TOWN OF SOMERS

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

P.O. BOX 308

SOMERS, CT 06071

CONSERVATION MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING

WEDNESDAY, January 09, 2008

TOWN HALL – 7:00 P.M.

I. CALL TO ORDER

Vice Chairman Karl Walton called the regular meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Members Henry Broer, Joan Formeister (arriving 7:08), Dan Fraro, Karl Walton, Todd Whitford, and Alternate Lise Wood, were present and constituted a quorum. Erik Bedan, Erosion Control/Wetland Enforcement Officer was also present.

II. OLD BUSINESS

a. WETLANDS APPLICATION #584, NEW HOUSE, DRIVEWAY & FILL IN UPLAND REVIEW AREA, 265 MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD, WYSOCKI

Mr. Gary Wysocki, the owner of the property was present and provided a revised site plan outlining the new wetlands delineation, to Mr. Askew and Mr. Bedan prior to the Commission meeting. Mr. Bedan noted that Mr. Askew had no issues with the new site plan.

A motion was made by Mr. Walton, seconded by Mr. Whitford and unanimously voted to approve Wysocki’s Wetlands Application #584 for a new house, driveway and fill in an upland review area at 265 Mountain View Road, with the stipulation that there be 25 feet of an undisturbed buffer and permanent markers for the wetlands be made using the tags provided by the Land Use Office as discussed previously.

b. Other

Mr. Walton noted that he did not see a previous application on the agenda for this meeting. Specifically WETLANDS APPLICATION #580, FILL & EXCAVATION WITHIN WETLAND, 164 HAMPDEN ROAD, GROWER DIRECT FARMS and inquired of Mr. Bedan the latest on this application.

Mr. Bedan informed the Commission that the Applicant had withdrawn the application. The applicant was still unable to provide the information requested of them and since their application would have expired, they thought it best to withdraw their application at this time.

A motion was made by Mr. Walton, seconded by Ms. Wood and unanimously voted to take the agenda out of order and proceed with IV. Audience Participation.

IV. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

Mr. Wysocki addressed the Commission stating that he thought it would be best to permanently mark all future wetland boundaries on both land and paper citing the life of a property and perspective changes in land ownership. He is in strong favor of marking wetlands with either granite or pressure treated wood posts and believes it should be mandatory for future developments. The Commission echoed his thought and stated that more stringent regulations should be adopted by the town of Somers to protect wetlands. Mr. Walton stated that he would mention Mr. Wysocki’s comments at the next Planning Commission meeting.

III. NEW BUSINESS

a. WETLANDS APPLICATION #585, CONSTRUCTION OF WALKING BRIDGE OVER INTERMITTENT STREAM, SCHOOL STREET, TOWN OF SOMERS

Tom Cowles is a senior at Somers High School and is attempting to gain Eagle Scout status. His community service is to place a walking bridge over a stream from the Mill parking lot to a picnic area near the Grammar School in Somersville.

Mr. Bedan explained that since the bridge would be located on town property, it is being considered a town project.

Mr. Cowles inquired as to whom the soil scientist on the permit would be as well as what signature was needed under the Owner’s signature? Mr. Walton noted that Mr. David Askew would be the Soil Scientist and First Selectman Mr. Pinney would be the Owner’s Signature.

The Conservation Commission accepted the application adding that Mr. Cowles make an appointment with either Mr. Askew or Mr. Bedan to walk the property in question to investigate the proposed project further.

b. 2008/2009 Budget

After review and discussion of the proposed budget, a motion was made by Mr. Walton, seconded by Ms. Wood and unanimously voted to approve the proposed 2008/2009 budget as presented and forward it to the Treasurer’s office as requested.

c. Election of Officers

A motion was made by Dan Fraro, seconded by Ms. Wood and unanimously voted to elect the current slate of officers of the Conservation Commission, which would be Chairman Joan Formeister, Vice Chairman Karl Walton, and Secretary Candace Aleks.

d. Other

There was some discussion between Commission members about the duration of terms and the swearing in process. Ms. Formeister suggested that all Conservation Commission members contact Ann Marie Logan in the Town Clerk’s office to make sure that they have been sworn in and direct any other questions they may have to her in regards to their term length, etc.

V. DISCUSSION: PLAN OF CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Walton mentioned that as Planning Chairman, he had requested Patrice Carson to provide the Action Steps Plan for the POCD so the Commission can review it allowing them to assess where they currently stood; what was outlined and what had been accomplished? He will have Ms. Carson provide the same for the Conservation Commission for their review.

VI. STAFF/COMMISSION REPORT

A written Staff/Commission Report will be provided to the Commission members at the next Conservation meeting according to Mr. Bedan. But in the interim, Mr. Askew did want Mr. Bedan to inform the Commission of a few developments. In regards to the Langone property on Stillmeadow, the office has not heard back from the Langone’s regarding erosion control on the property. The number the Land Use Office currently has on file for the applicant is disconnected. Mr. Askew has driven to the property and left his card requesting that they contact him, but no response was made. A second letter will be sent to the Langone residence requesting that additional erosion control be installed. The DEP has requested from the Land Use Office an update on Grower Direct. Mr. Askew is addressing this request. Lastly, Ric Leno’s bridge on Gillette’s Crossing is going well, with no alterations to the wetland.

VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS

A motion was made by Mr.Walton, seconded by Mr. Fraro and unanimously voted to investigate the Journal Inquirer bill in the amount of $55.09 prior to next month’s meeting which was probably already paid in December.

VIII. MINUTES APPROVAL: December 5, 2007

A motion was made by Ms. Wood, seconded by Mr. Fraro and unanimously voted to approve the meeting minutes of December 5, 2007 as presented.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Mr. Walton, seconded by Mr. Whitford and unanimously voted to adjournment the January 9, 2008 Conservation Commission meeting at 7:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jennifer D. Boudreau Candace Aleks

Recording Secretary Board Secretary

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING