Open Space Commission
Meeting
March 14, 2014
Present: Diana Atwood Johnson, Amanda Blair, Peter Cable, William Dunbar, Evan Griswold, George James, Ted Kiritsis and Kurt Zemba.
Absent: Bruce Baratz and Mary Stone
Welcome by chairperson and meeting was called to order and began at 9:05am.
William Dunbar moved to accept February minutes, motion was seconded by Ted Kiritsis and carried.
Old Business
February 22nd Seminar:
Peter Cable gave a brief report on the February 22nd seminar. About 35 attended and Peter suspected that about 50% were landowners and the other 50% possibly were interested in open space, i.e. officials from surrounding towns.
There were approximately 125 letters sent to Old Lyme landowners we have been in touch with over the years, as well as newspaper and internet publicity. Peter reported how knowledgeable Amy Paterson of CLCC, is on the subject. Diana suggested this possibly become an annual event and asked members to advise her of topics they thought might be of interest.
Open Space Land Steward:
Diana reported on the recent board of finance meeting and stated they were receptive to the idea, salary was discussed and ultimately the board felt it was a good idea. Diana met with Chris Clayton of OLLT to discuss sharing a person for the position with Land Trust, possibly beginning July 1, 2014. This would give some time to prepare before actual dollars are available in the Town’s next fiscal year.
Bill Dunbar asked how we would go about finding someone. The possibility of circulating among commission members and then possibly a larger site, say on line. Liability is a concern, but any work with power tools would be performed by the town crew or a licensed professional, under the supervision of the land steward.
Open Space Layer on GIS site:
Diana Atwood Johnson stated that the Open Space layer was in need of some corrections and once they are all gathered, AppGeo would eventually update the map on line. A discussion of adding parcels with conservation easements on to the Open Space layer took place. The commission would like to do this as a next step but the work is more complicated and would require new funds. All parcels funded with State money from the Open Space matching grant program come with a conservation easement that make those parcels open to the public.
The next step as stated by D. Atwood Johnson would be to work on completing our trail map project so when you click on a Town owned open space parcel the trail map comes up and can be printed out.
Executive Session
A motion was made by Ted Kiritsis to move into executive session and seconded by P. Cable, so moved to executive session at 9:38am and ended at 10:00am. Motion made by T Kiritsis and seconded by B. Dunbar to end executive session. No action taken.
Wastewater Management Project
Kurt Zemba reported on the work of the WPCA and the possible elimination of septic problems beginning with the shoreline. Kurt described the proposed solution that the DEEP approves of and would be something new for New England. The system would require a small pumping station south of 156 and about 2 acres of land. Several sites are being looked at including the land behind Cherrystones and on the Black Hall Club’s property. The system would be less expensive than originally thought.
More information can be found on the town’s website.
New Business
D. Atwood Johnson on the Old Lyme Land Trust Grant application and has asked Amanda Blair to write a letter of support (attached). Amanda will sign and attached to the grant to be sent by March 31, 2014. A motion to support the grant was made by P. Cable and seconded by E Griswold. Motion carries.
Participation in the Earth Day program with the Lyme-Old Lyme High School Ecology Club on April 22 at 7pm. Paul Spitzer will speak about a grant he has received to study whether menhaden declines are impacting the osprey population.
Meeting adjourned at 11:40am
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Campbell
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