TOWN OF SOMERS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
P.O. BOX 308
SOMERS,
CT 06071
CONSERVATION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, March 5, 2008
TOWN HALL – 7:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO
ORDER
Chairman Joan Formeister called the
regular meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
Members Candace Aleks, Henry Broer, Joan Formeister, Dan Fraro, Karl
Walton, Todd Whitford and Lise Wood were present and constituted a quorum. Erosion Control/Wetland Agent, David Askew
was also present.
II. OLD BUSINESS
a.
OTHER – There was
none.
III. NEW BUSINESS
a.
WETLANDS
APPLICATION #586: FILL & EXCAVATION
FOR EXPANSION OF OUTDOOR GROWING AREA WITHIN WETLAND & POND EXCAVATION
WITHIN UPLAND REVIEW AREA, 164 HAMPDEN ROAD, GROWER DIRECT FARMS
Mr. Askew recommended that the
Commission determine whether the expansion of the growing area meets the
requirements of a permitted use of right as an agricultural activity. An excerpt of the relevant state statute was
distributed. Mr. Askew highlighted the
section of the statute stating that “filling and reclamation of wetland” is not
an exempt activity and that at least some of the area was subject to filling
and reclamation. In addition, he
recommended that the Commission should come to a general consensus as to
whether the project should be defined as a significant activity. Some aspects of the project have already
been done, and are subject to a notice of violation letter in May 2007. The proposed growing area has been cleared,
grubbed, and bulldozed. A berm has been
constructed along Thrasher Brook. By
consensus, the Commission decided to hear Mr. Mocko’s presentation before
determining significance.
Mr. Mocko, the applicant’s
consultant, stated that Grower Direct was not requesting an agricultural
exemption, but was seeking a permit at this time to fill and excavate to expand
the outside growing area. Tied to this
application is the construction of a pond (29,600 sf) located in a non-wetland
area which would be offered as mitigation for previous wetlands alteration, which
was approved in December 2006. The Commission
and land owner are in agreement that 24,000 square feet of mitigation are
required.
Mr. Mocko explained that a berm
filling 16,000 square feet of wetland would be constructed along Thrasher Brook
to prevent flooding of the proposed growing area during common flood events
(generally including floods up to the 10 year frequency). Mr. Mocko proposes to compensate for the
filling by removing 22, 400 sf of fill that currently makes up the road and
embankment along the growing area. The
existing berm will be excavated to the approximate elevation of the growing
area. Mr. Mocko then explained flood
dynamics of area, indicating that the entire 100-year flood could be stored on
the owner’s property after development of the growing area. The growing area will flood during the
100-year storm event. Mr. Askew asked
if the wetland area would be effectively drained by construction of the berm,
since lower flow flooding events would not flow through the area. Mr. Mocko explained that because of the
gravelly nature of the soils, he thought hydrology in the wetland was supported
by groundwater.
Mr. Mocko explained that the area
affected by the proposed growing area was excavated during the 1970’s for
gravel and that gravel was removed to the elevation of the water table. Over many years, the area naturally
revegetated, primarily with red maple.
Mr. Mocko estimated that approximately ˝ of the area was wooded and ˝
was grass/shrub from active grazing.
Mr. Askew requested that Mr. Mocko prepare a report for the next meeting
with the following information: an
estimate of the type and area of wetland vegetated, a description of proposed
impacts, a functional assessment of the pre-existing wetland and a description
of wetland functions altered by construction of the berm and growing area.
b.
WETLANDS
APPLICATION #587: INGROUND POOL WITHIN
UPLAND REVIEW AREA, 175 SCULLY ROAD, PELLISSIER
The landowner addressed the
Commission and explained that the location of the proposed pool was selected
because of the typography of the land and the location of the septic
system. The pool is approximately 34
feet from an intermittent stream. The
area of disturbance will be approximately 18 feet from the stream. The stream originates at the outlet of a
culvert under Scully Road and Mr. Askew reported that there is no defined
stream channel on the opposite side of the road. The application was accepted by the Commission. No other issues were identified.
c.
WETLANDS
APPLICATION #588: CULVERT & BARN IN
UPLAND REVIEW AREA, 20 PINNEY ROAD, LINDY FARMS
At the February Conservation
meeting, Mr. Palmberg presentenced a preliminary plan to the Commission. Lindy Farms proposed to install a culvert
within an existing farm ditch, construct an access road, barn, and septic
system. An excavated ditch runs through
the center of a flagged wetland. The
entire field, including the wetland, has been cultivated for tobacco for many
years. The proposed use is for pasture. At the previous meeting, Mr. Askew
recommended that the applicant explore alternatives to placing structures,
including the road, within the wetland.
Lindy Farms revisited their initial
plans and made alterations. All
structures have been located outside of the wetland. The only direct alteration involves culverting and filling the
ditch. According to John Belskie, the
Farm Manager, the existing ditch is too steep to accommodate horse
crossing. The filled area will serve as
pasture. Portions of the barn, road,
and septic will be within the upland review area.
In order to compensate for any lost
flood storage area within the ditch, the applicant is proposing to construct
three shallow basins to hold and collect stormwater. One basin will be west of the barn; the others will be to the
east, along Pinney Road. Mr. Palmberg and
Mr. Belskie have monitored the area during recent rain events, which exceeded
the monthly average for February, and located the basins in areas that
currently pond water. Within the
depressed areas, stone check damns about 20 feet from the outlet will allow for
the retention and filtering of solids within the water. Basin outlets will consist of culverts,
which will tie-into the new culvert in the ditch. The manhole cover currently shown adjacent to Pinney Road will be
replaced by a grate to ensure no surface ponding. Supporting drainage calculation will be submitted. Runoff is expected to decrease due to the
change from cultivated field to pasture.
A functional assessment has been
prepared. The wetland performs some
flood storage and sediment/nutrient retention functions. No impacts to these functions are expected
to result from the project. No other
issues were identified.
The Commission accepted the
application for future discussion.
d.
WETLANDS
APPLICATION #589: NEW HOUSE &
DRIVEWAY IN UPLAND REVIEW AREA, 132 STAFFORD ROAD, DANIELE
Mr. Mocko, representing Mr. Richard
Daniele, presented plans to the Commission for a single family residence,
driveway, and septic. No activity is
proposed within 30 feet of the wetland.
Mr. Askew requested that “limits of disturbance” be noted on the plans
and informed the landowner that a typical condition of approval for residential
construction adjacent to wetlands requires installation of permanent markers
along the wetland boundary.
The Commission accepted the
application for future discussion.
e.
OTHER – There was
none.
IV. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION – There was none.
V. DISCUSSION: PLAN OF CONSERVATION
& DEVELOPEMENT
a.
REVIEW ACTION STEPS IN POCD
Karl Walton led the discussion and distributed the POCD Implementation
Schedule. The Commission began its
review on Page 7-5. Each item was
reviewed and many items were being worked on or had been completed. A copy of the checklist will be given to the
town planner and the status of action items will be discussed at the next
Planning Commission meeting.
The Commission marked the following
items as completed:
Protect Water Quality: Items 3, 5, and 7.
Protect Important Natural Resources: Items 2 and 4.
The Commission marked the following
items as on-going:
Preserve Scenic Resources: Items 1 and 3.
VI. STAFF/COMMISSION REPORT
Mr. Askew presented his report for
February. Rainfall in February was over
double the average monthly rainfall.
Several contractors with ongoing residential subdivisions made
improvements to existing erosion controls.
No major erosion problems were observed.
A
motion was made by Mr. Walton; seconded by Ms. Wood and unanimously voted to
accept the Erosion Control Officer’s report for March 2008.
VII. CORRESEPONDENCE AND BILLS
A
motion was made by Mr. Whitford; seconded by Mr. Fraro and unanimously voted to
approve the Journal Inquirer bills for $55.09 and $47.22.
VIII. MINUTES APPROVAL: February 6, 2008
A
motion was made by Mr. Fraro; seconded by Ms. Wood and unanimously voted to
accept the meeting minutes of February 6, 2008 as presented.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
A
motion was made by Mr. Fraro; seconded by Ms. Wood and unanimously voted to
adjourn the March 5, 2008 Conservation Commission meeting at 9:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer D.
Boudreau Candace
Aleks
Recording
Secretary Commission
Secretary
MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT
MEETING