Lyme Conservation Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
August 11, 2008
1. Chair Matt Stevens called the meeting to order at 7:30. The following members of the Commission attended the meeting: Blake Allison, Russell Hirschler, Dick Jones, Lee Larson, Adair Mulligan, James Graham and Matt Stevens. Planning and Zoning Administrator Francesca Latawiec attended. The following public attendees also participated in the meeting: Charlie Hirschberg, Dan Brand, and Elizabeth Kilmarx.
2. Potential Project to Control Purple Loosestrife - Elizabeth Kilmarx presented results of a preliminary study on Purple Loosestrife in Lyme. She concentrated her study on areas with large infestations.
· Elizabeth contacted Doug Cygan of NH dept. of Agriculture hoping the State would assist with using beetles to eradicate large loosestrife populations. She reported that the dept. of Ag. would help if the project were large in scope.
· Elizabeth’s preliminary study identifies 5 major infestations which she provided photos of along with points on the tax map. These areas are roughly: a) wetland behind Stella’s, b) CT. River just north of Breakfast on the Connecticut, c) 3 sites along Route 10 south of town. Lee mentioned that we’ll find the number of sites is likely double that once a closer investigation is made.
· Dan Brand offered that he’s willing to be part of a larger effort. He’s been pulling up loosestrife around his pond when the soil and roots are wet but has found it nearly impossible to pull up when the soil is dry. He also reported that the State of N.J. has a program for supplying the beetles used for eradication.
· Matt offered that a program to eradicate loosestrife could be part of a larger initiative for studying and eradicating other invasive species in town.
· The Commission was in general agreement that a loosestrife eradication program using beetles was worthwhile but that the cost and number of beetles required needed to be determined. Elizabeth said she would try to get this information from the Department of Agriculture.
· Charlie Hirschberg asked about the best way to dispose of loosestrife that’s been pulled up. Several attendees offered that putting the plant in garbage bags and waiting for it to get slimy is the way to kill it.
3. Review of minutes from 7/07/08 – Dick moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Adair Seconded. Russ pointed out a typo, and the minutes were unanimously approved.
4. Town properties: Hewes Brook boat launch mowing/maintenance question – Dick reported that the Select board has answered the Wilmott’s offer to mow the area. The current maintenance of the site by the Snellings is sufficient and in line with the conservation easement.
5. Loch Lyme Lodge Project to Improve Beach – Charlie Hirschberg presented detailed plans for improving the Post Pond shoreline owned by Loch Lyme Lodge. The plans include:
· rebuilding the retaining wall
· installing a perched beach
· installing a drainage swale to redirect groundwater away from perched beach
· installing a new dock and repairing existing docks
· building a small pavilion
· building a berm along route 10
· planting trees, shrubs, and a rain garden to provided shoreline stabilization, shade, and beauty
· repairing the piers that support the “Lakefield” cabin
Charlie is filing for wetlands permits and shoreline permits as needed, as well as the special exemptions needed from the Lyme Zoning board.
There was some discussion about where to set the height for the perched beach—whether it should be based on the 2 foot level described in the water release policy or the 3 foot Natural Mean High Water as determined by the State. Members of the Commission pointed out that the State is concerned with the 3.0 foot mark and that the plans should refer to that. Lee provided information on where an absolute elevation mark can be found on the culvert by the boat launch. Charlie will speak with his DES contacts for advice on where to set the level.
Matt said that the C.C. will provide a letter that comments on the wetland and shoreline aspects of the plan. In general the C.C. agrees that the plan as presented is a significant improvement to the site with regard to shoreline and wetland preservation.
6. Trails Update – Dick reported that the weather has prevented him from placing signs on the Ledge trail. Matt reported that several trails, especially the Lower Grant Brook trail, need recent overgrowth cut back.
7. Day Family Property – Lee reports that the property has transferred ownership within the family. The following roughly describes some stipulations that have been added to the deed:
· not more than one subdivision
· no new development
· field may be used by Town for auxiliary parking for Academy events
· historic structure may be placed on the property for use by the Lyme Historians
· Town has right of first refusal if property is sold outside of the family.
8. Grant Brook Revetment Project – Matt reports that most of the work has held in spite of the recent flooding, though the log vanes have been moved and need to be re-set. Other notes: Bill Nichols supplied unused Christmas trees, Ben Hudson was extremely helpful in providing many hours of tractor work.
Russ moved to provide a $100 honorarium to Ben for his service. Blake seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
9. Post Pond – Matt reported that the DES stipulated in a letter that they will not require that the Town apply retroactively for a wetlands permit for having installed the flow devices through the beaver dams.
10. Committees – A discussion took place regarding the formation of subcommittees to help in carrying out the work of the Commission. Matt provided a proposed framework. Adair suggested we review the proposal and discuss it at the next meeting.
11. Other Business – A site visit was scheduled for 8am on Wed. Aug. 13 for the Conant property project. The next C.C. meeting was scheduled for September 8th in lieu of the Labor Day holiday falling on the first Monday.
Blake reported that the Highway Department appears to have dumped some extra fill over the bank of the Connecticut River along River Road just north of the Lange property and that this has created drainage and erosion problems. Dick said he’ll follow-up with the Highway Department.
Adair reported that the Greenleafs are concerned about cars parking under the trees that border the south end of the Little Common next to the school parking lot. They are especially concerned about one unusually large specimen of Basswood tree and feel the Town should try to protect it. A discussion ensued about the C.C.’s attempt to prevent parking there. Dick feels nothing can be done about it because there is not enough parking for the school employees. James reported that, at the C.C.’s request, Jeff Valence has tried to get the school employees not to park there but with limited success. James asked if the Police might be asked to place notices on the cars there since they are in violation of the Town Ordinance that prohibits parking on the common. Dick
said no.
11. The meeting was adjourned at 9:17.
James Graham
recorder preterm
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