TOWN OF SOMERS
CONSERVATION
COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH
5, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Acting Chairman Karl Walton at 7:00 p.m.
Present were: Regular members Karl Walton, Maurice Rondeau, Lise Wood, and Joan Formeister (7:02 p.m.). Also present were Alternate members Gus Helberg, seated for absent member Donald Smith, and Daniel Fraro, seated for absent member Simon Lipton.
Also present were David Askew, Wetlands Agent, and Susan Swiatek, Recording Secretary.
II. Audience Participation:
Elaine Hayes of 176 County Road spoke to the Commission regarding her concerns of erosion and drainage on her property. Mr. Walton noted pending litigation by Mrs. Hayes against the Town.
Mr. Askew stated that he will be having further communication with the Town’s attorney regarding removal of silt on Mrs. Hayes’ property by the contractor of a development located across the street from her land.
At this time, a motion was made by Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mr. Helberg, and unanimously voted to move to the New Business portion of the Agenda.
IV. New
Business:
a. Wetlands Application #468, Outdoor Recreation Building with Bathrooms within Upland Review Area, 359 Mountain Road, Worthington Pond Farm.
Mr. Mike Mocko, engineer for the applicant, presented plans for the restrooms for the outdoor recreation building.
He noted that the limits of the wetlands are the edge of the pond. A small section of the proposed building will be within the upland review area. A silt fence will be installed and the disturbed area will be re-vegetated after final grading.
He stated that the proposed septic pumping station will be located 250’ from the pond.
The building will have electricity.
A water line is proposed to travel partially through the upland review area from a proposed well.
Regular Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2003
Page 2
Mr. Mocko stated that no wetland or regulated body of water will be disturbed by the proposed project
Mr. Askew asked Mr. Mocko to inspect the site and determine stormwater flow patterns on the existing road network. Sediment from the gravel roads may have the potential to wash into the ponds and currently washes out onto Mountain Road.
Because of the required appeal period, no decision can be made until the Commission’s next meeting.
b. Wetlands Application #469, Agricultural Drainage Improvements Within Wetlands, 327 Ninth District Road, Barrett
Mr. Askew explained that the U.S. Department of Agriculture designed the plan to address ongoing erosion problems. The drainage system will include two catch basins to collect surface flow. The water will then be piped to a grass-lined swale, which will then discharge into a stream.
Existing denuded areas will be re-vegetated. The system is designed to discharge only clean water – the grass-lined swale should filter any sediment that gets into the drainage system.
He also noted that he applicant has requested a waiver of the usual $150 fee because the project is part of an USDA sponsored erosion control project and does not fall under the agricultural exemption in the wetland regulations.
Mr. Askew reported that the contractor intends to stabilize the swale before moving on with the project. There is to be no stockpiling within the wetlands.
After some discussion of the fee, a motion was made by Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mr. Fraro, and unanimously voted to reduce the usual $150 application fee by $75.00. A vote on the application will take place at the Commission’s next meeting.
It was the consensus of the member to return to the Old Business section of the Agenda at this time.
III. Old Business:
a. Withdrawal of Wetlands Application #467, Permitted Use as Of Right for Logging, 67 George Wood Road, Flebotte
Mr. Askew received a written request from Ms. Flebotte, dated February 4, 2003 that she wishes to withdraw her application for logging at 67 George Wood Road
Regular Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2003
Page 3
A motion was made by Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mr. Rondeau, and
unanimously voted to accept withdrawal of Wetlands application #467.
b. Other
There was no other old business brought up for discussion.
IV. New Business continued:
c. Review and Adopt Bylaws
Members discussed the current agenda format.
It was suggested by Mrs. Wood that “audience participation” be moved to the end of the agenda. Members discussed various alternatives, including the possibility of adding “agenda items only”.
Mrs. Formeister felt this would limit input by citizens.
After further discussion, a motion was made by Mrs. Formeister, seconded by Mrs. Wood, and unanimously voted to adopt the bylaws with the following change: place “Audience Participation” after agenda item “New Business”.
d. 2003/2004 Budget
Mr. Askew stated that the proposed budget has already been approved by the Board of Selectmen. This item was on the Conservation Commission’s agenda for the February meeting which was canceled due to lack of quorum.
The budget as presented has a total 2.1% increase, with the largest portion of the increase being in the advertising portion.
A motion was made by Mr. Rondeau, seconded by Mrs. Wood, and unanimously voted to approve the proposed budget as presented.
e. Election of Officers
After brief discussion, a motion was made by Mrs. Formeister and seconded by Mr. Walton to nominate Mrs. Wood as Secretary; a motion was made by Mr. Walton and seconded by Mrs. Wood to nominate Mr. Smith as Vice Chairman; a motion was made by Mrs. Wood and seconded by Mr. Rondeau to nominate Mrs. Formeister as Chairperson. No other nominations were presented. Vote was unanimously in favor of the nominations.
Regular Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2003
Page 4
f. Other
There was no other new business brought up for discussion.
Mr. Askew presented and briefly reviewed the Agent’s Report.
He noted that final plans for erosion control, drainage improvements and final grading were completed in February for 35 Eagle Brook Drive. Work will begin as soon as weather permits.
Mr. Askew is continuing to inspect the 4-lot subdivision on County Road. In early February he instructed the contractor to re-grade the driveway and install stone at the entrance of the driveway of the 3rd house in the subdivision. This work has been completed.
Mr. Askew noted that the last two rains have caused moderate erosion of the road surface. This erosion is unrelated to the subdivision.
Mr. Askew reported that logging has resumed on the Crapser property on Stafford Road. Mr. Askew went over items needing completion prior to the job being finished with the logger.
Mr. Askew reported that the Army Corps of Engineers are requiring that an existing culvert remain in place at the Harvest Hill Subdivision on Turnpike Road. The removal of this culvert was originally a condition of approval by the Conservation Commission. The applicant will need to return to the Commission for a modification to the permit.
The logging on the Trappe property on Turnpike Road is nearly complete. Mr. Askew noted that the wetlands were adequately protected. At the Scully Road site, there is a great deal of ice in the landing area. Mr. Askew has spoken with the contractor, reminding him of the need to do the project under frozen or dry weather conditions.
Mr. Askew briefly reviewed a recent issue of “The Habitat” which affirms the right of the Wetlands Commission to regulate uplands.
A motion was made by Mr. Rondeau, seconded by Mrs. Wood, and unanimously voted to accept the Agent’s Report.
Regular Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2003
Page 5
A motion was made by Mrs. Wood, seconded by Mr. Helberg, and
unanimously voted to approve payment to the Journal Inquirer for advertising
expense in the amount of $62.96.
A motion was made by Mr. Rondeau, seconded by Mrs. Wood, and unanimously voted to accept the minutes of the meeting of January 8, 2003 as presented.
Mr. Rondeau made a motion which was seconded by Mrs. Wood, and unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joan Formeister, Secretary
Susan Swiatek, Recording Secretary