Town of Old Lyme Open Space Committee
Minutes, September 8, 2006
In attendance: Chair Diana Atwood Johnson, Ted Kiritsis, George James, Dave McCulloch, Ted Crosby, Jennifer Hillhouse, Connie Kastelowitz
Buttonball Road/Rt. 156 proposed acquisition
Tim will be attending a meeting of the Black Hall Membership on Sept. 14th. The Blackhall Club did an online poll that determined that 75% of their membership favored contributing to the Town’s purchase for Open Space. They will be voting by proxy by October. Diana has received approval of the acquisition from Conservation and will be attending the Planning Commission for their approval. The Board of Finance meets on the 19th and Tim will make the presentation. Tim hopes to put the acquisition before a Town Meeting in Oct/Nov.
Jennifer Hillhouse retirement
Jennifer wishes to be relieved of the responsibility for minute taking. She also wishes to retire from her many years of service on our committee. The committee was able to persuade her to stay on until a suitable replacement is found. The committee thanked Jennifer for the terrific job she has done since before the founding of the Open Space Committee. She has successfully conquered the computer, email and disks on behalf of our committee and we are very grateful.
Diana will put out a press release seeking a volunteer for the committee. Ted has suggested Peter Cable for Blair Hoxby’s position especially is he knows computers, email and disks.
Minutes of July 14th
Connie moved, Ted K. seconded. All agreed.
Motion to approve final contract of sale to purchase @ 40 acres from Blackhall LLC.
George moved that the Open Space Committee approve the purchase of 40 acres of land adjacent to the Blackhall Club on Buttonball Road and Rte. 156. The Town agrees to keep the land in its natural state as Open Space, in perpetuity except for the right to establish trails. The trails will need prior approval from the Blackhall Club and not be within 100 feet of their boundary. The purchase price is $830,00 with the Town and the Club each paying one half of the purchase price and one half of the expenses related to the acquisition and closing. Dave seconded the motion. All agreed.
Dougherty two-lot subdivision
Diana presented a proposal for fee-in-lieu of open space for a two lot sub-division off of rte 156 near the Lyme border. Concern was expressed that there was no criteria for when fee-in-lieu of is used. Diana will invite Tom Metcalf to our next meeting and seek input from others on how they establish guidelines.
Walter Kent will not be able to join the meeting.
Town of Old Lyme Open Space Committee
Minutes-Page 2
Blackwell Lane/Blackburn sub-division
Diana reported that she met with Mr. Blackburn and his engineer. Concern was expressed that they would not be able to meet the sub-division regulations regarding open space. The option of a conservation easement was proposed as an alternative to open space.
Champlain Farms Forester Report
George presented the forester’s recoemmendations including the taking down of more than 100 birches and other less formidable options. Concern was expressed over the liability of volunteers working on these projects. Diana will discuss this with Tim. Evan and Tom Degnan should review this document. George has sent to TNC and Diana will follow up with Dave Gumbert.
Rules regarding use of Town Open Space
Diana presented several ways rules for the use of open space are presented. The Lyme Land Trust is very impressive and user friendly. Diana suggested we adapt this for our open space since the state passed legislation regarding penalties for encroachments on municipal land. George pointed out the issue is enforcement, especially with ATV’s.
George will work with Lyme Land Trust and OLCT on a similar format for Old Lyme.
Conservation Easements
Diana presented a list of conservation easements from research she is doing in the Town Clerk’s office. She has spoken to Margot Burns of CRERPA and all data developed will be shared so easements can be mapped. Each committee member will research a number of easements so a file on each easement can be kept in the land use office with a plan and record for inspection.
2006-2007 Goals
Diana passed out a list of goals for the committee (see attached.) One of the goals is to make a file for each Open Space parcel owned and establish priority’s for acquisition adjacent to exitsting Town Open Space. Ted reported that at it is easy to view abutting property owners at http://host.appgeo.com/oldlymect/. (login: appgeo and go to mapping).
Town Meeting regarding Blackhall LLC acquisition
Ted will prepare a power point presenttion for the meeting showing the McCulloch greenway being assembled.
Ted will present an Introduction to the appgeo website at the next meeting. He will also present to us the power point to be used at the Town Meeting in support of the 40 acre land acquisition.
Town of Old Lyme Open Space Committee
Page 3-Minutes 9/8/06
Tidewater Institue
Ted reported that the Tidewater Institute led by Judy Preston with Ted as Chair of the Board of Advisors is now incorporated as a 501C3. They will/have develop an online database of resources on the Tidelands.
Connie noted the Town Plan of Conservation and Development is due to be updated for 2010.
Awwa
George requested information on Awwa’s status. Diana said Kim was meeting with Mr. Mattern to determine what was complete. She will request an update on items related to open space and easements for the town.
Environmental Review Team
George suggested that in light of the large parcels being proposed for development that the Environmental Review Team be consulted. Diana will follow up.
The meeting concluded at 10:50.
Diana Atwood Johnson, Chairman
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