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Open Space Commission Minutes 02/19/2016
Town of Old Lyme, CT- Open Space Commission Minutes

Town of Old Lyme
Meeting Minutes
Friday, February 19, 2016

In Attendance:  Diana Atwood Johnson, Chairwoman, Peter Cable, Bruce Baratz, William Dunbar, Alternate Mary Stone, Land Steward Lisa Niccolai,

Meeting was called to order at 9:05 am

  • Welcome/Introductions
  • Naming of Voting Alternatives- Mary Stone named for full quorum.  
  • Chairman’s Report
  • Board of Finance- Chairwoman Johnson responded to an email request from Nicole Stajduhar at the Board of Finance requesting a response from Open Space detailing the reasons OS should continue to be funded.  Chairwoman Johnson sent a detailed response and included First Selectwoman Reemsnyder and also spoke with Jeff Sturgis, Board of Finance liaison for Open Space. Ms. Sturgis will be representing OS on a March 1, 2016 meeting about operating expenses.   
  • NEC EIS Alternative 1:  Chairwoman Johnson noted that First Selectman Reemsnyder has done a remarkable job in responding to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Alternative One, and all in town seem opposed to this proposal.    Mr. Dunbar noted that in 2018, the existing railroad bridge is scheduled to be replaced in town, and that he believes that Alternative 3 seems the best.  Mr. Cable noted that he believes the joint letter written by Connecticut Representatives Joe Courtney, Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy was weak in that it only urged the FRA to get in contact with local communities.  Mr. Cable responded to the Congressional representatives’ letter and requested that they be stronger in their response.   Chairwoman Johnson noted that the plan for Alternative 1 merely shaves off 30 minutes between Washington to Boston and that the existing infrastructure should be fixed.  Further, that by 2040, when the project is scheduled for completion, new technology will be in place, which could make the existing plan obsolete.   Mr. Baratz noted the goal is to move people and Alternative 3, moves people through cities, to the growing city of Boston.  Chairwoman Johnson noted the consultant's study of the existing railroad bridge in Connecticut is available online, and that all the environmental consequences of the existing bridge are detailed, she noted that Alternative One does not take any of this information into account.    Ms. Stone noted that Alternative One is the cheapest alternative to both Alternative two and three and that best and strongest stand against this Alternative One should be taken now.  
  • Next steps- upon submitting a comment to the FRA, a response was automatically generated indicating all comments would be reviewed and by the end of the year the FRA would respond to comments.  Chairwoman Johnson noted she would like to be involved over the course of the next months.  Mr. Cable noted an environmental lawyer was hired during the proposal for the Baldwin bridge and that it might be good to get someone involved on the town's behalf now.  Chairwoman Johnson agreed, suggesting a professional lobbyist/consultant whose job it would be to be in Washington and to report back to the town.  The OS Commission would like to have a meeting with Ms. Reemsnyder about how to proceed.  
  • Audubon Connecticut (affiliated with the National Audubon) came out in support of Alternative one and Chairwoman Johnson contacted them regarding this.  Audubon Connecticut amended their document and re-sent it to the FRA.  Connecticut Audubon also submitted a document in response to Alternative 1 opposing Alternative 1.

  • In light of the threat of the railroad, Chairwoman Johnson noted that there is nothing in the deeds for Open Space which permanently protects the land.  (She also noted that on the Bartholomew property, when it was originally donated to the town by Dana Bartholomew, it was reported in the minutes to be used for conservation purposes only.  However, this was never stipulated at the town meeting or in the deed).  This led Chairwoman Johnson to look at the deeds and noted possible options that came out of state meetings.  These options would add one more layer of protection. The best seems to be:
  • Place a conservation easement on OS properties in favor of another organization, who would be the monitor. Land Trusts seem to be the most logical.  This is complicated because it takes money and work to enforce easements.  
  • Chairwoman Johnson had a discussion with Amy Patterson about this and will discuss again in two weeks to get her opinion.
  • Mr. Dunbar agreed with exploring this and Ms. Stone noted this would add consistency to all properties which she is strongly in favor of.

        c. James complaint to First Selectwoman/Commission response to First Selectwoman.
  • Mr.  James was not at the meeting and Chairwoman Johnson will move this agenda item to the next meeting.  
  • Discussion was had by the members about the appropriate channels of communication within the Commission when a member has a complaint or issue.  
  • Chairwoman Johnson noted that there are many things the Commission can do and all take time.  Further noting, that all on the Commission are volunteers and if the Commission agrees and decides a certain item is a priority, then it is added to the goals for the year.  
4.  Approval of Minutes of January 9, 2016.  
  • Motion to approve by William Dunbar, seconded by Peter Cable.  Mary Stone abstained.  Motion approved.
5.  Land Steward Report
  • During the last storm, many branches came down which are finally freed up from ice and mud and Ms. Niccolai is getting out again to clean them up.
  • Unfortunately, there are reports from Ames that there is ATV activity there.  Ms. Niccolai will look into this and report back her findings.
  • Ms. Niccolai began marking the Bartholomew North boundaries/encroachment area.  
  • Ms. Niccolai will get out to change the signs at Ames when the ground is no longer frozen, as it needs a new post.
  • Ms. Niccolai mentioned that there are implications (soil erosion) of raking the trails and urged those who do to discontinue this practice.


6.  Old Business:
  • Adam Whelchel, PhD.- Director of Science- The Nature Conservancy Coastal Resilience Presentation- March 11, 9 a.m.  Mr. Whelchel will present on properties identified in Old Lyme that would be helpful in times of disasters (hurricane/flood).  These are the properties in Old Lyme that, as the water levels rise, will be covered in water and would be desirable to protect to allow the land to accept higher waters.  All those involved in land use in the town hall, as well as, boards, commissions, land trust, etc.  will be invited to attend.  This presentation will be held at the March Open Space Commission meeting.  
  • Open Space Property Checklists update.  Mr. Cable noted that he and Chairwoman Johnson and Amanda Blair, met with John Noyes who reached out to discuss the Ames/Boggy Hole property.  Mr. Noyes is a descendant of the Reverend Moses Noyes  who served for 66 years as the minister of what became the First Congregational Church in Old Lyme.  One of the ways he was paid for his service to the church was by giving him land.  Mr. Cable noted this was a good meeting and was quite helpful for the project.
  • Mr. Cable also noted that there is a meeting on the Stones Ranch properties requesting input from the public on the current plans.  This meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2016 from 6-8 pm at Camp Niantic.  
     C. Woodcrest/Outstanding easement:  Newer subdivision where developer has bought lots   
            and sold them, the terms of deal with planning commission was that a conservation  
            easement would be put on each lot as it was sold- this has not happened. Chairwoman     
            Johnson sent a letter to planning commission chair and Kim Groves saying this     
            hasn’t occurred and it needs to and owners need to be notified of the easement on   
            their land.  

7.  New Business: None.

8.   Other Business:
  • Chairwoman Johnson spoke with Steve Ames recently, they are going to meet to discuss ways to work together, which is very encouraging.  
  • Chairwoman Johnson notes next on her list is a discussion with Todd Machnik about the cows.
  • Mr. Dunbar noted that he has an owl on his property (looking for a mate) that wakes them up at 3 a.m.  
9.  Adjournment
  • Mr. Baratz motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Dunbar.
  • Motion to adjourn approved unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 10:27 a.m.

Minutes submitted by:
Suzann Gintoff Vautrain