TOWN OF SOMERS

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

Conservation Commission Minutes

Special Meeting

8/11/04; 7:30 p.m.

Downstairs Conference Room

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

 

            Chairman Joan Formeister called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.  Members present were:  Joan Formeister; Donald Smith; Dan Fraro; Lise Wood; Todd Whitford and Alternate Sarah Moynihan who was seated for Karl Walton.  Also present was Wetlands Agent, David Askew.

 

II.        OLD BUSINESS:

            a.            Discussion/Possible Decision:  Wetlands Application #507, 4-lot Subdivision

            in Upland Review Area, 47 Stafford Road, Kane

 

            David Palmberg presented plans for a 4-lot subdivision just east of Springfield Road which includes 4 areas of wetland - one large, three small.  There would be no disturbance to the wetlands but work would be done within the 100 foot regulated area.  One of the drawings showed the entire 130 acre parcel, although no further development is planned at this time.  Each lot is two acres that will accommodate a single family home with a private well and septic system.  However, the Town Engineer is questioning the existing right-of-way and a new street line may have to be established that may affect the house location on one of the lots.  In order to maintain required setbacks under the Health Code, the house would have to be moved back closer to the wetland - actually about 5' from the wetland area.  Work still would not be done in the wetland area but there will be grading done around the house.

 

David Askew said the small wetland near this house location is of no value and does not support significant wetland vegetation.  The total area of the wetland is 1,100 square feet and is just 1' below the existing elevation.  The subdivision area is currently treed and the clearing plan is shown on the drawing.

 

Don Smith made a motion to approve Wetlands Application #507 with the provision that all three wetland areas are permanently marked with 4 x 4 stakes in areas close to proposed development; that the builder is allowed the option of eliminating the 1,100 square foot wetland on Lot #1 and that a pre-construction meeting is held with David Askew and the builder.  This motion was seconded by Todd Whitford and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            b.            Discussion/Possible Decision:  Wetlands Application #508, Garage &

            Grading in Upland Review Area, 870 Main Street, Hewitt

 

            Brian Hewitt presented a drawing last month showing his proposed driveway and 3-car garage.  However, the grading had already been done without a permit.  David Askew requested

 

 

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8/11/04

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that Mr. Hewitt do a re-delineation of the wetland area which has been done.  Mr. Hewitt verified that the garage would be built in a flat area, 23 feet from the culvert.  Mr. Askew explained that the soil scientist submitted a letter explaining that the area to be altered is an intermittent stream with a narrow band of associated wetland.  Its main function is to convey water and this function will not be altered by culvert installation.

 

Lise Wood made a motion to approve Wetlands Application #508 with the following three conditions:  (1)  stabilize the driveway surface (2) install stone to stabilize the channel and (3) no floor drain will be constructed in the garage.  This motion was seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

David Askew said he will work with Mr. Hewitt on rip-rapping the channel.  Mr. Hewitt said he wants to get the driveway area paved before the fall which will stabilize the area.

 

III.       NEW BUSINESS:

            a.            Determination of Permitted Use of Right, Logging Operation, Mountain/

            Camp/Stafford Roads, Camp Ayapo

 

David Askew stated that this is a permitted use of right.  David has inspected all of the logging areas.  Dave Beers of Conwood Foresters said there will be no logging in the wetland areas - nothing within 20' of wetlands or watercourses.  Mr. Beers pointed out where the logs would be harvested.  He will flag the skid trails.  644 trees will be removed on a sixty acre site.

Some tree stands have been set aside for wildlife.  Most of these trees should be removed in order to provide sunlight for a new crop of sugar maples. 

 

Don Smith asked about the dirt from the skid roads eroding into the lake and was told that the closest trail would be 70' from the lake.

 

David said he inspects logging operations once a week with the loggers so he will be on top of things if anything seems to be going wrong.  Mr. Beers said logging would not start until September and would be completed before next June so as not to conflict with the camping season at Camp Ayapo. 

 

Michelle and Roger Young, Mountain Road were concerned about mudslides onto Mountain Road.  They were told by Mr. Beers that if any erosion occurred, it would be corrected before it could become a problem.  Also, Michelle and Roger Young cautioned Mr. Beers about the dangerous intersection exiting from Camp Road onto Mountain Road and suggested he may want to consider another route out with the logging trucks.

 

It was the consensus of the Commission that this logging operation is a permitted use of right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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IV.            ADJOURNMENT:

 

            Motion to adjourn was made by Lise Wood; seconded by Sarah Moynihan and unanimously approved by the Commission.  The meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Lise Wood, Secretary

 

 

Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary

 

 

 

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.