TOWN OF SOMERS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
P. O. Box 308
Somers,
Connecticut 06071
Conservation
Minutes
12/5/01;
7:00 p.m.
Town Hall
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Simon Lipton called the meeting to order at 7:00
p.m. Members present were: Simon Lipton; Lise Wood; Joan Formeister and
Alternate August Helberg. August
Helberg was seated for George Grant.
Also present was Wetlands Agent David Askew.
II. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: There
was none.
III. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Discussion/Possible
Decision: Wetlands Application #438,
Fill Within
Regulated Area, 3 Bugbee Lane, Bennett
Mr. Bennett filled in the backyard of his property in order
to stop flooding into his basement.
This work was done without a wetlands permit. His neighbor would like this fill removed because he feels the
water will now run onto his property.
Since the last meeting,
David Askew has tried to find a solution to this problem. He has talked to Connecticut Water Company,
the two property owners that have the plugged culvert on their property, the
Town Attorney and the Public Works Department.
The Town Attorney said the
Town can not force the two property owners to clean out this culvert. David Askew is still negotiating with Public
Works to see if they would clean the culvert.
Years ago, Public Works did keep this culvert clear of debris.
David Askew recommends
approval of the majority of the fill put in by Mr. Bennett. Some fill should be removed from the area
directly by the stream. As a condition of
the permit, it is recommended that Mr. Bennett return to the Commission next
month designating an area of fill removal.
Fill will be removed to restore flood storage area and will be
determined in the field by Mr. Bennett and the Wetland Agent.
Mr. Bennett said the
majority of the water comes off the road.
There are no culverts or drains on Bugbee Lane. He feels he should not be totally
responsible for the water problems in his area and there should be drainage on
Bugbee Lane.
David Askew offered to work
with Public Works and the State to see if something can be done to alleviate
this water problem. Simon Lipton
suggested removing the pipe - but this can’t be done without permission from
the owners of the property.
Conservation Minutes
12/5/01
Page 2
Joan Formeister made a
motion to approve the application for a portion of the fill with the condition
that the applicant remove some of the fill in an area to be determined in the
field and that the proposed removal area will be presented to the Commission at
the next regular meeting. This work
would not be done until the spring. In
the meantime, David Askew will work with Mr. Bennett and his neighbors to try
to find a solution that is agreeable to everyone in the area. Lise Wood seconded the motion which was
unanimously approved by the Commission.
IV. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Determination
of Permitted Use of Right, Logging Operation, 88 King Road,
Bradley Property, McEwen
This is a twenty acre parcel on the corner of King Road and
Bradley Road. The wetlands have been
flagged. There is a big grove of pine
trees on the property. Mr. McEwen’s
cutting plan meets the wetlands regulations and the permitted use of right
regulation. Normally, cutting in the
wetlands is limited to 50%. However,
pine trees tend to topple over in a wetland area so David Askew has encouraged
Mr. McEwen to remove the pine trees from the wetlands. An application is required for removal of
more than 50% of the trees in the wetland.
It was the consensus of the
Commission that this is a permitted use of right.
V. STAFF/COMMISSION REPORT:
David Askew presented his Wetland Agent’s Report to the
Commission. Highlights are as follows:
120 Pond Circle: This house was approved last
year. During final grading, a long,
narrow wetland was filled to create lawn.
This is a functioning wetland and restoration may be required. Both the homeowner and his contractor have
been notified. David Askew will
complete a more detailed assessment of the area.
6-Lot Subdivision, Wood
Road, Crow: This subdivision
was approved last month. However, a
drainage system along Wood Road was required and the plunge pool was located
too close to the wetland. David Askew
requested relocation of the plunge pool and creation
of a swale to carry the
drainage to the wetland.
David Askew completed three
wetland boundary determinations this month on Avery Road,
Mountain Road and Four
Bridges Road.
Four Bridges Road: A beaver dammed a section of the
Scantic River and caused some flooding of pasture land on the north side of
Four Bridges Road. DEP was contacted
for names of local licensed trappers.
The owner moved a portion of the dam himself.
Conservation Minutes
12/5/01
Page 3
Lise Wood made a motion to
accept David Askew’s report; seconded by Joan Formeister and unanimously
approved by the Commission.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:
There was one bill from the Journal Inquirer for $55.09. Lise Wood made a motion to approve payment
of this bill; seconded by August Helberg and unanimously approved by the
Commission.
VII. MINUTES APPROVAL: November
7, 2001 and November 26, 2001
Joan Formeister made a motion to approve the 11/7/01
minutes, as written. This motion was
seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved by the Commission.
Joan Formeister made a
motion to approve the 11/26/01 minutes, as written. This motion was seconded by Lise Wood. The vote was: (3) in
favor; (0) opposed; (1) abstention (Helberg).
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn was made by Joan Formeister; seconded by
Lise Wood and unanimously approved by the Commission. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lise Wood, Secretary
Connie Carenzo,
Recording Secretary