1. Call to order: Called to order by Chairman Simm at 6:20 pm. Commission members also in attendance were Cole, Bell, and Baldwin. Herbst, Swenarton, Lyons and Dewire were absent. Town Planner Brynes was present. Ed Hart, a member of the public, was present.
2. Review of Town Developments and Proposals. Any pending applications and new preliminary proposals. None. The town planner said that some will be coming to the next meeting, including a regulation amendment.
3. Open Space Committee
3a. Open space plan update – discussion on parcels for preservation. The Conservation Commission (CC) discussed the status of the plan and the input received from the Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC). MOTION: The CC requests that the draft Open Space Plan be submitted to the PZC before January 12, 2007. Such action to be aided and abetted by the Town Planner (Cole, Bell). Passed unanimously.
3b. Discussion on parcels for preservation in Pawcatuck – Ben. Dave Kozak of CT DEP’s OLISP expressed an interest to Baldwin in presenting his CLAM (Coastal Land Assessment Methodology) project to the Commission perhaps in February. He has identified some large parcels to target for preservation in the area. Baldwin distributed a description of the project.
3c. Discussion on possible referendum for open space bonding. The chairman asked if TPL had contacted the property owners regarding the preservation of a Mystic farm property; Groton Open Space Association (GOSA) is interested in the property. Discussion on formation of a Stonington Land Trust, municipal or private, and the Board of Finance. Dora Hill arrived at 7:15 PM. The Board of Finance (BOF) was described as having “searched for positive solutions” when they offered to be open to providing “seed money” for open space acquisitions, such as for surveys, when Dora Hill and Jennifer Herbst attended their December 6, 2006 meeting. The BOF requested an updated open space map. Ed Hart was concerned about tossing out the idea of a municipal land trust. Jim Smith of Taugwonk Road, an
attendee of the Jim Gibbons/Harvey Perry/CC Open Space presentations held on November 27, 2006, has taken steps to form a private Stonington Land Trust. The Pfizer Farm on Taugwonk Road was identified as a potential target property for the new land trust. It was stated that Diana Urban receives calls from constituents searching for entities to hold committed open space that they wish to donate.
MOTION: To return to item 3A (Cole, Bell). Passed unanimously.
MOTION: To remove the word draft from “the Open Space Plan” (Cole, Bell). Passed unanimously.
MOTION: Return to item 3C (Bell, Cole). Passed unanimously.
Dora Hill asked the CC for direction. Ed Hart suggested the Commission propose open space acquisition tools for a line item budget request. Town Planner Brynes departed at 8:10 PM.
The idea of discussing the acquisition of the Verzillo properties on Burdick Lane with BOF was suggested as an example. The Town could purchase development rights and transfer them to a Stonington Land Trust. Baldwin will call Mr. Verzillo.
4. Old Business
4a. Report on PZC Open Space Subcommittee. No activity-has not met lately.
4b. Mystic River Dam Committee. Setting up a February meeting of interested parties. A list of abutters to Hyde/Whitford pond was requested.
4c. Discussion on grant and matching funds for trails program. Baldwin asked about the status of the Mystic intermodal trail grant’s status. It is further described in the POCD Implementation Committee’s report of September 12, 2006, found on the Town website.
4d. Discussion on recommended procedure for Town’s acceptance of conservation easements and open space. Discussed need for standards for open space acquisition including stringent guidelines and management plan. Invite Planning Director Jason Vincent and Town Planner to a meeting on easements. Land trust standards are generally strict, requiring as-is photos and legal descriptions.
5. New Business
5a. Discussion on formation of a Stonington Land Trust. Discussed above.
Other new business: Taugwonk Road Rezoning: Chairman Simm met with residents regarding LI-130 zone change.
6. Review of November 27, 2006 meeting minutes. MOTION: To approve the minutes as written (Cole, Bell). Passed unanimously.
7. Adjournment.
7a. Motion to Adjourn (Bell). Meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Ben Baldwin, Acting Secretary.
Approved at a regular meeting held January 22, 2007
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