ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION

April 10, 2007

Town Hall – Enfield Room

820 Enfield Street

Enfield, CT 06082

CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Mike Dynia called the meeting to order at 7:03 P.M. in the Enfield Room.

ROLL CALL: Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall performed the roll call. The following commissioners were in attendance:

Michael Dynia                                                  Natalie George

Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall                                        Joanne Kneiss, Alternate

Timothy McGuire

Kathleen Vose, Alternate

Gail Miller, Staff Liaison

Absent: Christine Wunch, Richard Szewczak, Everett Gamble  

Chairman Dynia empowered Comm. Kneiss and Vose to act as voting members.

He also thanked Comm. George for taking the minutes of the March meeting.

PUBLIC INPUT: Chairman Dynia noted that there were no persons present to give public input.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Chairman Dynia asked for comments regarding the minutes of March 13, 2007. Motion to approve the minutes, as amended, made by Comm. George seconded by Comm. Vose and So Voted. Comm. Pfeifer-Hall abstained.

CORRESPONDENCE:  Comm. Dynia reviewed an article in the Hartford Courant that discussed the status of local boards and commissions.  Many of them are having a hard time attracting members or finding people that will attend regularly and make the commitment.  Comm. George asked if there was a standard for attendance.  Staff liaison will look into it.

Comm. George noted that there is a meeting of the Connecticut River Assembly on Thursday, April 12, at noon.  She has not had a response from the Town Manger’s office regarding her appointment to the Assembly.

Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall reviewed an Article in the Hartford Courant that discussed the amount of land that the town of Suffield is adding to their open space.  They are paying particular attention to farmland preservation.  Comm. Kneiss noted that the town of Middlefield was voting on buying the Powder Ridge property.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion made by Comm. George and seconded by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall to go into Executive Session and So Moved.  No decisions were made and no votes were taken.

OPEN SPACE: No report

FARMLAND PRESERVATION: Comm. McGuire, who works for the State of Connecticut Department of Agriculture, spoke about the Farm Preservation Program which began in 1978.  He passed out some information and described how the program works.  It is now receiving some attention after having been put on a back burner for several years.  It is funded in part by a real estate conveyance tax that is assessed on the sale of property.  Farmland is one of three beneficiaries’ of the fee.  The goal in 1978 was to preserve 130,000 acres.  To date 32,000 acres have been added to the program.  A farmer can apply and the state puts a restriction in the deed which states that the land cannot be used for development.  Any future owner has to abide by this restriction.  Enfield has 800 acres in the program.  It was suggested that a mailing go out to all owners of property that qualify for a 490 designation.  Staff liaison will get a list from the Assessor’s office and mail it to Comm. McGuire.  Comm. Kneiss suggested that in the letter the Commission let people know that the ECC is here to help and support them and that the Commission shares their values.

AQUIFER PROTECTION:  No report

SPECIAL PROJECTS:  Comm. George went to the Senior Center Rotary Garden looking for a site for a tree to be planted on the property.  She was not able to ascertain an appropriate site.  Staff liaison will contact Henry Dutcher at the library.

Comm. Pfeifer-Hall contacted Senator John Kissell, asking his help with the scenic road designation and CL&P. 

Comm. George suggested showing the movie, An Inconvenient Truth, during Family Day.  There were concerns about opening the building and the ability of the children to sit still during a presentation of this type.  Comm. Kneiss suggested a speaker during Family Reading Week.

REAL ESTATE:  No report

STAFF LIAISON: No report

Liaison Report- Northern CT Land Trust:  No report

Liaison Report - Scantic River Watershed Association - Comm. Dynia stated that    the Spring Splash was a success. There were 158 participants and 108 boats. He also reported that SWRA will apply for funding from NOAA for a feasibility study to look at removing the timber from the Springborn Dam.  There will be a fishing class held on May 15-17 at the Angelo Lamanga Center.

NEW BUSINESS: Review of the Plan of Conservation and Development.  Tabled until the next meeting. 

NEXT MEETING DATE:  Chairman Dynia noted the next meeting date will be on May 8, 2007.

ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Comm. Kneiss to adjourn the meeting at 8:33, seconded by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall and So Voted.

Respectfully submitted:

Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall

Secretary