TOWN OF SOMERS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2002
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Simon Lipton at 7:00 p.m. Present were: Simon Lipton, Don Smith, Lise Wood, George Grant, Joan Formeister (7:03 p.m.) and Alternate Member August Helberg (7:04 p.m.) who was seated for Maurice Rondeau who was absent.
Also present was David Askew, Wetlands Agent for the Town.
There was no audience participation.
III.
Old Business:
a. Discussion of Compliance with Conditions: Wetlands Application #438, Fill Within Regulated Area, 3 Bugbee Lane, Bennett
Mr. Askew explained that he has met with Mr. Bennett and is working with him regarding the restoration of the flood area behind his home at 3 Bugbee Lane.
Mr. Askew distributed a copy of a basic sketch of the affected area. He reported that the State has no comment on this area, although it is a drainage area of Springfield Road.
In response to a question by Mr. Smith, Mr. Askew stated that Mr. Bennett’s proposed restoration should solve the neighbor’s drainage problems and address the drainage problems Mr. Bennett is having.
Mr. Askew reflected that this will help address drainage problems from Bugbee Lane by creating a swale to direct the flow of storm drainage directly to the watercourse.
Mr. Smith noted that perhaps the Department of Public Works could assist in correcting drainage problems along the watercourse. Mr. Askew stated that the Public Works Department has been contacted, but they are hesitant due to the fact that they would be working on private property.
After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that Mr. Bennett could continue with his restoration under Mr. Askew’s guidance and direction.
b. Other
There was no other old business brought up for discussion.
IV.
New Business:
a. Determination of Permitted Use of Right, Logging Operation, 119 Root Road, Stanton
Members reviewed a sketch plan and location map provided by Mr. Askew. A road has been made leading to the landing area. The site contains a headwater wetland and 2 additional wetlands.
Regular Meeting
Minutes
January 2, 2002
Page 2
Mr. Stanton knows that he will be required to come before the Commission for a permit to do additional logging and to build an equipment storage structure.
Mr. Stanton currently is engaged in a clear cut of the upland area and up to a 50% cut within the wetlands as allowed by State Regulations and Somers Wetland Regulations, as a Permitted Use of Right. The Forester, who must be a certified supervising forester chooses which trees to cut.
After further brief discussion, and Mr. Askew’s agreement to regularly review the project, a motion was made by Mr. Grant, seconded by Mrs. Wood, and unanimously voted to approve the permitted use of right of the logging operation at 119 Root Road.
b. Wetlands Application #439, Pool Within Upland Review Area, 25 Whisperwood Drive, Tolisano
Mr. Askew explained that the Commission has requested that all applications for inground pools within the upland review area come before them for a permit. Mr. Tolisano is planning to install a pool in his yard, located at the corner of Whisperwood and Brookford Drive.
The proposed pool will be located approximately 80’ from the wetlands in what is currently lawn area.
While it was the consensus of the members that this application would be approved, formal approval must wait until the next meeting, due to regulatory waiting periods.
c. Wetlands Application #440, Removal of More than 50% of Timber in Wetland for Forest Management, 88 King Road, Bradley Property, McEwen
Mr. Askew explained that this 30 acre parcel is located on the corner of Bradley Road and King Road. Wetlands have been delineated.
Most of the property has very tall pines and would be
difficult to selectively cut.
There are power lines on the property as well.
The permit is to remove all of the pines, including those within the wetlands. Mr. Askew has conferred with the Soil Scientist involved with this site, Mr. Michael Gragnolati, and both agree that removal of all the pines would be best management practice.
Most of the trees that will remain will be deciduous.
It was the consensus of the Commission that, since
regulations do not allow for approval at this time, the forester is permitted
to harvest up to 50% of the trees as a permitted use of right, as was approved
at the Commission’s last meeting, December 5, 2001. The Commission will vote on Wetlands Application #440 at their
next meeting.
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Minutes
January 2, 2002
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d. Review & Adopt Bylaws
A motion was made by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Grant, and unanimously voted to table this item until the Commission’s next scheduled meeting.
e. Election of Officers
A motion was made by Mr. Smith and seconded by Mrs. Wood to nominate Mr. Lipton as Chairman. There were no other nominations for the position of Chairman.
A motion was made by Mrs. Wood and seconded by Mr. Grant to nominate Mr. Smith as Vice-Chairman. There were no other nominations for Vice-Chairman.
A motion was made by Mr. Smith and seconded by Mr. Grant to nominate Mrs. Formeister as Secretary. There were no other nominations for Secretary.
The vote was unanimous in favor of the nominations.
f. Other
Mr. Smith noted that the Commission is still missing a member as representative from the Planning Commission as well as a democratic alternate member. After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that a letter be sent to the Planning Commission reminding them of the need to provide a representative as member of the Conservation Commission.
Mr. Askew reviewed the Agent’s Report with Commission Members.
There were several areas of concern, the first of which was
an update on the property located at 120 Pond Circle.
Mr. Askew explained that fill has been pushed into the wetland through grading of the slope. Most of the area had been graveled out and the wetlands may be the result of that excavation. The recent filling and grading has resulted in drainage problems.
The owners have been notified that they will need to come before the Commission to address this issue. A formal notice of violation letter will be sent by the Wetland Agent.
After some discussion among members, it was the consensus that the owner’s contractor be invited to attend the meeting also.
At 422 Hall Hill Road, approximately ¼ to ½ acre was cleared and some shallow fill placed in the wetland. The owner claims he did not understand the site plan drawings and has agreed to work with Mr. Askew and to a restoration plan. Mr. Askew will follow up with a notice of violation and will continue to work with the owner. Mr. Askew noted that all restoration must be located by survey.
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Minutes
January 2, 2002
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Mr. Askew reported that construction at 11 and 21 Long Hill Drive resulted in sediment being deposited on Mountain Road. This was cleaned up within 24 hours. Mr. Askew is continuing to monitor the progress and has sent a letter of concern to the developer.
A motion was made by Mr. Grant and seconded by Mrs. Formeister to accept the Wetlands Agent’s Report.
There were no bills presented for payment and no correspondence was presented for discussion.
A motion was made by Mrs. Formeister, seconded by Mrs. Wood, and unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of December 5, 2001 as presented.
IX. A motion was made by Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Smith, and unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joan Formeister, Secretary
Susan Swiatek, Recording Secretary