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

1/07/04; 7:00 p.m.

Town Hall

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

 

            Chairman Joan Formeister called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Members present were:  Karl Walton; Dan Fraro; Lise Wood; Todd Whitford and David Askew, Wetlands Agent

 

II.         OLD BUSINESS:

 

            a.            Discussion/Possible Decision:  Wetlands Application #488, Logging & Fire Road in Wetlands, 459 Pinney Road, Wysocki

 

David Askew, Wetlands Officer, discussed the application.  He talked about a permanent gravel crossing of the wetlands with a culvert.  Mr. Askew indicated that he has been out to the location and inspected it. Logging of the parcel has not started so a temporary crossing of the wetland was not installed.  The applicant, Jim Wysocki was present.

 

MOVED (WOOD) SECONDED (WALTON) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE:  WETLANDS APPLICATION #488, LOGGING & FIRE ROAD IN WETLANDS 459 PINNEY RD.

 

            b.            Discussion/Possible Decision:  Wetlands Application #489, New House in Upland Review Area, 5 Partridge Run, Horseshoe Lane Associates

 

David Askew discussed the application.  He said that the work at the site is proceeding with no problems.  The commission discussed that the driveway had originally been on the site plan on the opposite (wetland) side of the house.  It has been relocated to the other side of the house, farther away from the wetland.

 

MOVED (WALTON) SECONDED (WOOD) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE:  WETLANDS APPLICATION #489, NEW HOUSE IN UPLAND REVIEW AREA, 5 PARTRIDGE RUN, HORSESHOE LANE ASSOCIATES.

 

            c.            Discussion/Possible Decision:  Wetlands Application #490, New House in Upland Review Area, 112 Highland View Drive, Madsen

 

David Askew discussed the application.  He mentioned that the lot is located next to a detention basin.  David recommended that there be erosion control inspections before construction takes place.   The applicant, Mr. Madsen was present.

 

MOVED (WHITFORD) SECONDED (WALTON) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE WITH CONDITIONS THAT A PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING TAKES PLACE BEFORE CONSTRUCTION, WETLANDS APPLICATION #490, NEW HOUSE IN UPLAND REVIEW AREA, 112 HIGHLAND DRIVE, MADSEN.

 

            d.            Discussion/Possible Decision:  Wetlands Application #491, New House in Upland Review Area, 27 Suncrest Drive, Slomski

 

David Askew discussed the application.  He stated that he and Steve Jacobs, Town Sanitarian have met with the owner.  The parcel has been configured from two lots down to one lot with a driveway crossing the wetlands.  The property has a small seasonal stream that shouldn't pose a flooding problem if the culvert should become blocked.  The driveway crossing has been designed to overtop during flood conditions.  David recommended that there be a pre-construction meeting with the owner before they break ground.

 

APPROVED (FRARO) SECONDED (WHITFORD) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE WITH CONDITIONS THAT A PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING TAKES PLACE BEFORE CONSTRUCTION, WETLANDS APPLICATION #491, NEW HOUSE IN THE UPLAND REVIEW AREA, 27 SUNCREST DRIVE, SLOMSKI.

 

            e.            Other:  None.

 

III:        NEW BUSINESS:

 

            a.            Wetlands Application #492, Construct Pond in Wetland, 178 Highland View Drive, Hinckley

 

David Askew discussed the application.  He stated that the owner of the property was not present.  He showed the preliminary plans to the board.  David said the lot is an end lot with a very long driveway that crosses the wetlands.

 

The owner would like to construct a pond next to the driveway.  David suggested that the pond will enhance the area and that a low berm consisting of dredge spoils will encircle the pond.  The pond will not have much flow to maintain itself.  The pond will be ground water fed, so the water table will fluctuate.  David would like to see planting around the edge of the pond around the backside.

 

The commission discussed the dimensions of the pond and David indicated that it will be approximately 100' in width and 200' long.  It will take up roughly a half acre of the property.

 

The board agreed to accept the application at this time, and took no action on it.

 

            b.            Proposed Regulation Amendment:  $10.00 Fee Increase on all Wetland Permits to Cover Cost Required by the D.E.P.

 

The board discussed the $10.00 increase in all land use applications.  David Askew indicated that the change in regulation dictates the monetary boost.

 

The board agreed to defer this item to the March 2004 or April 2004 meeting.

 

            c.            Review and Adopt Bylaws

 

The board briefly discussed the Amendments to the Bylaws of the conservation Commission dated January 7, 2004.  The were in agreement with the changes.

 

MOVED (WALTON) SECONDED (WOOD) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADOPT THE BYLAWS OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION WITH AMENDMENTS REFLECTING THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

 

            d.            Election of Officers

 

Lise Wood made a motion to elect Joan Formeister as Chairman:

 

MOVED (WOOD) SECONDED (WALTON) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO ELECT JOAN FORMEISTER AS CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION FOR 2004.

 

Lise Wood made a motion to elect Karl Walton as Vice Chairman:

 

MOVED (WOOD) SECONDED (FRARO) ANS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO ELECT KARL WALTON AS VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION FOR 2004.

 

Todd Whitford made a motion to elect Lise Wood as Secretary:

 

MOVED (WHITFORD) SECONDED (WALTON) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO ELECT LISE WOOD AS SECRETARY OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION FOR 2004.

 

            e.            2004/2005 Budget

 

MOVED (WOOD) SECONDED (FRARO) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE 2004/2005 BUDGET

 

            f.            Other:  None.

 

IV.            AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:  None.

 

V.            STAFF/COMMISSION REPORT:

 

David Askew spoke about his Wetland Agent's Report.  He said that he is still inspecting the Scully Road, Trappe, Logging site and that it is in good shape with no apparent problems.  He also spoke of a 3-Lot Subdivision located on Hillcrest Drive regarding driveway maintenance associated with some periodic erosion.  He recently instructed the contractor to clean up mud on the road and some of the excess material within the swale.  David mentioned the Bordeaux property on Route 83 and spoke of a proposed culvert replacement.  David also spoke about the dredging of Worthington Pond and how erosion controls have been installed in preparation of the project that will begin soon.  David will require one more pre-construction meeting regarding the Worthington Pond dredging before it takes place.

 

MOVED (WALTON) SECONDED (WOOD) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO ACCEPT DAVID ASKEW'S REPORT TO THE CONVERSATION COMMISSION

 

VI.            CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:  None.

 

VII.            MINUTES APPROVAL:  December 3, 2003

 

MOVED (WALTON) SECONDED (WOOD) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 3, 2003 AS WRITTEN

 

VIII.            ADJOURNMENT:

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50.

 

MOVED (WOOD) SECONDED (WALTON) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:50 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted:

 

 

 

Janet Bennett, Recording Secretary

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.