TOWN OF SOMERS

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

P.O. BOX 308

SOMERS, CT 06071

CONSERVATION MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING

WEDNESDAY, November 7, 2007

TOWN HALL – 7:00 P.M.

I. CALL TO ORDER

Joan Formeister called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Candace Aleks, Henry Broer, Joan Formeister, Karl Walton, and Dan Fraro were present and constituted a quorum. Also present was Erosion Control/Wetland Enforcement Officer, David Askew.

II. OLD BUSINESS:

a. DISCUSSION/POSSIBLE DECISION: WETLANDS APPLICATION #580, FILL & EXCAVATION WITHIN WETLAND, 164 HAMPDEN ROAD, GROWER DIRECT FARMS

Mr. Askew informed the Commission that the Applicant called his office that evening to inform him that he was not ready to proceed. Mr. Askew also stated that he had an extension letter dated October 31, 2007, which allows for a combination of 80 days in which to extend.

A motion was made by Mr. Walton, seconded by Ms. Aleks and unanimously voted to accept the applicant’s letter of extension to decided Grower Direct Farms’ Wetlands Application #580 for fill and excavation within a wetland at 164 Hampden Road.

b. OTHER – There was no other Old Business.

III. NEW BUSINESS

a. DETERMINTATION OF A PERMITTED USE OF RIGHT FOR LOGGING, 271 BILLINGS ROAD, LOHLAN

This application deals with a 13-acre parcel that is located on Billings Road, between Ninth District and Field Roads. There is an existing culvert crossing and the applicant will be placing a 20-foot bridge over that culvert. The applicant will be utilizing Brennan Sheahan as the forester and will only be logging the pines. Most of the logging activity will be in the upland area, although there will be limited timber removal within a section of wetland along the existing farm road. Logging will be done during the winter in the wetter locations. Logging is a permitted use of right within wetlands, while clear cutting is not.

A motion was made by Mr. Walton, seconded by Mr. Fraro and unanimously voted to approve Lohlan’s permitted use of right for logging at 271 Billings Road.

b. OTHER – There was no other New Business.

IV. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

A question arose from a student visiting from Asnuntuck Community College; what determines a wetland area? An abbreviated definition of a wetland environment is a place that supports vegetation that can grow in saturated soil conditions; growing in water or soils that are saturated. In the State of Connecticut, this includes all alluvial soils and flood plain soils. The Commission reviews all activities in a designated wetland area or within 100 feet of a wetland. This includes but is not limited to structures, buildings, farming activities, and any excavation/filling. The Commission’s mission is to ensure that these areas remain preserved.

V. DISCUSSION: PLAN OF CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Walton mentioned that the Zoning Commission is still reviewing the ridgeline topic.

VI. STAFF/COMMISSION REPORT

Mr. Askew distributed the Wetland’s Agent Report dated November 7, 2007.

Note: #4 Mountain Road, Jalbert is actually Mountain View Road

He expanded slightly on item #6 Grower Direct adding that in October he received a call from Mr. Jim Bealy stating that there was sediment in his pond from the pond dredging at Grower Direct. Mr. Askew stated that there are times when sedimentation is inevitable and this is one example of that.

A motion was made by Mr. Walton, seconded by Mr. Broer and unanimously voted to accept the Wetland Agents’ Report of November 7, 2007.

VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Walton, seconded by Mr. Fraro and unanimously voted to pay the Journal Inquirer bill in the amount of $118.05.

VIII. MINUTES APPROVAL: October 3, 2007

Correction: CALL TO ORDER: omit Henry Broer. A motion was made by Mr. Walton, seconded by Ms. Aleks and unanimously voted to approve the meeting minutes of October 3, 2007 as amended.

IX. ADJOURNEMENT

A motion was made by Karl Walton, seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously voted to adjourn the November 7, 2007 Conservation meeting at 7:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jennifer D. Boudreau Candace Aleks

Recording Secretary Commission Secretary

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING