THESE MINUTES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE AGENCY - THEY ARE PRELIMINARY
OFFICIAL MINUTES AVAILABLE IN TOWN CLERKS OFFICE AFTER APPROVAL
Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Meeting
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, December 4, 2007
A Regular Meeting of the Enfield Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency was held on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 in the Council Chambers, Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut. Chairperson Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall, Chairperson
Thomas Arnone
Karen Camidge
Robie Staples
David Wawer (7:12 p.m.)
MEMBERS ABSENT: David Kiner
Robert LeMay
Michael Littlejohn
Michael Mosschetti
ALSO PRESENT: Steven Sadlowski, Wetlands Agent
Susan Berube, Recording Secretary
PUBLIC HEARING(S)
(No Public Hearings Scheduled)
REGULAR MEETING
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall at 7:01 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance:
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Roll Call:
Present were: Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall and Agents Arnone, Camidge, Staples and Wawer (7:12 p.m.). Also present were Steven Sadlowski, Wetlands Agent and Susan Berube, Recording Secretary.
4. Executive Session
Matters regarding specific employees, pending litigation, acquisition of real estate and / or matters exempt from disclosure requirements. :
There were no items for discussion in executive session.
5. Public Participation - Issues of concern not on the agenda:
No one in the audience came forward to speak.
6. Correspondence:
Four items of correspondence were submitted:
· Notice of delivery of 2007 edition of the “Registry of Soil Scientists”
· Letter from Mr. Sadlowski, dated 11/15/07 to Kathy Gleason, President, Enfield Community Federal Credit Union regarding their cleaning of the wetlands on Cranbrook Blvd.
· Final meeting schedule for IWWA for 2008
· Notice of New England Stormwater Technology Workshop to be held 12/13/07
7. Commissioner’s Correspondence:
There were no items of Commissioner’s Correspondence brought up for discussion.
8. Approval of Minutes –November 13, 2007:
A motion was made by Agent Arnone and seconded by Agent Camidge to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 13, 2007 with the following amendment: page 1, agenda item #1, end of 1st sentence, add “1” to correct the time to read: 7:01 p.m.” Vote was 4-0-0 (Agent Wawer was not yet present).
Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall noted that because she recused herself on the application for IW#501, she was not present to correct references to Dr. Clarence Welti, presented by the applicant as “Mr. Welti”.
9. Wetlands Agent Report –November 13, 2007 to December 4, 2007:
Mr. Sadlowski updated the Agency members on several open items.
He noted that several violations that he has been dealing with over the past several months have had to do with dumping on Town owned “open space” property.
He explained that there is a statute in the Town Ordinances that gives enforcement powers to the Director of the Department of Public Works. Mr. Sadlowski and the Director will be working with the Police Department on issuing citations. Tickets can be issued by the Police Department based on dumping and littering and possibly criminal trespass.
Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall asked if Mr. Sadlowski would still be addressing IWWA violation issues, wanting to be sure that violations would not be passed off to the police.
Mr. Sadlowski assured the Agency that he would be working with the Director of Public Works and the Police only on dumping violations on Town owned property.
He added that the current areas in question are near multi family homes, with renters involved with the dumping, not necessarily the property owners.
Agent Arnone agreed that it is a good idea to have the police involved to move the parties into action. He added that he feels that the property owners abutting the open space areas in question should be notified.
Mr. Sadlowski stated that the property owners have been notified. Several properties have cleaned up the Town owned property abutting theirs and others have indicated that they will do so, but have not begun to do so in the past year.
Agency members discussed the High Meadow subdivision. The open space there has been used as an extension of backyards. Town owned areas have been mowed, fences installed, sheds erected, gardens planted, and even a horseshoe pit installed. The owners have been notified several times to cease maintaining the property.
Agency members expressed frustration of those that ignore property boundary lines and the lack of enforcement of barring building on or permanent use of open space property.
Agent Camidge asked if the IWWA should be working with Planning and Zoning Commission on this issue.
Mr. Sadlowski replied that it is really an issue that belongs to the Town Council and the Public Works Department. The IWWA should only be involved with wetland issues.
Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall quoted excerpts from the IWWA regulations regarding areas of IWWA oversight.
Mr. Sadlowski reported that he called Mr. Mastroberti and was told that the back yard has been planted and grassed. Mr. Sadlowski stated that he will inspect when the ground is again clear of snow.
Mr. Sadlowski also reported that he has been working with other Town Staff on drainage and erosion issues within town. A list of major issues has been developed and the Staff will meet with the Town Council to try to create a plan to address these issues over time. Some of the problem areas are on public property, others are located on private property. The cost is expected to be in the millions of dollars.
In response to a question by Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall, Mr. Sadlowski updated the Agency on the JFK School project. He stated that the contractor is continuing to fill. In-stream activities are close to completion. Mr. Sadlowski expects to re-inspect the site soon.
Mr. Sadlowski also stated that he has been to the Fortune Properties site on Steele Road. He believes that the contractor is working within the correct area. Tires and garbage have been removed from the stream by hand. Conservation Easement signs have been installed.
Mr. Sadlowski added that he noticed that abutting owners are still dumping leaves and grass clippings.
Mr. Sadlowski also stated that he has not visited the BR1 site since he reported to the Agency at the last IWWA meeting. A land swap with the Town for remediation of wetlands is still being accomplished.
Lastly, he stated that the original Fletcher Road project was downsized. It was supposed to include drainage improvements further up the road as well. He stated that he will look into the matter further and have an update for the Agency at the next meeting, December 18, 2007.
10. Old Business
(No old business)
11. New Business
a. DPN 2007-11-15 Connecticut Water Company – Installation of a water pump house within the regulated area. 248 Shaker Road - Stanley Jablonski / Tilcon property (Map 94, Lot 12) Zoned I-2. Applicant requesting exemption under section 4.1e of the Agency’s regulations:
The applicant was not present.
Mr. Sadlowski reviewed the application with the Agency members. He explained that the applicant is requesting to install a pump house to assist in the distribution of water to customers.
It will be a fenced in compound and the applicant will use Best Management Practices.
The applicant is requesting an exemption based on Section 4.1e of the Regulations.
Mr. Sadlowski noted that the exemption is for obtaining, storage or withdrawal of water, not distribution. The applicant would be using the pump house for distribution, not impoundment or storage.
Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall felt that the map provided by the applicant is confusing regarding wetland and boundary lines.
Mr. Sadlowski added that he is unsure if the site has wetlands anymore; the site has been filled in.
Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall also had questions regarding the catch basin, oil separators and other items shown on the plans.
Mr. Sadlowski replied that they are probably for the possibility of leakage of the pumps.
Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall asked if Mr. Sadlowski knew if the applicant is in a hurry to begin this project. She expressed surprise and frustration at the absence of the applicant.
Agent Arnone agreed and questioned the request for exemption.
Agency members discussed the difficulty of determining the proposed location of the pump house and whether or not it would be located within the wetlands.
Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall asked Agency members if they wished to table the application or decide based on the information provided.
Agent Arnone stated that although he would have preferred that the applicant were present, he does not see a lot of impact on the area.
Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall asked if tractor trailer trucks currently parked on site, according to the aerial map, would still park there.
Mr. Sadlowski replied that it looks as though the trucks are parked where the building is proposed to be, so the trucks would need to be moved.
Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall replied that the building would not be detriment to the area and if it means moving the trucks, the building might possibly be an improvement. The area has been a heavy industrial use.
Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall went on to ask Mr. Sadlowski to relay to the applicant the fact that members of the IWWA did have questions and were disappointed that a representative did not attend the meeting or at lease provide a more complete narrative.
Agent Arnone asked if the pumps would be used to pump to storage or for distribution. He added that this project is for water for public use and is a health and safety issue.
A motion was made by Agent Wawer and seconded by Agent Camidge that a permit for this application is not necessary, due to it being a public utility, providing safe drinking water for the community.
b. DPN 2007-11-26 Robert Robbins – Construction of a farm building within the regulated area. 29 Weymouth Road (Map 17, Lot 53) zoned R-33. Applicant requesting exemption under section 4.1a of the Agency’s Regulations:
Mr. Sadlowski explained that the site is currently a tree farm. The property is largely wetlands.
The barn is to be located just to the right of the driveway. It used to be Town owned property on which a sewer pump station was located.
Wetlands have been flagged.
A side yard variance has been obtained by the applicant.
The entrance to the barn will not be on the wetland side.
The applicant would like to keep farm equipment in the barn.
The area surrounding the proposed barn is currently lawn area.
Agent Arnone asked if the barn will be on a slab, if there would be in-floor drainage, and how much excavation would be required.
He added that he would like additional information on the type of building proposed.
Mr. Sadlowski noted that the proposed building would be located at the front building line.
Agency members questioned how much excavation and filling will be required.
Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall quoted from the Town’s IWWA regulations regarding farm “use of right”. She noted that this application is clearly for farm use, for housing farm equipment.
Members held lengthy discussion regarding whether or not farmers are exempt in regulations against filling of wetlands.
Agent Arnone asked that the Town’s attorney provide clarification on the regulations regarding the “filling of wetlands or are of regular flow”.
Agent Wawer stated that he feels that as long as the barn is for farm activities, the filling is allowable.
After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Agency members to ask the applicant for more information at the Agency’s next meeting, December 18, 2007.
A motion was made by Agent Wawer and seconded by Agent Arnone to table discussion on this application until the meeting of December 18, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Vote was 5-0-0.
12. New Applications to be accepted
As presented by the Agent to the Agency at the meeting, if applicable.
There were no new applications presented to the IWWA.
13. Other Business
Mr. Sadlowski presented the final 2008 meeting schedule for the IWWA.
Agent Wawer noted that the meeting of February 5, 2007 would need to be held elsewhere since that is the date of the Connecticut Presidential Primary and both the Enfield Room and Council Chambers will be occupied by Primary activities.
Mr. Sadlowski stated that he would look into the matter to see if the meeting could be scheduled elsewhere.
• Next regular meeting is Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 7:00PM in the Council Chamber.
13. Adjourn:
A motion was made by Agent Wawer and seconded by Agent Arnone to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 p.m. Vote was 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________________
Robert Lemay, Secretary