ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION

January 10, 2006

Town Hall - Shaker Room

820 Enfield Street

Enfield CT 06082

CALL TO ORDER:  Chairman Mike Dynia called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. in the Enfield Room.

ROLL CALL:  Comm. LaPierre performed the roll call.  The following commissioners were in attendance:

Michael Dynia                         Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall   

Natalie George                         David LaPierre            

Gail Miller, staff liaison                                     

Absent:  Richard Szewczak, Joanne Kneiss,      Christine Wunch

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 December 13, 2005.   Motion made by Comm. George to approve the minutes, seconded by Comm. LaPierre and So Voted. 

CORRESPONDENCE:  Chairman Dynia reported on a letter from the Arbor Day Foundation regarding a Hazelnut tree project.

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 ACQUISITION:  Staff liaison reported that the letter to be sent to property owners along the Scantic is being reviewed by the council leadership prior to being put on the Agenda.  Comm. George asked that they understand that there are only a maximum of 24 names that are on the potential mailing list.  Comm. Dynia suggested sending a letter to the Water Company also, but Comm. George said she thought it would have to be more specific then the letter sent to other property owners.  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall believes we already have an agreement with the utilities.  Comm. LaPierre suggested that the letter include a web-site with more specific information on the definition of a conservation easement.  He will research it and forward it to the staff liaison.

FARMLAND PRESERVATION:  No report

AQUIFER PROTECTION:  No report

ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROTECTION:  Comm. George reported that she spoke to Roger Alsbaugh, Assistant Town Planner, about the widening of Town Farm Road.  He stated the two most western homes will be moved back or to another location.  He will advise the ECC when the report becomes available.

SPECIAL PROJECTS: Commissioners would like to plant another tree this year.  Members should think of a location and type of tree for the next meeting.

 REAL ESTATE:  Motion by Comm. George to recommend to the Town Council that the Town accept the donation of the parcel of land off John Street as open space.  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall seconded and agreed because 1) it is good for flood storage; 2) it will preserve a wildlife habitat; 3) it will preserve a small corridor of the brook from development.  The motion passed.  Staff liaison will pursue the next step with the Assistant Town Planner.

STAFF LIAISON REPORT:    Staff liaison reported that there have been discussions by the Town with the developer for the parcel at the corner of Shaker Road and Elm St to have soccer fields at that location.  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall would like to pursue the idea of a community garden at that location.  Motion by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall, seconded by Comm. George to write a letter to the Town Manger's office to open discussion for the use of the open space at the intersection of Shaker Road and Elm St.  This space has historically been used for agriculture and a community garden would provide a continuation and preservation of this use.  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall will forward a draft of a letter to the staff liaison.

Staff liaison reported that Mark Cerrato, Assistant Town Attorney called regarding the Scenic Road designation.  Only one third of the frontage of proposed road needs to be cleared with the owners, so two thirds of the necessary permission could come from the other land owners.  While CL&P owns about one third, the others owners are the State, Amtrak and a private owner.  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall stated that her contact at CL&P suggested that a letter from our Town Attorneys office allaying their concerns might move the process along.  Staff liaison will pursue this with the Town Attorney's office.

Liaison Report - Northern CT Land Trust:   The NCLT would like a representative from Enfield to attend the meetings.  There was a discussion about the need for an Enfield representative when there is little interest in pursuing land in Enfield.  Comm. LaPierre would like to clarify their interest in Enfield and the role of the liaison. He agreed to attend the meetings.

Liaison Report - SRWA: There will be a hike of the Melrose area on February 28 at 1:00 p.m.  It is open to the public.  There may be a canoe event in May co-sponsored by the Audubon Society and a bus trip to a fish hatchery as fund raising events.

New Business:  Review of the Plan for Conservation and Development.  Discussion was tabled until the next meeting.  Commissioners will review Sections 6 & 8 for the next meeting.

NEXT MEETING DATE:  Chairman Dynia noted that the next meeting date will be on February 14, 2006.

ADJOURNMENT:  Motion by Comm. LaPierre to adjourn the meeting at 8:45, seconded by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall and So Voted.

Respectfully submitted:

Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall

Secretary