TOWN OF SOMERS

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

CONSERVATION MINUTES

9/3/03; 7:00 p.m.

Town Hall Conference Room

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

 

            Chairman Joan Formeister called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Members present were:

Joan Formeister; Karl Walton; Lise Wood and Dan Fraro.  Also present was Wetlands Agent

David Askew.

 

II.        OLD BUSINESS:

            a.            Discussion/Possible Decision:  Wetlands Application #481, New House Within

            Upland Review Area, Lot #7 Stafford Road, Maffeo

 

            Erin Gillen, Baystate Environmental, gave a brief synopsis of the steps taken by the

applicant in order to have his wetlands application approved by the Commission.

 

This lot was cleared before the wetland line was finalized.  At the request of the Commission, in June a comprehensive restoration planting plan was presented.  Also, a Conservation Easement was presented to insure protection of the natural bog on the property.  The Conservation Commission

was named as the commission responsible for enforcing the conditions of the easement.

 

A three-year monitoring plan is proposed to insure that the plantings either survived or were replaced.  This monitoring plan will be conducted by Baystate Environmental.  They will inspect annually, take pictures and give a report to the Town.  A restriction will be placed on the sales agreement that the new owner will allow this monitoring and replacement of plantings, if necessary.

 

Mitigation of this property has not taken place yet.  A bond has been received that would more than cover the cost of the mitigation. 

 

Lise Wood made a motion to approve Wetlands Application #481 conditional upon receipt of the signed conservation easement as well as the restriction on the sales agreement.  Karl Walton seconded the motion.  The vote was:  (3) in favor; (1) opposed (Walton); (0) abstentions.  The motion passed.

 

            b.            Discussion/Possible Decision:  Wetlands Application #482, High School Addition

            Within Upland Review Area, Vision Boulevard, Town of Somers

 

            David Askew reported that a design has been received with design calculations and a sediment basin in an area that can be regularly maintained and cleaned out.  David Askew has no

other issues.

 

Karl Walton made a motion to approve the drainage for the high school portion of the project and grading within the upland review area.  This motion was seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Conservation Minutes

9/3/03

Page 2

 

            c.            Discussion/Possible Reference to Board of Selectmen:  Wetland Fine Ordinance

 

                        The Town Attorney has reviewed this proposed ordinance and his suggested changes have been made.  Final approval of the ordinance will have to go to a town meeting.

 

Lise Wood made a motion to refer this ordinance to the Board of Selectmen for their review and

approval.  Karl Walton seconded this motion which was unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            d.            Other:

 

                        Joan Formeister reported that the Somers school system received a grant to conduct a water quality study.  The students have a plan to start testing where the Scantic River comes out into the Connecticut River (in South Windsor).  Then they plan to test water in the Connecticut River.  The group would like to meet with us in the spring to discuss the results of this water study.

 

III.       NEW BUSINESS:            There was none.

 

IV.            AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:    There was none.

 

V.            STAFF/COMMISSION REPORT:

 

            David Askew presented his Wetland Agent's Report to the Commission.  Highlights are as follows:

 

In June, David sent a notice of violation regarding  wetland violations at Worthington Pond, and asked that a wetlands permit application be submitted by 8/29/03.  The landowner asked for a 30-day extension.  He has controlled the sediment run-off; but has put up several sheds without permits.

 

David sent a letter to the owners of 489 Stafford Road concerning the many wetlands violations that have not been corrected on his logging operation.  He ordered ceasing all logging work until these violations have been corrected.  The original logger on the site has lost his State certification.  David notified the DEP as well.

 

Several other activities have been noted at 301 Main Street; 28 Royal Manor; 9 Somerset and

Orchard View Drive.  These have been resolved by the Wetland Agent.

 

David has also been busy with reviewing building and zoning permits as well as (17) sites for

certificates of occupancy.

 

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

 

 

 

Conservation Minutes

9/3/03

Page 3

 

 

VI.            CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

 

            No correspondence and the following (3) bills:

                        Journal Inquirer                                             $62.96

                        Journal Inquirer                                            
$47.22

                        North Central Conservation District                        $1,624.00

 

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

 

VII.            MINUTES APPROVAL:            July 9, 2003 & July 23, 2003

 

            Karl Walton made a motion to approve the 7/9/03 minutes as written and the 7/23/03 minutes, as revised on Page 2.  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 Karl Walton and unanimously approved by the Commission.  The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Lise Wood, Secretary

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.