TOWN OF SOMERS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
P.O. BOX 308
SOMERS,
CT 06071
CONSERVATION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
TOWN HALL – 7:00 p.m.
I. CALL TO
ORDER
Joan Formeister called the regular
meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Members
Candace Aleks, Henry Broer, Joan Formeister, Dan Fraro, and Alternate Lise Wood
(seated for Karl Walton) 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 #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. As he explained last month,
when presenting his application, 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. The
bridge would be located on town property and would be considered a town
project. Pictures were distributed
which highlighted the area in question and Mr. Askew noted that the flow of the
stream is controlled by a culvert. The
Commission proposed the question of liability since the walking bridge was on
town property; but after some discussion came to a consensus that the liability
question was outside the scope of the Commission’s jurisdiction.
A
motion was made by Mr. Fraro; seconded by Ms. Wood and unanimously voted to
approve the Town of Somers Wetland’s Application #585 for construction of a
walking bridge over an intermittent stream on School Street.
b.
OTHER – There was
none.
III. NEW
BUSINESS
a. DISCUSSION: ACTIVITY
WITHIN WETLAND, 20 PINNEY ROAD, LINDY FARMS
David Palmberg, from William R.
Palmberg & Son L.L.C. and Mr. John Belski, manager of Lindy Farms, were
present. An application has not been
submitted for consideration, but Mr. Palmberg, and Mr. Belski wished to come
before the Conservation Commission to discuss the project informally.
Mr. Palmberg noted that the 58-acre
parcel was formally owned by Maturo Farm which grew shade tobacco. The land slopes to a wetland system across
the street. There is an existing ditch
that drains the center of the parcel, a portion of which has been flagged as
wetland. The owner’s intent is to
replace the now open ditch with either a 12’ or 15’ concrete pipe. The piping on the west side would be
connected to the existing pipe across Pinney Road. The north side of the wetland will be delineated for the future
application.
The proposal includes construction
of worker housing and horse sheds (some of the current barns are being used for
tobacco storage, while another would be altered to serve as a horse shed), some
of which is proposed within the upland review area. Due to the need for access to the property, Mr. Palmberg noted
that an access road would be placed over the filled ditch, within the area
flagged as wetland. Stormwater basins
will also be constructed to collect and passively treat runoff from the
pastures.
Mr. Palmberg distributed a report
from Michael F. Gragnolati, a Registered Professional Soil Scientist. The report was a Wetland Delineation &
Functional Assessment of the wetlands on Lindy Farms, Pinney Road. It included wetland classification based on
vegetative cover and also analysis of the overall functions of the wetland.
The assessment was based on a
methodology developed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Since this pasture has been used in
agriculture for many years the report concludes that the wetland boundary is
historic and that the wetland has been essentially drained by the ditch.
In addition, Mr. Gragnolati’s
summary, notes that, “the wetlands on site do provide a few wetland
functions. The area has been cleared
and is presently maintained as pasture.
Based on my observations and experience it is my opinion the proposed
piping would not have a negative impact on any wetland that may be off site.”
Mr. Askew suggested that it would be
beneficial for Mr. Palmberg to outline in writing why there was a need to cross
the wetland. Is there no other way to
gain access to the property? If it is
for functional reasons, and other options have been reviewed and dismissed,
those reasons should be specifically addressed. A written assessment of alternatives that may reduce the amount
of wetland altered is a standard part of the application process.
Mr. Palmberg stated that there would
be further discussion and he would readdress the Commission in the near future.
b.
OTHER – There was none.
IV. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION – There was none.
V. DISCUSSION: PLAN OF CONSERVATION & DEVELOPEMENT
Mr. Askew presented the Commission with a copy of the Implementation
Schedule. Ms. Formeister stated that
the Commission would review it and be ready to discuss it at the next
Commission Meeting.
VI. STAFF/COMMISSION REPORT
Both the January and February Staff
Commission Reports were distributed to the Commission. Over the last week, both Gillette’s Crossing
and Mink Farm had issues with erosion control due to heavy rains on frozen
ground. Additional measures have been
installed.
Mr. Askew also mentioned that he
received a letter from the D.E.P. in regards to Grower Direct a few weeks
back. Mr. Askew reviewed the file for
many days, separating plans, applications, maps and various other
information. At the end of his
information gathering, he comprised a summary in written form and sent it to
the D.E.P. per their request.
A
motion was made by Mr. Fraro; seconded by Ms. Aleks and unanimously voted to
accept the Staff Commission report for both January and February 2008 with the
omission of the last sentence, “Two minimum impact permits were issues…”
VII. CORRESEPONDENT AND BILLS
A
motion was made by Mr. Fraro; seconded by Ms. Wood and unanimously voted to
approve the bill for the “North Central Conservation District” in the amount of
$5,650.00.
Mr. Askew also distributed the issue
of The Habitat, and stated that he
would be attending the Connecticut
Associations for Wetland Scientists Annual Meeting on February 26, 2008.
VIII. MINUTES APPROVAL: January 9, 2008
A
motion was made by Mr. Fraro; seconded by Ms. Wood and unanimously voted to
approve the meeting minutes of January 9, 2008 as presented.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
A
motion was made Ms. Wood; seconded by Mr. Fraro and unanimously voted to
adjourn the February 6, 2008 Conservation Commission meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer D. Boudreau Candace
Aleks
Recording Secretary Commission
Secretary
MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT
MEETING