TOWN OF SOMERS

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

CONSERVATION MINUTES

5/7/03; 7:00 p.m.

Town Hall

 

I.       CALL TO ORDER:

 

         Chairman Joan Formeister called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.  Members present were:  Joan Formeister; Karl Walton; Don Smith; Dan Fraro and Lise Wood.  Also present was Wetlands Agent David Askew.

 

II.      OLD BUSINESS:

         a.       Discussion/Possible Decision:  Wetlands Application #470, 3-Lot Subdivision in Upland Review Area, Hillcrest Drive, Buck Builders LLC

 

         Don Smith recused himself from this discussion because he is an abutter.

 

         This is a (3) lot subdivision at the southeast end of Hillcrest Drive.  At the last meeting, David Askew stated that a condition of approval would be an undisturbed 25' buffer to the wetland.  There is a brook running through the end of the area.  The wetlands have been flagged.

 

Karl Walton made a motion to approve Wetlands Application #470 conditional upon an undisturbed buffer of at least 25' to the wetlands and permanent delineation of the wetland boundary every 50' feet.  Dan Fraro seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Don Smith returned to his Commission seat.

 

         b.       Discussion/Possible Decision:  Wetlands Application #471, Single Family Residence, Driveway & Septic System within Upland Review Area, Heritage Drive Rose

 

         This is an expired wetlands permit that was discussed last month.  Basically, nothing has changed.  The applicants are willing to permanently mark the boundary of the wetlands along the house boundary line, as requested by David Askew.

 

Karl Walton made a motion to approve Wetlands Application #471 with the condition that the applicant permanently mark the wetlands along the boundary of the house between Flags #23 and #27.  This motion was seconded by Don Smith and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

         c.       Discussion/Possible Decision:  Wetlands Application #472, Emergency Streambank Stabilization with Rip-Rap, 17 Patridge Run, Roulier & Associates

 

This job has been completed as an emergency stream bank stabilization with rip-rap because the stream bank was eroding away.  David Askew inspected the site and said that repairs needed to be done immediately.

 

Lise Wood made a motion to approve Wetlands Application #472; seconded by Karl Walton and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

III.     NEW BUSINESS:

         a.       Modification of Permit #415, Fill in a Wetland for Recreation Field, Ninth District Road, Town of Somers

 

         David Askew said the Parks Department would like to fill in 40' more of wetland so they can flip the existing field and have two fields.  There is a berm along the wooded edge that is currently about 50' away from the stream.  If permission is granted, the filled area would be within 10' of the stream.  David would ask for some kind of planted buffer to keep a nice vegetated buffer to the stream - about 10' to 15'.

 

The area to be filled  is a marginal wetland that is maintained in grass.  There would be no room for two regulation size fields without filling in this wetland area.  David will draw up a buffer plan and present it to Public Works to see if they are willing to put in this buffer.

 

         b.       Request for Extension of Permit #369, New Houses in Regulated Area, Birch Hill Drive, Maffeo

 

         This would be an extension of a permit already issued back in 1996 for two lots at the eastern end of Stafford Road.  Mr. Askew recommended that both the modification and extension be postponed.  Clear cutting on both lots is a violation of the existing permit.  It will be necessary to come up with a remedial plan to re-establish buffers because the area has been clear-cut.  The wetland is a kettle hole - there is no other wetland like this in Somers.  The property has to be surveyed.  Baystate Environmental will prepare a remedial plan and a planting plan before the permit can be issued.  This plan should be available for the June meeting.

 

         c.       Modification of Permit #369, New House (Lot #18) in Regulated Area, Birch Hill Drive, Maffeo

 

         This has already been discussed.

 

d.       Modification of Permit #409, Wetland Crossing, Turnpike Road, S. D. Williams

 

Hank Torsolini, representing the applicant, gave the history of this wetland crossing.  This was an (8) lot subdivision - proposed and approved about two years ago.  The brook runs along Turnpike Road.  The project went to the Army Corps of Engineers because it involved more than 5,000 square feet.  There are (3) 48' pipes to carry water with no disturbance to the flood level.  The Corps wanted one of the pipes moved so the stream could flow through the pipe.  Drainage calculations were requested.   The Corps wanted more calculations because the property was in a floodway.  There was no increase in head from one end to the other.  The Corps finally approved the project.  There are (3) box culverts -10' wide and 3'high - you could pass the Scantic River through these culverts.

 

A modification to our original permit is required.  The applicant had to put additional rip-rap on both ends so that during a 100 year storm, the area would not wash away.  In addition, removal of the existing pipe will not be possible because it is in conflict with the Corps approval.  In order to use the existing road for machinery access, an additional pipe extension is also needed.  All of the local standards for flood control will be followed.  The standards the Corps applied in this case are the highest he has ever seen.

 

         e.       Wetlands Application #473, 2-Lot Subdivision, 245 George Wood Road Within Upland Review Area, Camerota

 

         Gerry Hardisty, engineer for the applicant, said this property has an existing house and septic system with a field right next to it.  The applicant has applied for a 2-lot subdivision with another house, septic system and driveway.  The house and septic location are bound by the existing septic system location.  The new house must be 50' away from the existing septic system.  It will be 27' from the wetlands to the house.

 

David Askew said this is a very tight area and probably only a certain size house can be approved.  The septic is right on a property line and the Sanitarian said this is where it has to be.  The Sanitarian also said there are not appropriate septic system soils available if the house location is moved.

 

David said he would require an undisturbed buffer between the house and wetlands and maybe five to ten feet of plantings.  The house should be at least 20' from the wetland.  A planting plan should be provided.  The house should be no larger than 35' x 70'.  The applicant said the house would not be that big.

 

IV.     AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

 

         Kenneth J. Prior, 364 Mountain Rd.  asked if it was possible to fine violators of the Town's Wetland Regulations.

 

The Conservation Commission reviewed an ordinance allowing fines at last month's meeting.  It was reviewed at the Selectmen's Meeting and has been forwarded to the Town Attorney.

 

V.      STAFF/COMMISSION REPORT:

 

         David Askew presented his Wetland Agent's Report dated 5/7/03 to the Commission for their approval.  The following are highlights:

 

County Road - The Town Attorney is now handling all communication regarding the project.

 

Worthington Pond - additional complaints were received and investigated by David Askew.

 

567 Main Street - investigated complaint that homeowner was clearing and filling next to and within wetland.  Inspection showed that work was landscaping outside the wetland.  Only trash and debris will be removed from the wetland, which was marked by David Askew.

 

Lloyd and Bordeaux Gravel Pits were inspected and both were asked to maintain existing erosion control measures.

 

At Bordeaux' property, the water level of the pond had been rising about one foot per week.  Finally, DOT cleared out their area.  The water had seeped into the Bordeaux well.  The Public Works Department got someone to snake about 500' of the pipe - which alleviated the problem.  Some of the pipe goes under the house.

 

Joan Formeister asked about using the $700.00 in the conservation project account for investigation of vernal pools in Somers.  David has not had a chance to investigate the possibilities of this project.

 

The ordinance for levying fees to abusers of the Conservation Regulations is with the Town Attorney for his comments.

 

Lise Wood made a motion to approve the Wetland Agent's report; seconded by Don Smith and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

VI.     CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

 

         (2) films (pay to NCDD)                                  $13.50

         (6) months of service  through June (D. Askew)                 $4,400.00

 

         Lise Wood made a motion to pay the bills; seconded by Don Smith and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

David Askew reported that he is in the process of being certified as a Soil Scientist.  He has already been certified as an Erosion Control Agent.

 

Notice from CRCOG about the regional plan of development seminars.  They do have a new regional plan.

 

Request for a Special Meeting sometime before the 5/19/03 Zoning Commission meeting for an inground pool.  The pool is within the upland review area at 7 Meadow Brook Road.

 

After a discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission to hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday, 5/14/03 at 5:30 p.m. in the downstairs conference room.

 

It was also the consensus of the Commission that a plaque of recognition for continued and devoted service to the Conservation Commission should be awarded to Simon Lipton.

 

VII.    MINUTES APPROVAL:      April 2 and April 16, 2003

 

         Motion to approve the 4/16/03 minutes as written and the 4/2/03 minutes, as amended was made by Lise Wood; seconded by Karl Walton and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Change was made on Page 3 of the 4/02/03 minutes:  Fifth paragraph:  Remove "the Conservation Commission's and the Town's support of this proposed project" and replace with:  "that she, as Chairman of the Conservation Commission, approved of this project and would bring it up at the next Conservation Commission meeting.

 

VIII.   ADJOURNMENT:

 

         Motion to adjourn was made by Lise Wood; seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously approved by the Conservation Commission.  The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

 

                                             Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                             Lise Wood, Secretary

 

                                             Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary