Town of Old Lyme Open Space Committee Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
Minutes: October 9, 2009
Chairman Diana Atwood Johnson opened the meeting at 08:35 with OSC members Amanda Blair, Peter Cable, Bill Dunbar, George James, and Ted Kiritsis in attendance. Also present were Town attorney Edward Casella, attorney Mark Block, representing Lord’s Woods developer Bassan Awwa, and Old Lyme resident Jack Alexander.
Open Space Markers on Lord’s Woods Properties
Attorney Mark Block described the progress on remediation work on negotiated items of concern to OSC at Lord’s Wood development. These items include (1) establishment of a parking area for access to open space; (2) completion of upgrades and repairs to the inadequate level spreader; and (3) placement of suitable marking delineating open space. Attorney Block reported that the parking lot for open space access was complete, as was the work on the level spreader. He said that the open space markers - a sample of which he showed the committee - would be installed at the requisite 100-foot spacing by October 16, 2009.
Jack Alexander, discussing the Lord’s Woods development damage remediation, said that the Town has not been paid the agreed penalty fee and, further, the wetland damage has not been fixed. He said that the level spreader has been returned to the same condition it was in before heavy rain had overwhelmed it and stated that the level spreader design was inadequate and that it is not functioning. Following discussion OSC agreed that Diana would call engineer Tom Metcalf about the potential inadequacy of the level spreader and, also, that she would write the Inland Wetlands Commission about the situation. It was also agreed that Jack Alexander would also speak with Tom Metcalf about his observations on the level spreader.
Proposed Open Space Zoning Regulation Amendment
Attorney Casella reviewed his proposed amendment wording to open space zoning regulations contained in OSC memorandum dated June 12, 2009 to Planning and Zoning Commissions. Following discussion, it was agreed that Mr. Casella would draft a new resolution for the amendment to open space requirements to more clearly define and indicate that at least 50% of the 15% of subdivision land set aside for open space must be usable land.
At 09:55, on motion by George, second by Bill, it was voted to go into executive session. At 10:30, on motion by Peter, second by Bill, it was voted to leave executive session. There were no actions taken during the executive session.
Subdivisions
a) Old Lyme Hills
There was discussion of the open space plan for the Old Lyme Hills subdivision. Diana proposed accepting a fee in lieu of open space for the subdivision, while George had an alternate proposal for recommended open space for the project. No decisions were made by the Committee at this meeting on open space recommendations for the Old Lyme Hills subdivision.
Old Business
a) Bartholomew Preserve survey
Diana reported that on October 16, 2009 Wendy Goodfriend of CT DEP and representative of US Fish and Wildlife Service would conduct wetlands habitat survey of Bartholomew Preserve. This survey is an addition to the planned, but postponed, New England Cottontail project survey of Bartholomew.
b) September 12, 2009 meeting minutes
On a motion by Bill, seconded by Ted, it was voted to approve the OSC meeting minutes of September 12, 2009.
At 11:05, on a motion by George, second by Bill, it was voted to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Cable
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