Old Lyme Open Space Commission
Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2019
Members Present: Co-Chair Amanda Blair, Co-Chair Bill Dunbar, Secretary Peter Cable, Bruce Baratz, Greg Futoma, Gary Gregory, Evan Griswold
Staff: Land Steward Peter Norris
Guests: Joe Atwater, Conservation Biologist, RTP Estuary Center; Mike Kiernan, OLLT President; Tom Metcalf, OL Consulting Engineer
1. Call to Order
Co-Chair Bill Dunbar called the meeting to order at 9:03am. Commission members and guests introduced themselves.
2. Approval of Minutes
On motion by Peter Cable, second by Gary Gregory, the minutes for the March 8, 2019 meeting were passed unanimously.
3. Old Lyme Buildable Lots & Appraisals
Tom Metcalf presented a tutorial on the differences between the zoning of a parcel of land, effectively restricting its possible uses, and its developable potential. Appraisal based on the price of other similarly zoned parcels may not correctly reflect the developable prospects of the land if it has not accounted for depth of ledge, ground water conditions, soil type suitability, required setbacks, conditions for septic system installation and so forth. He provided examples of costs versus the criteria for buildable lots, and gave order-of-magnitude estimates bracketing costs of septic system installation and costs of drilling potable water wells.
4. McCulloch Property Status
Mike Kiernan described how purchase of the McCulloch property helps the Land Trust, by providing a key link, in its long-term plan of developing a cross-town trail that link trails allowing hikers to truly walk across Old Lyme.
In peripheral discussion, the OLLT markers delineating boundaries of Land Trust open space was praised. It was agreed that OLOSC would follow-up on obtaining similar boundary markers.
Amanda Blair reported that the OL Planning Commission at its April 11 meeting had unanimously approved by vote Town purchase of the McCulloch property.
There was discussion of the appropriate way of configuring the entrance to the McCulloch property open space to allow for sufficient public parking, permit entry to emergency vehicles and pedestrians, but also serve as a barrier to ATVs and other undesirable motorized vehicles.
5. Land Steward Report
Peter Norris reported that he has been walking all the trails and that they are in good shape except for the Ames property, where flooding associated with beaver presence had completely submerged the southern portion of the blue trail. He suggested consideration of establishing an alternate route. Peter also noted that at least one footbridge on Ames near the Evergreen Trail entrance needs repair. In discussion it was agreed that wood for the bridge could be obtained from the mill at McCulloch and that volunteer help on the project should be sought with the Boy Scouts in Old Lyme, as an Eagle Scout project, and with volunteers at the RTPEC.
Peter noted that, by his observations of trail use, the most walked trail in the OLOSC system is Champlain South.
6. Existing Business
Eklund phragmites
A proposal for phragmites mitigation was received from Malcolm Hill, Snowy Egret Wetland Services LLC, at $1,400 per cutting to mow the phragmites on Eklund Pond. Further inquiry by Evan Griswold to All Habitat Services LLC, Branford, CT, which uses chemical treatment as well as cutting, has received no response. Commission discussion concluded that cutting alone would be a continuing and expensive process without a clear outcome of phragmites eradication at Eklund. It was concluded that the issue was not critical at this juncture and that the Commission would continue to research the problem and seek further expert advice, including that of Richard Snarski, a registered soil scientist and Principal at New England Environmental Services LLC.
Beaver flooding mitigation on Whippoorwill Rd
Mike Callahan, Beaver Solutions, visited the Whippoorwill Road culvert blockage in late March and concluded that an effective water level control device (WLCD) could be installed at the site for reasonable cost. A proposal for installation of a WLCD, consisting of a protective culvert fence and pipe system to eliminate Whippoorwill Road culvert blockage and limit the amount of beaver initiated ponding at Ames, has just been received by First Selectwoman Reemsnyder and will be shared with OLOSC. A decision on the proposal will be made shortly.
Barbizon Oak protection
Bill reported that Wilcox Tree Experts had removed trees from around the Barbizon Oak in accordance with the recommendations of Tree Warden, Tom Degnan. Jason Wilcox further told Bill that the Oak needs attention for health reasons and that he had not removed any low growth at the base of the tree.
Hiker’s Happy Hour
Amanda reported that Old Lyme Inn, OLLT and OLOSC will partner to hold a first Hiker’s Happy Hour at the Old Lyme Inn on May 2 starting at 4:15pm. Two routes are planned with one leaving from the Wyckford Road, led by OLOSC, and the other from Old Lyme Inn, led by RTPEC.
Earth Day plans
Amanda and Joe Atwater agreed that OLOSC will work with RTPEC to try to plan and schedule a guided trail walk for this year’s Earth Day on April 22. Greg Fortuma will be doing an announcement for Virtual Town Hall mailing.
Conservation Easements
Commission members were asked to review the current requirements for conservation easement inspections for implementation and possible refinement.
Midsummer Festival
Amanda is seeking ideas from members for display and instructional items to showcase Town open space for the OLOSC booth at Midsummer Festival this coming July.
Trail Rules
Gary Gregory briefly reviewed his ideas for establishing and displaying trail rules on the Town’s open space venues. There will be further discussion of this item at the next meeting.
7. New Business
National Trails Day
Amanda said that it would be a very positive and appropriate event to have the dedication of the McCulloch property addition to the Town’s open space on June 1, National Trails Day. Evan and Bruce Baratz noted that, because The Nature Conservancy has 30 days from our submission of the sales agreement to grant its final approval, the June 1st date could be problematic for planning and promotion of the event. In discussion it was agreed that we would continue to work toward a National Trails Day dedication date, but not finalize until the schedule with TNC becomes more certain.
Short Hills Road subdivision open space
The Short Hills Road Great Oaks subdivision surveyor had scheduled to attend the OLOSC meeting at 10;30am but did not appear. The Planning Commission meeting on April 11 was to have had a public hearing on the Great Oaks subdivision plan, but the applicants cancelled and rescheduled for the next Planning Commission meeting on May 9. OLOSC will plan to attend that hearing to express its concerns and position.
8. Adjournment
At 11:02am the meeting was adjourned by vote on a motion by Gary, seconded by Greg.
Peter Cable
Secretary
April 14, 2019
| 