributing her skills and talents to the commission.
Tom Sherer was elected chairman and George James was elected secretary.
The list of priority action items is undergoing a second revision by the chairman. Maureen’s suggestions will be incorporated in a revised document for commission approval.
Maureen reported that the Congregational Church Environmental Committee is planning a program involving at least two lectures dealing with the question of what we can do to respond to climate changes in our area.
Sue Baehr reported that the commission’s web page has been reviewed and revised with some excellent new references.
Mr. Gianquinto provided a complete update of the rowing club project.
George is to find out the exact procedure for purchasing the lake bottom blanket. George also made a detailed report on his visit with Bonnie Reemsnyder Feb. 1. The main elements of the report focused on the specific tasks assigned to the Conservation Commission in the Town Plan of Conservation and Development 2010.The report included several items regarding Rogers Lake: information about wells and septic systems, the commission’s long range plan, determining what would be involved in creating an “area of special concern” at Rogers Lake, and the use of phosphorous in lawn chemicals applied by lake residents. George also reported on the concerted efforts of the Old Lyme Land Trust in their successful efforts to maintain approximately 1000 acres of open space. The land trust also each year walks the numerous
properties that are under conservation easements in order to assure that the provisions of the easements are being met. George also reported on the Open Space Commission’s successful efforts to mark the trails on some 500 acres, place trail maps at key locations, and develop maintenance plans for each of the properties. He noted the town’s yearly mowing of two properties and the need to mow an additional property at Lord’s Wood. He provided Bonnie with a list of maintenance needs and a list of administrative needs based on the Town Plan of Conservation and Development and standard maintenance practices.
Tom will write a letter from the Conservation Commission concerning the
proposed routing of the railroad through the center of Old Lyme. We oppose plan A.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15.
Respectfully submitted, George James, secretary
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