ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION
June 13, 2006
Town Hall - Shaker Room
820 Enfield Street
Enfield CT 06082
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Mike Dynia called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. in the Enfield Room.
ROLL CALL: Comm. Pfeifer-Hall performed the roll call. The following commissioners were in attendance:
Michael Dynia Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall
Natalie George Christine Wunch
Gail Miller, staff liaison
Absent: Joanne Kneiss, Richard Szewczak,
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 April 11, 2005. Comm. George asked for a clarification regarding her statement on the Plan of Conservation and Development. Motion made by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall to approve the amended minutes, seconded by Comm. George and So Voted. Comm. Wunch abstained.
CORRESPONDENCE: Staff liaison read a notice from CACIWC regarding the payment of dues. Motion by Comm. George, seconded by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall to pay annual dues in conjunction with Inland Wetlands and So voted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion made by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall and seconded by Comm. Wunch to go into Executive Session and So Moved. No decisions were made and no votes were taken.
OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION: Motion by Comm. George, seconded by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall and So Voted to accept a fee in lieu of open space for the subdivision of the Leno property. The parcel is too small to accept any open space.
FARMLAND PRESERVATION: Comm. George expressed concern to Commission members regarding the issue of livestock grazing down to a watercourse and possible contamination. Comm. Dynia will call the North Central Soil Conservation District to discuss this issue.
Comm. Dynia noted that there was an article in the Hartford Courant regarding dairy farmers and the small percentage of profit they are getting for their product.
AQUIFER PROTECTION: Comm. George reviewed the Aquifer Protection Area Regulations for Enfield. It is well written and should be made part of the Plan of Conservation & Development at the next review. She has compiled a list of old wells that may or may not be capped and could pose a threat to an aquifer if there was ever a contamination leak.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROTECTION: No report
SPECIAL PROJECTS: Comm. Pfeifer-Hall will take pictures of a Scenic Road in Suffield, write a letter to Northeast Utilities and include the memo from the Town Attorney along with her photos. She will e-mail this to staff liaison who will put it on letter head and mail it.
Chairman Dynia would like to have members think of a project for next year. Comm. Pfeifer-Hall would like to have the commission develop trails along the Scantic River Greenway. Comm. George added that the town Engineer has some good topographical maps to begin this project.
Comm. George asked if the proposed development in the sand pit was part of the Greenway. Commissioners reviewed the maps and it is not.
Staff liaison will inquire about a date for Family Day in the fall.
REAL ESTATE: No report
STAFF LIAISON REPORT: Report covered in previous topics.
Liaison Report - Northern CT Land Trust: Comm. Dynia reported that the NCLT is looking for donations for the Whitaker property in Somers. Several fund raising events are planned.
Liaison Report - SRWA: The group elected new officers. Comm. Dynia and Laura Wildman, a dam engineer reviewed the area around the STR dam for possible removal. The State will provide funds to remove the timbers on the top of the dam; grants will be needed for the remainder of the work.
The next CT River Clean up will be held on Sept.30, 2006.
New Business: Review of the Plan for Conservation and Development. Maps and pages 41 - 45 will be reviewed at the next meeting.
Staff liaison will find out information regarding working farms in CT.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Comm. Wunch to adjourn the meeting at 8:30, seconded by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall and So Voted.
Respectfully submitted:
Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall
Secretary |