MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.
TOWN OF SOMERS
CONSERVATION
COMMISSION
P. O. Box 308
Somers,
Connecticut 06071
CONSERVATION
COMMISSION MINUTES
6/4/03;
7:00 p.m.
Town Hall
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Vice-Chairman Don Smith called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Members present were: Don Smith; Lise Wood; Maurice Rondeau and Don Fraro. Joan Formeister arrived at 7:12 p.m. and took over as Chairman for the meeting. Also present was: David Askew, Wetland Agent.
II. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Discussion/Possible
Decision: Modification of Permit #415,
Fill in a Wetland for Recreation Field, Ninth District Road, Town of Somers
David
Askew said the 100 year flood plain on the map needs to be located
accurately. David said the Commission
could postpone its decision or approve it as proposed with a condition that the
Flood Plain Coordinator approve the project.
Also, a planted buffer plan has to be submitted showing a l0' - 15' wide
buffer.
Maurice Rondeau made a motion to approve Permit #415
with the conditions that the flood plain line is clarified and that David Askew
receives a plan for a vegetated buffer.
This motion was seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved by the
Commission.
Maurice Rondeau made a motion to change the order of
business and consider Item (b) at the end of New Business; seconded by Lise
Wood and unanimously approved by the Commission.
c. Discussion/Possible
Decision: Wetlands Application #473,
2-lot Subdivision, 245 George Wood Road Within Upland Review Area, Camerota
David Askew said this
property is owned by Len Viera and is on the west side of George Wood
Road. Mr. Viera is proposing a 2-lot
subdivision. The house and septic
location are bound by the existing septic system location. The new house will be about 22' from the
edge of the wetland. The owner said the
new house will not be as large as it is shown on the drawing. Sanitarian Steve Jacobs has approved the
septic plan.
An undisturbed buffer planting plan needs to be
supplied between the house and wetlands with five to ten feet of plantings.
Don Smith made a motion to approve Wetlands Application #473 with the conditions that the house is set back at least 35' from the road and that David Askew is supplied with an undisturbed buffer planting plan that meets with his approval. This motion was seconded by Maurice Rondeau and unanimously approved by the Commission.
d. Discussion/Possible
Decision: Request for Extension of
Permit #369, New Houses in Regulated Area, Birch Hill Drive, Maffeo
e. Discussion/Possible
Decision: Modification of Permit #369,
New House (Lot #18) in Regulated Area, Birch Hill Drive, Maffeo
At
last month's meeting, David Askew recommended that both these items be
postponed until the applicant comes up with a remedial plan to re-establish
buffers because the area has been clear-cut.
Erin from Bay State Environmental presented a
planting plan of shrubs, trees and grassed areas. The plantings will be done in the fall and the applicant is
willing to put up a bond to ensure that the planting plan is carried out, as
presented. This plan also shows that
the vernal pool will be protected.
Don Smith made a motion to approve the extension of
Permit #369 as well as the modification of Permit #369 with the following
condition: a bond is put in place in
the amount of $15,625 to ensure that the remedial plan to re-establish buffers
is carried out on all three lots in the fall.
This motion was seconded by Maurice Rondeau and unanimously approved by
the Commission.
f. Discussion/Possible
Decision: Wetlands Application #474,
Inground Pool Within Upland Review Area, 7 Meadow Brook Road, Taylor
David Askew said that
most of the wetland line is in lawn.
The inground pool is about 30' from the wetland. David does not foresee any problems. Proper erosion control measures will be used
during construction.
Don Smith made a motion to approve Wetlands
Application #474; seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved by the
Commission.
b. Discussion/Possible
Decision: Modification of Permit #409,
Wetland Crossing, Turnpike Road, S. D. Williams
Dan
Fraro recused himself from this discussion only because he is an abutter.
David
Askew stated that this is an 8-lot subdivision that was approved in 2000, with
a condition that the existing crossing be removed to mitigate for the wetland
alteration associated with the new road.
The Army Corps of Engineers got involved because it was more than 5,000
square feet. They required (3) huge box
culverts - l0' wide and 3' high.
Temporary additional piping will be added to allow temporary
access. The additional piping must be
removed once the subdivision road is completed.
Don Smith made a motion to approve the modification
of Permit #409 with the condition that temporary piping is added to facilitate
heavy equipment going onto the subdivision road and that this piping is removed
at the end of construction. This motion
was seconded by Maurice Rondeau and unanimously approved by the Commission.
Dan Fraro returned to his Commission seat.
III. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Wetlands Application #475,
Inground Pool in Upland Review Area, 567 Main Street, Tingley
David Askew said the proposed inground pool that is 80' away from the wetland. The property is on the corner of Main Street and Maple Ridge Drive. David will verify the 80' setback from the wetland.
b. Wetlands Application #476,
Inground Pool in Upland Review Area, 105 Rosehaven Road, Decker
This application is for an inground pool on the west side of Rosehaven Road. The pool is 55' from the edge of the wetland. A side line variance was approved by ZBA.
c. Wetlands Application #477, New
House in Upland Review Area, 186 Highland View Drive, Veser
Mike Mocko, Environmental Consultant for the applicant, said the proposed home is on a 3.8 acre lot with wetlands on the lower portion of the lot. A 100' buffer zone has been identified on the plan. The house location and septic location were changed from the original subdivision approval. There will be a 40' undisturbed buffer zone. The land is pretty level - about 5%. There will be no disruption of the tree line. A silt fence will be installed and vegetation will be replaced after the house is built. David Askew does not anticipate any problems with this application.
d. Wetlands
Application #478, 2-lot Subdivision, Bilton Road, Bushnell
The applicant is proposing a 2-lot
subdivision on the west side of Bilton Road before the State buildings. The slope is to the southwest and it is an
open pasture area. The homes will have
septic systems and wells. The wetlands
have been delineated. The closest point
to the wetland line is about 215'.
David Askew has no issues with this application.
IV. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:
A group of high school students were present as part of a Civics class requirement. The Commissioners answered a few questions and signed their proof of attendance forms.
V. STAFF/COMMISSION REPORT:
David Askew presented his June 4, 2003 Wetland Agent's Report to the Commission. The following are some of the highlights:
Hall Hill/Bridle Path,
McCullough Property - David
inspected this site of a proposed subdivision several times in the past few
weeks to review wetland boundaries.
Modifications were required in two areas, increasing the size of the
wetland.
301 Main Street - David noted that some wetland had been filled
adjacent to a garage construction. The
owner has agreed to remove the fill or submit an application for maintenance of
a small (fill) crossing of the wetland.
35 Eaglebrook - A swale was designed to cut off drainage coming from
two lots upslope of this lot. This
swale has functioned well through a number of heavy rains during the last few
weeks. An additional swale and berm
still needs to be constructed along the lower property line.
Birch Hill Drive - David responded to a complaint that clear cutting
was occurring in the wetland area. His
inspection showed that no wetland areas were altered and erosion controls will
be installed.
Stafford Road Logging -
Crapser: There have been ongoing problems with this logging
site with skidder crossings of wetlands.
The operation should be completed this summer.
David reported that the ordinance for levying fines
to wetlands violators has been approved by the Town Attorney and complies with
State law.
Lise Wood made a motion to accept David Askew's
report; seconded by Don Smith and unanimously approved by the Commission.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:
David
Askew reported that Ed Pallock of West Hartford said he would do all of the
aerial work for a vernal pool inventory at a cost of $700.00. However, Mr. Pallock can't do this work
right away and the Commission needs to spend the money in the Conservation
Project account by 6/30/03. David Askew
could write up an agreement stating that the money was paid up front.
Don Smith made a motion to authorize Joan Formeister
to transfer monies from Conservation accounts and to pay last minute bills
prior to the next Conservation Commission meeting. This motion was seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved by
the Commission.
Bills:
$55.09 to the Journal Inquirer. Lise Wood made a motion to approve payment of the bill; seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously approved by the Commission.
VII. MINUTES APPROVAL: May
7, 2003 & May 19, 2003
Lise
Wood made a motion to approve the 5/7/03 minutes, as written. This motion was seconded by Don Smith and
unanimously approved by the Commission.
Lise Wood made a motion to approve the minutes of
5/19/03, as written; seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously approved by the
Commission.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn was made by Lise Wood; seconded by Don Smith and unanimously approved by the Commission. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lise Wood, Secretary
Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary
MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.