Minutes of the Old Lyme Conservation Commission Meeting
Held on March 5,2019 at &:30 p.m. at Town Hall
Call to order at 7:40 p.m.
Members present : George James, Tom Sherer, Maureen Plumleigh
guests- Alexander and Katherine Klose, Katherine expressed interest in joining the commission
Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as written
New Business
George James reported that the next meeting of the Sustainability Committee will meet on Wednesday the 13th of March at 4 p.m. in town hall. Both George and Maureen are on this committee. Maureen is focusing on recycling and George is focusing on solar energy.
Maureen Plumleigh presented a brief report on planned church and library activities with regard to recycling. She also showed a large sign
requesting that people not feed the geese. She plans to post the signs at Rogers Lake and at the boat launch areas.There is no question that the geese provide nutrients that contribute to the growth of unwanted vegetation. She noted that our sign at the Rogers Lake parking area has become moldy and unattractive.
George reported on the destruction created by the flooding of the Ames parcel by beavers. Hundreds of trees are dying in areas that have not been flooded before. The access road from Whippoorwill Road is under five feet of water and the wooden bridge that was part of the perimeter trail has been washed away and the crossing there made impassable. The only access to this property, the access from Evergreen Trail, is muddy and almost impassable. Mr. Bergren’s yard is being flooded and the foundation of his house is settling because of a beaver dam at the outlet of Blackhall Pond. All this destruction could be avoided by trapping the beavers at no cost to the Town.
Tom Sherer will report on the progress of the solar installation at the high school at the next meeting. George noted that the State program for solar has shifted from mortgage financing of solar installations to
a program in which the solar company installs and maintains the solar system with no upfront costs. This makes the installation a great deal more attractive to the home owner.
Tom also noted that the Congregational Church is embarking on a program that focuses on climate change and the carbon footprint of our town. The program will develop a data base and involve the young people in the church community in the program. Tom will also provide information about the solar installation at the high school. Tom recommended the book Uninhabitable Earth.
Maureen has written an article on recycling for the quarterly town newsletter.
Old business
Membership. The Commission warmly welcomes Katherine Klose as a new member of the Commission and welcome anyone else who wants to work on environmental issues in Old Lyme.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted George James , secretary
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