Town of Old Lyme Open Space Committee Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
Minutes: September 10 2010
Chairman Diana Atwood Johnson opened the meeting at 08:38 am with OSC members Bruce Baratz, Amanda Blair, Peter Cable, Bob DePianta, Bill Dunbar, Evan Griswold, George James, Ted Kiritsis, Teri Lewis and OLCT liaison Christina Clayton in attendance.
On a motion by Evan, seconded by Bill, it was voted to approve the OSC meeting minutes of July 9, 2010.
Properties
a) Ames property
Diana reported that she had spoken with Steven Ames and gotten an agreement with him to purchase approximately 70 acres of his property at 8-1 Evergreen Trail (Parcel A) at the price of $10k per acre, and to include a donation in fee, of 35 additional acres (Parcel B-1).
A motion was made by Ted and seconded by Bill, to purchase @70+/- acres, identified on a property survey entitled “Map depicting properties of Steven P. Ames,” dated January 14. 2005, as Parcel A. Said parcel to include or exclude two pieces of land proposed for purchase by the Old Lyme Conservation Trust, depending upon a vote by their board. Said purchase will be for $10,000 per acre; the purchase agreement will include the donation in fee, of property identified as Parcel B-1 on said map comprising 35.42 acres, more or less, that contains a conservation easement in favor of the Town of Old Lyme. The motion passed unanimously.
b) Kus property
Diana reported that she had met with Art Bogen regarding the status of the Kus property. An expected offer to purchase the property had not materialized. In addition, Martin Smith’s option on 11 acres of the property had expired without being exercised. Actions to remediate the property as a land-fill area were continuing and Art Bogen is preparing a memorandum of steps to complete the remediation to present to the DEP.
c) Geer property
Diana had spoken with Carl Geer regarding changes to the lot line designation on his 60-acre property on Whippoorwill Road. Mr. Geer is confined to his house, and the new lot will be for a house for the people who now care for him. Edward Casella is representing Carl Geer on these matters. Diana noted that the potential for open space on the property is now 53 acres, accounting for the current 2 acres with Mr. Geer’s house and the 5-acre lot identified for his care-givers.
d) Bus Barn property
It was reported that a parcel of open space has been absorbed into the current lot on Jadon Drive by the owner.
Subdivisions
a) Ursula Schaeffer property development
An application for a 3-lot development for the family’s use has expired.
b) Battalino subdivision
Diana reported that the two-parcel Mile Creek Road subdivision application has no open space designated.
c) Old Lyme Hills development
Diana reported that Old Lyme Hill subdivision, on Stage Coach Road, has reapplied to Inland Wetlands Commission to be heard at the next meeting (4th Tuesday of September). George indicated that no application has been made to the Conservation Commission. It was noted that all the open space easements indicated in the plans are on areas already designated as wetlands.
Old Lyme Conservation Trust
Christina reported on OLCT matters associated with the Lay property, the Lohman property and on management of the Watch Rock preserve.
Old Business
a) Open Space Commission
Diana met with the Selectmen regarding establishment of an Open Space Commission. She reported that Marylin Clarke and Edward Casella will edit the draft charter submitted with the proposal. The plan is to present the proposal to establish the Open Space Commission at the Town meeting at which the Sound View District proposal will be presented.
b) Plan of Conservation and Development
Diana reported that the Planning Commission is seeking additional inputs for the updated POCD and needs someone to do the writing of the 2010 plan.
New Business
a) Access of Dogs to Open Space
Diana recounted a discussion with a person who asked about access for her to walk her dog at Griswold Point. This raised a question with Diana regarding what the access of dogs to OL open space should be. It was noted that the CT allows leashed dogs on State open space, but not on beaches in parks and not in wildlife management areas. There was an open discussion of the issues regarding access of dogs to open space in Town. No resolutions were made.
At 10:30 am, there being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Cable
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