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Town of Old Lyme, CT Open Space Commission Minutes
Town of Old Lyme Meeting Minutes
Friday, January 8, 2016
In Attendance: Diana Atwood Johnson, Chairwoman, Amanda Blair, Vice Chairwoman, Peter Cable, Bruce Baratz, George James, William Dunbar, Evan Griswold, Alternate Mary Stone, Land Steward Lisa Niccolai, Guest: Gary Gregory
Meeting was called to order at 9am.
- Gary Gregory introduced himself, he is a potential new member of the Commission. He would like to volunteer as he is interested in helping with trail marking, hiking, any work necessary by the commission.
- All members introduced themselves and gave a brief summary of their experience and time in town.
- Chairwoman Johnson gave an overview of the Open Space Commission as it functions within the town framework and the accomplishments of OSC.
- Election of Officers: William Dunbar made a motion to retain Diana Atwood Johnson as Chairwoman and keep same slate, Amanda Blair as Vice Chairwoman and Peter Cable as Secretary. Evan Griswold seconded the motion, motion passed unanimously.
- Naming of voting alternatives: none.
- Approval of minutes from December 11, 2015 meeting.
- Mr. Griswold noted his name does not appear on attendees.
- Motion to Approve the minutes approved unanimously.
- There has been a great deal of activity, tree clearing, etc. Surveyors have been looking at issue areas and they are marked, areas are resolved where issues were. Bartholomew lines are now marked, issue with cows, this area is the end of the airfield. Discussion was had as to how to proceed with the agreement that was made between neighbor of property and former owners. The flags surveyor put up in this area were taken down. Discussion by commission members regarding issues of encroachment on OS land and whether to put into place a plan on how to address each particular issue. Photographs, letters send to violators, were all suggestions made by commission members. Chairwoman Johnson noted that things take time to resolve.
- Chairwoman Johnson reminded the commission that Jason Wilcox opened up the Barbizon oak and hauled all the wood away, all left on the tree is healthy and sprouts are growing on the tree.
- John Noyes emailed Chairwoman Johnson and wants to meet with Amanda Blair and Peter Cable on Ames/Noyes/Evergreen Trail Project and discuss the history and his knowledge of the area.
- Open Space Property Checklist: A link to Chairwoman Johnson’s DropBox will be sent in which all members can access the information relative to each property. The Checklist for the winter project of creating a history of each
property was distributed to commission members. Mr. Gregory suggested having all this information available on an App and also volunteered to assist any commission members with the project. Chairwoman Johnson noted that all trails will be entered on the MyTownTrails App. CTECO.UConn.Edu is a good reference for this project which has pulled together all sorts of information, such as soil types, wetland, hazard mitigation maps, endangered species. About My Woods App also provides similar information per Mr. Griswold.
- What’s In My Woods a possible Earth Day program per Ms. Blair, discussing what lives in the woods at different times of the year, what hibernates during winter, etc. as a possible presentation to OL school children.
- Pending Open Space Projects for 2016
- A list was passed out to members.
- Barbizon Oak is mostly done, but Chairwoman Johnson is always looking for more information for historical purposes, would like to know the reason for the name of the tree.
- Trail maps marking maps and correcting errors found on the Town’s GIS website.
- Boundary issues not completed. Hillside West is completed.
- Trail Info sheet: work in progress
- Improving Ames/Pfeifer parking lot: pile of chips that could be used someplace else. Ms. Niccolai indicated these degrade very quickly and are not good on trails.
- Bridge Ames property large pond, in Spring can not navigate. Platform is necessary in this area. Wetlands permit and design may be necessary. Mr. Gregory suggested the Boy Scouts as a starting point and will speak with Mike Miller about same.
- Handicap Accessible Trail personal project of Chairwoman Johnson. Is there an existing trail/vista that could be designated a handicap trail?
- Sealed plastic map carriers Chairwoman Johnson will purchase some to be able to leave maps and a notebook at each kiosk to allow visitors to leave a note about what they saw on their visit. Ms. Niccolai noted that this will need constant monitoring to keep critters and moisture out.
- Hazard Mitigation possible workshop for properties in town.
- Bridges list ideas of people who might be able to help.
- Greenway
- Volunteers for commission.
- Lord’s Wood Per Mr. Hendricks, town has not accepted road yet, still a private road. Area needs to be mowed for invasives by property owner. Town cannot.
- Champlain South another bridge. Entrance across from Jadon Drive has been cleared.
- Champlain North/South removing test hole pipes (there is a system to pulling them out). Test holes were for perc testing when property was considered for potential lots.
- Next stages: Chairwoman Johnson asked Ms Niccolai to consider habitat management on each property during the winter months. These observations can work with Commission members work on each habitat.
- Discussion about land at Cedar Hollow. Subdivision holdover issue piece of open space was to be given to OS, but property went into foreclosure. Issue was to be worked out by the bank, but this has not occurred to date.
- Chairwoman Johnson handed out a packet of priorities by the State, including a listing for all the plans the state has.
- Mr. Dunbar discussed houses going up on the Ecklund property and the neighbors views.
- Ms. Blair would like to discuss Windward/Jadon Drive project with Chairwoman Johnson.
- Mr. James will email Chairwoman Johnson some thoughts.
- Mr. Cable Northeast Corridor expansion article in The Day. Tier One of the Plan 50 mile stretch from Old Lyme to Rhode Island border of new railroad. Hearing coming up reason for new railroad is to avoid moveable bridges over waters that connect to the sound as railroad can only use these moveable bridges during certain hours of the day,as well as tidal issues.
- Discussion was had about the I95 Lyme Street bridge and options for a third lane, as well as, issues with travel and with location of historic district.
- Mr. Dunbar motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Cable.
- Motion approved unanimously. Meeting Adjourned at 10:45.
Minutes submitted by Suzann Gintoff Vautrain
Ruth Dillon Roach
Technology Coordinator
860 434-1605 ext 237
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