P.O. Box 308
Somers, Connecticut 06071
June 2, 2004 – 7:00 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Test
sites included Holden Trucking in East Windsor, Durkee Road in Somers, two
sites at Mill Pond (both above and below the dam), Melrose, and the Gulf Stream
(by the high school).
Todd Whitford
asked the students their overall conclusion as to the water condition and the
students stated that their research indicated the water moving into the Long
Island Sound Watershed from their study points was in good condition.
Mr.
Smith noted that the plans show little to no effect on the wetlands. Mr. Mocko agreed and said that a one foot
grass swale would be created to address drainage. He said the site was once hay land, but is currently young
forest. Mr. Smith and Mr. Walton asked
if the old and new agricultural ditches would be completely covered. Mr. Mocko assured them they would be.
Mr. Mocko asked
for guidance from the Commission regarding a retention basin currently designed
for a dry bottom. He proposed deepening
the pond so it would be full of water year round to a depth of 4 to 6 feet. This area should increase in size to form a
pond which might encourage fish and diverse wildlife to utilize the area. A storm berm would be created to provide
filtration and a fore-bay to prevent siltation. He felt it was a good candidate for such work as the water would
be there year round. The area is sandy
and the water table raises in times of heavy precipitation. He asked if we would entertain a design for
this. David Askew said that there may
be questions from engineering and with regard to maintenance, but it might work
out.
Mr. Askew also
mentioned that the proposed location of one of the homes concerned him because
of the water table. Mr. Mocko said that
with the drainage proposed it would be fine.
Once the current drainage systems are removed by filling them in, the
water flow should change naturally.
d. Discussion/Possible Decision: Wetlands
Application #502, Garage in Upland Review Area, 527 Main Street, Bray
David
Askew said that the wetlands are 50 feet from the corner of the garage on this
property. A motion was made by Karl
Walton and seconded by Donald Smith to approve the application. All in favor.
e. Discussion: Revisions to Wetlands Regulations
David
Askew asked if there were questions or comments regarding the proposed
revisions to the Wetland Regulations.
He has submitted them to the town attorney hoping for input on language,
specifically with regard to the most recent changes in state statute on vernal
pools. The public hearing will be in
July.
f. Discussion: Return of Bond for Restoration Planting, Lots 7, 18 and 19, Birch
Hill Estates, Maffeo
The
Commission had asked the owner to do restorative plantings and requested a bond
based on the cost. He inspected the
premises twice last fall and once again recently. Only one maple had died.
Lot 18 currently has a new
owner. The lot was checked last year and was completed according to the plans
as approved. However, the new owner had
placed fill within 15 feet of the wetlands over the winter. Maffeo is no longer under obligation to take
care of this, however. The new owner is
being held responsible.
Don Smith moved,
and Todd Whitford seconded, that the bond be removed at this time. All in favor.
g. Other
Joan
Formeister brought up the high school plantings in the courtyard. She hasn’t
yet found a nursery who will allow the pre-ordering of the plantings for next
March, but expects to be able to. She
is looking for approval to spend $700.00 line item monies for these plantings.
Mr.
Whitford moved that we support the request for court yard plantings for the
high school project, and this was seconded by Lise Wood. All in favor.
At
this point, Joan Formeister needed to leave, so Karl Walton took over as chair
of the meeting.
III. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Wetlands Application #503, Determination of
Permitted Use of Right for Horse Barn in Upland Review Area, 17 Grant Drive,
Guckel
David
Askew said that this property was situated at the end of Grant Drive, the last
house on the left, at the end of the subdivision. The owner was proposing building a 2 stall barn for horses
(agricultural activity) which would be 30 feet from wetland area. Owner will need to submit a zoning permit.
Don
Smith moved that that the Commission approve the activity as a permitted use of
right under State Statute. Karl Walton
seconded this motion. All in favor.
b. Wetlands Application #504, Filling
Man-made Wetlands, Lot #5, Orchard View, Whiteley
David
Askew said that there is a 10’ by 10’ excavation which was dug on the property
and was flagged as wetland when the Miller subdivision was originally
done. It picks up ground water within a
6 foot high berm and the owner would like permission to fill it in. When Karl Walton asked the size of the lot,
David said that it is 9.36 acres in size.
c. Wetlands Application #505, Grading for
New House and Footing Drain in Upland Review Area, 240 Four Bridges Road, Raina
Mr.
Raina told the Commission of his plan to build a home with a 3 car garage,
decking and a footing drain within the regulated area. David Askew said that it is a flat lot. The only activity close to the brook is the
outlet of the footing drain.
Mr.
Raina said that time is of the essence as he had filed the paperwork in
February and currently is without housing.
He asked that an earlier meeting could be held. The Commission decided to hold a special
meeting on June 16 for the purpose of discussion the application, as well as
the Whiteley application.
d. Wetlands Application #506, 10-Lot
Subdivision in Upland Review Area, Extension of Isabella Drive, KRL Builders
KRL
said that they would have a full application by the next meeting, at which time
they could show the house settings and other data. The extension would be set up basically the same as the current
subdivision in connection with the wetland area, with a distance of 150 feet
from wetlands to the back of the properties.
e. Other
There
was no other new business presented.
IV. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:
Blaine
and Brian Buck from Buck Builders LLC presented photos of a 6 foot deep area
behind 21 Hillcrest Drive which is holding water and which they feel is a
danger. Landscaping issues on the lot
were also discussed. Vasser Landscaping
is being hired to correct the problems.
The Planning Commission was holding a $10,000.00 bond on the road. There is also another $500.00 bond being
held until the lawn is established.
Blaine
Buck and Brian Buck also asked if the tent by Worthington Pond was within the
100 foot limit of the wetland area.
David Askew and Don Smith stated that an application did not have to go
through the Commission because the tent
was not within the regulated area.
Brian Buck mentioned the location of the parking lot used in connection
with the tent. Karl Walton said that an
A-2 survey was not required for the Commission’s purposes.
V. STAFF/COMMISSION REPORT:
David
Askew reviewed his Wetland Agent’s Report with the Commission and handed out
materials from Sarah Moynihan’s report at the last meeting. Lise Wood moved to accept the report. This motion was seconded by Dan Fraro and
the Commission unanimously approved the report.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND
BILLS:
There
was no correspondence presented. A bill
was submitted for $47.22 from the Journal Inquirer for a legal notice. Don Smith moved that the bill be paid. The motion was seconded by Dan Fraro. All in favor.
VII. MINUTES APPROVAL:
Lise
Wood made a motion to approve the May 5, 2004 minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Dan Fraro and
unanimously approved by the Commission.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
Motion
to adjourn made by Lise Wood. The
motion was seconded by Don Smith and unanimously approved by the
Commission. The meeting adjourned at
9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lise Wood, Secretary
Robin Timmons, Recording Secretary