Town of Old Lyme Open Space Committee Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
Minutes: March 6, 2009
Chairman Diana Atwood Johnson opened the meeting at 08:38 with OSC members Chris Bourne, Peter Cable, Ted Crosby, Bob DePianta, Bill Dunbar and OLCT liaison Christina Clayton in attendance. Also present was Old Lyme resident Jack Alexander.
Diana formally welcomed Bill Dunbar as a new member of OSC. Diana distributed copies of the Town zoning maps to OSC members.
On a motion by Ted, second by Bill, the minutes of the February 13, 2009 meeting were approved by unanimous vote.
Property Updates
a) conservation easement letters
Diana reported that the letters to property owners with conservation easements had been printed and addressed and were ready for mailing. She noted that the letters would contain inserts of an article on the extension of tax credits and the attendant benefits for owners of land with conservation easements. She said that there would be telephone follow-ups to the conservation easement mailings.
Subdivisions
a) Marsh Buttonball Road development
Diana said she had met with Ann Brown and Bob Doane, where it was reported that Ed and Linda Marsh had agreed that any future subdivision of the remaining 17.5 acres of undeveloped property would provide 15% of the future development plus an additional 15% of the 17.5 acres as make-up for the reduced allocation of open space in the current development plans. The OSC was in agreement with Diana’s assessment that this agreement was a more than satisfactory resolution of the question of open space allocation on the Marsh property because, as Ann Brown had noted, the Town is getting more than 15% of the total development as open space.
b) Eklund Ferry Road property
A potential subdivision is planned for property of David and Mary Eklund on Ferry Road, adjacent to the State DEP property. Reported plans call for a total of 9 building lots, plus an existing house, on the 18-acre property. Diana reported that she has spoken with the Town engineer about interest in discussions on this proposed development among organizations, including the State, the Town, the Eklunds and neighboring property owners, directly concerned with conservation in that area.
c) Lord’s Woods development
No further development in reaching a signed agreement involving Inland Wetlands Commission, Town zoning officer, attorney Casselli and Dr. Awwa and his attorney.
OLCT Report
Christina reported that OLCT had received a letter from Alison Smith regarding Sill Lane property indicating the owners are not interested in discussion as they are not in a position to act on any plan at this time. She also reported that there had been no response to an OLCT letter to the Eklunds regarding property on Four Mile River Road. Christina said that OLCT plans are to focus on outreach and stewardship this coming year and to de-emphasize property acquisition.
Trail Book
There had been no activity on a new trail book to report. Ted reported that UConn was providing a course on GPS and GIS systems and techniques at its Extension Center in Haddam on May 13-14, 2009, and that this constituted a good opportunity to learn the basic use of these technologies. Diana noted another learning opportunity at the 2009 Land Conservation Conference on April 4, 2009 at Wesleyan University.
Conservation Easement Inspections
Diana reported that there are 27 conservation easements on record at Town Hall; of these 15 provide for inspection rights and 12 don’t. There are 37 pending conservation easements in Old Lyme. Bob questioned the liability coverage involved in an easement property inspection. Diana noted that the land is open to the public and that inspections should be covered by Town insurance. There followed a spirited discussion of liability coverage and Diana said that she would check with the OSC attorney regarding liability coverage for conservation easement property inspections. It is planned that the inspection process would start in April.
Old Business
a) Conservation easement enforcement policy
Diana said that she was awaiting comments from Conservation Commission before returning the draft document to the OSC attorney for review.
b) Open Space Land Preservation and Acquisition Commission
An ordinance has been drafted that would establish an Open Space Land Preservation and Acquisition Commission and has been sent to the OSC attorney for review.
c) Zoning regulations on open space
A draft of regulations regarding the percent of wetlands allowable as open space in developments has been revised based on comments received and will be given to the OSC attorney for review. Diana will promulgate these draft regulations on percent of allowable wetlands designated open space to OSC for review and discussion at the April meeting.
d) Champlain North and South event
There was nothing new to report for the subject event planned for April.
New Business
The was a discussion of the proposed installation of two windmills on the Lieutenant River, a subject that has re-emerged with renewed activity by the developers that included a feature article in The Day.
At 10:15 on a motion by Ted, second by Bill, it was voted to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Cable
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