TOWN OF SOMERS

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

P.O. BOX 308

SOMERS, CONNECTICUT 06071

 

CONSERVATION MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING

Wednesday, October 6, 2004 – 7:00 p.m.

Town Hall

 

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

 

Chairman Joan Formeister called the regular meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Members present were:  Joan Formeister, Dan Fraro, Donald Smith, Karl Walton, and Lise Wood.  Also present:  David Askew, Wetlands Agent.

 

II.        OLD BUSINESS:

 

a.            Discussion/Possible Decision:  Wetlands Application #509, Addition & Grading for Parking Lot in Upland Review Area, 67 South Road, Wurdig

 

Mike Mocko, environmental consultant for the applicant, was not in attendance.  David Askew stated that he was satisfied with the erosion control on the site and that he had no further issues with the application.

 

A motion was made by Lise Wood and seconded by Karl Walton to approve Wetlands Application #509, Addition & Grading for Parking Lot in Upland Review Area, 67 South Road, Wurdig.  All in favor.

 

A motion was made by Karl Walton, seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved to table Item b, Old Business until later in the meeting.

 

III.       NEW BUSINESS:

 

a.            Wetlands Application #511, Inground Pool in Upland Review Area, 72 Pond Circle, Joren (Collins Property)

 

Bill Joren from Jacqueline Pools presented a plan for a new pool at 72 Pond Circle.  His drawing showed the lot currently has a single family home and the pool would be locatede in the side yard.  He explained that the wetland area is near to the pool, but far enough away so that once built, the pool would not interfere with the regulated area.

 

David Askew asked that the applicant use silt fence to prevent sediment from washing into the road and drainage system.  Existing topography prevents material from washing into the wetland.

 

The applicant asked if he could begin construction and was told that he should wait until he had final approval to do so.  David Askew stated that he could begin doing some of the preparatory work, but to hold off on excavation.

 

IV.            AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

 

There was none.

 

V.            STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

 

Wetlands Agent David Askew presented his written report to the Commission.  He stated that with regard to the Trappe Logging, he had completed the final inspection and Mr. Krueger, forester, had completed all of the requested site work.  The report is on file.

 

Karl Walton asked about the Union Agricultural Society.  They are still in violation.  David Askew last spoke with them in June and suggested it was time for another letter to them.

 

Joan Formeister asked about the fine ordinance and questions followed about why it has not yet been scheduled to be put before the Town at a Town Meeting.

 

Discussion also followed about the McCann Farm and the bridges installed over the wetlands.  The question arose as to whether or not a permit had been received.

 

A motion was made by Karl Walton, seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved to accept the Wetland Agent’s Report.

 

A motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Karl Walton and unanimously approved to return to Item b, Old Business.

 

b.            Discussion/Possible Decision:  Wetlands Application #510, Culvert & Outlet Replacement in a Stream, 27 Quality Avenue, Guisti

 

Dana Steele, Engineer from J. R. Russo Associates, showed plans for the site.  He showed the 36” drainage pipe that will be installed.  Currently the culvert is undersized and water goes over the top of the gravel driveway.  The roof water is expected to be taken care of by a new drainage system. New underdrains and yard drains will be installed.  He also showed where in intermediate rip-rap would be installed.

 

He added that there is a flood plain on the property, but that the building would be raised up 18 inches above the flood zone.

 

Don Smith inquired as to the building size as well as the expected use of the building.  Mr. Steele explained that the building is approximately 14,000 square feet, with 7,000 square feet per floor. He added that MacDac Engineering would be using a portion of the top floor.  The remainder of the building would be rented at a future time.

 

Karl Walton asked if there currently was any pavement on the premises and Mr. Steele replied that there is not.

 

It was requested by David Askew that temporary seeding be put in along the rear area to protect the Scantic River from erosion.

 

A motion was made by Karl Walton to approve Wetlands Application #510, Culvert & Outlet Replacement in a Stream, 27 Quality Avenue, Guisti, with the condition that 3’ deep sumps within the catch basins are noted on the plans and installed.  The motion was seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

VI.            CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

 

No correspondence or bills were presented.

 

VII.            MINUTES APPROVAL:  (July 7, 2004 & August 11, 2004 & Sept. 1, 2004)

 

A change was made to the minutes of the July 7, 2004 meeting on page 3, paragraph 7, 4th line:  change “were” to “where”.  A motion was made by Lise Wood and seconded by Dan Frano to approve the minutes as amended.  The vote was 4 to 0 to approve, with one abstention (Walton).

 

A motion was made by Lise Wood and seconded by Don Smith to approve the minutes of August 11, 2004 as written.  The vote was 4 to 0 to approve, with one abstention (Walton).

 

It was the consensus of the Commission to table voting on the minutes of the September 1, 2004 meeting until the October meeting.

 

VIII.            ADJOURNMENT:

 

A motion was made by Karl Walton, seconded by Donald Smith and unanimously approved to adjourn the Conservation Commission meeting of October 6, 2004, at 7:45pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Lise Wood, Secretary                                                          Robin Timmons, Recording Secretary

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.