ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION
October 9, 2007
Town Hall-Enfield Room
820 Enfield Street
Enfield, CT 06082
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Michael Dynia called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM in the Enfield Room.
ROLL CALL: Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall performed the roll call. The following commissioners were in attendance:
Michael Dynia Absent: Gail Miller, Staff Liaison
Natalie George
Timothy McGuire (7:12)
Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall
Richard Szewczak
Kathleen Vose, Alternate
Joanne Kneiss, Alternate
Everett Gamble, Alternate
PUBLIC INPUT: Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall recused herself from this portion of the meeting due to the discussion of matters involving a public hearing currently being held by the Enfield Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Agency.
Lori Parker of 105 Cottage Road, Enfield discussed a proposal to construct “Stonegate Estates” a senior residential development near Shaker Pines Lake. The developer is proposing 40 units. She is concerned the lake will suffer. An Inland Wetlands permit already exists. Comm. Szewczak gave a brief overview of the evolution of the proposal which he told the commission started out with approximately 85 units; it was reduced to about 72 units and eventually to 42 units. The site is located at the end of Mayfield Drive and abuts West Shore Drive and Shaker Pines Lake.
The Shaker Pines Lake Association hired an attorney and an engineer during the previous application to represent them. The Lake Association has obtained Intervenor Status. Members of the Association are currently representing themselves at this application for a modification. They have resubmitted all the documents from the previous application. Ms. Parker mentioned the Association’s concerns regarding access to the pumping station.
Ms. Parker presented four environmental documents which were submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Comm. George will make copies of them and they will be included in the next meeting package along with other materials.
· Thirteen of CT Most Imperiled Ecosystems, Pitch Pine-Scrub Oak Barrens
· Institute of Environmental Stewardship. LLC Stonegate Estates
· Natural Community Survey, July 31, 1982
· Stonegate Property Development Concerns/Recommendations – Dwight G. Smith (contains recommendations)
The Inland Wetlands meeting is next week, Tuesday October 16, 2007 and the Planning & Zoning meeting is the Thursday October 18, 2007.
The commissioners discussed with Ms. Parker the fact that they are only an advisory board. Then they deliberated on whether they should draft a letter. At 7:50 PM they discussed the wetland review and the fact that the density of the development is reduced.
The discussion centered on conservation issues relating to habitat and fauna and in particular the scrub pine habitat. No plans of the development were presented. The commissioners felt they needed to know the plan. They reviewed a chronological listing of documents. Enfield should have a plan or inventory of the natural resources within the town boundaries. If a grant or funding is available, Enfield should pursue this endeavor.
The commissioners discussed sending a letter to the Planning & Zoning Commission which Comms. Dynia, George and Szewczak would work on together.
A motion was made by Comm. George to draft a letter to the PZC relating to the Stonegate development and the Commission’s concerns to protect the scrub pine and marsh basin habitat. The motion was seconded by Comm. Gamble. The motion was unanimously approved.
7:58 Comm. Pfeifer-Hall rejoined the meeting.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Chairman Dynia asked for comments regarding approval of the minutes of September11, 2007. There were three corrections to be made:
1. under Archeological Protection change sentence to read: Commissioners reviewed the Open space map of the Scantic noting areas with potential impact to archaeological interest that are being considered for development.
2. under Real Estate: eliminate: The designated Open Space does not meet the guidelines for Open Space. Add after last sentence: After discussion, by consensus, the ECC agreed not to support the zone change and a letter of recommendation will be sent to the PZC.
3. Under Liaison Report – Scantic River Watershed Association change October 28 to October 27, 2007.
Motion was made by Comm. Gamble to approve the minutes as amended and seconded by Comm. George. Motion was approved (6-0-1 McGuire).
CORRESPONDENCE: Chairman Dynia presented a newspaper article from the JI about the public hearing for the Simon Road zone change and the CACCIW annual meeting. The commissioners discussed the seminars. Comms. Vose, George, Dynia and Szewczak filled out the sign up forms. Comm. Pfeifer-Hall will bring them to the town managers office to register them for the conference.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion was made by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall and seconded by Comm. Vose at 8:25 to go into executive session to discuss real estate matters. The motion was unanimously approved. At 8:36 the commission came out of executive session. Chairman Dynia stated that no decisions were made and no votes were taken.
FARMLAND PRESERVATION: Comm. McGuire discussed the letter he was working on for the ECC which is to be sent to the town farmers. He mentioned some additional ideas that other towns offer to help the farming industry. There is an additional tax break above the 490 $100,000 exemption which can be increased to $200,000. This is offered by Coventry and a few other towns. He will research this program to make a presentation to the Town Council. The commissioners also discussed promoting local produce and its environmental, financial and health benefits. There was also mention of the positive feedback from local farmers who participated in the Farmers Market at the Town Hall on Wednesday.
OPEN SPACE: Motion was made by Comm. George and seconded by Comm. Gamble to request a legal clarification of the control of the Open Space fund and how decisions are made on it use. Motion was approved unanimously.
AQUIFER PROTECTION: No Report
ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROTECTION: No Report
SPECIAL PROJECTS: No Report
REAL ESTATE: Letters sent to the Wetlands Agency and the PZC regarding the Powder Hill senior residential development proposal and the Simon Road zone change were passed around. Commissioners discussed the PZC public hearing in which the ECC’s letter was read into the record by their secretary and Ellen Martin who spoke against the zone change. It was noted that she made a strong presentation with a lot of research to support her position. Chairman Dynia noted the letters by the Commission seem to be appreciated by the public and showed that the Commission is trying to fulfill its duties. There was no public participation for the Powder Hill Public Hearing before the PZC due to the late hour and the chairman’s ill health.
Comm. George will be presenting concerns at the next PZC & Wetlands Agency meeting on the Powder Hill proposal from her perspective as treasurer of a condominium association, as a former site planner and as a former volunteer on a planning and zoning board while living in other communities. Chairman Dynia will also make a presentation on behalf of the ECC.
STAFF LIASON: No report. Chairman Dynia made note of the Habitat newsletter and the CACCWIC annual meeting notice.
Liaison Report- Northern CT Land Trust: No Report. Chairman Dynia has not had any contact with Culver Modisette for a while.
Liaison Report – Scantic River Watershed Association: Chairman Dynia reported the CT River Watershed Association Source to Sea Cleanup was held on September 29, 2007. There were approximately 35 volunteers. About 4.5 tons of trash was collected. Most of it was from the CT River and a little was picked up on the Scantic River. This is way down from previous years, which is hopefully a sign that the river is getting much cleaner and people are being more responsible. The Town of East Windsor only had 9 volunteers. The annual meeting is Sunday October 14, 2007 at 6 PM at the Somers Senior Center. The guest speaker will be Jeff Fieldman who will speak about kayaking and photography. The Watershed Association has been getting stronger; they now have about 45 members. The Wadeable Streams project will be held on Saturday October 27, 2007. The Full Moon/Halloween costume paddle on the Mill Pond in Somersville will be held on October 27th or 28th, 2007. A meeting was held on the Springborn Dam with representatives from the DEP, CT River Watershed Association, American Rivers and contractors. They will continue to study the dam and may take more boring samples from the river bottom.
NEXT MEETING DATE: Chairman Dynia note the next meeting date will be on November 13, 2007.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion was made by Comm. Gamble to adjourn and seconded by Comm. Szewczak and So Voted.
Respectfully submitted:
Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall
Secretary
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