Town of Old Lyme
Open Space Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
Minutes: February 10, 2011
Chairman Diana Atwood Johnson opened the meeting at 08:35 am with Open Space Commission (OSC) members Bruce Baratz, Amanda Blair, Peter Cable, Bill Dunbar, Marianne Gotfredson, Ted Kiritsis, Teri Lewis and Old Lyme Land Trust (OLLT) liaison Christina Clayton in attendance.
Introductions and background information were given by each attendee to introduce Marianne, the newest OSC appointment.
Naming of Voting Alternates
Diana noted the distinction between OSC regular members (seven total, by ordinance), with voting rights at meetings, and alternate members (three total), with voting rights at meetings only when acting in the absence of a regular member. As per the establishing ordinance, there have been ten appointments to OSC (Evan Griswold and George James were absent from this meeting), and the last three to be appointed are the alternate members, these being Bruce, Teri and Marianne.
Election of Officers
This being the first annual meeting, Diana opened the floor to nominations for OSC officers for 2011. Bill nominated Diana for Chairman, Peter for Vice Chairman, and Teri for Secretary. There were no further nominations from the floor, and upon Diana’s call the nominated slate were elected by a vote of four regular members with one regular member abstaining.
New Business
a) Bylaws and land acquisition protocol
Peter made a motion, seconded by Bill, to adopt the draft OSC bylaws, circulated to the membership by email, and posted on the OSC website. The motion to adopt the bylaws passed unanimously.
Peter made a motion, seconded by Ted, to adopt the draft OSC land acquisition protocol, circulated to the membership by email, and posted on the OSC website. The motion to adopt the acquisition protocol passed unanimously.
b) OLLT proposal regarding purchase of Ames property
Through Christina, OLLT has proposed that the State DEP grant to the Trust for $38,650, for purchase of the “Sheep’s Ledge” parcel (8.24 acres) and the “Wedge” parcel (2.8 acres) of the Ames property, be assumed by the Town (OSC), with payment by OSC to OLLT for expenses incurred by the Trust in securing the grant. The OLLT expenses total $5,242 and consist of $3,300 for a yellow book property appraisal and $472 for a title search, both required for the DEP grant, and $1,470 for negotiating and writing the grant application.
Peter made a motion, seconded by Ted, that OSC accept the expenses of the OLLT, as presented by Christina, and agree to pay OLLT $5,242, subject to approval of the 2011 OSC expense budget, and also subject to successful attainment of the DEP grant of $38, 650 and closure on sale to the Town of the Ames property. The motion passed unanimously.
In addition to the vote on the OLLT proposal, there was extended discussion of the costs and way forward on purchase of the entire 116 acre Ames property.
c) ARIA LLC development
ARIA LLC owns 50 acres of land for development, Broad Brook Estates, on Boston Post Road near Stone’s Ranch. The owner has approached Diana about the possibility of the Town buying the land. There was discussion of this possibility but no clear reason was identified for Town interest. No action was taken.
Old Business
a) Kus property
At 10:03 am on motion by Peter, second by Ted, it was voted to go into executive session. At 10:17 am on motion by Bill, second by Ted, it was voted to leave executive session. No actions were taken during executive session.
b) Shore Road scenic easement plan
Amanda reported on her research on process and rules for establishment of scenic road designation. Amanda suggested that pursuing both scenic road designation for Shore Road east to Mile Creek, a process which must be done through the State (ConnDOT), plus seeking conservation easements on Shore Road properties, would constitute a good strategy for scenic preservation of Shore Road. There was discussion of working with other Town organizations, and Bill suggested initially presenting the ideas before Planning Commission. Amanda noted the necessity of getting early clarification from the Town Assessor on the tax benefits to land owners of granting scenic easements. Marianne and Amanda agreed to work further on formulation of a plan for scenic preservation of Shore Road.
c) Trail Book
Peter reported on the meeting on January 19, 2011 of the ad hoc trail book committee, consisting of Amanda, Bruce, Teri and Peter. At the meeting, a plan for producing a new trail book over the next year was framed and work assignments made. Partnering with Conservation Commission and with OLLT for production of the new trail book will be done. Marianne expressed interest in working on the new trail book.
Correspondence and Communications
a) Public coastal access site
Diana noted and read a February 9, 2011 letter from the Old Lyme Harbor Management Commission to the State DEP Land Acquisition and Property Management Division proposing establishment of a public coastal access site at the location of the Bow Bridge abutment, on the west bank of the Lieutenant River on the north side of Halls Road.
b) Old Lyme Heights development
Diana noted that the subdivision application for Old Lyme Heights has been withdrawn.
c) Short Hills Road development
Diana reported that mylars for the development had been filed.
January Minutes
On motion by Ted, second by Bill, it was voted to accept the minutes of the January 14, 2011 meeting of the Open Space Committee.
At 11:10 am, on a motion by Bill, second by Ted, it was voted to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Cable
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