TOWN OF OLD LYME
OPEN SPACE COMMISSION MEETING
Friday, April , 2012.
Chairperson Diana Atwood Johnson, called to order the meeting at 8.30am.
Members Attending: Diana Atwood Johnson, George James, Peter Cable, Ted Kiritsis, and Kurt Zemba, Bill Dunbar, Amanda Blair and Evan Griswold.
Absent: Marianne Gotfredson, Bruce Baratz.
Guests: No guests.
No alternates needed.
Diana Atwood Johnson motioned to accept the minutes for Februarys meeting, seconded by Amanda Blair, all agreed.
Diana Atwood Johnson updated the committee with information regarding the Hadam land swap. The appraisals for the Haddam land swap did not come within the expected amount. The Riverhouse developers withdrew their proposal to the state. There is ongoing activity to determine the way deeds and easements can be written to protect land purchased with funds intended for open space. Nothing has been determined as yet. The committee discussed this current situation and possibilities for the future.
Diana Atwood Johnson informed committee of a state legislative proposal for changes in land and conservation structure and for DEEP to be moved over to the Department of Agriculture. No further development on this so far.
The Chairman informed the committee of another proposal that may be successful in creating a state-wide open space land inventory. As a result all open space will be fed into a centralized system. All protected lands, including state, municipalities, land trusts and others would be part of the database.
Old Business: updates:
Peter Cable briefed the committee on the current status of the trail maps. He passed out examples of maps from new software used by Ted Crosby that he and George are working with to map trails. The maps will be made using this software and first be made available on the towns web site before any hard copies are produced. The appropriate scale for the new trail maps is yet to be determined. More information is yet to be gathered from the trails.
The OSC are still looking for a volunteer surveyor to determine boundaries of OS land. Peter Cable has been in contact with Bill Grover and obtained the contact details of a surveyor who could potentially assist the OSC. Amanda Blair suggested contacting the most recent surveyor of each property for details rather than having a new survey. The committee discussed other possibilities of having somebody come to determine the boundaries and have yet to decide on a course of action.
The low flyover of Old Lyme took place recently and the data will be available to the OSC in the fall.
The Chairman updated the committee on a situation in Cedar Hollow, a white oak tree on the town’s Bartholomew property is hanging over a residents yard. This resident has stressed concern of branches falling into his yard. Diana Atwood Johnson and Bonnie Reemsnyder have been out to look at the situation. Bonnie Reemsnyder will speak with the towns insurance company to get a definitive answer on the correct course of action, if any.
Diana updated the group on the new signage project. She has received an estimate which is affordable to the OSC. It is yet to be determined if this estimate includes installation. The committee discussed sizes, colors and materials of new signage. Diana Atwood Johnson handed out paper examples of how the signs will look when completed. The committee are all in favor of white lettering on a green background for the new signage.
Diana Atwood Johnson updated the committee on the effort to get the matching grant for the Ames purchased transferred to the Town. It may be received in the near future.
Earth day is on April 22nd. Kurt Zemba has agreed to mind a table on behalf of the OSC. Diana Atwood Johnson has prepared an Old Lyme bird checklist to distribute at the event, and has produced many handouts for the public. George James will be leading a trail on Ames also.
Diana Atwood Johnson informed the committee of a joint birdwalk with the Old Lyme Land Trust to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on May 12th. Andy Griswold from Connecticut Audubon will lead the walk. Times to be confirmed.
6. Reports of officers and/or committees: None
7. Correspondence and communications: None
8. Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn meeting was made by Diana Atwood Johnson, seconded by Evan Griswold, approved by all. Meeting adjourned at 10.00am.
Respectfully submitted
Stacey Pamplin
Secretary
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