TOWN OF SOMERS

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

CONSERVATION MINUTES

4/3/02; 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; Don Smith; Lise Wood; George Grant; Joan Formeister and Alternate August Helberg. August Helberg was seated for Karl Walton. Also present was:

David Askew, Wetlands Agent.

 

II.      AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:       There was none.

 

III.     OLD BUSINESS:

         a.       Discussion/Possible Decision: Wetlands Application #442, 10x24 Fishing

         Platform at Somersville Pond, School Street, Town of Somers

 

         Dave Askew had additional details concerning the Eagle Scout project for a handicapped accessible fishing platform at Somersville Pond. The DEP has recommended stone-filled piers with wood on top of them. The platform has also been pulled in closer to shore. David talked with the engineer who developed the plan. He said the benefit of these

stone-filled piers (Gabien baskets) is they react better to ice activity and should last longer.

These stone-filled piers are used widely for in-water structures. There is existing rip-rap already in place along the shore.

 

Don Smith made a motion to approve Wetlands Application #442 to be built in accordance with the latest plan presented to the Commission. This motion was seconded by August Helberg and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

         b.       Discussion/Possible Decision: Wetlands Application #443, Barn Within

         Upland Review Area, 200 Parker Road, Fareria

 

         David Askew presented the original plan - which has been somewhat modified - because David asked for a grading plan on the side of the wetland. Grading for the storage building that will be 42' from the edge of the wetland. The only condition of approval would be that David Askew be notified before construction begins.

 

George Grant made a motion to approve Wetlands Application #443 conditional upon David Askew being notified prior to start of construction. This motion was seconded by Don Smith and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

c.       Discussion/Possible Decision: Wetlands Application #444, Addition &

         Inground Pool Within Upland Review Area, 67 Hall Hill Road, Capuano

 

         David Askew said there have been no changes to the plan for an addition and an inground pool that was reviewed by the Commission last month, except that David asked the applicant to have a dewatering area with haybales during construction. Also, David would like to be notified prior to start of construction.

 

George Grant made a motion to approve Wetlands Applicant #444 conditional on the applicant providing a dewatering area with haybales during construction and also notifying David Askew prior to start of construction. This motion was seconded by Lise Wood and

unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

         d.       Discussion/Possible Decision: Wetlands Application #445, Construction of

         Pond & Stream Culvert, 119 Root Road, Stanton

 

         David Askew has walked this area twice with Mr. Stanton and said the applicant has done a good job with erosion control. All wetlands are lined with a berm of mulch. Wetlands have been flagged. There is an intermittent watercourse that runs up to the adjoining property. Some of this area was cleared and bark mulch was put in near the stream. Restore some of the planted buffer to the stream and put in some plantings near the brook. Shrubs and larger trees should be put in place. The applicant will develop an on-site planting plan for about a 150' stretch of property. David will work closely with the applicant as this progresses.

 

The Army Corps will want to review this application. Construction of the pond will alter

1.15 acres of wetland.

 

Lise Wood made a motion to approve Wetlands Permit #445 with the condition that David Askew will work closely with the applicant to be sure all of his requirements are met. This motion was seconded by Don Smith and unanimously approved by the Commission..

 

         e.       Other

                  Wetlands Application #446 - Camp Ayapo - Eagle Scout Project

 

                  It was the consensus of the Commission to add this item to the agenda under

Old Business.

 

This is another Eagle Scout project that was reviewed last month. An area 100' wide and 63' long right to the edge of the lake will be cleared. Benches will be constructed on terraces to provide seating for an outdoor amphitheater. A stone fire circle will be constructed. David Askew will review the project periodically to be sure that sufficient erosion controls are in place.

 

Lise Wood made a motion to approve Wetlands Application #446 with the condition that David Askew review the project during construction to be sure sufficient erosion control

measures are in place. This motion was seconded by Joan Formeister and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

IV.     NEW BUSINESS:

         a.       Extension of Wetlands Permit #328, New House, 304 Mountain Road,

         Desimone

 

         This is an application that has already been extended once since David Askew has worked for the Commission. The driveway was put in and the Commission required the

applicant to put in a catch basin with a culvert underground across the driveway to connect the flow from one wetland to another.

 

Don Smith made a motion to approve the extension of Wetlands Permit #328; seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

         b.       Other:

                  State Money from Prison Expansion:

 

                  It was the consensus of the Commission to add this item to the agenda under New Business.

 

Don Smith suggested that the Conservation Commission request that the Selectmen divert

one million dollars ($1,000,000) of the money given by the State to the Town of Somers for

prison expansion in Town to Open Space and the preservation of farm land.

 

George Grant made a motion that the Commission request the Selectmen to donate one million dollars ($1,000,000) of the money given by the State to the Town of Somers for prison expansion to Open Space and the preservation of farm land. This motion was seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

V.      STAFF/COMMISSION REPORT:

 

         David Askew reviewed his 4/3/02 Wetlands Agent Report with the Commission. The following are highlights:

 

David continues to keep a close watch on the logging operations, especially the Crapser site on Stafford Road which has always been a problem.

 

The owner of 424 Hall Hill Road has asked for a two week extension to submit a plan to restore the wetland disturbance he caused when he cleared within wetlands and relocated drainage ditches that feed water to the wetland.

 

David is keeping a close watch on the 5-lot subdivision on County Road where all houses are being built simultaneously. This site has the potential to cause erosion on the town road.

 

Dan Roulier has agreed to widen the outlet to Elwood Clifford's pond on Bobolink Lane in order to have the water flow more freely and dispell any fear of flooding.

 

David reviewed the erosion control plan for a proposed 5-lot subdivision on Hall Hill Road and presented his findings to the Planning Commission.

 

David is still waiting for a construction plan for the work being done at the Four Town Fairgrounds. They have hired a consultant and will be presenting a plan within the next few weeks.

 

David reported that the new Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines for the State of Connecticut has finally been issued. The Commissioners are welcome to review it.

 

The Wetland Agent approved two sheds and one pool house during this report period.

 

Don Smith made a motion to accept the Wetland Agent'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 $62.96. George Grant made a motion to pay this bill; seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Karl Walton will be taking the municipal training course for Conservation.

 

VII.    MINUTES APPROVAL:      March 6, 2002

 

         George Grant made a motion to approve the 3/6/02 minutes, as written. This motion was seconded by Don Smith and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

VIII.   ADJOURNMENT:

 

         Motion to adjourn was made by Don Smith; seconded by George Grant and unanimously approved by the Commission. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

 

                                             Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                             Joan Formeister, Secretary

                                             Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary