Town of Old Lyme Open Space Commission Meeting
Old Lyme Town Hall
Minutes: June 8, 2018
Members present: Bruce Baratz, Amanda Blair, Peter Cable, Bill Dunbar, Greg Futoma. Gary Gregory
Members absent: Evan Griswold
Also present: 1st Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal
1. Welcome/Introductions
Co-chair Bill Dunbar called the meeting to order at 9:02am and welcomed Selectwomen Nosal and Reemsnyder.
2. Approval of minutes
On motion by Peter Cable, second by Greg Futoma, the commission approved the minutes for the May 11, 2018 meeting.
3. New Business
a) Drone use policy
The proposal by Old Lyme Land Trust board member Claudio Denoya on prohibiting use of drones on Old Lyme open space, discussed at our May 11 meeting, was reviewed for Selectwomen Nosal and Reemsnyder. Commission members raised the question of establishing a Town ordinance to prohibit purely recreational use of drones over Town open space and wetlands. Bonnie noted that a thoughtful approach, with Town resident input, was needed. Because of issues associated with enforcement of a prohibition, perceived imposition on personal rights and government overreach, Bonnie cautioned against hasty action in proposing a Town ordinance. It would be preferable, Bonnie and Mary Jo noted, to publicly discuss the issues, seek input on policy from the public and, only after strong public accord, seek resolution through ordinance. Greg agreed to review
the matter further with DEEP. Gary noted an upcoming public lecture by Aerial Imaging Solutions on June 14 in Westerly, RI, on scientific use of drones.
b) Diana Atwood Johnson Memorial Trail dedication
Co-chair Amanda Blair distributed Greg’s announcement of the Saturday, June 2 ceremony dedicating the Diana Atwood Johnson Memorial Trail at Champlain North. Amanda noted that the dedication plaque would cost $145 with an additional $80 for a cedar post holding the plaque. Amanda also said that the Town approved a sign on the Post Road at Wyckford Road indicating the entrance to Champlain North. Finally, Amanda said that Ken and Chris Kitchings, at the DAJ Trail ceremony, had offered to have the yellow trail, to the old Champlain barn foundation, cleared and a footbridge built over a wet area on the trail.
c) Trail walks schedule
Peter reviewed the revised trail walk schedule. All walks will begin at 4pm on the following days at the designated trailheads: Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at Champlain North on Wyckford Road; Monday, June 18, 2018 (rain day June 19) at Champlain South on Meeting House Lane; and Monday, June 25, 2018 (rain day June 26) at Ames Open Space on Whippoorwill Road. The purpose of each walk is to review trail conditions and markings and to perform light maintenance work involving only hand tools. Bill and Amanda suggested adding Eklund Pond habitat area and Four Ponds property to an enlarged list of walks.
d) Tree clearing schedule
Bill reported that Wilcox Tree Experts had been clearing trees on Town trails. A memo from George James, Old Lyme Conservation Commission, indicated that trees had been cleared from Champlain South, that there were two trees across trails on Champlain North and that there were many trees down across the trails at Ames.
e) Vision Box project
Peter reported that there would be one Vision Box installed on Old Lyme open space property near the Barbizon Oak at Champlain North, and that the actual installation would occur in mid-June. Amanda asked if the commission could offer Ana Flores, the artist organizing the project, help in providing additional publicity for the project. Peter will follow-up with Ana.
4. Executive Session
At 9:40am Gary Gregory moved and Greg seconded that the commission enter executive session to discuss property issues. At 10:16am on motion by Bruce Baratz, second by Gary, the commission exited executive session. It was decided in executive session to continue, unchanged, with decisions made previously.
5. Other Business
a) Land steward update
Peter reported that Jamie Bastian had responded to an email sent to him inquiring about his help in and recommendations for hiring a new land steward. Jamie indicated that he knows a couple of potential candidates for land steward and that he would reach out to them. A copy of our existing land steward job description was forwarded to Jamie. In addition, Jamie suggested that OLOSC should contact regional universities, including UConn, ECSU and SCSU, for recent environmental science graduates looking to gain effective hands-on experience in the environmental field. Peter said he would try to meet with Jamie during the summer to continue the discussion.
b) Ames beaver report
Peter reported on a note received from Susanne Colten-Carey indicating that the flooding at the Whippoorwill entrance to Ames had receded, indicating that, though it is baby season for beaver, the beaver were gone. Susanne ascertained from the DEEP that no beaver trapping permits for Ames had been issued. In a following phone call, Susanne indicated that there was extensive flooding in another area of Ames, and that it is unclear at this point what had transpired with the beaver at Ames.
c) Open space management plan
Gary has reviewed the open space management plan, which dates to 2004, on the OLOSC website. It was agreed to his suggestion that the focus of the September OLOSC meeting be devoted to updating the management plan.
d) Summer and Midsummer Festival publicity
Amanda and Bill promoted the idea of having a booth at the Midsummer Festival or sharing a both with Old Lyme Land Trust. Amanda noted that the ideal location for an OLOSC booth would be by the Florence Griswold Museum. Bill will follow-up with OLLT.
e) Potential new member
Amanda noted that Madalyne Longfellow has recently volunteered to serve on OLOSC, but that a work conflict had prevented her from attending this meeting. She will arrange to meet us and learn more at our next meeting.
6. Adjournment
At 11:06am on a motion by Peter, second by Amanda, it was voted to adjourn the meeting.
Peter Cable
Secretary
June 11, 2018
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