TOWN OF SOMERS

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

CONSERVATION MINUTES

1/8/03; 7:00 p.m.

Town Hall

 

I.       CALL TO ORDER:

 

         Secretary Joan Formeister called the meeting to order at 7:22 p.m.  Members present were:  Karl Walton; Lise Wood; Joan Formeister and Maurice Rondeau (7:22 p.m.).  Also present was David Askew, Wetland Agent.

 

II.      AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:       There was none.

 

III.     OLD BUSINESS:

         a.       Discussion/Possible Decision:  Wetlands Application #463, New House in Upland Review Area, 102 Scully Road, Panciera

 

         Mike Mocko, Environmental Consultant for the applicant, John Panciera, submitted a plan revision to the Commission that changed the footprint of the proposed house.  All other issues remain the same.  There is an intermittent stream on the property that is a regulated area.  There will be 20' of undisturbed area from the construction area to the stream.  The house presently on the lot will be removed and a new house will be constructed.  The lawn area goes up to the stream area.

 

The lower section of the channel is approximately 4' deep and 4-5' wide.  The stream goes dry in the summer.  However, this year it should go full bank when the snow melt starts.  There should be no measurable impact on the stream.

 

David Askew asked that a silt fence be installed that will swing around the driveway and go to the road and tied off to the stone wall.  The edge of the house is about 54' from the stream.  There should be one line of plantings along the bank of the stream to protect it.  David would like a planting plan to be submitted to him for his approval.

 

Lise Wood made a motion to approve Wetlands Application #463 conditional on an erosion control plan and planting plan that has been approved by David Askew.  This motion was seconded by Maurice Rondeau and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

         b.       Discussion/Possible Decision:  Wetlands Application #465, Addition in Upland Review Area, 242 Billings Road, Rumore

 

         A garage and addition to the existing house are planned to be built approximately 55 feet from the wetlands.  The land is flat and above the flood plain line of elevation 210.  A silt fence will have to be installed to prevent erosion during construction.

 

Karl Walton made a motion to approve Wetlands Application #465 with the condition that a silt fence is installed that meets with David Askew's approval.  This motion was seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

         c.       Discussion/Possible Decision:  Wetlands Application #466, Filling a Wetland 167 Sokol Road, Birkenshaw (Expired Application #160)

 

         David Birkenshaw received a wetlands permit back in the 1990's for filling in a wetland without any outlet.  Mr. Birkenshaw would like to continue cleaning this area up.  He will install erosion control measures on the site.

 

Maurice Rondeau made a motion to approve the renewal of expired Wetlands Application #466 for filling a wetland at 167 Sokol Road that has no outlet.  Erosion Control measures will be used on the site.  This motion was seconded by Karl Walton and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

IV.     NEW BUSINESS:

         a.       Wetlands Application #467, Permitted Use as of Right for Logging, 67 George Wood Road, Flebotte

 

         David Askew has walked the property with the owner Barbara Flebotte.  The logger, Steve McEwen, was not present.  The logging site consists of 10 - 15 acres and there is quite a bit of timber in the back.  The logger will have to go through a wetland to access the back property.  It appears that the wetland line is somewhat conservative.

 

Lise Wood made a motion to table this item until the next meeting when the logger should be present to present his cutting plan.  This motion was seconded by Maurice Rondeau and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

         b.       Election of Officers:

 

         c.       Review & Adopt Bylaws

 

                  Lise Wood made a motion to defer these agenda items to the next meeting when, hopefully, all the Commissioners will be present.  In the meantime, David Askew will mail out copies of the Bylaws so that the Commissioners can review them during the coming month.  This motion was seconded by Maurice Rondeau and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

V.      STAFF/COMMISSION REPORT:

 

         David Askew, Wetland Agent, reviewed his January 8, 2003 Wetland Agent's Report with the Commission.  The following are highlights:

 

County Road:          The State DEP graded the trail that runs between two of the new house sites and excavated a section of ditch, leaving vertical side slopes.  David is working with Public Works to get this ditch stabilized.  New sediment deposits were noted at the outlet of the smaller of the two existing pipes discharging onto the adjacent property.  No water is passing through the larger of the two culverts.  The new house contractor said water overtopped County Road at the last driveway crossing (#159) on December 20.  Water bypassed the driveway, flowing parallel to the road.  The section of the ditch where the water over-topped has been rip-rapped and built up to road level.  Existing unpaved driveways appear to be stable, with sufficient cut-offs/water bars.  David instructed the contractor to install additional hay bales or stone at #159 to filter a small amount of water running down the edge of the driveway.  Detailed instructions were also given for stabilization of the site for issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy at #159.

 

120 Pond Circle:  After receiving the after-the-fact permit to fill the drainage ditch/wetland, the owner did not install the proposed new swale.  Water has been ponding in the flat part of the yard and after December 20, water flowed toward the neighbor's property at 99 Pond Circle.  The swale was constructed last week and the drainage has been effectively re-directed.  Additional work is needed to stabilize the site and complete fine grading.

 

35 Eaglebrook Drive:  David Askew gave detailed instructions to Blaine Buck, the contractor at 35 Eaglebrook Drive, for stabilization of the site so that sediment is not deposited on the driveway of 29 Eaglebrook Road, the town road, and into the town drainage system.  Improvements to drainage may involve a clean stormwater discharge into an existing intermittent stream.

 

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

 

VI.     CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

 

         David Askew said there will be a free Erosion & Sediment Control Workshop to be held on 2/20/03 at Tolland County Agricultural Center from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., if anyone is interested in attending.

 

There are two bills - both to the Journal Inquirer - in the amount of $62.96 and $78.70.

 

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

 

VII.    MINUTES APPROVAL:      December 4, 2002

 

         Karl Walton made a motion to approve the 12/4/02 minutes, as written.  This motion was seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

VIII.   ADJOURNMENT:

 

         Motion to adjourn was made by Lise Wood; seconded by Maurice Rondeau and unanimously approved by the Commission.  The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

 

                                             Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                             Joan Formeister, Secretary

 

                                             Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary