CONSERVATION
COMMISSION
P.O. BOX 308
Wednesday, May 4,
2005
7:00 p.m.
I.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman
Formeister called the regular meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Members Joan Formeister, Dan Fraro, Todd
Whitford and Lise Wood were present and constituted a quorum. Also in attendance: David Askew, Wetland
Agent.
a. Discussion/Possible Decision: Wetlands Application #517, Deck Within
Upland Review Area, 32 Scully Road, King
David
Askew presented the plans for the applicant. The grade slopes downward toward
the wetlands, but no interference with the wetlands is anticipated. Mr. Askew has no issues with the
application.
A
motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Todd Whitford and unanimously voted to
approve Wetlands Application #517, deck within Upland Review Area, 32 Scully
Road, King.
b. Discussion/Possible Decision: Wetlands Application #518, Septic System
Line Crossing Through Intermittent Watercourse, 359 Mountain Road, Worthington
Pond Farm LLC
Mike
Mocko presented plans for the septic system at the proposed outdoor recreation
facility at Worthington Pond Farms.
He explained that there is to be a construction trailer-type bathroom
installed for guests to use. In
addition, the warming house will be utilized for a small catering office and a
catering kitchen, which will include a sink. A second self-contained toileting
facility will be situated near to the warming house.
Such
facilities will require the installation of a centralized leaching system
connecting with each of the sites.
The piping of the system would follow a course extending across the
covered bridge and an intermittent stream.
There is pre-installed piping encased in concrete currently set in the
earth dam beneath the bridge. Mr.
Mocko explained that the trench will tunnel below the stream. Most of the project involves
culvert-type work and will not affect the wetlands.
Mr.
Mocko stated that the well was not yet installed but was
proposed.
A
question was asked about the need for a grease trap. The applicant is proposing the
installation because of the sink in the caterer’s kitchen.
The
position of the leaching field was discussed and Mr. Mocko explained that the
proposed spot is the best one environmentally. The better the soils are in the area,
the more efficiently the system can work.
The proposed location has excellent soil.
Mr.
Whitford asked when the work was expected to begin and observed that this time
of year the stream might be quite wet.
Mr. Askew stated that the stream is actually very intermittent. Mr. Mocko noted that work was expected
to be done as soon as possible.
There is a small culvert that could be blocked briefly if necessary, in
order to complete the work. He
added that it is a relatively shallow dig and fairly easy to complete. The work may be finished within a 4-hour
period.
Mr.
Askew requested that he be notified prior to construction so that he could
inspect the site to ensure that conditions were satisfactory. It was noted that prior to the April
Commission meeting, he had requested that the work be done when the area is
dry. This condition is moot now,
though, because at the time he had made such a request, Mr. Askew was unaware of
the precise location of the installation.
In addition, he felt that he could adequately assess they situation
during the pre-construction inspection.
A
motion was made by Todd Whitford, seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously voted to
approve Wetlands Application #518, septic system line crossing through
intermittent watercourse, 359 Mountain Road, Worthington Pond Farm LLC, with the
condition that Mr. Askew be notified prior to construction so that he can
inspect the site.
c. Discussion/Possible Decision: Wetlands Application #519, Driveway
Crossing and New House within Upland Review Area, 67 Franklin Woods Road,
Boudreau
Mrs.
Boudreau presented plans for the site and explained that they include a proposed
driveway which extends across a rip rap.
The rip rap flows from a retaining pond and eventually connects to
Gillette Brook. Mr. Askew added
that the watercourse is very intermittent and the rip rap is extensive.
The
wetland area has been flagged. Mr.
Askew stated that he had presented written comments regarding erosion control to
the Planning Commission.
Recommendations included removal of proposed silt fence from the
watercourse and stabilization of side-slopes.
A
motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Todd Whitford and unanimously voted to
approve Wetlands Application #519, driveway crossing and new house within
u\Upland Review Area, 67 Franklin Woods Road, Boudreau.
A
motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Todd Whitford and unanimously approved
to skip to New Business because the applicant was waiting to be
heard.
III. NEW BUSINESS
a. Wetlands Application #520, Garage Within
Upland Review Area, 233 Ninth District Road, Albert
The
Commission reviewed the plans and Mr. Askew showed where a stream runs nearby
the proposed site of the garage. It
was explained that the wetlands have been flagged and the closest that the
proposed building comes to the wetland area is 38 feet. The garage is of post and beam
construction and will be used as a farm equipment shed accessible from the road
and not the house. Very little fill
will be needed and it is not in an area that floods regularly.
b. Other
No
other New Business was presented.
A
motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Todd Whitford and unanimously approved
to return to Old Business, Item d.
OLD BUSINESS - d. Other
David
Askew presented the completed Vernal Pools Inventory done by Connecticut
Ecosystems, LLC, which included ariel photos moving linearly from east to west
across Somers. The photos were
examined and 53 potential vernal pools identified. David Askew is now working to compare
the photos with a road map and create a composite of the two so that the
location of potential vernal pools can be more readily accessible throughout the
area.
IV. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
There was none.
Lise Wood
reported that the Planning and Zoning Commissions have met and are currently
waiting for the Board of Selectmen to appoint a committee to look into the
Village District.
She also
explained that the joint meetings have included discussions on soil-based zoning
which have led to the discovery that flexible zoning (somewhat similar to
cluster zoning) is more in line with what they are seeking to consider. To further explore the topic, the Granby
Town Planner will be giving a presentation at the May 23, 2005 joint
meeting.
Mr. Askew also
noted that his May report addressed a large agricultural parcel on Hurlburt
Road. The owners plan to
permanently repair the gully and put in a stone splash pad. They intend to keep the same roads along
the sides, add a new stream crossing, and keep horses in the area. The new crossing will require a
permit.
A motion was
made by Lise Wood, seconded by Todd Whitford and unanimously voted to approve
the April and May Wetland Agent’s Reports.
A bill has been
received from the Journal Inquirer in the amount of $47.22 for a public
notice. A motion was made by Dan
Fraro, seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved to pay the bill as
presented.
VIII. MINUTES
APPROVAL
A motion was
made by Lise Wood, seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously voted to approve the
minutes of the April 6, 2005 meeting as written.
A motion was
made by Lise Wood, seconded by Todd Whitford and unanimously approved to adjourn
the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lise Wood, Secretary
Robin Timmons, Recording
Secretary
MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL
AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.