ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION
February 12, 2008
Town Hall – Enfield Room
820 Enfield Street
Enfield, CT 06082
Meeting Re-convened at 8:45 PM in the Enfield Room after a joint meeting with the Enfield Historic District Commission.
ROLL CALL: Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall performed roll call. The following commissioners were in attendance:
Michael Dynia
Natalie George
Timothy McGuire
Karen LaPlante
Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall
Kathleen Vose, Alternate
Guest: Roger Alsbaugh, Assistant Town Planner
Absent: Joanne Kneiss, Alternate
Everett Gamble, Alternate
Richard Szewczak
Gail Miller, Staff Liaison
PUBLIC INPUT: None
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Chairman Dynia asked for comments on the minutes, the following changes were made:
Under Public Input the second paragraph the last two sentences are changed to: Comm. Pfeifer-Hall said the ECC needs to determine interest and then the Commission should go to the Town leadership. She suggested inviting local farmers to n informational meeting. Comm. McGuire suggested inviting farmers who are in the State Farmland Preservation program to the meeting to discuss their experience. Under Correspondence: change Sylvia Conte to Sylvio Conte. Under Farmland Preservation change Guest Speakers to See Public Input. Under Special Projects change ditcher to Dutcher. Under Liaison Report- SRWA change she started to she stated and change the last sentence to SWRA received a $25,000 grant to study the removal of portions of the Springborn Dam.
Under Next Meeting Date change March 11 to February 12. Under Adjournment change Szewczak to McGuire.
Motion was made by Comm. George and seconded by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was approved (6-0-0).
CORRESPONDENCE: None
EXECUTIVE SESSION: None
OPEN SPACE: Letter received from State regarding the French property. The town has submitted the required documentation in order for the Agreements to be drawn up and executed. As soon as the additional requested documents have been signed and received by the State the funds will be released to the Town of Enfield.
FARMLAND PRESERVATION: The flyer and letter drafted by Comm. McGuire inviting farmers and property owners to the March 11th meeting to learn about ways to preserve farmland was reviewed. Comm. George will send the letters to property owners at her discretion. Qualified property owners will generally have 30 acres. Comm. Vose volunteered to help. Roger Alsbaugh will assist with the letter printing and envelopes. Comm. McGuire will ask Jack Collins of the Collins Dairy Farm to speak about his experiences as a participant in the Farmland Preservation Program. Lance Shannon from the Department of Agriculture will be a guest speaker at the meeting.
ARCHEOLOGICAL PROTECTION: No Report
SPECIAL PROJECTS: Comm. George spoke to Henry Dutcher a tree. He is interested. They are discussing a location. Comm. George recommended a “Red Bud” tree in honor of Mary Lou Strom. She will contact Tarnow’s and will have an estimate for the next meeting.
STAFF REPORT: Noted status of funds for Open Space, letter discussed under Open Space. Comm. Pfeifer-Hall noted she had sent an email requesting on an update regarding letter to be sent to Nick Bellantoni, the State Archeologist. The Commission is requesting a review of the channels along Powder Hill Road. Roger suggested a request be sent to him and he will follow up on this issue.
Liaison Report – N. Connecticut Land Trust: Comm. LaPlante went to a Board meeting. They are looking for a representative from Enfield. She was asked to join but declined the offer. She suggested to the Trust that they send an Enfield representative to our meetings on a quarterly basis. Chairman Dynia said they will be having presentation on Mountain Lions at the Somers Town Hall on Sunday March 16th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. The Land Trust will be hosting a hike in June.
Liaison Report – Scantic River Watershed Association: Chairman Dynia stated that soil samples from behind the Springborn Dam have been analyzed. Some heavy metals have been detected but no PAH’s (Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons) were detected. Chromium, Barium and Lead was detected. Further analysis will be done. There is 10’ of sediment built up behind the dam. The sediment will have to be removed before the dam is dismantled.
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Dynia stated the next meeting is March 11, 2008. A motion was made to adjourn at 10:10 PM by Comm. George and seconded by Comm. Vose and So Voted.
Respectfully Submitted,
Secretary