SOMERS,
CT 06071
WEDNESDAY,
JANUARY 3, 2006
TOWN
HALL – 7:00 P.M.
Chairman
Joan Formeister called the regular meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Members Candace Aleks, Henry Broer, Joan
Formeister, Dan Fraro, Karl Walton, Todd Whitford and Alternate Members Daniel
Fraro and Lise Wood were present and constituted a quorum. Wetland Agent David Askew was also
present.
II. OLD
BUSINESS
a.
Discussion/Possible Decision:
Wetlands Application #566, NRCS Stream Restoration, 232 Stafford Road
(Property of Fedorowich), Town of Somers
Mr.
Askew presented plans for the application and explained that the DEP Fisheries
Division has requested that this project not be completed until summer due to
fishery considerations.
He
reviewed the stream restoration project with the Commissioners. He also described the extensive flood
damage that occurred during the October 2005 storm. The project will involve creating riprap
control structures along the stream and stream bank
stabilization.
Mr.
Askew noted that since this project is being sponsored by the Town of Somers,
the application fee may be waived.
A
motion was made by Karl Walton, seconded by Candace Aleks and unanimously voted
to approve the Town of Somers’ Wetlands Application #566 for a NRCS stream
restoration at 232 Stafford Road (property of Fedorowich). The application fee is to be waived
because the applicant is the Town of Somers.
b.
Other
– There was no other Old Business.
III. NEW BUSINESS
a.
Modification of Wetlands Application #519, Extend Driveway Crossing of
Intermittent Stream for Residential Driveway, 71 Franklin Woods Road,
Boudreau
Mr.
Askew presented the proposed plans, explaining that the site plan was approved
in April 2005 for a crossing. The
approved culvert crossing is about 35 feet with fill and extends to about 60
feet with riprap. The contractor
has reviewed the plan and suggests that the culvert be extended out to
approximately 100 feet. The purpose
is to work the grading into the yard and to expand the area where the driveway
is for aesthetic reasons. Kevin
Boudreau commented that the other reason for the revision is to make sure that
water is safely moved away from the house.
Mr.
Askew noted that this is a constructed riprap channel probably replacing what
was an intermittent stream back when Franklin Woods Subdivision was proposed in
1988. The storm water basin for the
subdivision discharges into an outlet channel, which then flows into Gillette’s
Brook. The stream maintains some
base flow, with some contribution from road under drains.
Mr.
Boudreau has already an area adjacent to the stream that exceeds the limits of
the existing approval. Mr. Boudreau
apologized for this situation, noting that it was a misinterpretation of the
wetlands on his part.
Mr.
Askew stated that he would appreciate it if the Commissioners went and looked at
the area. He also asked that the
applicants prepare in writing an alternatives assessment explaining why they are
proposing to use the more extensive design.
Discussion
followed and it was determined that the Commissioners would visit the area, in a
group or groups of less than a quorum on Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at 9:30
a.m. Mr. Askew will visit the site
with them.
b.
Other
A
motion was made by Karl Walton, seconded by Candace Aleks and unanimously voted
to amend the agenda to add: Election of
Officers
After a brief discussion of
the duties of the Conservation Commission Secretary, a motion was made by Karl
Walton, seconded by Todd Whitford and unanimously voted to nominate and vote
Candace Aleks as the new Conservation Commission Secretary for the year
2007.
A
motion was made by Candace Aleks, seconded by Todd Whitford and unanimously
voted to nominate and vote Karl Walton as the Vice Chairman of the Conservation
Commission for the year 2007.
A
motion was made by Karl Walton, seconded by Candace Aleks and unanimously voted
to nominate and vote Joan Formeister as Chairman of the Conservation Commission
for the year 2007.
Karl Walton reported that
the POCD is working on amendments to the Zoning Regulations. The changes involve alternative uses for
farms, requirements of cisterns within new subdivisions, and driveway length
requirements.
David Askew presented the
Inland Wetland Agent’s Report for the Commissioner’s review. He also presented photos taken at Grower
Direct Farms showing work on the road completed in
December.
A
motion was made by Karl Walton, seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously voted to
approve Mr. Askew’s report.
The
following changes were made to the first page of the December 6, 2006
minutes:
“Deanise Shewokis” was
changed to “Denise Shewokis”.
The
word “and” was deleted in the third paragraph, near the end of the third line,
and changed to “of”.
In
the last line, “culver” was changed to “culvert”.
A
motion was made by Karl Walton, seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously voted to
approve the December 6, 2006 Conservation Commission minutes as
amended.
A
motion was made by Karl Walton, seconded by Todd Whitford and unanimously voted
to adjourn the January 3, 2007 Conservation Commission meeting at 7:45
p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Robin
Timmons, Recording Secretary
Candace Aleks, Secretary
MINUTES
ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT
MEETING.