TOWN OF SOMERS

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

P.O. BOX 308

SOMERS, CT 06071

 

CONSERVATION MINUTES

SPECIAL MEETING

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

6:00 p.m.

White Oak Drive, Somers, CT

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

 

Chairman Joan Formeister called the Special Meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.  Members, Henry Broer, Dan Fraro, Lise Woods, Karl Walton were present and constituted a quorum.  Wetlands Agent David Askew and Wetland Agent in-training Erik Bedan were also present.

 

Lise Woods made a motion to consider items b. and c. first, while waiting for the consultant for item a. to arrive.  The motion was seconded by Fraro and unanimously approved.  The first several minutes of the meeting were videotaped.  A technical malfunction prevented taping of the remainder of the meeting.

 

II.        OLD BUSINESS

 

b.            Discussion/Possible Decision Wetlands Application #560, Relocate & Stabilize Existing Brook, 30 Deerfield Road, Stenlake

 

Mr. Askew presented plans for the application noting that there is a section of the stream bank that has eroded and needs repair.  The project engineer made changes to the plan to reflect Mr. Askew’s recommendations.  At the previous meeting, the need for a preconstruction meeting and engineering inspection during construction were discussed.

 

A motion was made by Karl Walton, seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously voted to approve Stenlake’s Wetland Application #560 to relocate and stabilize the existing brook at 30 Deerfield Road.

 

c.            Wetlands Application #561, New House & Driveway in Upland Review Area, 299 Springfield Road, Anderson

 

Mr. Askew presented plans for a house, driveway, and septic.  The driveway and some grading will be within the upland review area.  There is an existing driveway and machine shop on the property.  The property is level so there is a low risk for erosion.  No impacts to wetlands are expected.

 

A motion was made by Karl Walton, seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously voted to approve Anderson’s Wetland Application #561 for a new house and driveway in an upland review area at 299 Springfield Road.

 

a.         Site walk for Wetlands Application #558, Driveway Crossing Wetlands for Single Family Residence, 99 White Oak Road, Richard A. McCullough, Inc. Builders

 

Mr. Askew explained to the Commission that Mr. Mocko would lead the site walk.  Members should have received an email from the Town Planner requesting that members bring a pad and paper and write down questions for the public hearing.  The only discussion that should take place during the site walk should be related to issues that must be addressed in the field, such as the location of proposed activities.  All other issues should be discussed at the public hearing.

 

Mr. Mocko led the Commission from the cul-de-sac into the wetland and along a swale that enters the property from the adjoining property to the west.  Mr. Mocko explained that a culvert would be installed in the driveway to pass flow from the swale.  Mr. Mocko then led the Commission along the driveway alignment.  Mr. Mocko explained that the wetland line was revised in 2004 to include additional area, reflecting Mr. Askew’s review of the delineation.  Mr. Mocko pointed out the additional area that was flagged in 2004.  Mr. Capossela, the applicant’s attorney, asked for further clarification regarding the revision of the wetland line.  Mr. Askew requested that any additional discussion of the wetland line occur at the public hearing.

 

Mr. Mocko continued to lead the commission along the driveway alignment and explained that fill within the wetland would be approximately 1 foot high.  He then led the Commission to the mitigation area, which had been previously flagged.  Mr. Mocko explained that the mitigation area represented a 1:1 ratio of wetland area filled to wetland area created.  He further explained that the area would be excavated to intercept the water table and create wetland.  Mr. Capossela asked for clarification regarding grading in the mitigation area and Mr. Mocko explained that the area was currently non-wetland and that the goal was to create wetland by excavating.

 

Mr. Mocko led the Commission back to the driveway alignment and proceeded to the proposed house site.  Mr. Mocko showed the location of house, which had been previously staked, and pointed out the general location of the septic area.  Mr. Mocko showed the Commission the proposed site plan.  Mr. Walton asked about the presence of a seasonal water table in the area.  Mr. Mocko explained the results of septic testing relative to the water table.

 

The Commission then walked back along the driveway alignment to White Oak Drive.  Mr. Walton asked about the elevation of the driveway coming off the cul-de-sac and Mr. Mocko explained that there would be approximately 4 feet of fill, to match the grade of the cul-de-sac.  Mr. Askew suggested that members of the Commission observe the central part of the wetland from the end of the cul-de-sac.

 

III.            ADJOURNMENT

 

A motion was made by Dan Fraro, seconded by Henry Broer and unanimously voted to adjourn the September 20, 2006 Conservation Commission Special Meeting at 6:38 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Lise Wood, Secretary                                                                      David Askew, Wetland Agent

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.