Town of Old Lyme Open Space Committee Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
Minutes: January 9, 2009
Chairman Diana Atwood Johnson opened the meeting at 08:40 with OSC members Amanda Blair, Chris Bourne, Peter Cable, Evan Griswold, Robert DePianta, George James, and OLCT liaison Christina Clayton in attendance.
Upon a motion by Evan, second by Amanda, the following officers for 2009 were elected by unanimous vote: Diana, Chairman; George, Vice Chairman; and Peter, Secretary.
To allow time for review, upon motion by Evan, it was voted to table approval of the minutes for December 12, 2008 to the next meeting.
Subdivisions
a) Lord’s Woods
The outstanding reparation payment of $70k for damage to open space has not been received from the Lord’s Woods developer, Dr. Bassan Awwa. Nor have other agreed upon items of concern to OSC at Lord’s Woods development been resolved. Diana reported that the Planning Commission attorney, Ed Casella, has been working with the developer’s attorney Mark Block to achieve a satisfactory conclusion, but noted there are issues associated with Lord’s Woods development that take precedent over OSC’s remediation payment. Engineer Tom Metcalf will establish with attorney Block an agreed upon schedule for completion of outstanding items. A suggested schedule for these items includes (1) establishment of parking for access to open space; (2) placement of suitable marking delineating open space; (3) removal of tree stumps from
open space area, all to be completed by April 1, 2009; and (4) completion of upgrades and repairs to the inadequate level spreader by August 1, 2009. Suggested terms to be applied for the remaining reparation payment and remedial actions would be (1) a penalty of $100 /day for non-completion of remedial actions by the agreed upon dates; (2) payment of $20k per lot for each lot sold; and (3) establishment of December 31, 2009 as the new final date for receipt of the complete remediation payment of $70k.
In discussion it was suggested by Bob that OSC seek a near-term payment of $5k, similar to the payment received in 2008 from Dr. Awwa, as a sign of good faith. The sense of the OSC was favorable to the steps outlined above, including Bob’s recommended addition.
b) Conservation easements
Diana reported that the Planning Commission is in agreement with the general provisions of the draft conservation easement document.
Properties
a) Peterson property
There has been no further action with regard to plans and proposed actions with regard to the Peterson property.
b) Priority properties
There was an extended discussion regarding the current economic situation, its implications with regard to the acquisition of Town open space and the establishment of criteria for prioritization of open space acquisition. The list of properties of potential high priority interest to OSC for acquisition was reviewed by the Committee.
At 10:55 on a motion by Bob, second by Evan, it was voted to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Cable
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