TOWN OF OLD LYME
OPEN SPACE COMMISSION MEETING
Friday, October 12, 2012.
Chairperson Diana Atwood Johnson, called to order the meeting at 8.30am.
Members Attending: Diana Atwood Johnson, George James, Ted Kiritsis, Amanda Blair, Peter Cable, Bruce Baratz, Bill Dunbar, Kurt Zemba.
Absent: Evan Griswold.
3. Approval of minutes:
A motion to accept the amended minutes for July was made by Ted Kiritsis and seconded by Kurt Zemba. All in favor. Motion passed.
- OLLT: Peter Cable updated the committee on the current status of the trail maps. He intends to continue to work with OLLT to create trail maps, although progress is slower than expected.
Diana Atwood Johnson informed the commission the budget for this year has been requested. Diana also suggested the possibility of placing “Surveys on Boundaries” as a major expense. The committee discussed the current funds and expenditure. Diana welcomed thoughts from members on how they would prefer to spend the budget.
The new signage for open space trails is paid for. Signs are manufactured. Diana will organize the precise location of the new signage and arrange for them to be installed.
Diana Atwood Johnson updated the attendees on the situation with the Mike Sanders/OS boundary issue. Diana read aloud an email from Mike Sanders to Bonnie Reemsnyder. Committee discussed the letter. Diana and First Selectwoman Reemsnyder have invited Mike Sanders to meet with them and discuss the issues he raised and our own concerns. The committee intends to have a surveyor establish the boundaries between OS land and Mr Sanders property to assist in resolving this issue. The OSC intend to take the appropriate steps to protect the towns people and have contacted the state trooper who will inform Mike Sanders that a survey will take place.
Diana also updated the committee on Bob DePianta’s request to have a tree be taken down on the town’s Bartholomew property. Diana and First selectwoman Reemsnyder have followed the correct procedure to regularly determine if the tree is hazardous. The tree has been determined as healthy, and regular inspections of the tree will take place.
The Chairman informed the committee that the former Broad Brook subdivision has been transferred for $1.00 to a new owner.
George James suggested the possibility of OSC contacting the state/national guard regarding the 43 acres near Broad Brook. This was noted by the Chairperson.
Kurt Zemba updated the committee on the board of selectman's intentions to find suitable land to accommodate a community septic system. Kurt assured the committee that no existing open space land will be affected at all. Kurt Zemba also suggested to the board of selectmen they involve Diana before purchasing any land. Committee discussed the process of addressing the needs of the shoreline community through a community septic system.
Chairman Johnson told the committee she received an email from Mr Edward Casala to inform her that Mr Mike Cronin had replied to him regarding Ted Zito giving the Town a peace of his property near Rogers Lake. Diana would like to be informed by Mr Cronin of any issues regarding existing encroachments that come with the land before any more progress is made.
Diana Atwood Johnson informed the attendees that the Coastal Conservation District has not given her a report on the Foster properties.
She also mentioned the recent designation of several Old Lyme Trees as Trees of note.. Old Lyme has three notable trees. The OSC will ask the tree commission to get the other trees in Old Lyme, previously listed with the Connecticut Arboretum’s Notable Trees list.
Peter Cable plans to continue to work on walking the trails to create maps. Diana Atwood Johnson suggested contracting this work out. Amanda Blair suggested the local boy scouts or a recent college graduate. The committee discussed this possibility; no decision was made.
8. Reports of officers and/or committees: None
9. Correspondence and communications: None
10. Adjournment:
Meeting was adjourned at 10.00am.
Respectfully submitted
Stacey Pamplin
Secretary
| 
