SOMERS,
CT 06071
Wednesday,
May 3, 2006
7:00
p.m. Town
Hall
Chairman
Joan Formeister called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Members Candace Aleks, Henry Broer, Joan
Formeister, Dan Fraro, Karl Walton, Todd Whitford, Lise Wood and Alternate
Member Daniel Fraro were present and constituted a quorum. Wetlands Officer David Askew was also
present.
II.
OLD
BUSINESS
a.
Other
– There was no other Old Business.
a.
Wetlands Application #542, New House in Upland Review Area, 126
Florida Road, Leno
Ric
Leno presented an application for a house in the upland review area for a lot on
Florida Road. The lot is
approximately .92 acres and is a lot of record. The proposed house is between
1,290 and 1,390 square feet. He
offered that if necessary he would consider putting a note on the deed to
protect wetlands from future alterations.
Mr.
Askew explained that he has not yet walked the site, but is familiar with the
area. The lot is very tight and the
wetland is within 25 feet of proposed activity. The wetland contains a stream and a
number of vernal pools. Based on
recent inspections of the adjacent lot, all of the pools are located on the
opposite side of the stream. He
will inspect the site by the next meeting.
Clearing limits must be shown on the plan.
Discussion
followed about deed restrictions and future activities that could alter the
wetland. It was the consensus of
the Commission that such restrictions are difficult to enforce and may lead to
conflicts between homeowners and the town.
Guy
Hesketh from Hesketh Associates in East Granby presented plans for a subdivision
on approximately 20 acres between Hall Hill Road and McCullough Drive. He is proposing to enter off of Hall
Hill Road and McCullough Drive.
There are two isolated wetlands on the site. One is less than 100 square feet and
consists of a wet depression. The
project soil scientist characterizes the wetland as a “vernal watercourse”,
because it does not contain wetland soils.
It is not a vernal pool, based on biological criteria. This wetland will be altered by
construction of the stormwater basin.
The other isolated wetland will receive overflow from the stormwater
basin.
Mr.
Askew noted that in a few recent subdivisions he has observed loss of wetland
area resulting from dewatering by road underdrains. Mr. Hesketh believes that the larger of
the isolated wetlands is fed more from the east side of the proposed road than
from drainage areas on the other side of the road. Mr. Askew has no other significant
issues at this point.
Mr.
Askew presented the plans and explained to the Commissioners the approximate
location of the proposed repair activity.
He noted that there is extensive erosion damage from flooding. The applicant is proposing repair which
will include stone rip rap as well as replacement of the
culvert.
d.
Wetlands Application #545, New House with Wetland Fill & Activity in
Upland Review Area, 54 (aka 86) Horseshoe Lane,
Granger
Mike
Mocko presented grading plans for a potential home on an approximately 4-acre
lot. He anticipates that up to
one-acre of land will be cleared and graded. There are two wetlands on the
property. One is a small depression
that remains from excavation of gravel on the site. The wetland is less than 250 square feet
and does not provide vernal pool habitat based on two recent inspections by Mr.
Askew. This wetland will be filled
for future house construction, although a site plan has not been
completed.
There
is also an existing pond with potential vernal pool activity. It also serves as a stormwater
basin. Mr. Askew noted the
importance of protecting any potential vernal pool
activity.
e.
Modification of Wetlands Application #524: Grading in Upland Review Area, 164
Hampden Road, Grower Direct
At
this time Lise Wood, Dan Fraro, Daniel Fraro and Henry Broer recused themselves
from the meeting.
Mike
Mocko and Leonard Van Wingerden presented plans for the application. Mr. Mocko explained that he continues to
monitor the site. He noted that
currently the goal is to continue stabilizing the area. The existing pond still functions as a
sediment basin.
The
proposal is to use an existing filled area to construct a stormwater quality
basin to treat water from a 24-inch pipe.
The pipe carries flow from under-drains and the greenhouses and has been
observed to carry potting soil and permiculite. The fill is within the wetland on the
east side of the new growing house and was not part of the permitted activity
associated with the last permit granted in December 2005. Discussion continued regarding continued
violations at the site resulting from unauthorized filling of
wetlands.
Brief
discussion followed regarding delineation of the wetland with concrete monuments
and the time limits involved.
Delineation of the wetland boundary is a condition of approval granted in
December 2005. Mr. Mocko requested
that he be present at any tour of the site by
Commissioners.
Lise
Wood, Dan Fraro, Daniel Fraro and Henry Broer returned to the meeting at this
time and a brief discussion followed regarding a possible tour of the
site.
f.
Other
- No other New Business was presented.
There
was no discussion on this item.
Mr.
Askew presented his written Wetlands Agent report at this
time.
Candace
Aleks asked about clearing activities on Root and Stafford Road. Mr. Askew explained that the clearing is
recent and there are no wetlands involved.
Erosion control may be necessary.
A
motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Candace Aleks and unanimously voted to
accept the Wetland Agents Report as written.
VIII. MINUTES
APPROVAL
A
motion was made by Karl Walton, seconded by Todd Whitford and unanimously voted
to approve the Conservation minutes of the February 1, 2006 and March 7, 2006
Commission Meetings as written.
A
motion was made by Karl Walton, seconded by Henry Broer and unanimously voted to
approve the Conservation minutes of the April 5, 2006 and April 19, 2006
Commission meetings as written.
A
reminder was given by Joan Formeister that she will not be available to attend
the next regularly scheduled meeting.
A motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously
voted to adjourn the May 3, 2006 Conservation Commission meeting at 9:15
p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Lise
Wood, Secretary
Robin Timmons, Recording Secretary
MINUTES
ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.