TOWN OF OLD LYME
OPEN SPACE COMMISSION
MINUTES
Friday October 19, 2013
Call to Order/Welcome:
Members Attending: Diana Atwood Johnson, George James, Ted Kiritsis, Evan Griswold, Bill Dunbar, Peter Cable,.
Absent/Excused: Kurt Zemba, Marianne Gotfredson, and Amanda Blair.
Guest: Susan King, Acting Secretary
It was noted by the Chairperson that a quorum was present. Chairperson Diana Atwood Johnson called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.
Voting Alternates: None
Approval of the Minutes of prior meetings was deferred until the next meeting.
Personal Comments by Chairperson
The Chairperson apprised the sitting commissioners of her health status.
Old Business:
A. SOUTHWICK PROPERTY: Chairperson advised that the Southwick property, which abuts the Roger Tory Peterson land, is up for sale (priced at $3.2 million) and provided a general description of the property e.g. seven ± acres , 50% salt marsh, great observation point for migrating birds, adjacent to public boat launch, last property on Smith Neck Road, has existing house and cabins. Bruce Baratz added that the property was accessible off Route 156 for bicycling, and public parking is available at the DEEP boat launch. Chairperson indicated that one issue may
be operating expenses – management of the property – and to that point she has contacted various groups regarding partnership e.g. Connecticut Audubon Society, Fish and Wildlife. Chairperson recommended Town of Old Lyme ownership of the land and asked that the Commissioners consider this.
B. TOWN STEWARDSHIP OF PROTECTED OPEN SPACE: Chairperson recommended formally inviting First Selectman to attend the next Open Space Commission meeting to discuss the Town providing stewardship of the Town of Old Lyme Open Space properties, with an eye toward bringing the matter to the Finance Committee and ultimately institutionalizing stewardship of town property versus having this Commission's it is and/or its volunteers responsible. Ted Kiritsis and George James spoke in favor of this, pointing to the overall purpose of the Commission as detailed in a 2004 written document prepared by Mr. James (which Mr. James had in hand and made available to the Commissioners).
C. NATURALIST/PUBLIC WORKS/OPEN SPACE GURU: A general recommendation was made that a member of the Town Public Works crew sitting on this Commission would be beneficial. Specific comments made by Bruce Baratz led to a suggestion by the Chairperson that a trained naturalist/specialist (capable of identifying and addressing invasive species and developing management plans, for example) would be a good addition to the now six member crew. She requested that Evan look into the Town of Lyme model (which currently has a graduate of Yale School of Forestry part-time in similar position, and part-time with land trust). She asked that George put together a proposed Job Description with proposed salary parameters, and circulate this to the Commissions prior to the next meeting. The
goal is to have a naturalist/specialist proposed for this position to submit with the OLOSC’s budget request for July 1, 2014 either on a full-time or part-time basis.
D. JAMES ACTION ITEMS: George James submitted a list of issues for consideration (copy of which is attached) and following topics were raised pursuant to the list:
1. Signage Project -
Chairperson requested that George submit a written proposal for her approval / sign-off for the Ames Map kiosks. This matter will be put on the Agenda for the next meeting.
2. Survey /Management Plan -
Pertaining to the topic of a management plan/survey/habitat assessment for any particular piece of town-owned open space land, Chairperson suggested the need for an evaluation of every property stating that the evaluations should be prioritized on the basis of time, energy, dollars and why each property falls in the place it does, including a statement “making the case” for its stewardship status.
Evan brought up topic of working with a forester to take trees down in the forest – getting the Town to see this as an asset versus spending liability.
3. Leaf composting -
General discussion as to how Old Lyme deals with leaf removal and State requirements (relatively new legislation). Chairperson asked Bruce to look into the Old Saybrook composting system and report back.
4. Workshop/Seminar –
Action Item for Peter Cable – Providing a single seminar, or a series during the winter months of 2013-2014 was discussed. Chairperson gave this seminar/series as an Action Item given to Peter Cable, suggesting that he talk with Old Lyme Land Trust and Connecticut Land Conservation Coalition (CLCC) regarding bringing a speaker(s) to the Old Lyme/Lyme area.
Other Business:
Chairperson urged Commissioners to provide topics for Town Newsletter.
Due to time constraints of the members the second half of George James' issue items will go on the Agenda for next month's meeting.
Adjournment:
Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 10:10 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan P. King
Susan P. King, Esq.
Attachment from George James:
Proposed Open Space Agenda Items
1. Purchase metal trail maps (3) for Ames ,Champlain north(1) ,and Batholomew (1) $75.each. Complete the trail map web page. Establish the southwest border of the Ames property with permanent boundary markers.
2. Contact the State forester to develop a new ten year maintenance plan for Champlain north and south. Establish maintenance plans for the other open space parcels.
3. Find a leaf composting site for the Town. Identify suitable land for the Town to purchase for parks and recreation (swimming, ball fields)e.g. Montanero 23 acres, Four Ponds (80 acres).
4. Write to all owners of top priority open space. Include the latest tax benefits and incentives for bargain sales and donations. Show them that we are still very much interested in acquiring their property- follow up with a seminar on open space as has been done in the past.
5. Update the Open Space Plan – last update was 2004.
- Consider purchasing the former FMTM property and restoring town ownership of the adjacent 43 acres (part of Stone’s Ranch) to develop a model habitat restoration project for birds and rabbits and brook trout- link this project with schools, Boy Scouts, DEEP, Audubon Society, and US Fish and Wildlife (funding).
- Establish trail maintenance crews for each property. Involve the Boy Scouts in trail improvement. Thank the town crew. for their mowing the Ames entrance and the Champlain north field.
- Conduct trail walks on town open space for elementary grade school children as part of their required courses in conservation. Involve them in clearing of invasive plants and planting of desirable vegetation. Involve the high school Conservation Club in open space projects.see number six
- Include articles on open space in the quarterly town newsletter.
- Work closely with the Old Lyme Land Trust, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the group of volunteers on the execution of the plans for the R.T. Peterson property.
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