MINUTES
ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL A SUBSEQUENT MEETING
TOWN OF
SOMERS
CONSERVATION
COMMISSION
P. O.
Box 308
Somers,
Connecticut 06071
CONSERVATION
COMMISSION MINUTES
2/04/04;
7:00 p.m.
Town
Hall
I.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman
Joan Formeister called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Members present were: Dan Fraro, Todd Whitford, Karl Walton
(7:07), Alternate Sarah Moynihan (Seated for Lise Wood) and David Askew,
Wetlands Agent
II.
OLD BUSINESS:
a.
Discussion/Possible Decision:
Wetlands Application #492, Construct Pond in Wetlands, 178 Highland View
Drive, Hinckley
David
Askew, Wetlands Officer, and Dan Hinkley, the applicant discussed the
application. Dave showed the
commission a revised site plan and stated that Mr. Hinkley has complied with all
the requirements that were asked for at the previous Conservation Meeting. Dave mentioned that the new site plan
defines the pond with proper grading, shows plantings and a buffer between the
house and pond area. The pond has
been moved slightly closer to the road in order to better utilize the lot
configuration.
Mr.
Hinkley indicated that he is thinking of creating another pond on the other side
of his property at a later date.
MOVED
(WHITFORD) SECONDED (WALTON) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE: WETLANDS APPLICATION #492, CONSTRUCT
POND IN WETLANDS, 178 HIGHLAND VIEW DRIVE, HINCKLEY
b.
Other:
None.
III. NEW
BUSINESS:
a.
Wetlands Application #493, New House in Upland Review Area, 138
Highland View Drive, Drinan
David
Askew, Wetlands Officer and David Drinan, the applicant discussed the
application. They showed the
commission a revised site plan which indicated that the house will be twenty
feet closer to the wetlands with proper grading at the edge of the wetlands
towards the house. There will be no
activity within the wetland. He
also pointed out that some nearby meadow wetlands appear to be receding. He said there may be an estimated water
table drop of one to two feet over time, due to the installation of road
drainage.
The
board agreed to accept the application at this time, and took no action on
it.
b.
Wetlands Application #494, Filling Wetlands for New House and Septic
System, Lot #4, Old Farm Road, Mansour
David
Askew, Wetlands Officer discussed the application. Mr. Mansour was also present. Dave noted to the commission that a
similar application, with a larger house and septic had previously been before
the board in December of 2002.
The
commission looked at a site plan of the property. The applicant stated that this
application would have approximately 10,000 square foot of wetlands alteration
with substantial fill involved for a house.
Dave
mentioned to the board that the property has a high water table within a large
wetlands complex which drains across Hall Hill Road into Wrights
Brook.
Dave
noted to the commission that they would need to determine whether or not this
application is of significant activity or not and if so then the application
must go before a public hearing.
MOVED
(WALTON) SECONDED (FRARO) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY THAT WETLANDS APPLICATION #494,
FILLING FOR WETLANDS FOR NEW HOUSE AND SEPTIC SYSTEM, LOT #4, OLD FARM ROAD,
MANSOUR AND SCHEDULED A PUBLIC HEARING FOR MARCH 3,
2004.
c.
Wetlands Application #495, Driveway Crossing for New House in
Wetlands, End of White Oak Road, Richard A. McCullough, Inc.
Builders
Michael
Mocko and Rick McCullough came forward to discuss the application. David Askew, Wetlands Officer and the
two applicants showed the commission a site plan of a 45 acre parcel in which
the applicant would like to construct a single family home on 25 acres of the
parcel. The application would
involve a wetland crossing by a 12 foot wide drive way. Mr. Mocko gave each member of the
commission a one page hand out entitled "Consideration of Wetland Alteration and
Alternaties Considered.
Mr.
Mocko indicated that both he and Rick McCullough have previously met with staff
regarding this application.
Dave
noted to the commission that they would need to determine whether or not this
application is of significant activity or not and if so then the application
must go before a public hearing.
MOVED
(WALTON) SECONDED (WHITFORD) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY THAT WETLANDS APPLICATION
#495, DRIVEWAY CROSSING FOR NEW HOUSE IN WETLANDS, END OF WHITE OAK ROAD,
RICHARD A. MCCULLOUGH, INC. BUILDERS AND SCHEDULED A PUBLIC HEARING FOR MARCH 3,
2004.
d.
Discussion:
"Conservation" Role of Commission
Joan
Formeister spoke to the Conservation Commission about the overall roles that the
board performs. She noted to the
board that the Somers Conservation Commission handles more wetlands applications
than conservation issues. She
passed out a typewritten "conservation commission project list" to all the
members present at the meeting.
David
Pinney, First Selectman and discussed a letter dated January 29, 2004 from the
State of Connecticut DEP Bureau of Water Management pertaining to storm water
management. Mr. Pinney passed out
copies of the letter and a State of Connecticut DEP Fact Sheet dated January 9,
2004 to all the members of the commission who were
present.
Mr.
Pinney asked the commission for their input and discussed possible options to
take in response to the requests of the letters. Karl Walton suggested that in the past
some projects have in the past been handled at the school system as class
projects.
e.
Other:
None.
IV.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:
None.
V.
STAFF/COMMISSION REPORT:
David
Askew spoke about his wetlands report.
He said that the dredging of Worthington Pond was going well and almost
complete. Dave spoke about the
Scully Road, Trappe, Logging operation and said that the cold weather was making
the site more manageable and it was also going well. Dave also spoke of a Notice of Violation
letter he sent out on January 27, 2004 regarding the Four Town Fairgrounds
regarding unauthorized activity within a regulated wetland at the Four Town
Fairgrounds. In this letter he
asked the board of directors of the fairgrounds to respond to his letter by
March 15, 2004.
MOVED
(WALTON) SECONDED (FRARO) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO ACCEPT DAVID ASKEW'S REPORT
TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
VI.
CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:
Two
bills were submitted and approved.
MOVED
(WALTON) SECONDED (WHITFORD) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE $25.04 FOR OFFICE
SUPPLIES.
MOVED
(WALTON) SECONDED (MOYNIHAN) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE $47.22 FOR
JOURNAL INQUIRER LEGAL NOTICE BILLS.
VII.
MINUTES APPROVAL:
MOVED
(WALTON) SECONDED (FRARO) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES OF JANUARY 7, 2004 AS AMENDED TO INCLUDE AUDIENCE
PARTICIPATION.
VIII.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOVED
(MOYNIHAN) SECONDED (FRARO) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADJOUR THE MEETING AT
8:24.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Janet
Bennett
Recording
Secretary
MINUTES
ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL A SUBSEQUENT MEETING