TOWN OF SOMERS

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES

10/2/02; 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; Karl Walton; George Grant; Lise Wood; Maurice Rondeau; Joan Formeister and Alternate August Helberg. Also present was David Askew, Wetlands Agent.

 

II.      AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:       There was none.

 

III.     OLD BUSINESS:

         a.       Discussion/Possible Decision: Wetlands Application #459, Discussion of Jurisdiction, New House Within Upland Review Area, 138 Broadway Road, O'Brien

 

         At the last meeting, it was determined that this application is a regulated activity even though the wetlands are on an adjoining property. The applicant has flagged the wetland area. David Askew does not see a problem with this application. It is a fairly flat lot and a silt fence will be in place during construction.

 

Lise Wood made a motion to approve Wetlands Application #459; Karl Walton seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

IV.     NEW BUSINESS:

         a.       Wetlands Application #460, Filling Wetlands for New House and Septic System, Lot #4, Old Farm Road, Mansour

 

         David Askew said that at the July meeting, it was determined by the Commission that this application constitutes a significant wetland activity - requiring a public hearing. Basically, the Commission should accept this application and set a public hearing date.

 

Lise Wood made a motion to accept Application #460 and set a public hearing date for 11/6/02 at 7:00 p.m. This motion was seconded by Karl Walton and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

         b.       Wetlands Application #461, Install Dry Hydrant in Pond, Billings Road (Cedar Knob), Town of Somers

 

       Assistant Fire Chief Bob Sciaretta said the Town would like to install a dry hydrant at the Cedar Knob Golf Course - off the tenth tee. This is one of five hydrants that are planned by the Town. The Town has permission from the owner of Cedar Knob to put these hydrants in. This will give the Fire Department the advantage of operating at a closer distance to a possible fire. The hydrant will be put in between a couple of trees and into a pond off the road. The water would be sucked out of the pond if it were necessary to use the hydrant. The pond water is clean with no wetland activity around the pond.

 

David Askew said he has not checked the outlet yet. However, if the pond is not flowing, he has no concerns with this application.

 

         c.       Wetlands Application #462, New House in Upland Review Area, 10 Manse Hill Road, McCullough

 

         Developer Rick McCullough and his Environmental Consultant Mike Mocko presented a building plan to the Commission. Mr. Mocko said the wetland line has been identified and the septic system designed with the required separating distance from the well. The house has been designed to fit the lot with minimum impact on the wetlands. However, construction work would be done 20' off the wetland line. There is an outlet to the storm drainage system that was installed as part of the road system. There will be no severe grading problems.

 

The lot is overgrown with non-native plants. The applicant would like to do some hand pruning to remove about 50% of the vegetation and leave a diversity of shrubs and native vegetation in the buffer area, as shown on the plan.

 

David Askew asked about the history of the wetland area. Mike Mocko said it appears to be a natural wetland that was cut off by the road construction. Mike Mocko said there would be construction activity in approximately 19,200 square feet of the upland review area.

 

David Askew said he is in favor of the vegetative plan for this area. Mike Mocko said the hand pruning should be supervised to be sure that it is done according to specifications.

 

         d.       Review/Adopt 2003 Meeting Dates:

 

                  The Commission reviewed the 2003 meeting dates in a draft prepared by the Town Planner. Lise Wood made a motion to approve the 2003 meeting dates as presented in the draft. This motion was seconded by Karl Walton and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

V.      STAFF/COMMISION REPORT:

 

         David Askew presented his Wetland Agent's Report to the Commission. The following are highlights:

 

County Road, 5-Lot Subdivision:   Land Use Staff met with the contractor to review requirements for obtaining certificates of occupancy for the five houses, including requirements for final soil stabilization and stormwater control. The contractor, T-Square Builders, has done a good job and still has to finish the drainage work required.

 

A current resident, Elaine Hayes, is under the impression that the work done by this contractor is causing a lot more water going onto her property. Merv Strauss, Patrice Carson and David Askew have been up there several times. The culvert is being replaced and water run-off is only (1) cfs extra water run-off. There is some silt coming off the road and onto her property. The Staff offered to have this sediment removed from her property several times, but Mrs. Hayes declined our offer.

 

Trappe Logging:      David met with the forester and abutter to review expected access improvements and erosion control. Improvements to the access will not involve permitted activities.

 

39 Mulberry Lane:   David met with the homeowner to discuss erosion control concerns on an adjacent lot. A silt fence is still in place and the homeowner is concerned that when this fence is removed, sediment will come onto his property. David gave the homeowner some recommendations. No additional action was necessary.

 

Lise Wood made a motion to accept the Wetland Agent's report. This motion was seconded by Maurice Rondeau and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

David Askew commented that he has looked at the pond under construction at the VanWingerden property which is part of the remediation owed to the Conservation Commission. The pond should be completed within a day or two.

 

VI.     CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

 

         David Askew presented a renewal of the contract for his services as Wetland Agent for the Town of Somers for 2003 for approval.

 

George Grant made a motion to approve the renewal of the contract for David Askew, Wetland Agent's services to the Town of Somers for the year 2003. This motion was seconded by Karl Walton and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

David presented the following bills:

 

         Wetland Agent's salary for 1/2 year:                     $4.400.00

         Annual Contribution to Tolland County Soils

         Conservation District                                      $1.624.00

         Journal Inquirer                                                      $125.92

         Journal Inquirer                                                      $78.70

 

Karl Walton made a motion to approve payment of the bills; seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Chairman Lipton remarked that the Conservation Commission is very lucky to have David Askew working for them. He has done an excellent job for us.

 

David Askew said the annual CACIWIC meeting is 11/16/02 if anyone is interested in attending. He also has brochures on over-mulching. Finally, the 14th annual conference on urban forestry will be held on 10/30/02, if anyone wishes to attend.

 

VII.    MINUTES APPROVAL:      September 4, 2002

 

         Lise Wood made a motion to approve the 9/4/02 minutes, as written. This motion was seconded by Maurice Rondeau and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

VIII.   ADJOURNMENT:

 

         Motion to adjourn was made by Maurice Rondeau; seconded by George Grant and unanimously approved by the Commission. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

 

                                             Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                             Joan Formeister, Secretary

 

                                             Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary