CONSERVATION COMMISSION/INLAND WETLANDS & WATERCOURSES AGENCY
MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING
May 20, 2008
I. CALL TO ORDER
Commissioner Winters called the Regular Meeting of the Conservation Commission/Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency to order at 7:30 PM in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Commissioners Nick Zackeo, Margaret Sexton and Donald Rieger, Jr. Also in attendance was Howard Beach, Conservation Officer.
II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Commissioner Winters appointed Commissioner Rieger to serve in the absence of Commissioner Bucknam.
III. PRESENTATION(s), DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE
a. Application of Brad Baran, Quad B LLC - Owner, EMG Associates, Inc., Applicant, for an Inland Wetlands Permit for construction of a pool, pool house, and also drainage pipe and easement relocation within the regulated area to a wetland on property located at 25 Cobtail Way.
Jack Malonie stated that, during the excavation, they will be stockpiling in two areas. There are 2 phases to the project. Phase I will be the relocation of the existing drain line. Phase II will be the installation of the pool house, cabana, spa and pool.
Regarding the landscaping, Mr. Malonie stated that they will be providing a healthy amount of plantings to help control erosion on the slopes. They will be providing a jute matting down the slope until the plant material can establish a root system. In addition to where there are no plantings, they will be putting down a wildflower meadow, which will be mowed once a year. Mr. Malonie stated that all of the disturbed plant material that is currently on the site will be transplanted.
Commissioner Winters questioned how long the construction would take. Mr. Malonie believes it will take approximately 4 months. After construction is done, the majority of the plantings will be planted in September. All of the plants are guaranteed for one year.
Regarding the pool, Mr. Malonie stated that the pool is a saltwater pool system; there is no chlorine present. There will not be a backwash system. If there is a need for maintenance, there is a cartridge that can be taken out and sprayed down with a hose; there is not a constant discharge of water from a maintenance operation. Regarding winterization, Mr. Malonie stated that this is the only time the water would have to be discharged. Because of the lower wetlands, they are proposing to have a DEP certified service come in to pump the water out and truck it off site.
Mr. Malonie stated that to the right side of the pavilion, there is a basement, where all equipment would be stored. The utilities would also be contained in this basement, which is weather tight.
Commissioner Zackeo made a motion that this is a regulated activity because it is within the 100' regulated area. Commissioner Sexton seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Commissioner Zackeo made a motion that this is not a significant activity because the disturbance is limited and there are good controls in place. Commissioner Sexton seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Commissioner Zackeo made a motion to grant the permit with the controls that are in place and the stipulations set forth by the Conservation Officer. Commissioner Sexton seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
b. Application of Timothy and Kelley Budlong, Owners, for an Inland Wetlands Permit for addition of a deck to an existing shed within the regulated area to a wetland on property located at 430 Bush Hill Road. (tabled at 5/6/08 meeting)
Commissioner Winters stated that the owners could not be here tonight and this application would be tabled until the next meeting.
c. Application of Matthew Nimchek, Owner, for an Inland Wetlands Permit to place a shed within the regulated area to a wetland on property located at 5 Hemlock Lane.
Mr. Nimchek stated that he would like to add a shed to his property. He showed pictures of his house and lawn area where he would like the shed to go. They are proposing to build a box to fill with stone for the base of the shed. The pre-constructed shed would be placed on top of this base, which he would be purchasing from Best Built Sheds in Bristol. The shed will be no larger than 16' x 10'.
Mr. Beach stated that this is a grandfathered lot where the entire lot is wetlands. The wetlands were filled when these houses were built.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion that this is a regulated activity because it is within a wetland and also close to a wetland boundary. Commissioner Zackeo seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion that this is not a significant activity because the location of the shed and the woods around it will not impact the adjacent wetland. Commissioner Zackeo seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Commissioner Sexton made a motion to grant the permit with these construction details and the stipulations set forth by the Conservation Officer. Commissioner Zackeo seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
IV. ENFORCEMENT HEARING
a. Show Cause Hearing for un-permitted wetland activity at One Cedar Hill Road, Carroll Veltrop, Owner. (continued from meeting of March 18, 2008, tabled at meetings of April1, April 15, 2008 and May 6, 2008)
Mr. Beach stated that the engineer has been working on the report regarding what should be done regarding the stream. The Engineer should have this report submitted by the June 3rd meeting. This will be tabled until the next meeting.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of May 6, 2008
Commissioner Winters tabled the approval of the May 6, 2008 minutes until the next meeting because there were not a sufficient number of members present.
VI. RECEIPT OF NEW APPLICATIONS
Mr. Beach stated that the Parks and Recreation is looking to do a forestry management plan. Although they are not ready to submit a formal application, Mr. Toner from the Culture Parks & Recreation is here tonight to talk about what they would like to do in the near future.
Mr. Toner distributed a summary of the program as it existed in 1989. It is their intent to reactivate this now. They would like to get a management plan in place for various properties in Simsbury. He stated that they looked at 3 different areas in Town, as well as a few other properties. Mr. Toner stated that the management plans should be done on an 8-12 year cycle; they are out about 15 years now. From a budget standpoint, Mr. Toner stated that the program is set up on a self-sustaining basis. Any money that comes in from the timber harvest will go back into the program. The initial cost is the management plan itself and administering the harvesting program, which is making sure that what is expected is done. He feels that this is where it takes on both a conservation and parks function.
Mr. Toner stated that they are also looking at the Ethel Walker Woods property. They have had discussions with their Facilities Supervisor; they would like him to be very active in this process. He feels that a professional approach would enhance their property.
Mr. Toner stated that he put together a draft RFP, similar to the one they did 20 years ago. He stated that they will also consider several of the professional that they used 20 years ago.
Commissioner Sexton questioned if they put in an application for an ERT. Mr. Toner stated that they have not yet applied for one, although they do have one for the Ethel Walker property.
Commissioner Winters questions if the revenue generated from the sale of timber is enough to cover the management plan and the RFP. Mr. Toner stated that it would generate enough revenue.
Commissioner Rieger questioned if they would be addressing invasive plants in the course of this process. Mr. Toner stated that he had not thought about it, although it would make sense to address this. The Commission continued to discuss invasive plants in other areas of Town and how they could address this issue.
Mr. Beach stated that prior to tree cutting, the crew would come before this Commission to explain the process. He stated that there are several Town employees who would be going out there and watching the work as it progresses. Commissioner Winters suggested putting something on the Town's website explaining the timber harvest and management for the public's benefit.
VII. STAFF REPORTS
There were none.
VIII. DISCUSSION
Commissioner Winters stated that there will be a presentation at the next open space meeting to discuss the Elms in the Community Forest. This meeting will take place on June 4th, at 4pm. - 6p.m. at the Library. She stated that they have hired a speaker who is knowledgeable about urban trees and reinstituting the Elm Tree; it is a new type of tree that is more resistant. She invited the members to attend.
Commission Winters stated that this has also been referred from the Open Space Committee to the Conservation Commission, that this Commission be the group to oversee the tree program for the Town.
The Commission discussed the upcoming site walk that is scheduled for June 3rd at 507 Firetown Road. Although the Commission had wanted a beaver expert on the site walk, Mr. Beach did not think that the States only beaver expert would be able to join them. Also Mr. Sawitzke is out of the office for several weeks because of surgery, so he will be unable to make the site walk as well.
IX. CORRESPONDENCE / ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were none.
X. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Rieger motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:33 PM.
Commissioner Sexton seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Commissioner Ryan Mihalic, Secretary
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