EAST LYME, CT — The East Lyme Commission for the Conservation of Natural Resources voted unanimously Oct. 14 to ask town planning officials to prevent the conversion of designated open space into building lots and end further business with the East Lyme Land Trust.
The commission's action followed concerns that land placed under the Land Trust's protection could be developed.
Commissioners also reviewed alternatives to rodent poisons, discussed sodium levels in the town's drinking water and received updates on a 13-home subdivision near Latimer Brook.
Commission Chair Penelope Heller prepared a letter expressing concerns about the legal status of designated open space.
The letter, dated Oct. 15 and attached to the meeting minutes, alleges that the East Lyme Land Trust has taken steps to convert several parcels of protected open space into building lots.
It identifies properties off Cedarbrook Lane and Goldfinch Terrace as examples.
The commission asked the Planning Commission to take immediate action to prevent those conversions.
The letter also calls for the town to stop doing business with the Land Trust, which commissioners criticized for its stewardship of protected land.
Commissioner Mark Christensen moved to approve sending the letter to planning officials, with Laura Ashburn seconding.
The motion passed 5-0.
The letter was addressed to Planning Director Gary Goeschel and Planning Commission Chair Brian Bombach, with copies to First Selectman Daniel Cunningham and the Board of Selectmen.
Commissioners heard a presentation on alternatives to rodenticides, including contraceptive products intended to reduce rodent populations without poisoning animals that feed on them.
Lisa Stark of Newtown and Holly Kocet discussed efforts to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, commonly called SGARs.
According to the presentation, Newtown was the first Connecticut municipality to prohibit their use, followed by Southbury, Bethel and Farmington.
The speakers said these poisons can harm hawks, owls and other wildlife that consume affected rodents.
Stark cited research involving dead wildlife specimens in which more than 80 percent tested positive for rodenticides.
She also discussed a study involving 30 raptors, 29 of which she said died from rodenticide exposure.
The speakers emphasized sanitation, removal of food sources and preventing rodents from entering buildings as alternatives to widespread poison use.
Stark said Southbury is using a rodent contraceptive product called Evolve, while Newtown has introduced trapping technology capable of collecting multiple rodents before servicing.
Commissioners discussed how municipalities determine when a rodent infestation warrants chemical treatment.
No proposal to ban rodenticides in East Lyme was brought to a vote.
Alex Klose reported that East Lyme officials had met with the town's pest control contractor, Orkin, about changing the products used at municipal facilities.
According to Klose, the company agreed to replace brodifacoum, an anticoagulant rodenticide, with Terad3, a vitamin D3-based product, at no additional cost to the town.
The agreement covers 19 municipal properties, including Town Hall, the Community Center, firehouses and Water and Sewer Department facilities.
Klose said the sites generally have three to five bait boxes each.
Heller asked about rodent control practices in East Lyme schools.
Ashburn suggested contacting school officials for additional information.
The discussion also addressed possible secondary effects of vitamin D3-based rodenticides. Stark said further research was needed to assess their impact on animals that consume poisoned rodents.
Klose said the Public Works Department was open to considering changes in pest control practices but would need support from the Board of Selectmen to evaluate potential costs and effects.
Heller reported receiving drinking water sodium data through 2025 from Ben North.
She said recent sodium concentrations appeared stable, although the data showed a longer-term increase.
Heller also examined whether rainfall patterns were associated with variations in sodium levels at the Dodge Pond well.
Commissioners discussed the use of road salt as a possible contributor.
Donald Danila said he had contacted Nancy Kalal of the town's Zoning and Aquifer Protection Agency about the issue.
Danila noted that businesses, as well as the town, use salt for winter maintenance. He suggested encouraging reduced application and cleanup after icy conditions have passed.
Klose reported that the Public Works Department was investigating the use of brine trucks, which could reduce the amount of sodium applied to roads.
Ashburn said the school district was also reviewing its salt use and would provide an update.
The commission plans to continue discussing the issue in November.
Danila reported on his participation in the Oct. 6 Inland Wetlands Agency public hearing concerning the proposed Mayfield Terrace subdivision.
The project involves 13 houses.
Danila said he had raised concerns about nitrates entering Latimer Brook through stormwater runoff and septic systems, along with provisions for conservation easements and open space.
He reported that the Inland Wetlands Agency approved the application.
Danila said he believed 25 conditions recommended by Inland Wetlands Agent Gary Goeschel would help protect the surrounding environment and Latimer Brook.
The commission did not take additional action on the subdivision.
Marjorie Meekhoff reported that Pollinator Pathway East Lyme had applied for a $5,000 grant from the Dominion Grant Foundation to improve a berm behind the Community Center.
The organization previously raised $3,000 for the project.
Meekhoff said approximately $10,000 would be needed to plant 10 to 12 trees and about 82 shrubs.
Klose suggested examining whether removing the berm might provide a better route toward Brookside Farm and make landscaping easier.
He said a geotechnical evaluation would be needed to determine the berm's composition before removal could be considered.
Klose agreed to investigate whether such an evaluation could be conducted.
Meekhoff also said she was preparing a letter to the Parks and Recreation Commission concerning tree clearing at the Hole in the Wall stormwater demonstration project.
She expects to present a draft at the commission's November meeting.
Commissioner Harvey Beeman reported progress on compiling energy-use data for town and school buildings through the Energy Star Portfolio Manager system.
Manual data entries for oil, propane and solar energy had been completed through August 2026.
Automatic reporting connections for electricity and natural gas were in place for most facilities, with the main electric meter at East Lyme High School still outstanding.
Beeman said a three-year report had been requested by the end of October.
Heller also reported meeting with University of Connecticut researchers to discuss a proposed model examining local water and air quality.
The researchers plan to use available data from 2015 through 2022 to identify trends and seek university funding for student interns.
Christensen raised concerns about open-space property near a solar energy facility along Grassy Hill and Walnut Hill roads.
Danila said the Connecticut Siting Council was scheduled to hold a remote public meeting concerning the solar facility Nov. 5.
The commission also unanimously approved its Sept. 9 meeting minutes, with a correction to a participant's name.
The Oct. 14 meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m. following a 5-0 vote.
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